Analysis & Reports

Iranian military conducted drone strikes against U.S. military bases in Kuwait on July 19. The strikes targeted the ammunition depot and the radar of the Patriot missile system at Ali Al-Salem Air Base. Specific details regarding the Bilal Camp were not disclosed.

Iranian armed forces threaten to respond with a devastating counterattack to any American aggression. The warning was issued by Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, on July 19 in Tehran.

The U.S. military launched airstrikes against Iran on July 18 at 18:00 EDT. This operation aims to further weaken Iran's capability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and to swiftly punish the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for its actions.

Two U.S. soldiers were killed in an attack by Iranian ballistic missiles and drones in Jordan on July 17. One soldier is missing, and four others were injured but have been released from the hospital. This incident marks the first report of U.S. military casualties amid ongoing clashes with Iran.

Two U.S. service members were killed and one is missing following an Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack on U.S. forces in Jordan on Friday. Four other troops were medically evacuated but have since been discharged. This incident increases the total number of American troops killed in the conflict with Iran to 16.

Two U.S. service members were killed and one is missing following an Iranian attack on the Al-Azraq Base in Jordan on Friday. Four other service members were injured in the attack, which is part of a series of Iranian drone and missile strikes targeting U.S. positions across the Middle East. This incident raises the total number of American fatalities in the ongoing conflict to 16.

Russia has lost its naval presence in the Mediterranean Sea as of July 18, 2023, marking the first time since 2013 that no Russian warships are deployed in the region. This absence significantly impacts Russia's ability to project power and maintain operations in Syria, as Tartus is no longer a reliable base. The situation reflects broader strategic challenges for Russia, particularly in light of restrictions imposed by Turkey on naval movements.

Alexandra ReevesSat Jul 18 2026Loading...

France's Air and Space Force will launch PEGASE 26 in September 2026, deploying four Rafale fighter jets and supporting 300 airmen across the Arctic, Indo-Pacific, and Middle East. The operation will last 38 days and involve A330 MRTT and A400M Atlas aircraft for logistics. This mission aims to demonstrate France's military capabilities and strengthen partnerships in these strategic regions.

Iran launched attacks on Kuwait's military and critical civilian infrastructure on July 18, resulting in injuries and property damage. Kuwait's air defense successfully intercepted missiles and drones. Injuries were reported among firefighters and oil workers responding to the incidents, and debris from intercepted projectiles fell into residential areas. Kuwait's government condemned the attacks, asserting that Iran must be held accountable for the consequences.

Iran conducted multiple attacks on a significant oil facility in Kuwait on July 18, resulting in injuries and substantial property damage.

Saudi Arabia is purchasing 20,000 APKWS II missiles for $1.96 billion to improve its defense against drones, with the deal officially notified to Congress on July 15, 2026. The package includes both air-to-air and air-to-ground systems, along with training and logistical support from the U.S. government. This move reflects a strategic shift in Saudi military procurement towards more cost-effective solutions for modern threats.

Ahmed Al-RashidSat Jul 18 2026Loading...

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducted drone and missile strikes on multiple U.S. military targets in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan on July 18. The strikes targeted a fuel supply dock at Ahmadi Port, an aircraft assembly area in Bahrain, and a data center, resulting in the destruction of at least two fighter jets and three other aircraft.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) introduced the HYPNOSIS navigation warfare system to counter drone swarms by disrupting their navigation signals. This system employs jamming and spoofing techniques, offering a soft-kill defense option that complements existing missile defense systems. IAI aims to provide militaries with cost-effective solutions against the growing threat of inexpensive drones.

The U.S. is deploying dozens of aerial refueling aircraft to Israeli air force bases on the 18th, as confirmed by Israeli military sources. This decision aims to reduce the impact on civilian air traffic, with the Israeli Transportation Ministry previously limiting the number of U.S. refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion International Airport to 20. The deployment was coordinated with the Israeli military to ensure readiness.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched missile and drone strikes against a U.S. military base in Azraq, Jordan, on the evening of the 17th. The attack resulted in the destruction of at least 2 fighter jets and 3 aircraft, with several others suffering significant damage.

An Iranian military attack on a seawater desalination and power generation facility in Kuwait caused damage to generator units on the morning of the 18th. This incident prompted local authorities to implement response plans to maintain stable power supply. It marks the second facility in Kuwait to be affected by attacks within two days.

Germany's Foreign Minister proposed deploying a European force to southern Lebanon on July 17, 2026, to replace UNIFIL after its mandate ends. This move aims to test Israel's withdrawal from 10 kilometers inside Lebanon and prevent a security vacuum that could be exploited by Hezbollah. The proposal follows recent conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah and emphasizes the need for a robust military presence to maintain stability in the region.

Ahmed Al-RashidSat Jul 18 2026Loading...

On July 17, four drones were shot down near the US consulate in Erbil, Iraq. A drone attack on an ammunition depot in Sulaymaniyah caused explosions and a fire. Additionally, Iran launched missiles at Sulaymaniyah, killing at least nine members of a local armed group. The Kurdish counter-terrorism agency reported the drone interceptions, highlighting a series of recent drone attacks in Iraq.

Iranian military advisor Mohsen Rezaei stated that the U.S. has violated the terms of the U.S.-Iran memorandum, rendering it irrelevant. He warned that if U.S. attacks continue, Iran will escalate to a 'full offensive and destruction' phase, targeting U.S. bases and soldiers outside its borders. Rezaei also noted that U.S. military actions are being conducted through a hybrid warfare approach against Iranian infrastructure.

The U.S. conducted an airstrike on civilian infrastructure in Hormozgan Province on the 17th, resulting in the deaths of 8 Iranian civilians, including a disabled pair of brothers. Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as a war crime, asserting that the Iranian people are more united than ever in response to U.S. aggression.