Iran war

The US has warned European allies to expect delays of up to 5 years in receiving key missile systems as America replenishes arsenals depleted during the Iran war. Ukraine's Patriot supplies are also affected.

US President Donald Trump has declared that the war with Iran will be concluded after the November 2026 midterm elections. Trump made the remark during the Republican convention in Dallas, suggesting the conflict's timeline is tied to domestic political considerations.

African governments cautiously navigate the Strait of Hormuz crisis with quiet diplomacy, keeping quiet on blame as fuel shortages and crop failures spread across the continent.

President Trump confirmed war talks with Iran are underway, saying there is a good chance of a deal, as Iran denies direct negotiations.

Republican Rep. Mike Turner acknowledged bipartisan frustration with the US-Iran war while Democrat Sen. Van Hollen called for immediate withdrawal. Four US troops were killed in the past week as the Pentagon seeks $67 billion in supplemental war funding.

President Trump said Tuesday the US will strike Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility 'pretty soon and very heavily,' as the Iran conflict enters its 10th consecutive day of strikes. The deep underground site near Natanz is believed to house centrifuges transferred there last fall.

The IMF lowered its 2026 global growth forecast to 3% on July 8, down from 3.5% in 2025 and its April estimate of 3.1%, blaming the Iran war's energy shock. Oil prices are up 32% in 2026, global inflation is forecast at 4.7%, while the US economy holds steady at 2.3% growth.