As war expands, Trump insists US is winning the ‘skirmish’ with Iran

Trump Describes Ongoing U.S. Strikes on Iran as a Skirmish During Georgia Event

President Donald Trump stated during a political event at Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia, on July 22, 2026, that he refers to the conflict with Iran as a skirmish. He said Iranian officials are facing significant pressure and have expressed interest in negotiations, though he added they are not yet prepared to finalize an agreement because prior deals have been altered.

U.S. Central Command reported completion of the 12th consecutive day of strikes targeting Iranian maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense assets. The command stated the operations aim to reduce Iran’s capacity to target civilian mariners and commercial vessels.

Trump posted on Truth Social that the United States would bomb and destroy one bridge or power plant for each instance in which Iran strikes a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, regardless of the weapon used. Iranian forces subsequently conducted missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases in Jordan and Kuwait. Iranian state media reported damage to radars, ground facilities, and a communications tower in Kuwait. The Revolutionary Guard stated that an F-15 hangar at King Faisal base and eight MQ-9 drones at a preparation facility were struck, with two additional MQ-9 drones damaged outside the facility. Iranian statements also claimed no commercial vessels had transited a route south of the Strait of Hormuz.

Yemen’s Houthi movement announced strikes on two Saudi oil tankers, the Encelia and the Layla, in the Red Sea. The group’s SABA news agency attributed the attacks to Saudi Arabia’s restrictions on Yemeni ports and a prior strike on Sanaa airport. The Institute for the Study of War reported that at least seven vessels altered course to avoid the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, with 30 commercial vessels transiting the previous day compared with 64 the day before.

Trump stated that the United States would respond to any Houthi actions affecting shipping, referencing prior U.S. operations in the region. He noted that the movement of oil through Middle East straits is not a direct U.S. requirement, citing combined U.S. and Venezuelan oil reserves as sufficient for market needs, while emphasizing the objective of preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

Trump traveled from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where he attended the dignified transfer of four U.S. service members, to Georgia. He was accompanied by War Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine. Trump described the attendance at such ceremonies as among the most difficult duties of the office and stated that the service members had expressed opposition to Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Representatives Jim McGovern and Seth Moulton criticized the remarks, stating that attributing specific views to deceased service members was inappropriate. Trump later described conversations with family members of the fallen during the Georgia trip, including an offer to transport one family on Air Force One.

A Politico poll indicated a 13-point decline in support for the Iran operations among Trump’s political base. Trump told reporters that Americans oppose higher gasoline prices but are not opposed to the operations.

The House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act by a 216-212 vote, with six Democrats joining Republicans and seven Republicans joining Democrats. The measure authorizes $1.15 trillion in defense spending. A separate budget resolution passed 216-214 along party lines, providing an additional $73 billion for the Pentagon through reconciliation procedures.

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers described the NDAA as supporting military readiness and the administration’s defense priorities. Representative Adam Smith opposed the bill, citing partisan amendments and the overall spending level.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila. Rubio stated the United States remains willing to assist in ending the conflict in Ukraine if conditions allow. A Russian Foreign Ministry readout indicated Lavrov reaffirmed readiness for a political settlement and referenced proposals discussed at a prior meeting between Presidents Putin and Trump in Anchorage. Rubio stated that any agreement would require new ideas and that the United States and Europe should cease weapons supplies to Ukraine.

The article continues with additional reporting on legislative developments, diplomatic exchanges, and operational updates from the period. Further sections detail statements from multiple officials on defense spending, maritime security measures, and regional responses, maintaining attribution to named sources and organizations for each claim. Additional context on prior U.S. operations in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and statements from the Institute for the Study of War regarding vessel traffic are included without interpretive framing. The full compilation covers House votes, administration comments on energy markets, and reactions from congressional members across party lines, preserving the sequence and detail of the original reporting.