Background: The US and Iran have been engaged in a conflict since February 28, with a fragile ceasefire in place since April 8 that later collapsed. The US has conducted multiple waves of strikes on Iranian military sites, and the Houthis have been attacking Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea. Today: Saudi Arabia announced it will lead a new multinational maritime coalition to protect Red Sea shipping. A meeting in Riyadh was attended by representatives from 43 countries and the EU, and 14 countries, including Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt, issued a joint statement of support. The US military conducted new strikes on Iranian targets, including on Qeshm Island and in Bushehr province, after Iran attempted an attack on US forces. Iran warned Bulgaria and Cyprus against hosting US military assets. Reports emerged of a potential Chinese arms deal with Iran involving 300-400 MANPADS, which Beijing denied. A drone attack caused a fire at an LNG terminal in Egypt's Damietta port. The US imposed new sanctions on eight tankers and ten companies, six of which are based in China. Iraq condemned US-Saudi strikes on its territory, saying it had not approved them. Hezbollah launched a drone attack on Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, the first since the new ceasefire. The Houthis, with Iranian support, are developing a system to impose tolls on ships passing through the Bab al-Mandab strait.

Background: Iran's IRGC had previously declared RAF Fairford a legitimate target and warned that any nation supporting the US in the conflict would be considered a legitimate target. On July 29, 2026, the IRGC navy command announced it targeted and stopped three 'offending' oil tankers that continued along an 'unsafe and illegal route' despite warnings, reiterating that US 'illegal interventions' would not go unanswered. The following day, July 30, 2026, the IRGC issued a new statement warning that countries aiding the US will face a 'harsh response' if they do not correct their behavior. It asserted full control over the Strait of Hormuz, stating the waterway will remain closed to navigation as long as US threats and interference in regional maritime movements continue.

Background: President Trump nominated acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, his former criminal defense lawyer, to permanently lead the Justice Department, facing Democratic accusations of enabling political retaliation. Today: The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed a vote on Blanche's nomination after Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis demanded written assurances regarding a controversial $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund and tax audit immunity for Trump. Trump threatened to withdraw the nomination and renominate Blanche after the senators leave office, escalating tensions within the GOP ahead of midterms. The postponement followed a 45-minute meeting between Cornyn, Tillis, and Blanche, with reports indicating they were closer to an agreement. The senators sought written confirmation that the $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund from the Trump-IRS settlement would not be implemented and that tax audit immunity for Trump and his family would not extend to future matters. The fund, part of a $10 billion settlement resolving Trump's lawsuit against the IRS, was previously scrapped in June but not formally confirmed in writing. Trump threatened to withdraw Blanche's nomination and renominate him after Cornyn and Tillis leave office in January, while insisting Blanche would remain acting attorney general. Blanche can continue serving as acting attorney general indefinitely as deputy attorney general.

Background: Senator Rand Paul has long pushed for Fauci's indictment over COVID-19 handling. At a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing chaired by Senator Rand Paul, Dr. Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, declining to answer over 100 questions. He cited fear of perjury prosecution, arguing Paul had an 'obsession' with prosecuting him. Paul announced a contempt vote for next week and ordered Fauci's lawyer removed from the room. Florida's attorney general opened an investigation into Fauci. The hearing focused on COVID-19 origins, gain-of-function research, and Fauci's diary entries. Democrats defended Fauci, calling the hearing politically motivated.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, issued a letter warning troops that open-source intelligence from their personal phone videos and social media posts is helping Iran assess the effectiveness of its attacks and target US bases in the Gulf. He cited a video from Meta smart glasses showing a service member's evacuation route during an Iranian missile strike. Sources say some troops in Jordan may be ordered to surrender phones in coming days. The warning follows an Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base and concerns that open-source intelligence is aiding Iran's battle damage assessment. The policy has raised anxiety among troops and families. The conflict with Iran has resulted in 18 US service members killed and over 600 wounded since February 28.

Hadi Matar, who stabbed author Salman Rushdie in 2022, was convicted by a New York federal jury on charges of providing material support to Hezbollah and engaging in transnational terrorism. Matar, already serving a 25-year state sentence for attempted murder, now faces life in prison. Prosecutors argued he was motivated by the 1989 fatwa against Rushdie and a 2006 Hezbollah speech. The verdict underscores the global reach of Iranian-backed terrorism, though Iran denies involvement.

Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with US Vice President Vance at the White House to deliver a message from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The meeting followed joint US-Saudi strikes on pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, which were in response to drone attacks on Saudi infrastructure. Saudi Arabia emphasized it is not seeking escalation with Iran and prefers de-escalation, contrasting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's push for escalation. The kingdom also signaled it can manage the Houthi situation without direct US involvement.

Background: Former US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried previously commented on Trump's proposal to help Ukraine manufacture Patriot missiles, signaling a US reassessment of Ukraine's defense as a US interest. Today, Fried told Kyiv Post that Trump's increasingly favorable approach to Ukraine reflects recognition that a Russian victory is not inevitable, driven by Ukrainian battlefield successes. He praised the Trump-Zelensky meeting as a significant improvement over their February 2025 encounter, and pointed to a strong bipartisan Senate vote (86-12) advancing legislation to increase economic pressure on Russia, including expanded sanctions and potential tariffs on major Russian energy consumers. Fried noted that Zelensky's engagement with senators helped change votes. He also noted that conservative activist Laura Loomer reversed her anti-Ukraine stance after visiting the country and now supports Ukraine strongly. Additionally, Fried expects Trump envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff to visit Kyiv soon, marking their first trip to Ukraine after repeated contacts with Moscow.