US launches airstrikes, threatens Iran nuclear site

The United States military launched its 12th consecutive night of airstrikes against Iranian military infrastructure on July 23, 2026, as the conflict centered on the Strait of Hormuz entered a new phase of heightened military and diplomatic activity. The ongoing strikes, which have targeted facilities including aircraft hangars and drone storage sites, coincide with a stark warning from Tehran over oil exports and a major new civilian nuclear agreement between Washington and Riyadh.

Iran issued a direct threat regarding the strategic waterway, stating that "no one will sell oil" if Iran is prevented from exporting its own crude through the Strait of Hormuz. This warning underscores the economic stakes of the battle for control over the vital maritime chokepoint, through which a significant portion of the world's oil passes. The conflict has already disrupted shipping, with reports indicating another oil tanker was attacked off the coast of Oman recently, forcing its crew to abandon ship.

Amid the military operations, the U.S. announced a civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia. The deal, expected to last 30 years, could involve U.S. firms in developing a Saudi civilian...