U.S. Strikes Iran As War Spreads Across The Region

The U.S. has carried out a “heavy wave” of strikes against Iran in retaliation for Tehran targeting American bases in Jordan, as the five-month-old war threatens to embroil additional countries in the region.

The latest tensions began on July 28, when Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had attacked a U.S. air base and command center in Jordan, as well as three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. military said all Iranian ballistic missiles were intercepted.

On July 29, a drone struck a U.S.-owned gas storage tanker at Egypt’s port of Damietta. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack.

The same day, the United States and Saudi Arabia carried out their first publicly announced joint strikes against Iran-backed militias in Iraq. The attacks were launched in response to drone strikes on Saudi oil facilities that came from Iraqi territory. Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) said 20 of its fighters were killed.

Between July 29 and 30, U.S. forces carried out further strikes against dozens of IRGC targets in Iran, including command centers and drone facilities. The attacks were described as retaliation for Iran’s assault on U.S. positions in Jordan, as fears grow that the conflict could expand further across the region.

Hamas Agrees To Disarm In Gaza

President Trump claims his Board of Peace has reached agreement with Hamas for a phased disarmament. However, it remains conditional on Israeli withdrawal even as the IDF entrenches along the “Yellow Line”.

The Yellow Line indicates the IDF withdrawal line following the ceasefire of Oct 2025, and was initially marked with concrete blocks. Israel has since then built a network of earth barriers or berms stretching more than 42km and covering about 85% of the Yellow Line.

Hamas insists Israeli troops must withdraw from the Gaza Strip before the armed groups hand over their heavy weapons to the Palestinian administration. Israel, however, remains skeptical that the militants will disarm, and has demanded that the Strip be demilitarized before it agrees to withdraw.

Russia Ups Its Crude Oil Exports Through The Arctic

Russia is boosting crude oil shipments through the Arctic Sea, shortening delivery times and helping to push oil exports above 4 million barrels a day for a fifth consecutive week.

Russia is ramping up crude oil shipments through the Arctic, cutting delivery times and helping keep exports above 4 million barrels a day for a fifth straight week.

Crude exports averaged 4.03 million barrels a day in the week to July 26, according to Bloomberg tanker-tracking data.

The Arctic route, which becomes navigable during the summer, is being used earlier and more heavily than in previous years. Six oil tankers have already begun the northern passage this July, compared with just one during the same month last year.

While the route doesn’t increase export volumes directly, it allows tankers to return more quickly for their next cargo, expanding Russia’s effective shipping capacity. It also lets vessels bypass the Red Sea, where attacks and a maritime blockade by Yemen’s Houthis have disrupted shipping.

Spain And Morocco Race To Contain Migrant Crisis

Spain and Morocco are reinforcing the border around Ceuta after around 50,000 migrants are believed to have entered the Spanish enclave by sea and land in a day.

The surge follows a recent ruling by Spain's Supreme Court that migrants intercepted at sea while trying to reach Ceuta or the nearby enclave of Melilla cannot be immediately returned to Morocco.

The unprecedented influx has raised concern across Europe. France has stepped up checks along its border with Spain, while Italy has threatened to seek Spain's suspension from the Schengen free-travel area.

Ceuta and Melilla, Spain's two autonomous enclaves on Morocco's Mediterranean coast, are the European Union's only land borders with Africa. Both regularly see attempted crossings by migrants hoping to reach Europe, but the scale of the latest arrivals is without recent precedent.