Analysis & Reports

The U.S. military launched a series of artillery strikes against Iranian locations in Hormozgan, Sistan and Baluchestan, and Khuzestan provinces on July 15, 2023. The attacks targeted areas including Sirik, Abadan, and Qeshm Island, lasting several hours. U.S. Central Command confirmed the strikes via social media.

Russian forces conducted strikes on Ukrainian military facilities, including drone storage and logistics centers, on the 15th. Concurrently, Ukrainian forces reported targeting a Russian Mi-28 helicopter in Belgorod and intercepting numerous Russian drones. The conflict saw 73 battles reported on the front lines that day.

The 72nd Group Army Aviation Brigade conducted live-fire training exercises in an unknown sea area, involving various aircraft and helicopters. The exercises included tactical maneuvers, missile launches, and countermeasures against simulated enemy threats. The training aimed to enhance the brigade's combat readiness and operational capabilities during both day and night operations.

Russian forces launched four ballistic missiles at Kyiv, resulting in intense explosions heard in the city. The Ukrainian Air Force reported the missile strikes, which occurred between 00:46 and 01:00 on July 16, 2023. Debris from the missiles impacted a non-residential building and a warehouse in the Darnytskyi and Sviatoshynskyi districts, respectively.

U.S. military artillery struck locations near Sirik and Geshm Island in Hormozgan Province on the morning of the 16th. The Iranian government reported these attacks, indicating ongoing military operations in the region.

On the evening of the 15th, the Kurdistan Region Air Defense Forces intercepted three drones during a drone attack near the U.S. consulate in Erbil, Iraq. Later reports confirmed that a total of eight drones were intercepted that night.

On July 15, U.S. Central Command launched a Hellfire missile at the oil tanker 'M/T Belma' near Hark Island, Iran, disabling its navigation capabilities as it attempted to breach a maritime blockade. This action followed the re-establishment of the blockade on July 14, which has already redirected two other vessels.

The U.S. military launched a second wave of strikes against Iran on July 15, 2023, at 15:00 EDT, targeting Iranian military capabilities. This follows a morning strike earlier that day and is part of a five-day campaign aimed at weakening threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Trump indicated that military actions will persist until Iran engages in negotiations.

Ukrainian armed forces conducted a drone attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on July 15, resulting in the deaths of chief engineer Alexander Yakovlev and his driver. The Russian state atomic energy corporation's CEO confirmed the incident and called for a timely response from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

U.S. military strikes on Iran resulted in 35 deaths and over 300 injuries as of July 15, 2023. The strikes primarily affected Hormozgan, Sistan and Baluchestan, and Khuzestan provinces. U.S. officials stated these actions were in response to Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Discussions for a broader military operation were held at the White House.

Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson declared that the deployment of military forces from any 'Volunteer Alliance' country in Ukraine is unacceptable and will be treated as legitimate targets. This statement was made during a press conference in Moscow on July 15, 2023. The 'Volunteer Alliance', led by France and the UK, plans to conduct military exercises in European countries bordering Ukraine, which Russia views as a significant security threat.

The report critiques U.S. air strategy, asserting that while high-altitude operations succeeded, low-altitude efforts around the Strait of Hormuz were inadequate. It challenges the concept of 'air littoral' as a misleading framework and emphasizes the necessity for integrated military campaigns across all domains. The analysis highlights the importance of addressing both advanced airpower and low-cost threats in future operations.

Russia's Iskander-M missile system is actively being utilized in Ukraine, demonstrating advanced capabilities against air defenses. The missile can carry nuclear payloads and employs tactics to evade interception. Continuous improvements have been made based on battlefield experience, and it can coordinate with drone swarms to enhance its effectiveness. The system poses a significant threat to NATO countries due to its range and capabilities.

The U.S. Army is set to award contracts for the Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (CAML) program in August 2023. Concurrently, the Army is negotiating with AeroVironment for the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program, aimed at countering drone threats. The CAML will replace the Typhon long-range launcher, and the Army seeks to acquire 20 E-HEL systems by 2026.

Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces damaged or disabled 116 Russian-linked vessels during a nine-day drone campaign in the Sea of Azov, with an additional wave targeting 20 more vessels. The operation focused on commercial and logistical vessels, aiming to disrupt Russia's military supply lines. This campaign reflects Ukraine's strategy of targeting infrastructure rather than direct military assets, utilizing inexpensive drones for sustained attacks.

Japan's Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency selected Quantum Systems to develop drone interception technology as part of its Counter-UAS Proof-of-Concept Program. This initiative reflects Japan's urgent need to counter drone threats from Russia, China, and North Korea, with a budget of approximately 277.3 billion yen allocated for unmanned systems capabilities this fiscal year. Quantum Systems is developing the Jäger interceptor drone and has plans to integrate counter-drone capabilities across multiple platforms.

The U.S. Air Force conducted a live-fire test of the YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, successfully firing an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile at a target over the Mojave Desert on October 31, 2025. This test marks a significant milestone in the development of unmanned fighter jets designed to operate alongside crewed aircraft. A human operator retained command throughout the engagement, ensuring that the decision to fire was not made autonomously.

U.S. military forces conducted airstrikes against Iranian military facilities, while Iran retaliated by attacking U.S. installations in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. President Trump threatened further military action unless Iran returns to negotiations. The situation has escalated with significant U.S. naval and air deployments in the region.

China conducted a submarine-launched ballistic missile test on July 6, 2023, demonstrating a range of 7,300 kilometers, likely over the Philippines, before landing in the Pacific. Concurrently, Chinese Coast Guard vessels maintained a routine presence near Taiwan, indicating a strategy to normalize operations and exert pressure on Taiwan and its allies. This dual approach combines military signaling with sustained maritime operations.

Marcus ChenWed Jul 15 2026Loading...

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) resumed missile and drone attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting U.S. airstrikes against Iranian coastal targets. The U.S. Navy reinstated a blockade to protect maritime traffic, while discussions of potential ground operations against Iran are ongoing. The situation reflects the complexities of U.S. military strategy in the region and the implications of possible withdrawal.