US Strikes Iran for 11th Night as IRGC Claims Kuwait Radar Hits; Trump Approves Saudi Nuclear Deal (Jul 22, 0602 UTC, 0902 Israel) (Morning Edition)
- Issued
- 09:02IL06:02UTC02:02EST
- Window
- 21:00IL18:00UTC14:00EST (-12H)
5 countries
BLUF
The US completed an 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, expanding the target set to new provinces, while the IRGC claimed it disabled multiple radar systems in Kuwait and the Iranian Army asserted drone attacks on US equipment there. President Trump approved a 30-year civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia without major safeguards, and the Netherlands announced a ban on imports from Israeli settlements effective September 22.
Top Lines
- US strikes hit Iranian military operations centers, maritime capabilities, drone warehouses, and aircraft hangars in southern and northwestern provinces, including Behbahan and Amidieh in Khuzestan.
- IRGC claims disabling early-warning and other radar systems in Kuwait; Iranian Army separately claims drone strikes on US ground forces equipment west of Kuwait.
- Trump approves 30-year Saudi nuclear deal without major safeguards, potentially opening the door to uranium enrichment in the kingdom.
- 1IranIran
- 2LebanonLebanon & Hezbollah
- 3GazaGaza
- 4West BankWest Bank
Situational Report
US forces struck Iran for the 11th consecutive night, targeting military infrastructure in southern and northwestern provinces not previously hit. CENTCOM said the strikes aimed to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported air defense activations in Tehran and explosions in Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, and Bushehr. The IRGC claimed it disabled multiple radar systems in Kuwait, while the Iranian Army asserted drone attacks on US ground forces equipment west of Kuwait. President Trump approved a 30-year civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia without major safeguards, and the Netherlands announced a ban on imports from Israeli settlements effective September 22.
Iran
Iran
US Strikes
The US military completed its 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iran early Wednesday, with CENTCOM confirming the operations targeted military operations centers, maritime capabilities, drone warehouses, aircraft hangars, and logistics infrastructure Associated Press. The strikes extended to Iranian provinces not previously hit, including Behbahan and Amidieh in Khuzestan province, according to the deputy governor of Khuzestan N12 Chat. Explosions were reported in Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, and Bushehr, while air defenses were activated in Tehran BBC News. CENTCOM stated the strikes were designed to continue degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz Al Jazeera English.
IRGC Claims on Kuwait
The IRGC announced it had disabled multiple radar systems in Kuwait, including an early-warning radar, as part of its ongoing retaliatory operations Al-Manar TV. The claim was also carried by IRNA and Press TV IRNAPress TV.
Iranian Army Claims on Kuwait
The Iranian Army separately claimed it targeted US ground forces equipment west of Kuwait with drones Al-Manar TV.
Diplomatic Tensions
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei criticized Kuwait for hosting Iran's enemies, calling it a sign of ingratitude and a lack of foresight IRNA. Baqaei also protested the conduct of two French diplomats in Tehran, describing their behavior as unacceptable IRNA.
Nuclear Threat
President Trump threatened to strike Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility, while Iran warned against targeting its nuclear sites BBC News.
War Costs
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed the war has cost $37.5 billion to date, during a heated Senate exchange Al Jazeera English.
Lebanon / Northern Front
Lebanon & Hezbollah
Lebanon / Northern Front
Lebanon & Hezbollah
Pilot Zones
Israel ceded security control over three southern Lebanese towns on July 21 as part of a pilot zone framework testing the Beirut government's ability to prevent Hezbollah operations in the area FDD.
US-Lebanon Summit
President Trump welcomed Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to the White House, announcing that US airlines would be permitted to operate direct flights to Beirut Israel HayomNews 0404 IL. Aoun stressed the urgent need for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory Bint Jbeil News.
Southern Lebanon Incidents
An Israeli drone dropped a stun grenade on the town of al-Mansouri Bint Jbeil News. Loud explosions were heard across southern Lebanon, attributed to IDF activity Bint Jbeil NewsNews 0404 IL. Israeli forces released three Lebanese men detained earlier in the day on the outskirts of Shebaa Bint Jbeil News.
Gaza
Gaza
Israeli Operations
Israeli tanks opened fire toward the eastern areas of Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in southeastern Gaza City Quds News Network.
Hamas Leadership
Hamas's Zaher Jabarin congratulated Khalil al-Hayya on his election as head of the movement's Political Bureau Al Jazeera English.
Civilian Impact
Palestinian children in Gaza are finding creative ways to cope with extreme heat inside their tents amid the ongoing siege Quds News Network.
West Bank
West Bank
Settler Violence
Settler attacks on the Palestinian village of al-Mughayyir have become routine, with another teenager killed Haaretz.
Arrests and Raids
Israeli forces abducted two Palestinians, Mahmoud al-Qawasmeh and Hamza Majid Salmi, during a raid on al-Fawwar refugee camp south of Hebron Quds News Network. Israeli forces also stormed the town of Beitunia, west of Ramallah Quds News Network.
US Senator Visit
US Senator Ro Khanna visited Hebron, where a delegation was attacked by extremist Israeli settlers and detained for approximately 90 minutes before being released after US Embassy intervention Quds News Network.
Multilateral Institutions
Multilateral & Diplomacy
Multilateral Institutions
Multilateral & Diplomacy
US-Iran Mediation
Mediators are attempting to broker a truce between the US and Iran, with Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirming active mediation efforts Al Jazeera English.
Pakistan's Role
Pakistan, which previously hosted US-Iran talks and brokered the Islamabad memorandum, faces the risk of being dragged into the conflict Responsible Statecraft.
Saudi-Israel Relations
Israeli President Isaac Herzog and a Saudi official gave unusual media interviews that revived discussion of Saudi-Israel ties, with the crisis potentially strengthening the case for regional defense cooperation Jerusalem Post.
Antisemitism & Threats Abroad
Antisemitism
Antisemitism & Threats Abroad
Antisemitism
Hamas Plot in Europe
German authorities revealed that Hamas was preparing a major terrorist attack against Jewish and Israeli targets in Europe, planned to coincide with the second anniversary of the October 7 massacre. Three suspects were arrested in Berlin on October 1, 2025, with weapons and ammunition stored and a claim of responsibility video prepared Behold Israel.
Israel in Africa
World – Africa
Israel in Africa
World – Africa
Mali Conflict
A deadly attack near Anefis exposed growing challenges facing Mali's military leaders, with armed group alliances reshaping the conflict Al Jazeera English.
Mauritania Refugee Tragedy
A boat carrying migrants and refugees from Africa ran out of fuel off Mauritania, leaving 143 dead and 38 rescued Al Jazeera English.
Israel in Europe
World – Europe
Israel in Europe
World – Europe
Netherlands Settlement Ban
The Netherlands will ban imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories starting September 22, covering mainly agricultural products including avocados, dates, oranges, grapes, and herbs, as well as goods from the occupied Golan Heights HaaretzAl Jazeera English. Companies attempting to bypass the restrictions could face prosecution Quds News Network.
France Social Media Ban
France will ban social media for under-15s from September 1 Al Jazeera English.
UK Base Use
The new British prime minister reportedly approved US use of British bases for strikes on Iran News 0404 IL.
Israel in the Americas
World – Americas
Israel in the Americas
World – Americas
NYC Mayor on Netanyahu
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called Israeli PM Netanyahu a war criminal but said the city lacks legal authority to arrest him under the ICC warrant, urging federal authorities to act Quds News NetworkAl Jazeera English.
Guyana Ferry Disaster
A ferry capsized in Guyana, killing at least 53 people Al Jazeera English.
Israel in Asia-Pacific
World – Asia-Pacific
Israel in Asia-Pacific
World – Asia-Pacific
Sri Lanka Protest
People in Sri Lanka gathered outside the US Embassy to commemorate the Minab school martyrs killed by US strikes IRNA.
Taiwan Communications Law
Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed a bill easing restrictions on foreign firms to strengthen domestic communications resilience against Chinese cable slicing FDD.
Israel in MENA (Non-Belligerent)
World – MENA (Other)
Israel in MENA (Non-Belligerent)
World – MENA (Other)
Saudi Nuclear Deal
President Trump approved a 30-year civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, estimated at tens of billions of dollars, granting US companies a central role in developing Saudi nuclear infrastructure and potentially opening the door to uranium enrichment in the kingdom HaaretzJerusalem PostYnetnews.
Kuwait-Iran Tensions
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei criticized Kuwait for sheltering aggressors, referencing historical Iranian assistance in extinguishing Kuwaiti oil wells in 1991 Mehr News.
Analysis
Trend
The operational tempo has accelerated and expanded geographically. Over the trailing 7 days, US strikes have shifted from concentrated hits on known military infrastructure to a broader campaign now reaching previously untouched provinces like Khuzestan. The protagonist set has widened: Iran is no longer solely absorbing strikes but actively claiming offensive operations in Kuwait, a new front. This marks a qualitative escalation from the prior pattern of Iranian retaliation focused on Bahrain, Jordan, and maritime attacks. The IRGC's specific claim of disabling radar systems, if verified, indicates a shift from symbolic retaliation to attempts at degrading US early-warning capabilities, raising the risk of miscalculation. The simultaneous diplomatic moves—mediation efforts and the Saudi nuclear deal—suggest the conflict is bifurcating into a kinetic track and a grand-bargain track, with each feeding the other's urgency.
Narrative
The information environment is dominated by two competing framings. The US and its allies push a narrative of calibrated degradation: CENTCOM's language emphasizes protecting commercial shipping, and the Saudi nuclear deal is framed as stabilizing. Iran, through IRGC and Army claims, projects an image of successful retaliation and expanding reach, specifically naming Kuwait to embarrass a Gulf state hosting US forces. The Iranian framing is winning in regional anti-US circles, amplified by Al-Manar and IRNA, while Western outlets focus on the diplomatic track. A critical gap exists between the IRGC's radar claims and any independent verification; no satellite imagery or third-party confirmation has emerged, yet the claim is being treated as fact in much of the Arabic-language media. The narrative gap is being filled by historical grievances, as Iran invokes the 1991 oil well assistance to frame Kuwait as ungrateful.
Synthesis
The IRGC's claim of disabling Kuwaiti radars is less a military operation than a strategic signal designed to fracture the US-Gulf alliance by demonstrating that hosting US forces invites direct retaliation. The timing—coinciding with Trump's approval of the Saudi nuclear deal—suggests Iran is trying to raise the cost of Gulf alignment with Washington precisely when the US is offering long-term security and economic incentives. A counter-reading is that the claims are purely propaganda to offset the psychological impact of nightly US strikes. However, the specificity of the claim (early-warning radar) and the separate Iranian Army drone claim lend operational plausibility, and even a partially successful strike would achieve the signaling goal. The true test will be whether Kuwait publicly acknowledges any incident; silence would paradoxically confirm the attack's effectiveness by revealing a desire to avoid escalation.
OSINT Indicators — Watch
- 1.Check FlightRadar24 for unusual military or cargo flight activity over Kuwait and southern Iraq in the 24 hours following the IRGC radar claims to identify any US or allied air defense repositioning.
- 2.Review Sentinel-1 SAR imagery of Kuwait's northern border and Ali Al Salem Air Base (orbit 137, descending pass ~2026-07-22T15:00 UTC) for evidence of damage or activity consistent with the claimed radar strikes.
- 3.Monitor the Telegram channel 'Sabereen News' for any visual evidence or further claims from Iraqi militias regarding coordination with IRGC operations in Kuwait, as they often provide early imagery or details.
Predictions — +24h
Status Quo
- 1.Within 48 hours, Kuwait will issue a statement neither confirming nor denying the IRGC radar claims, instead calling for de-escalation and reaffirming its sovereignty.0.75
- 2.Before the next US strike cycle (approx. 2026-07-22T20:00 UTC), the US will announce the deployment of additional air defense assets to Kuwait and possibly Bahrain.0.65
- 3.The Iran-Israel ceasefire will hold through July 25, with no direct Iran-Israel kinetic exchange, as both sides remain focused on the US-Iran front and Lebanon pilot zones.0.85
Escalation
- 1.Within 72 hours, the IRGC will release purported drone footage of the Kuwait radar strikes, triggering a Kuwaiti request for an emergency UN Security Council session and a US vow to 'defend every inch of allied territory'.0.35
- 2.By July 25, a US strike will hit an IRGC target in Kuwaiti territory in response to the radar attacks, marking the first US kinetic action in Kuwait since the 1991 Gulf War.0.20
- 3.Within 24 hours, Iran will announce it is withdrawing from the NPT, citing the Saudi nuclear deal and continued US strikes as existential threats that require an unrestricted nuclear program.0.15