MORE: US forces struck Iranian military targets across southern, southeastern, and western Iran on July 22 and 23. US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on July 22 that it struck Iranian maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense assets in its 12th consecutive evening of strikes against Iran.
Iranian officials and media confirmed strikes and explosions in Khuzestan, Hormozgan, Bushehr, Sistan and Baluchistan, Kermanshah, and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces on July 22 and 23. Khuzestan Province Deputy Governor for Security and Law Enforcement Valiollah Hayati reported on July 22 that US missiles struck the Shalamcheh border crossing. The Shalamcheh border crossing is a major transit point located between Khuzestan Province and Iraq’s Basra Province. Iranian media later reported on July 23 that the strike killed two people, including an Iranian Artesh captain who worked at an Artesh communications site in Shalamcheh. US and Israeli forces previously targeted the Shalamcheh border crossing at least twice in April 2026. At least 1,000 Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) fighters reportedly entered Khuzestan Province through Shalamcheh in March 2026 and deployed to Basij bases in Khuzestan Province. The PMF is an Iraqi state security service that includes many Iranian-backed Iraqi militias that answer to Iran instead of the Iraqi prime minister.Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar)NEW: The Houthis struck at least one Saudi vessel to enforce their naval blockade of Saudi Arabia on July 22. United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations confirmed on July 23 that the Houthis attacked an unspecified Saudi-flagged tanker with an “unknown projectile.” (1/2)
Other Key Takeaways:
Iran continues to support the Houthis and their efforts to disrupt maritime traffic in and around the Red Sea. The expansion of the maritime shipping crisis to the Red Sea supports Iranian efforts to degrade the United States’ willingness and ability to continue its strike campaign against Iran and coerce the United States to accept Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Unspecified Iranian-backed Iraqi militias likely conducted a drone attack on Kuwait’s Abdali border crossing with Iraq on July 23, marking Iran and the Axis of Resistance’s first attack on a regional border crossing since July 11. Iranian media separately reported on July 23 explosions on Kuwait’s Bubiyan Island.
The IRGC is highlighting the alleged presence of naval mines in the southern corridor to deter commercial vessels from using this corridor and consolidate Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC claimed on July 22 that an oil tanker attempting to use the southern route struck a naval mine that disabled the vessel. ISW-CTP has not observed reports of any commercial vessels hitting mines in the southern route at the time of this writing.
Russia may be helping Iran increase the accuracy of its targeting of US military sites in the region. Four people familiar with US intelligence told Reuters on July 22 that Russia may be providing Iran with targeting intelligence on US sites and equipment in the region. Russia’s provision of targeting intelligence to Iran would likely improve the accuracy and effectiveness of Iran’s drone and missile attacks.
US President Donald Trump told Axios on July 23 that he may decide to expand US strikes against Iran. Trump said that the United States is prepared to launch a “massive attack” against Iran if he orders such an operation.— https://x.com/TheStudyofWar/status/2080447345653649844
