Iran War Update Saturday, July 25th, 2026 at 9:18 a.m.

Iran War Update Saturday, July 25th, 2026 at 9:18 a.m. centers on President Donald Trump signaling the United States is “locked and loaded” for possible major new strikes against Iran during an Oval Office media briefing. Trump said the U.S. remains fully prepared to escalate, but he added that no definitive decision on a wider offensive has been finalized, pointing to ongoing diplomatic channels in which Tehran is reportedly engaging more seriously. The warnings followed nearly two weeks of renewed military exchanges after a short-lived truce collapsed, intensifying the Strait of Hormuz standoff. U.S. Central Command said it completed intensive nighttime operations to degrade Iranian capabilities to threaten commercial vessels. Fighting in the Red Sea also expanded after Yemen-based Houthi militants hit targets near Saudi Arabia’s Jizan and Yanbu, contributing to record-high maritime insurance and freight costs. With oil above $100 per barrel and U.S. retail gasoline over $4 a gallon, markets face added pressure.