July 24, 2026, 7:15 a.mJuly 24, 2026, 7:15 a.m
Trump is putting pressure on Iran
US President Donald Trump is trying to increase pressure on Iran in the conflict over the Strait of Hormuz. While he let the US military bomb targets in the country for the 13th night in a row, Trump announced that damage to ships and cargo would immediately be paid for by the US with Iranian money.
Donald Trump is trying to put further pressure on Iran.Image: keystone
This obviously refers to Tehran’s frozen assets. However, Iran remains firm: According to information from the New York Times, the leadership of the Islamic Republic rejected a US government proposal for a new ceasefire submitted by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Saidi.
The newspaper did not know the details of the proposal. However, Iranian officials have said Tehran’s leadership is not interested in a temporary agreement that leaves the issue of control over the Strait of Hormuz unresolved, it said, citing Iranian and Iraqi officials. Iran insists on sole control of the strait, which is important for trade in oil, gas and fertilizer. The US military wants to use the night-long attacks to stop Iran’s threat to merchant ships and civilian sailors in the Strait of Hormuz.
Explosions reported again
After the latest wave of attacks ended early in the morning, the US command responsible for the region, Centcom, announced on X that command centers, drone camps and coastal surveillance systems had been targeted again. Iranian media had previously reported explosions near the cities of Ahwaz, Andimeshk and Omidiyeh in Khuzestan province, among others. Explosions were also reported in the area of the island of Gheshm in the Strait of Hormuz and the large city of Bandar Abbas. According to the “Nur News” portal, which is close to the Security Council of the Islamic Republic, the anti-aircraft defense was also deployed in the capital Tehran.
CENTCOM has wrapped the thirteenth straight night of strikes on Iran, insisting the strait is still open for business.
-The round finished at 9 pm ET, hitting Iranian military command centers, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites,… pic.twitter.com/cIcwVDGgHA
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) July 24, 2026
As in previous nights, Iran responded with counterattacks. According to their own statements, the armed forces in Kuwait once again fended off missiles and drones from Iran. The population of the emirate has been called upon to follow safety and protection instructions. According to the Iranian news agency Tasnim, the attacks targeted a military base that is also used by the US Air Force. The information could not be independently verified.
Kuwait is one of the Gulf states that has repeatedly been the target of Iranian counterattacks. The countries of the so-called Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordan condemned the attacks on Thursday, which also targeted the civilian population and non-military infrastructure such as water desalination plants and airports. The Gulf Cooperation Council includes Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Report: Iran has damage repaired quickly
The USA and its ally Israel started the Iran war on February 28th. However, according to information from the US newspaper “Wall Street Journal”, the damaged infrastructure in Iran was quickly rebuilt – from missile bases deep in the mountains to bridges, ports and production facilities. The newspaper relies on information from Israeli and Western officials as well as satellite images. Despite the violent attacks, Iran is still able to land precise hits against ships and attack US allies with missiles.
The Iran war, which has since been scaled back by the conflicting parties, escalated again at the beginning of the month after Iran’s armed forces fired on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz. With his announcement on the Truth Social platform that damage to ships and cargo would from now on be paid for with Iranian money, the US President signaled that he would hold Iran accountable. However, it remained unclear how exactly he wanted to justify this legally. Trump spoke of a “fair and just approach”.
Trump threatens Iran after Houthi attacks
He had previously threatened the leadership in Tehran with retaliation in the event of another attack following attacks by the Iran-allied Houthi militia off Yemen’s coast. “If they do this again, the United States will hold Iran accountable because the Houthis are acting as Iran’s proxies,” Trump wrote on his platform. He announced “severe military punishments against Iran and of course against the Houthis themselves.”
The Iran-allied Houthis had claimed attacks on two Saudi oil tankers that violated a “blockade” they had declared in the Red Sea. Around half a dozen ships had previously changed course after the militia declared a blockade at the beginning of the week – also to avoid the Bab al-Mandab strait off Yemen’s coast, which the militia can attack with drones, rockets and cruise missiles. Saudi Arabia announced that it would take “all necessary steps” to protect its ships. The Houthis then attacked on Thursday night.
While Trump repeatedly makes new threats against the leadership in Tehran, he is increasingly facing headwind for his course from his own parliament. The House of Representatives again passed a resolution on the conflict, in which the congressional chamber called on Trump to end the military operation. Although the decision has no immediate consequences, it shows that the political pressure on the president is increasing – especially since the important midterm elections for Congress are approaching in November. (dab/sda/dpa)