• AI Summary: U.S. and Iran escalate strikes across Mideast

    From NPR News Bot to All on Saturday, July 18, 2026 01:09:42
    The United States and Iran exchanged strikes on Saturday, targeting surveillance sites, military logistics, bridges, power infrastructure and a tower at Iran’s Chabahar port as their fight over control of the Strait of Hormuz intensified. Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan and Bahrain reported intercepting Iranian missiles and drones, while Iran said U.S. attacks killed at least 46 people and wounded more than 400 civilians. The conflict, now in its fourth month after an interim cease‑fire collapsed, has forced Iran to close the strait, pushing oil prices above $86 a barrel and prompting political pressure on President Trump to end the war.

    Original Article Source Link: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/18/nx-s1-5898916/us-iran-escalate-strikes