Al Jazeera correspondent Kimberly Halkett reported from Washington DC that U.S. President Donald Trump continues to present an optimistic view of the situation in the Hormuz Strait, claiming that navigation there remains open and normal. However, the actual circumstances appear to differ significantly from his statements.

According to the report, the United States maintains that the Hormuz Strait is an international waterway and that Iran cannot unilaterally impose costs, set routes, or attack vessels. Washington had demanded that Iran publicly acknowledge this position and warned of consequences if it did not comply. Iran ignored the demand, prompting the United States to launch a third round of strikes on about 140 targets, primarily aimed at Iran’s missile capabilities.

Halkett noted that President Trump faces a dilemma as he tries to project stability and minimize the impact on global financial markets, while both the U.S. and Iran remain firm in their stances, further escalating tensions.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a dominant figure in US politics for over two decades, died on Saturday evening, according to a statement from his office. His family requested privacy following his death. Graham, first elected to the Senate in 2002, became one of the most influential Republican voices on foreign policy, defense, and national security. Known for his hawkish stance, he was a staunch supporter of Israel and a vocal advocate of US military intervention abroad.

Throughout his career, Graham’s positions on Gaza, Iran, and the International Criminal Court drew international criticism. He supported Israel’s military actions in Gaza, opposed limiting US aid to Israel, and made controversial remarks about Palestinians that were condemned by rights groups. He also backed strong military measures against Iran and urged the White House to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz. His confrontational approach often sparked diplomatic tensions, including with European and Gulf states.

Days before his death, Graham visited Kyiv to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky, discussing legislation to increase pressure on Russia. He remained one of Washington’s most vocal supporters of military aid to Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump said during NBC’s Meet the Press on Saturday that the United States had carried out a massive bombing campaign against Iran’s military forces. According to Al Jazeera, the statement came amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that strikes targeted 140 Iranian military sites. It also claimed that no American troops were injured and no significant damage occurred in retaliatory attacks by Iran in Gulf countries. Several US media outlets, citing unnamed officials, reported that American strikes on Iranian military targets and small vessels in the Strait of Hormuz were still ongoing.

Trump reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz remained open, a claim that contradicted Iran’s position. The continued exchange of attacks appeared to undermine the fragile ceasefire Trump had mentioned earlier in the week.

Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has died following a sudden illness, his office confirmed in a statement released late Saturday night local time. The announcement expressed gratitude from his family for public prayers and requested privacy during this difficult period.

Graham served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was regarded as one of the most prominent members of the Senate. He was a key Republican voice on defense and international affairs. The statement did not provide further details about the nature of his illness or the circumstances of his death.

According to the report, Graham had recently returned to the United States after completing a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine. No additional information about funeral arrangements or political responses was included in the statement.

On June 17, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a preliminary agreement with Iran at France’s Palace of Versailles, aiming to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for shipping and allow Iran to resume oil sales. The deal was intended to ease years of sanctions and encourage peaceful relations. However, within a month, three ships were attacked near the strait, prompting Trump to revoke Iran’s oil export permission and order airstrikes on more than 170 Iranian military sites. No new talks have been scheduled since.

Both Trump’s military and diplomatic strategies have failed, returning the United States to sanctions and strikes. Vice President J.D. Vance warned of harsher responses to future attacks, while experts questioned the effectiveness of repeating past measures. Former diplomat Richard Haass said no clear strategy is visible as both sides escalate attacks on energy facilities.

The situation is further complicated by Iran’s internal turmoil following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and public anger toward government officials. Disputes over Iran’s nuclear program and control of the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved, leaving future negotiations uncertain.

A widespread outbreak of Cyclospora, a microscopic parasite that causes severe watery diarrhea, has been reported in 31 US states, with thousands of infections confirmed in recent weeks. Michigan has been hit hardest, where over 1,000 cases were identified in just two weeks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 843 confirmed cases were recorded between May 1 and July 9, with more than 1,500 additional suspected cases under review. No deaths have been reported, though 86 people have been hospitalized.

The CDC stated that the infection, known as cyclosporiasis, spreads through contaminated food or water, not from person to person. The exact source of the current outbreak remains unknown, but past incidents have been linked to raw produce such as salad mixes, cilantro, basil, raspberries, peas, and green onions. Most patients had not traveled abroad before falling ill, suggesting a domestic contamination source.

Health authorities in Michigan have advised restaurants and food handlers to wash produce thoroughly, cook leafy vegetables when possible, and discard outer layers of lettuce and green onions to reduce risk. The CDC expects case numbers to rise as new data emerge.

A United States federal court in California has unsealed an indictment against Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and six associates, accusing them of murder, extortion, drug trafficking, and human trafficking between 2022 and 2026. Bishnoi, 33, has been imprisoned in India since 2015 but allegedly directed international criminal operations from jail using smuggled mobile phones and internet-based communication tools. The US Department of Justice identified the group as the 'Bishnoi Organized Crime Group' (Bishnoi OCG).

According to the indictment, the network targeted prominent cultural, political, and business figures within Indian and diaspora communities. The document links the group to several high-profile crimes, including the 2023 killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, the 2022 murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala in Punjab, threats against actor Gippy Grewal, and a 2024 shooting at Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence. The gang was also accused of killing drug trafficker Sunil Yadav in California in December 2024.

The indictment describes Bishnoi’s syndicate as an international crime network with operations across India, North America, Europe, and Australia, coordinated through key lieutenants in each region.

US Democratic Congressman Jimmy Panetta has strongly criticized the Trump administration’s policy toward Iran, saying its actions reveal failures in diplomacy and strategic planning. In a post on social media platform X, Panetta said that despite the president’s statements, recent US strikes and Iranian drone attacks show that negotiations have failed and the ceasefire has not held.

Panetta warned that engaging in war without a clear plan, congressional approval, or public support has led to the current situation. He emphasized that regardless of the Speaker’s stance, Congress must continue efforts to end the conflict with Iran, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and lower prices for American consumers.

The remarks highlight growing concern within parts of the US legislature about the direction of the administration’s Iran strategy and its broader implications for regional stability and domestic economic impact.

A parasitic infection causing severe diarrhea has spread to more than half of US states, with thousands of people affected in recent weeks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 843 cases of cyclosporiasis between May 1 and July 9, while over 1,500 additional suspected cases are under review. Michigan has reported the most severe situation, with over 1,000 infections in two weeks, followed by New York, Ohio, and Illinois. Although 86 people have been hospitalized, no deaths have been reported so far.

The infection is caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora, which spreads through contaminated food or water. The CDC said all patients had eaten within the United States and none had recently traveled abroad. The exact source of contamination remains unknown, though past outbreaks have been linked to raw fruits and vegetables. Health experts note that the parasite does not spread directly from person to person.

Authorities in Michigan and the CDC have urged the public to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and seek medical advice if experiencing persistent diarrhea, as the number of infections is expected to rise with ongoing investigations.

US President Donald Trump stated that 1,000 missiles are aimed at Iran and ready for deployment. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump warned that thousands more missiles would be launched if Iran attempted to assassinate him. He declared that the US military had already received orders and was prepared, willing, and capable of completely destroying Iran if such an attack occurred.

Trump’s comments followed an interview with the New York Post, where he claimed that Iran had long sought to kill him. His latest warning, sourced from Al Jazeera, underscores escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, with Trump framing the threat as a direct response to alleged Iranian plots.

The remarks signal a sharp rhetorical escalation in US-Iran relations, though no immediate military action was reported in the source. The situation remains tense as both sides exchange warnings over potential acts of aggression.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he has already issued instructions on what the United States should do if Iran succeeds in assassinating him. In an interview with the New York Post on Friday, Trump claimed that Iran has been trying to kill him for a long time and that he remains one of Tehran’s main targets. He warned that if such an attempt were successful, the U.S. would launch an unprecedented attack on Iran.

Trump reiterated that Tehran has sought to eliminate him for years and expressed hope that people would feel his absence if that happened. According to Israeli intelligence cited by CNN, Iran recently developed a new plan to assassinate Trump. The president has repeatedly hinted that any such act would trigger a devastating U.S. military response, referencing his February 2025 executive order imposing “maximum pressure” on Iran.

Returning from a NATO summit in Turkey, Trump claimed he tops Iran’s “kill list” but downplayed reports of new Israeli findings, saying he has long been their number-one target.

The White House has begun replacing temporary barricades at its main entrance with a permanent wall as part of a broader effort to modernize and strengthen security for President Donald Trump. A White House official told CNN that the construction, located at the North Portico, could take several months to complete. Workers are also repairing exterior columns at the president’s request, and the area is currently covered with scaffolding and large printed screens.

The U.S. Secret Service had long advocated for reinforcing the northern entrance, and the project is described as a security measure rather than a decorative one. In addition, the Trump administration has submitted a proposal to encircle Lafayette Park, north of the White House, with a permanent wall to replace temporary barriers. The proposal, jointly filed by the Secret Service, the Executive Office of the President, and the Department of Homeland Security, has been sent to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts for approval.

Following multiple assassination attempts on President Trump, the administration is also planning a 90,000-square-foot ballroom with advanced security features, including a drone port, sniper posts, and an underground bunker.

The Trump administration has expressed growing frustration over Iran’s conduct, saying the chances of reaching a nuclear agreement are diminishing. According to a Wall Street Journal report cited by Al Jazeera, Washington believes a peaceful resolution to limit Tehran’s nuclear program may no longer be possible. Senior US officials said Iran continues to violate interim maritime agreements, leaving little hope for a broader deal. President Donald Trump recently remarked that he was uncertain whether any agreement would be reached.

Officials warned that for a nuclear deal to proceed, Iran must hand over control of its underground enriched uranium to the United States. Failure to do so would mean no agreement. They also indicated that Washington has low-cost military options ready to permanently block Iran’s access to its nuclear materials.

The report underscores a deepening stalemate between the two countries, with the US signaling readiness to pursue alternative measures if diplomatic efforts fail.

The United States has attached several conditions to any future agreement with Iran, according to a senior U.S. official. Washington has made it clear that Iran must meet all American demands related to nuclear restrictions and hand over nuclear materials as required. Without fulfilling these conditions, no agreement will be signed. Despite these firm terms, diplomatic discussions between the two sides are continuing and have been described as positive and productive.

The development follows recent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, where a memorandum of understanding was allegedly violated and a ship was fired upon. Iranian officials explained to the U.S. that a faulty component in their system caused the incident. However, Washington rejected this explanation and issued an ultimatum to Tehran. The U.S. demanded that Iran publicly declare it will never again fire on any vessel and ensure that all maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, remain fully open.

The U.S. official warned that failure to comply with these conditions and maintain open sea routes would bring serious consequences for Iran.

A new survey has found that public support for Israelis among Americans has declined significantly since the Gaza war. According to the findings, only 52 percent of Americans now hold a favorable view of the Israeli people, down from 67 percent in 2022. In contrast, attitudes toward Palestinians have remained largely unchanged. The survey also indicates that most respondents view the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas negatively, with disapproval of the Israeli government rising sharply in recent years.

The generational gap is particularly pronounced among younger Americans. Among those under 30, 59 percent express positive views of Palestinians, while only 32 percent feel positively about Israelis. The divide is even wider among young Democrats, with 72 percent favoring Palestinians compared to just 26 percent for Israelis. Meanwhile, young Republicans now show nearly equal levels of support for both sides, a notable shift from previous years when their backing for Israelis was much stronger.

The survey results suggest a continuing shift in US public opinion, especially among younger demographics, regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.