Trump Pushes Iran Strikes, Hamas Deal and Saudi Nuclear Pact Amid Strains

The United States continues military operations against Iran five months after strikes began in late February 2026, with President Trump stating that forces will hit targets “very hard” until Tehran negotiates on U.S. terms. The campaign includes a naval blockade of Iranian ports after Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz, which carries a fifth of global oil supplies, and has produced near-daily exchanges of missiles and drones. U.S. European Command head Gen. Alexus Grynkewich warned the Pentagon that he lacks sufficient destroyers to sustain Israel’s defense without diverting assets from homeland protection, according to officials familiar with the notification. At the same time, Trump announced a U.S.-brokered agreement under which Hamas would disarm and transfer Gaza administration to an independent body, though Israeli strikes continued in central Gaza and far-right ministers rejected the terms. A separate deal allows U.S. firms to build civilian nuclear plants in Saudi Arabia, yet Trump later conditioned final approval on Riyadh recognizing Israel. Ukraine has offered drone-defense expertise to Gulf states under Iranian attack and struck an Iranian vessel it said carried arms to Russia, prompting Iranian threats and U.S. concerns over merged battlefields. Saudi Arabia reported a 5 percent GDP drop in the second quarter and is forming a maritime coalition with 14 nations to protect Red Sea shipping from Houthi attacks. Negotiations mediated by Pakistan and Qatar have produced no lasting truce, while Congress from both parties questions the absence of an exit strategy and the effect on fuel and food prices ahead of midterms.