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US Launches Heavy Airstrikes on Iran, Saudi Coalition Forms

8/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. military launched a heavy wave of airstrikes in Iran on Thursday.
Retired Vice Adm. Robert Harward said Iran’s calculus is shifting because of external pressures and cyberattacks, and cited a trilateral Lebanon-Israel-U.S. framework to curb Iran’s influence.
Harward said Saudi Arabia Armed Forces are beginning U.S. strikes against groups in Iraq and that Saudi Arabia met Thursday to build a coalition to protect shipping from Iran-backed Houthi attacks.

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Story summary

The U.S. military launched a heavy wave of airstrikes in Iran on Thursday.
Retired Vice Adm. Robert Harward said Iran’s calculus is shifting because of external pressures and cyberattacks, and cited a trilateral Lebanon-Israel-U.S. framework to curb Iran’s influence.
Harward said Saudi Arabia Armed Forces are beginning U.S. strikes against groups in Iraq and that Saudi Arabia met Thursday to build a coalition to protect shipping from Iran-backed Houthi attacks.