US officials said on July 31 local time that President Trump has ordered a new round of military strikes against Iran, aimed at forcing Tehran to capitulate. The operations could begin as early as this weekend and last for several days.
Earlier on July 31, Trump publicly stated that he plans to resume large-scale military strikes against Iran to push the Iranian government back to the negotiating table.
Trump also remarked that if the US applies sufficiently strong military pressure, Iran’s hardline regime would eventually “crack under the strain.”
Previously, multiple US sources indicated that Israel had been informed of the planned large-scale bombing campaign against Iran’s energy infrastructure and was coordinating with Washington. There were discussions about wrapping up operations before financial markets opened on August 3 to minimize the impact on US and global economies, though no specific end time has been set.
Two sources said power plants and oil refineries could be primary targets. US高层 officials also discussed the possibility of cutting off Tehran’s electricity supply.
This military strike plan was reportedly discussed during a cabinet meeting Trump held at Camp David on July 31. Trump said that day: “We’re going to hit them very hard.”
Iran’s “Persian Gulf Strait Authority” issued a statement on July 31 local time, declaring that the Strait of Hormuz has become impassable for normal navigation due to continued aggressive actions by US forces in the area.
On July 31 local time, US Central Command said that as of that day, it had altered the routes of 30 commercial vessels, disabled two ships, and boarded and inspected two others to ensure full compliance with blockade requirements. US forces also allowed nearly 30 ships to pass through the blockade to deliver humanitarian aid.
On August 1 local time, in response to reports about potential US and Israeli attacks on Iranian infrastructure, a senior Iranian security official dismissed such reports as “nonsense.”
The security official said Iran has developed a comprehensive plan, including striking critical Israeli infrastructure and US energy assets in the region, and that Tehran is fully prepared.
