For the thirteenth consecutive night, U.S. forces have struck Iranian facilities. Iran has responded with a 'Lightning' counteroffensive, expanding its attacks to U.S. military targets in Kuwait, Jordan, and Iraq. Mediation efforts for a ceasefire have failed, and both sides’ positions have hardened. After five months of conflict, U.S. military equipment is being rapidly depleted, domestic anti-war sentiment is rising, and Trump faces mounting political pressure as the war increasingly becomes a political liability.
U.S. military engagements continue, ceasefire mediation efforts have reached an impasse, and the conflict keeps spilling over beyond its original borders. As the conflict enters its fifth month, escalating U.S. military expenditure combined with rising domestic anti-war sentiment has placed mounting political pressure on the Trump administration.
According to Xinhua News Agency, U.S. Central Command stated on the 23rd that American forces completed their latest round of strikes against Iran at 21:00 Eastern Time on the same day (09:00 Beijing Time on the 24th). This marked the thirteenth consecutive night of U.S. strikes on Iran, lasting a total of two hours and fifteen minutes.
According to CCTV News, on the 24th local time, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement announcing that, during the 27th wave of Operation 'Victory 2,' Iranian forces again attacked the U.S. military base in Azraq, Jordan, damaging several fighter jets, and also struck a U.S. personnel facility, causing casualties. Additionally, Iran destroyed a Patriot air defense system and a surveillance balloon in Erbil, Iraq, and attacked another U.S. personnel facility.
Of greater concern to markets is that as the war drags on, anti-war sentiment within the United States continues to intensify, exacerbating pressure on the Republican Party ahead of the midterm elections. What President Trump had initially hoped would be a swiftly concluded military operation is gradually turning into a significant political burden.
According to Xinhua News Agency, citing U.S. military and intelligence officials, CBS News reported on the 23rd that recent escalations in U.S. military operations against Iran have led to rapid depletion of American air defense interceptors and precision-guided munitions, raising concerns within the U.S. government. The officials, who requested anonymity, stated that the initial rate of precision-guided weapons consumption during the early phase of the military campaign against Iran is now unsustainable.
Iran launches 'Lightning' counterattacks; U.S. forces strike multiple targets inside Iran.
U.S. offensives continue unabated, while Iran further expands the scope of its retaliatory strikes.
According to CCTV News, Iran’s military issued a statement on the 24th local time, stating that during Phase 25 of Operation 'Lightning,' Iranian forces used 'Arash' drones to attack multiple U.S. military facilities in Kuwait. The statement specified that the targets included a U.S. equipment warehouse at Al-Adiri Camp, a U.S. garrison at Doha Barracks, and a U.S. personnel facility at Ali Al Salem Camp.
Iranian sources reported explosions in Khorramabad, Jask, Ahvaz, Bandar Abbas, and Qeshm Island—a strategically vital location. Iranian media also reported that a U.S. missile strike hit the Shalamcheh border crossing between Iran and Iraq, resulting in two deaths and eleven injuries; meanwhile, four people were killed and five others injured in Ahvaz.
Ceasefire mediation efforts have failed, and both sides’ positions have further hardened.
The ceasefire mediation that briefly captured market attention this week ultimately ended without result.
According to CCTV International News, the Media Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister issued a statement on July 24 stating that The New York Times’ report claiming “Iran rejected a ceasefire proposal from U.S. President Trump conveyed through Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Zaidi” was baseless and inconsistent with the facts. According to The New York Times, Iranian and Iraqi officials said Iran rejected on July 23 (local time) a ceasefire proposal from Trump delivered via Al-Zaidi.
The report stated that before visiting Iran, Al-Zaidi first traveled to the United States and met with Trump at the White House—but the specifics of the ceasefire proposal he conveyed remain unclear. The report also noted that this is currently the only ceasefire plan on the negotiating table, though Iran has shown no interest in a temporary agreement that would set aside the issue of control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Citing informed sources, The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran is not currently eager to end the war but instead hopes to leverage the ongoing conflict to exert greater pressure on the U.S. economy, energy markets, and domestic politics—particularly targeting the U.S. midterm elections in November this year.
Escalating war costs intensify political pressure on Trump
As the war enters its fifth month, its political costs are becoming increasingly evident.
According to CCTV News, on the 23rd local time, the U.S. Senate voted 49 to 47 to reject a resolution aimed at limiting President Trump’s war powers regarding Iran. The resolution, led by Democrats, sought to prevent the Trump administration from taking military action against Iran without congressional authorization. Earlier that day, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a separate resolution calling again for the Trump administration to halt the war against Iran.
Meanwhile, a recent Fox News poll shows that 56% of American respondents oppose military action against Iran, with 40% indicating they “strongly oppose” it; most respondents expect the war to last at least another year, and Trump’s approval rating on Iran-related matters has fallen to a historic low.
Amid protracted hostilities, accelerating military expenditures, and stalled ceasefire negotiations, this conflict is gradually evolving from a military operation into a political test for the Trump administration.
Editor/melody