Iranian cleric urges government to avoid U.S. talks after infrastructure threats

A senior Iranian cleric called on the government not to return to talks with the U.S. following reported threats to strike civilian infrastructure. The cleric's statement was issued as the U.S. continues military operations that began February 28. Those operations have included a naval blockade of Iranian ports restarted on July 14.

U.S. military actions and costs U.S.

Central Command said it redirected two commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade since the restart 17 hours earlier. The command posted that U.S. forces remain vigilant and prepared to ensure compliance. An analysis shows the U.S. has expended half of at least four critical munitions types and incurred billions of dollars in weapons expenses since the attacks began.

President Trump is scheduled to address a defense summit at the U.S. Army War College on the topic.

Iranian economic and political response Iranian officials released casualty figures from U.S. attacks in a deliberate manner, according to Mehran Kamrava, professor of government at Georgetown University Qatar. Kamrava said the government is using the deaths of seven soldiers to maintain popular support amid high inflation, unemployment, and $270 billion in economic damages.

Kamrava stated that Iran is shifting the conflict toward an economic dimension through attacks on shipping because it cannot match U.S. military power directly. He added that the U.S. may respond by attempting to deplete Iran's economy further. General Simon Mayall, a former UK Defence Ministry adviser, said both sides are using strikes as part of a negotiation process and that neither appears to seek a major war.