For the 13th consecutive night, the US military strikes Iran; Trump faces a choice of “escalation or negotiation”

BlockBeats message. On July 25, the situation in the Middle East remains tense. The U.S. Central Command said it has completed the 13th consecutive night of strikes against Iran; Iran, meanwhile, claimed it struck U.S. military-related bases in Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, and claimed to have destroyed a set of “Patriot” air-defense systems.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that its naval base was attacked by U.S. forces, and it also announced strikes on the U.S. Al Adili base in Kuwait. Jordan said it intercepted seven missiles and six drones launched by Iran. Iran also accused the U.S. military of mistakenly attacking a merchant vessel, resulting in the deaths of two crew members.

On the U.S.-Iran talks, according to The New York Times, Iran rejected the ceasefire plan proposed by Trump, but U.S. officials denied this claim. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said he has discussed mediation initiatives and proposals with Pakistan, and said the problem between the U.S. and Iran lies with the U.S. itself, not with a lack of mediators. Trump said no major strike on Iran has yet been decided, and believes Iran is taking the negotiations more seriously.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, ITNA reported that an Omani diplomatic delegation has gone to Tehran to discuss relevant mechanisms. The U.S. and the U.K. are reportedly planning to hold meetings on security issues in the strait and to push for the establishment of a Strait of Hormuz escort alliance.

In addition, it is said that Trump is frustrated that the Iran war has lasted too long. The U.S. Treasury announced a new round of sanctions on Iran. U.S. media reported that U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Iran’s new leadership may have stronger nuclear ambitions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to visit Washington next week and meet with Trump.