Hostilities have resumed between the US and Iran, with Tehran accusing the US of violating the agreement intended to end the war after the US military launched strikes around the Strait of Hormuz and revoked a temporary sanctions waiver for Iranian oil exports. The attacks, the latest in a string of ceasefire violations by both sides despite a truce that came into effect in April, have led to an immediate 3% rise in oil prices.
Trump's Remarks at NATO Summit
Speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, Donald Trump declared the memorandum of understanding with Iran over and called the country's leaders “vicious, violent people” whom he would not deal with because they were, in the US president's words, “scum.” He nevertheless appeared to indicate that talks would continue. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte backed the US attacks, saying: “When you have a ceasefire and Iran is basically violating the ceasefire, I think it is totally crucial that the US forcefully react.”
Details of the Attacks
The US military said it had hit more than 80 targets in the early hours of Wednesday in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. Iran responded by launching attacks on US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said 85 facilities had been targeted.
Other Key Developments
In other news, Bernie Sanders called on Graham Platner to withdraw from the US Senate race in Maine citing “very serious allegations” of sexual assault, hours before the nominee faced another claim of sexual misconduct. A federal appeals panel struck down a key part of Florida's “Stop Woke Act” restricting campus race and gender discussions, ruling it breached First Amendment free expression rights. More than 400 people were arrested at a Fourth of July 'TikTok takeover' of a beach in California.
Environmental and Climate News
Washington DC briefly recorded the world's worst air quality for a city after 850,000 Fourth of July fireworks, with residents breathing “unhealthy” air for hours. Lake Powell, the US's second-largest reservoir, threatens to plunge to unprecedentedly low levels this year, imperilling hydroelectric power and increasing uncertainty over water supply negotiations for 40 million people across seven states, tribal nations, and two countries.
Culture and Sports
Dolly Parton will celebrate turning 81 with the opening of a musical about her life on Broadway this winter, featuring hits such as I Will Always Love You, Jolene, Coat of Many Colors, and 9 to 5. The US men's national team's exit from the FIFA World Cup was described as a missed generational chance to put soccer in the spotlight, with injury robbing star player Christian Pulisic of showing his true potential.
