Iran has resumed attacks after several days of relative calm in the Middle East, saying through the report's account that it acted on its own terms rather than in response to a new US strike. The United States described the move as an “unexpected attack.” In a Fox News interview on Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump warned that Washington would strike Iran hard. The report was published on July 30, 2026.

An Iranian senior official had said the armed forces had decided not to take military action, despite Tehran making no public commitment to a pause. Hours after that message of restraint, Iran targeted American forces. Researcher Hamidreza Azizi said Iran’s strategy had fundamentally shifted, with Tehran prepared to strike in advance if it detects an impending threat. He also linked the attack to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House.

After the Iranian attack in Jordan, US and Saudi forces jointly struck Iran-backed militias in Iraq. US Central Command said the operation responded to more than 30 drone attacks over 72 hours on US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi called Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz a red line and said efforts to create alternative shipping routes threatened Iran’s long-term security.