The U.S. and Iran showed no sign of backing away from their conflict after as they continue to trade strikes. With fighting flaring again and diplomacy uncertain, both sides made moves suggesting an escalation was possible. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia struck the port city of Hodeida in Yemen in response to Iranian-backed Houthi rebel attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said early Saturday (July 25, 2026). The Houthis said the group would escalate after tensions have been brewing for weeks, breaking a yearslong calm.

Escalation trap: On the U.S. and the war with Iran

Earlier on Friday (July 24, 2026), U.S. President Donald Trump described negotiations with Iran as “by far the most serious that we’ve seen”. Trump added that he’s “not in a hurry” to end the war. U.S. Embassies in West Asia began alerting Americans in the region that options to leave could become more limited, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard advised residents of neighbouring countries to stay away from bases with U.S. troops.

U.S. House of Representatives again passes resolution seeking to halt military action in Iran

Vowing that Iran “will not bow to U.S.” bullying, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted ongoing discussions with two global powers often at odds with Americans — China and Russia — and warned in an interview with the semiofficial news outlet Tasnim that the Islamic Republic is “neither intimidated by threats nor will we yield to pressure.” 

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