Iran Tensions Rise as Trump and Netanyahu Review All Options Including Force
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explored all options to curb Iran’s nuclear program, including military force, during their White House meeting on July 29, 2026, as Saudi Arabia joined U.S. strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq amid escalating regional attacks and rising Iran tensions.
Trump-Netanyahu Meeting on Iran Options
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explored all possible paths to curb Iran’s nuclear program in their meeting, including diplomacy, economic pressure and force. [1] A senior Israeli official stated that Netanyahu did not tell Trump that Israel’s preference now was for further attacks on Iran. [1] The official said in briefings with reporters after the two men met in the White House on Tuesday that any decision on next steps ultimately rests with Trump. [1] “In the end, it’s his decision,” the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said of Trump. [1] The discussion took place against the backdrop of ongoing Iran tensions that have drawn in multiple regional actors.
Saudi Arabia Joins Strikes on Iran-Backed Militias
On Tuesday July 28, 2026, Saudi fighter jets joined U.S. aircraft in striking pro-Iran militias in eastern Iraq. [2] The joint operation targeted groups aligned with Iran after more than 30 alleged Iranian-directed drone attacks on Saudi targets. [2] CENTCOM described the combined U.S.-Saudi strikes as a strong response to those incidents. [2] Saudi Arabia cited repeated Houthi missile and drone strikes on its oil facilities as a key factor in its decision to participate. [2] The kingdom stated that it does not seek escalation but will respond to aggression it faces. [2]
Houthi Attacks and Saudi Red Lines
Saudi officials pointed to recent Houthi strikes on two oil complexes in Jazan as evidence that all red lines had been crossed. [2] Satellite imagery and geolocated video showed severe damage to one of the Jazan facilities from the weekend attacks. [2] Riyadh also referenced the 2019 Abqaiq incident that halted nearly half of Saudi oil production and was attributed by intelligence sources to actors linked to Iran. [2] Houthi forces launched the latest strikes after a July 13 incident at Sanaa airport in which Saudi-backed Iraqi forces struck the facility to block an Iranian aircraft carrying Houthi officials returning from a funeral. [2] Saudi analysts concluded that the cumulative attacks on oil infrastructure and shipping in the Red Sea exhausted Riyadh’s patience. [2]
U.S. Sanctions Pressure on Iran
The U.S. Treasury designated individuals and entities linked to Babak Zanjani for helping Iran evade sanctions to fund the IRGC and destabilizing activities. [3] The Office of Foreign Assets Control action targets four individuals and nine entities in Zanjani’s network that enabled the Iranian regime to finance its activities, including support for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. [3] The U.S. Senate advanced the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which includes new sanctions on Iran’s weapons and energy sectors. [5] The legislation also imposes up to 500 percent tariffs on Russian imports and up to 100 percent tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy. [5] Lawmakers described the package as a way to increase pressure on both Russia and Iran while providing the president flexibility on implementation timing. [5]
U.S. Military Adjustments in the Conflict
The Iran conflict accelerated connectivity upgrades to the Air Force KC-135 tanker fleet for improved battlespace awareness. [4] Top acquisitions officials stated that the service diverted personnel and funding to expand real-time information in the cockpit capabilities on the KC-135 platform. [4] Prior to the upgrades, almost half of the nearly 400 tankers had Link 16 connectivity through the real-time information in the cockpit effort. [4] Following the changes driven by Operation Epic Fury, the majority of the KC-135 fleet is now equipped with the system. [4] Officials noted that increased access to tactical data links improves survivability, agility, and situational awareness for aircrews in contested environments. [4]
What to watch next includes whether the Senate completes work on the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act before the House returns from recess.
