U.S. Unleashes 'Heavy Wave' of Strikes on Iran as Middle East War Reignites
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The United States military has launched a massive wave of strikes against Iran, ending a brief calm and pushing the already tense Middle East conflict into a dangerous new phase. Early Thursday, July 30, U.S. Central Command confirmed it hit dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets across Iran, including critical missile, drone, and command facilities, in retaliation for Iranian missile attacks on U.S. forces in Jordan. This latest escalation shatters a fragile period of de-escalation that included an interim agreement from June 2026 aimed at restoring calm and reopening the crucial Strait of Hormuz. However, renewed Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait and targeting U.S. bases, including Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan, prompted President Donald Trump to vow a 'very hard' response, leading to the current retaliatory strikes. Iran, for its part, has claimed U.S. strikes killed civilians on Qeshm Island and its forces retaliated with attacks hitting Jordan, Kuwait, and even Egypt. The immediate future looks grim, with mediators like Pakistan scrambling to salvage any chance of negotiations amid rapidly escalating hostilities. The conflict, now five months old since Operation Epic Fury began in February 2026, is spreading, with potentially severe implications for global oil prices and regional stability. Observers will be watching closely for further Iranian counter-retaliation and any signs of international intervention to prevent a full-blown regional war.