Yossi Schwartz ISL (RCIT section in Israel/Occupied Palestine) 23.07.2026
The Houthis announced that they had attacked two Saudi oil tankers that violated the naval blockade declared by the organization in the Red Sea. Britain’s maritime trade agency said the tanker was attacked off the coast of Saudi Arabia and that there were no casualties in the incident.
Iran’s Mehr news agency quoted a security source as saying that an American missile hit near the passenger terminal in Shalmcheh, a border crossing with Iraq. According to reports in the country, two people were killed in the attack. It was also reported that the US military attacked in the area of the city of Ahvaz, in the southwest of the country. Iranian television reported that explosions were heard in the Sirik area in southern Iran. According to the Fars News Agency, explosions were also heard in the Bushehr area, in the southwest of the country. In Iran, it was reported that the attack in the area was aimed at a military site.
According to CENTCOM, the strikes are intended to harm Iran’s ability to threaten civilian vessels and commercial vessels passing through the region. But the strait remained blocked.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States is reinforcing its forces in the Middle East and sending additional troops, medical teams and weapons to the region. This comes as US President Donald Trump is considering expanding the confrontation with Iran. Flight tracking data and American sources indicate that in the past week, special forces have been sent to the Middle East from their bases in the United States, and it was also reported by one of the sources that squadrons of fighter jets have been deployed throughout the Middle East, and bombers stationed at bases in the United States and Britain are on high alert in preparation for the expansion of operational activity. In addition, a US source told the Wall Street Journal that in recent days, more than 150 medical personnel have arrived at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, which serves as the main center for the treatment of US soldiers injured in the fighting.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said that “no one wants Iran to have nuclear weapons” and declared that the Iranians are “going to pay a heavy price.” He also shared an article in which he said that he had ordered the “opening of the gates of hell” on Iran.
In response, the IRGC threatened that “if bridges or power plants are attacked, we will cut off the electricity of the U.S. regional allies.” Iran’s emergency command added that “if the U.S. acts in accordance with its threats, Iran will stop all the flow of oil into the Gulf.” At the same time, a spokesman for the Revolutionary Guards warned shipping companies against crossing the Strait of Hormuz, claiming it was mined.
According to estimates, the campaign may expand this coming weekend. A move against the “pickaxe mountain” will express another escalation. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Trump still has reservations about Israel’s re-entry into the campaign, because he wants to force Iran to hold on to the negotiating table. In recent days, the level of alert and alertness in the Zionist army has been raised in anticipation of a scenario in which Israel will be allowed to intervene in the fighting.
What is the price of war?
Experts have begun to count the cost of the Iran war. While direct U.S. military activity in Iran is currently estimated at up to $42 billion, long-term long-term economic and long-term costs could increase the cost. Whatever the final number, senior Trump administration officials have already acknowledged that the cost of the war will be higher than initial estimates.
It cost about $4 billion in two weeks in late spring, when Pentagon critic Jules Hearst told lawmakers that the Defense Department’s estimate of war, eight weeks into the event, had jumped from $25 billion to $29 billion. (The Pentagon’s initial estimate of the conflict with Iran was about $11.3 billion in the first six days of the operation.)
Daily operations in Iran and the vicinity of these major military systems cost the taxpayer about $59.39 million per day.
The $59.39 million per day could instead cover the daily costs of Medicaid for more than four million Americans, or SNAP (food stamps) for more than 9.5 million Americans. Both programs were exposed to significant cuts under H.R. 1 last year, when millions of Americans were at risk of hunger and without health care as a result.
Partial daily operating expenses and support for the U.S. war in Iran as of March 3, 2026
Daily Component Costs
Marine Deployment $30.679 million
Aircraft deployment $23.314 million
10% increase compared to normal operating costs for combat operations – $5.399 million
Daily operation of central equipment $59.39 million
The $59.39 million per day could instead cover the daily costs of Medicaid for more than four million Americans, or SNAP (food stamps) for more than 9.5 million Americans. Both programs were exposed to significant cuts under H.R. 1 last year, when millions of Americans were at risk of hunger and without health care as a result.
It seems that in Trump’s desperation and desire to present achievements, he is further plunging the United States into the abyss.
Trump is under heavy internal pressure, both political and economic, that will dictate a date for the end of the war in Iran. The pressures in question are rare in wartime, and they stem from Trump’s failure to mobilize public support before the campaign broke out. In addition, the severe political polarization in American society and politics and the midterm congressional elections to be held in November 2026 play a significant role.
The president cannot conduct policy over time, and war in particular, without political backing and sufficient support from public opinion. In previous wars of the United States, from World War II, through the wars in Korea and Vietnam, to the wars of the 21st century in Afghanistan and Iraq, at least at the beginning and before they became complicated, most of the public and the media, including the liberal ones, expressed support. This time it is not happening. This is mainly due to the severe political polarization and the midterm elections to Congress. Harsh criticism of the war has appeared from both sides of the political spectrum. Among moderate Democrats as well as extremists and separatists on the far right, including in Trump’s support base for Make America Great Again (MAGA) and America First.
These pressures will only increase when the bodies of American soldiers are returned in sacks. This is the time to organize a worker’s party in real opposition to the war, and for public housing and public health care, nationalize the banks and large companies under worker’s control.