The Middle East conflict has intensified with two Saudi crude oil tankers turning back in the Red Sea after Yemen’s Houthis announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, July 21st, 2026. This blockade has led to the closure of the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a crucial maritime passage connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean, further straining global trade routes already disrupted by ongoing conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States announced it completed its 11th consecutive night of strikes against Iran as part of the ongoing war involving US and Israeli forces. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that these strikes targeted Iranian military operations centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and military logistics infrastructure to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM also stated that drones targeted large equipment warehouses and heavy aircraft maintenance sheds at the Sheikh Isa Airbase in Bahrain.

In a related development, the US Department of Defense confirmed on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026, that a third US soldier is believed to have been killed in action during an Iranian strike on Muwaffaq Salti Airbase in Jordan on July 17th. The 28-year-old soldier had previously been reported missing, with his status updated to “Duty Status -Whereabouts Unknown, believed deceased.”

Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before US senators that the war has cost the US military $37.5 billion so far. He urged lawmakers to approve an additional $67 billion to replenish depleted missile supplies.

Sources