The war in Iran appeared to be spreading on Wednesday after the Iran-backed Houthi rebels bombed two Saudi oil tankers off the coast of Saudi Arabia, threatening to further disrupt oil supply
The Houthis claimed an attack on two vessels 70 nautical miles southwest of the portof Al Shuqaiq, saying they had violated a maritime blockade
The incident had earlier been reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), who said crews were attempting to extinguish a fire onboard. No casualties or environmental impact have been reported
The Houthis have recently threatened to attack ships transiting through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea’s southern access point
It came hours after Iran’s foreign minister warned of an “eye for an eye” response if Donald Trump continues with his threat to bomb a bridge or power plant for every ship targeted in the Strait of Hormuz
In a post on X, Abbas Araghchi said: “Our defence doctrine is clear: eye for an eye. Any aggression against Iran, including our infrastructure, will compel a powerful and decisive response.”
Saudi state media confirms attack on Red Sea vessel
Saudi state media has confirmed that a Saudi-owned vessel came under attack while sailing in the Red Sea
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), which cited an official from the General Transport Authority, the incident caused a fire at the front of the ship
The official said all crew members aboard the Encelia were safe and that authorities had taken steps to secure the vessel, protect those on board and prevent environmental damage
The statement followed claims by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group that it had launched missile and drone attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea on Wednesday
The Houthis identified one of the ships as the Encelia, saying the strikes were part of what they described as a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia linked to the US-Iran conflict
Maroosha Muzaffar23 July 2026 04:00
House Democrat criticizes newly adopted Iran war funding proposal: ‘Focus on investment here at home’
US Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, has criticized a budget proposal adopted by the Republican-led House Wednesday, which includes funding for the Iran war
“This money could fund free public college and free childcare for every American while expanding health care coverage for seniors”, Khanna wroteon X. “It’s time to end the war and focus on investment here at home”
The $95 billion package, which was adopted in a 216-214 vote, includes $60 billion for the Pentagon and $13 billion for other national security issues, $12 billion in aid for farmers and $10 billion to help implement changes in voting laws, according to the Associated Press
Rachel Dobkin23 July 2026 03:32
Trump oddly boasts about how many Americans have been killed in his Iran war compared to Vietnam
Donald Trump has framed the American death toll in theIran war as relatively low compared to past conflicts, drawing criticism from across the political spectrum
Trump recently posted a graphic on his Truth Social platform that outlined the duration and casualties of wars initiated under previous presidents
“Vietnam War: 19 years, 58,220 DEAD. Korean War: 3 years, 36,574 DEAD. Iraq War: 9 years, 4,600 DEAD. Afghanistan War: 20 years, 2,000 DEAD”, it stated
The current war was labeled simply as the “Iran Military Conflict,” accompanied by the line “18 DEAD”
Read on
Trump boasts about how many Americans have been killed in Iran compared to Vietnam
‘These are the real facts,’ the 80-year-old Republican wrote. ‘REPORT THEM!’
Brendan Rascius23 July 2026 03:04
Maritime traffic in Strait of Hormuz remains diminished
Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has remained diminished as the Iran war drags on
Just 14 ships have transited the vital oil waterway in the Middle East in the past 24 hours, according to the Hormuz Strait Monitor
Rachel Dobkin23 July 2026 02:31
Trump claims without proof that soldiers killed in Iran war shared his view that Tehran can’t have a nuclear weapon
Donald Trump has claimed that US service members killed in theIran war had shared his view that Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon
The US president made the remarks Wednesday — seemingly without proof — before heading to Dover Air Force Base to attend the dignified transfer of four soldiers who died in the Middle East conflict over the past week
“We’re going to Dover…to honor our heroes, and they are indeed great heroes, actually”, Trump told reporters while standing in front of Marine One
“They said, and all of them said very strongly, ‘We can’t let, we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. They won’t have a nuclear weapon’”, the president continued. “So, we’re going to honor them, and one of the hardest things to do — for me, it’s one of the hardest things to do as a president — but has to be done”
Read on
Trump claims without proof fallen soldiers were against Iran having nuclear weapon
‘They said, and all of them said very strongly, ‘We can’t let, we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon,’ Trump claimed
Brendan Rascius23 July 2026 02:03
Rachel Dobkin23 July 2026 01:32
Trump’s unpopular Iran war receives another negative review from Americans
Donald Trump’s unpopular Iran war has received another negative review from Americans
In a new Fox News poll, 66 percent of Americans said they disapprove of the way the US president is handling the war, while just 34 percent said they approve
Rachel Dobkin23 July 2026 01:06
WATCH: Trump says Iran will be ready to make a deal ‘very soon’
Rachel Dobkin23 July 2026 00:34
House adopts package to fund Iran war and other Trump priorities
The US House of Representatives has adopted a $95 billion package to fund the Iran war and other priorities of President Donald Trump
In a 216-214 vote, the Republican-led House approved $60 billion for the Pentagon and $13 billion for other national security issues, $12 billion in aid for farmers and $10 billion to help implement changes in voting laws, according to the Associated Press
Rachel Dobkin23 July 2026 00:05
Hegseth shares photos of dignified transfer of soldiers killed in Iran war
Rachel Dobkin22 July 2026 23:52
