Iran war: What is Pickaxe Mountain and why does Trump want to attack it? US President Donald Trump has threatened to attack Pickaxe Mountain, a fortified underground facility at the centre of renewed Israeli claims about Iran's nuclear programme. "We'll be hitting that area very probably pretty soon.
Trump renews threat to attack Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain US President Donald Trump has again threatened to strike Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain and civilian infrastructure, including bridges, unless Tehran agrees to a deal. Speaking to Fox News, Trump said negotiations had produced “good talks”. “Pickaxe Mountain is not a big problem.
Are Iran and the US fighting a war neither side can win? Submitted by Shahir Shahidsaless on Thu, 07/23/2026 - 15:43 Both Tehran and Washington might think time is on their side, but the mounting costs could push them back to the negotiating table Signs protesting the Iran war and its impacts on gas prices are seen during a protest outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on 20 May 2026 (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/AFP) On The escalating war between the United States and Iran is no longer about Tehran’s nuclear programme, nor even about regime change, the objective that initially drove Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s campaign to draw US President Donald Trump into the conflict. It is now a struggle for control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The tough choices Andy Burnham faces on Iran war as US pushes for more UK involvement Submitted by Imran Mulla on Mon, 07/27/2026 - 14:04 The Trump administration is pushing the UK to host a summit on a maritime coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz British Prime Minister Andy Burnham speaks to the media at HM Naval Base Portsmouth, on the south coast of England, on 27 July 2026 (AFP) Off Andy Burnham wanted his premiership to be firmly focused on domestic policy. However, in his first week in office, the new prime minister found himself forced to deal with the sharp escalation in the US - Israeli conflict with Iran . Shortly before becoming premier, Burnham signalled that he would mark a significant departure from Keir Starmer's foreign policy, apologising for Labour's early support for Israel's war on Gaza and saying his government would consider banning goods from Israeli settlements.
1,330 settler-related incidents in West Bank since January, says UN There have been 1,330 incidents relating to Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank since January, according to the UN. The UN humanitarian agency OCHA said escalating settler violence in the occupied West Bank saw at least eight Palestinians killed last week, including a child. Two Israeli settlers were also killed last week, while at least 10 families have been forced from their homes.
Islamic Resistance in Iraq denies it carried out strikes on Saudi oil facilities The Islamic Resistance in Iraq rejected allegations that it carried out drone attacks on oil facilities in Saudi Arabia. Earlier, Riyadh accused "Iranian-backed militias" for the strikes on Monday. The network of Iran-aligned groups said the allegation "only strengthens our conviction that hostility towards Iraq and its people is an inherent characteristic of this regime".
Jordan says drone intercepted in its air space The Jordanian army said that its air defences intercepted a drone in its air space a short while ago.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Here are the latest developments from across the region: US attacks killed 60 people and injured about 670 other Iranians in the south of the country in the past 10 to 12 days, Al Jazeera reported, citing Iranian news agency reports. Iran's military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, has warned the US against attacking Iranian vessels in coastal and territorial waters, saying it will not leave any threat "unanswered". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump.
Israeli attacks, demolitions ongoing in south Lebanon Israeli attacks and demolitions were reported in southern Lebanon early on Tuesday morning, state media reported. According to the National News Agency, bombing and demolition operations were carried by Israeli forces in the towns of Majdal Zoun, Mansouri and Bint Jbeil.
Drone attacks, blasts reported in northern Iraq Several drone strikes were reported in various areas in northern Iraq early on Tuesday, including attacks in Erbil, Soran and Khalifan. The US-led coalition’s air defences intercepted one drone over Erbil and struck down three more over Soran. According to local media, explosions occurred across Iraq's Kurdistan Region.
Palestinians in the West Bank face increasing Israeli military raids, settler violence Palestinians in the occupied West Bank say that the ongoing Israeli settler violence and military raids are bringing them to a breaking point. Following a settler raid in the village of Tal on Friday, at least four Palestinians were killed, and two Israelis were shot dead. In the aftermath of the incident, Israeli forces have increased their raids on the village, during which at least 60 Palestinians have been detained.
Iran's military command warns US it will not leave any threat 'unanswered' Iran's military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, has warned the US against attacking Iranian vessels in coastal and territorial waters, saying it will not leave any threat "unanswered". "The United States, in continuation of the evil and insecurity in the region and following the implementation of the illegal naval blockade of Iran, has threatened Iranian vessels, commercial ships and oil tankers in the coastal and territorial waters of our country over the past three days," it said in a statement carried by state news agency IRNA. "We warn that this American action is considered an expansion of war in the region, and as the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran have proven in the field, they will not leave any threat and evil of that country's terrorist army unanswered and will deal with it.
Saudi Arabia halts operations at major oil facility after Houthi attack Saudi Arabia's Aramco has reportedly suspended operations at the Abqaiq oil processing and stabilisation facility following a Houthi attack on Monday.
US drone shot down over Iraq’s Anbar, report says A US drone was shot down over Iraq's western Anbar province, Iran's state broadcaster IRIB reported on Monday, citing Iraqi media. IRIB shared images of what it said was the smouldering wreckage of the drone, which it said crashed inside a residential complex.
US Senator Graham offered military support for Israeli war on Lebanon, new footage shows Just one day before his funeral is set to take place in Washington, DC, video footage has emerged showing a gleeful Senator Lindsey Graham rejoicing at the launch of the US -Israeli war on Iran , and even single-handedly offering US military involvement to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his war on Lebanon . The clips are from British filmmaker Alex Holder , who has been following Graham for the last three years for a documentary on his relationship with President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Holder appears to have been granted access to staff meetings on Capitol Hill as well as discussions Graham had with national and foreign leaders, including the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia , the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
Pakistan condemns drone attacks against Saudi Arabia Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has “strongly” condemned drone attacks against Saudi Arabia, saying that "such provocative attacks pose a grave threat to peace and stability across the entire region. " In a statement posted on X, Islamabad reaffirmed its “unwavering support” for the kingdom’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace and prosperity, and added that it will continue taking all possible steps to support lasting peace and stability in the region. 🔈 PR No.
Explosions heard in Erbil A series of explosions was heard in Iraq’s Erbil, according to local media reports.
Iran’s health minister says 60 killed in recent US attacks The US attacks killed 60 people and injured about 670 other Iranians in the south of the country in the past 10 to 12 days, Al Jazeera reported, citing Iranian news agency reports.
Just one in three Americans back Iran war, most unsure of Trump's goals, poll finds Just one in three Americans support the war on Iran, the lowest reading in a Reuters/Ipsos poll since the five-month-old conflict's early days, with most respondents saying that President Donald Trump has failed to explain his goals. The poll, conducted Friday through Sunday, also showed the Republican president's approval rating ticking higher to 37 percent, up three points from last month when his rating tied the lowest of his presidency. The poll found that 69 percent of Americans, including four in 10 Republicans, think Trump has not "clearly explained the goals of US military involvement in Iran.
Yemen's FM says Houthis using Bab al-Mandeb to mirror Iran's pressure Afrah al-Zouba, the Foreign Minister Designate of Yemen’s internationally recognised government, said the Houthis were seeking to replicate Iran's model of trying to impose control on international shipping around the Strait of Hormuz in the Bab el-Mandeb. The group had been emboldened by what she called an insufficiently serious international response to attacks on commercial shipping over the past years, al-Zouba told a small group of journalists, including Reuters, on Monday.
