AGP Executive Report

US-Iran War Powers: The US House passed a war powers resolution for the second time, 214-208, with four Republicans joining Democrats to demand Trump end hostilities in Iran; the vote is largely symbolic but signals widening congressional pushback as fighting drags on. Red Sea Escalation: Trump warned Iran and the Houthis face “major military punishment” if attacks on ships continue after the Houthis said they struck two Saudi tankers, with oil jumping as a new chokepoint threat grows. Hormuz Pressure: Iran says it will keep striking as long as it remains under attack, while the US and Iran trade warnings over targeting infrastructure tied to shipping. CIA Strike Fallout: US intelligence is reportedly probing whether Russia helped Iran hit covert CIA facilities, after the precision of recent drone strikes raised questions in Washington. Regional Spillover: Jordan and Kuwait reported intercepting Iranian missiles and drones aimed at US-linked assets. Iran Domestic Crackdown: Iran’s intelligence ministry classified Persian-language Christian satellite broadcasters as “hostile,” threatening viewers and channels with prosecution under expanded espionage laws. Economy & Markets: The ECB held rates steady but flagged high uncertainty from energy shocks as Brent briefly topped $100. Human Impact Abroad: India said about 26,000 flights were disrupted by the US-Iran conflict.

US-Iran Escalation: The US launched its 12th straight night of strikes on Iranian military targets, saying the goal is to reduce threats to civilian shipping in the region. Hormuz “Infrastructure” Threats: President Trump warned the US will destroy one Iranian bridge or power plant for every ship attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, including sites near Tehran, while Iran’s leadership vowed “eye for an eye” retaliation and warned it could target US-linked civilian infrastructure and disrupt oil exports. Regional Pressure: The GCC urged “immediate accountability” at the UN Security Council, citing Iranian missile/drone attacks and Houthi threats to close Bab el-Mandeb, warning about freedom of navigation and energy infrastructure. Red Sea Spillover: Yemen’s Houthis claimed strikes on two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea, as the Strait of Hormuz crisis widens. Diplomacy Under Strain: Iran’s interior minister met Pakistan’s mediator to revive talks, but Gulf states remain pessimistic about any off-ramp. UK Moves: Britain temporarily withdrew embassy staff from Iran, citing an “ongoing security situation.” US Politics & Costs: The US House approved a $95 billion Iran-war budget plan, as lawmakers and the public question the strategy and mounting costs.

Hormuz Escalation: US President Donald Trump vowed that every Iranian attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz will trigger a US strike destroying “ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT,” including sites near Tehran, as Washington continues its 11th straight night of strikes aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping. Regional Crossfire: Iran fired missiles at Jordan’s Aqaba after US airstrikes; Jordan said it intercepted four missiles and warned of two falling in uninhabited areas. Bahrain reported intercepting and destroying several Iranian drones and missiles, accusing Tehran of targeting civilians. Human Toll in Iran: Iran’s Health Ministry said US strikes since June 27 killed 53 and wounded 592, while Iran and the US trade accusations over violations of a fragile ceasefire framework. Nuclear Row: Iran rejected US threats over Kolang mountain, saying its nuclear activities are declared to the IAEA and calling Washington’s focus a “fabricated pretext,” while Iran also hit back at IAEA silence over US attacks on nuclear sites. Diplomacy Under Strain: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told ASEAN that Iranian control of Hormuz would set a dangerous precedent, even as both sides question each other’s sincerity on talks. Markets and Shipping: Oil prices pushed above $95 as the conflict threatens supply routes, while shipping remains heavily disrupted through Hormuz. Iraq-Iran Ties: Iraq’s PM Ali al-Zaidi is set to visit Tehran to discuss trade, transport, and agriculture, amid Baghdad’s tightrope between Washington and Tehran.

US-Iran Strikes: The US launched its 11th straight night of strikes, saying it hit Iranian military operation centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage and logistics to “degrade” threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz; Iranian state TV also reported air defenses activated around Tehran as explosions were heard in places including Bushehr and near Tabriz. Pickaxe Mountain Nuclear Threat: Trump again warned the US will hit “Pickaxe Mountain,” a deeply buried nuclear site, while insisting Iran “desperately” wants talks but the US has “no interest” unless talks are meaningful. War Cost Showdown: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told senators the Iran war has cost $37.5 billion so far and pushed for about $67B more, as Democrats challenged the lack of strategy and pointed to unspent funds. US Casualties in Jordan: The Pentagon identified Sgt. Angel Rampersad, a Queens resident, as the third service member believed killed in the Jordan base attack. Gulf Shipping Pressure: A tanker in the Strait of Hormuz reported being hit and its crew abandoned ship; Iran also claimed it stopped a Kuwaiti tanker, while Houthis threatened to widen the conflict by targeting shipping via Bab el-Mandeb. Diplomatic Fallout: France summoned Iran’s charge d’affaires over alleged intimidation of embassy staff in Tehran. Iran’s Domestic Signal: Iran’s president said the country is in “full-scale war,” as Kuwait reported strikes on power and desalination facilities.

Gulf Infrastructure Under Fire: Iran-backed strikes hit Kuwait’s power and desalination facilities again for a fourth straight day, with fires reported and units taken offline to protect the grid, while Bahrain and Jordan also reported interceptions and air-defense activity. Regional Escalation: The IRGC claimed attacks on U.S. radar and air-defense systems in Bahrain and Kuwait, as the U.S. carried out its 10th consecutive night of strikes aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to target shipping. Strait of Hormuz Pressure: Shipping through Hormuz fell further as tanker incidents and warnings mounted; Iran also said it stopped “non-compliant” tankers, while Houthis announced a Red Sea blockade threat that could tighten global energy routes. Diplomacy vs. Retaliation: Mediators in Pakistan and Qatar pushed a 10-day ceasefire proposal, but Iran and the U.S. kept trading blows; Iran’s interior minister arrived in Islamabad for talks. Sanctions Bite: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China cut Iranian oil purchases by about 40%, adding pressure to Iran’s economy. Nuclear Tensions: Reports say Israel believes Iran moved thousands of centrifuges to deep tunnels at Pickaxe Mountain, as Trump signals possible strikes.

US-Iran Escalation: The U.S. launched its 10th straight night of strikes on Iran, targeting sites tied to attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iranian media reported explosions across southern ports and central areas. Mediated Truce Talks: Iran’s foreign ministry says proposals have been delivered via mediators to end the renewed fighting, while the U.S. says diplomacy remains open but Tehran’s missile-and-drone attacks are the main obstacle. Kuwait and Bahrain Under Fire: Kuwait says its air defenses intercepted Iranian missiles and drones; Iran also claims strikes on U.S.-linked facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain. Deadly Toll in Jordan: The Pentagon identified two U.S. soldiers killed in an Iranian strike on a Jordan base, with a third still missing, as Trump vowed Iran will “pay many times over.” Regional Shipping Shock: The Houthis announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, adding pressure to already strained Red Sea and Gulf trade routes. Energy Prices: Gas prices in the U.S. jumped back to about $4 a gallon as oil markets react to renewed conflict. France-Iran Diplomatic Clash: Iran detained two French embassy staff and beat one, prompting France to warn of consequences.

US-Iran Escalation: The U.S. launched its ninth straight night of strikes on Iran, saying it aims to “degrade” Tehran’s ability to attack commercial vessels around the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran warned the strait would be unsafe for oil and gas transit and claimed tankers were immobilised after explosions. Regional Fallout: Bahrain reported drone targeting of its air navigation systems (traffic unaffected), Kuwait said it intercepted drones and reported fires at a power and desalination site, and Iran’s Guards claimed hits on U.S. assets in Kuwait, Jordan and Syria. Diplomacy Still Alive: Iran’s foreign ministry says mediators have delivered proposals for a 10-day ceasefire to revive an interim deal, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remains open to talks “if it has to be real.” Human Cost & Warnings: The U.S. identified two service members killed in Jordan (from Hawaii and Texas) and issued a worldwide travel warning for Americans as casualties mount. Energy Shock: Gas prices in the U.S. snapped back above $4 a gallon and Brent crude pushed past $90, with markets bracing for longer inflation pressure. Houthi Move: Yemen’s Houthis announced a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, threatening wider disruption to shipping and oil flows.

US-Iran Escalation: The US began a ninth straight night of airstrikes on Iran, saying the goal is to degrade Iranian capabilities targeting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after more American deaths. Regional Spillover: Iran said it hit a command center near Al-Tanf in Syria and fired at Kuwait and Bahrain, where sirens sounded and officials reported damage to power and water facilities. Jordan Flashpoint: Israel and Jordan reported intercepting an Iranian missile toward Aqaba, as the US and Iran trade strikes and the interim ceasefire continues to unravel. Troop Deaths in Iraq: CENTCOM said a US service member was killed during a “controlled detonation” of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone in northern Iraq, while unidentified remains were being examined after the Jordan attack. Markets & Shipping: Brent pushed above $90 as dual blockades and disrupted transit raise fears for energy supplies, while Gulf tensions keep investors on edge. Diplomacy Fallout: Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan accused Washington of violating the Islamabad MoU, blaming US actions and infrastructure strikes. Local Impact: In Egypt’s “Garbage City,” recycling demand is surging as Hormuz disruptions ripple into plastic supply chains.

US-Iran Escalation: The U.S. launched an eighth straight night of strikes, saying it was “swiftly punishing” Iran’s Revolutionary Guard after two American troops were killed in Jordan; Iran retaliated with drone and missile attacks across the Gulf, keeping the tit-for-tat cycle moving fast. Gulf Infrastructure Under Fire: Kuwait reported a second day of attacks on a power and desalination plant, triggering fires and emergency response, while Bahrain activated air-raid sirens and said its defenses intercepted Iranian aerial attacks. Darkhovin Nuclear Site: Iran’s atomic agency condemned a U.S. strike on the under-construction Darkhovin nuclear power plant in Khuzestan, calling it an attack on a civilian facility. Hormuz Tensions: Iran said it stopped two “violating” vessels trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz via an unsafe route, warning that only Iran-designated lanes are secure. Diplomacy Tries to Catch Up: Iraq’s PM Ali al-Zaidi is set to visit Tehran with a proposal to restart dialogue and narrow differences, as the MoU framework keeps collapsing under renewed strikes. Domestic Pressure in Iran War’s Wake: Aid workers in northern Nigeria linked rising petrol costs from the Iran war to worsening child malnutrition, showing the conflict’s spillover far beyond the region.

U.S.-Iran Escalation: The U.S. launched an eighth straight night of strikes on Iran, saying the goal is to “swiftly punish” IRGC forces after two U.S. service members were killed and another is missing following an attack on a Jordan base. Jordan Casualties: CENTCOM reported the deaths on July 17, with four others treated and released; identities are withheld pending next-of-kin notification. Hormuz Pressure: Washington framed the campaign as aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a route carrying about 20% of global oil. Civilian Infrastructure Hits: Iran and Gulf states traded accusations as U.S. strikes hit water and power assets, including a Bunji desalination site in Jask that left 10,000 people without water, while Kuwait reported fires and injuries and Bahrain said it intercepted new aerial attacks. Diplomacy Collapses: Iran says it has suspended commitments under a MoU with the U.S., blaming U.S. violations; Iran’s supreme leader called Trump’s signature “worthless,” warning of “unforgettable lessons.” Regional Ripples: Kuwait closed airspace and rescheduled flights amid attacks; Bahrain and Kuwait reported damage and emergency disruptions. Iran Abroad: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to attend the BRICS summit in India in September.

Iran-US War Escalation in the Gulf: The fighting keeps widening after a week of strikes. The U.S. says it hit Iranian military and infrastructure targets for a seventh straight night, while Iran warns it will move beyond “like-for-like” retaliation. Kuwait Under Fire: Kuwait says Iranian missiles and drones entered its airspace since dawn and were intercepted, but attacks still sparked fires and damage. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation reported repeated strikes on a vital oil facility, with injuries and evacuation. Kuwait’s electricity and water ministry said a fire broke out at a power generation and desalination plant, forcing precautionary shutdowns of some units. Kuwait Fire Force said firefighters and a worker were injured while battling two separate blazes. Regional Fallout: Kuwait Airways rescheduled most flights after Kuwait International Airport was temporarily suspended following the attacks. Bahrain Response: Bahrain’s defense force said it intercepted and destroyed multiple Iranian aerial attacks, with sirens reported earlier in the day. Humanitarian Impact in Iran: Separately, Iran’s Hormozgan water officials said a U.S. strike on a desalination plant in Jask cut drinking water to about 10,000 people across 20 villages.

US-Iran Escalation: The U.S. launched its seventh straight night of strikes on Iran, hitting bridges, ports and other infrastructure after a ceasefire memorandum collapsed, while Iran warned that any attacks on its facilities make regional infrastructure “legitimate targets.” Retaliation Across the Gulf: Tehran said it struck U.S. and allied assets in Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Oman and Syria, including claims of attacks on bases and surveillance systems. Human Toll: Iran’s health ministry alleged 38 killed and 400+ injured in U.S. strikes, as the U.S. acknowledged more service members hurt. Kuwait Under Fire: Kuwait reported intercepting missiles and drones, with damage to a power generation and desalination plant and injuries to soldiers from shrapnel. Hormuz Shipping Shock: Fighting around the Strait of Hormuz disrupted traffic and pushed oil prices higher, with both sides trading claims of control and “zero hour” warnings. Media Crackdown: Iran reportedly ordered local outlets to limit reporting on damage to civilian infrastructure. Diplomatic Ripples: Qatar condemned an Iranian attack on Iraq’s Kurdistan region, while Russia urged restraint.

US-Iran Escalation: The US expanded strikes early Friday, hitting more Iranian bridges and collapsing a tower at Iran’s Chabahar port as the interim ceasefire collapses and both sides trade blows over the Strait of Hormuz. Gulf Retaliation: Iran’s IRGC claimed coordinated attacks on US facilities in Qatar, Oman and Syria, while Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan reported intercepting fresh Iranian missiles and drones. Kuwait’s Infrastructure Hit: Kuwait said an Iranian attack damaged a power generation and water desalination plant, sparking a fire and forcing emergency measures—another warning about how fast daily life can be disrupted in the region. Power Grid Strain in Iran: Iran urged people to cut electricity use and shut off AC during peak hours after US strikes damaged energy infrastructure, including in the Bandar Abbas area. Red Sea Pressure: Iran told Yemen’s Houthis to be ready to close Red Sea shipping if the US targets Iran’s energy network. UK Security Case: British police charged a man in a case alleging he assisted Iran’s intelligence service, as the UK tightens rules against IRGC-linked activity. Regional Fallout: In Iraq’s Kurdistan, Kurdish sources said nine fighters were killed in a suspected Iranian missile strike.

US-Iran Escalation: The US expanded strikes after reimposing a naval blockade, hitting coastal defenses and missile sites and increasingly targeting bridges and ports around the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran fired missiles and drones at US-allied bases in Bahrain and elsewhere. Hospital Strike Row: Iran called a US strike near a children’s cancer hospital in Ahvaz “barbaric,” saying 211 pediatric cancer patients were evacuated; Washington says it’s responding to violations tied to shipping. Hormuz Shipping Fight: The White House says the blockade applies to vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, with the US Navy enforcing traffic flow; Iran insists the strait is a “red line” and has designated a northern safe corridor for shipping. Regional Fallout: Qatar warned residents to shelter as Iranian missiles were intercepted; Bahrain and Kuwait reported incoming drone and missile attacks, with Kuwait saying it intercepted 32 drones. Diplomacy vs. Blame: The White House claims Iran breached a memorandum of understanding by firing on commercial vessels, while Iran’s foreign ministry blames Washington for aggression and rejects the idea of meaningful talks. Politics and Messaging: US Vice President JD Vance accused Israeli figures of trying to shape US public opinion to keep the Iran war going, and Trump is set for a prime-time “Speech to the Nation” amid the widening conflict. Business Ties: In a quieter thread, Pakistan’s TDAP hosted an 11-member Iranian business delegation in Karachi to discuss trade expansion.

US-Iran Escalation: The U.S. launched another wave of strikes on Iran, hitting air defenses, missile/drone units and coastal surveillance, while Iran warned it could “crush” regional infrastructure if Washington targets power plants and bridges. Hormuz Pressure: Iran reiterated the Strait of Hormuz is an “unbreakable red line,” as the U.S. restarts and expands a naval blockade and shipping traffic thins. Gulf Allies Hit: Kuwait and Bahrain reported repeated drone and missile attacks, with Kuwait saying air defenses intercepted multiple drones and Bahrain confirming interceptions and destruction. Energy Shock Watch: Oil prices eased slightly as traders weighed Hormuz disruption risks; Iran also warned it could halt regional energy exports. Red Sea Threat: Iran asked Yemen’s Houthis to be ready to close the Red Sea oil route if U.S. strikes Iranian power infrastructure. Diplomacy Flashpoint: Trump said Iran released a U.S. citizen detained since 2024, calling it a goodwill gesture, while Iran’s parliament speaker tied security to maintaining Tehran’s “arrangements” in Hormuz. Human Rights: UN experts demanded reversal of Iran’s confiscation and eviction tied to Tehran’s St. Peter’s Evangelical Church. Regional Links: Iran, Tajikistan and the Taliban agreed on a new Afghanistan transit corridor for cargo, with a pilot shipment expected within a month. Space Program: Iran says it will soon unveil Rad-1, its first domestically built radar satellite.

Strait of Hormuz Escalation: The U.S. has restarted a naval blockade and launched fresh waves of strikes aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten shipping, as Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warn the strait will stay shut until attacks end and threaten wider trade-route closures. Energy Shock: Oil prices climbed again on Wednesday amid fears of supply disruption through the chokepoint that carries about a fifth of global oil and LNG, with analysts warning Brent could test $100 if hostilities persist. Maritime Crackdown: CENTCOM says it disabled a Curacao-flagged tanker heading to Kharg Island after it ignored warnings, while other vessels were forced to change course. Regional Fallout: Kuwait and Bahrain issued air-defense alerts, saying they intercepted drones and missiles linked to Iranian attacks. Human Rights in Kurdistan: Iranian border guards reportedly killed a young kolbar in Sarvabad, and Kurdish political prisoner Verisheh Moradi was indefinitely denied family visits and phone calls while in custody. Diplomacy vs. Threats: Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran’s “arrangements” in Hormuz are vital and that the MoU is only meaningful if Iran benefits. US Prisoner Swap Claim: Trump says Iran released American citizen Dena Karari, calling it a goodwill gesture.