Wednesday, 22 July 2026

The US renewed strikes on Iran for the 11th consecutive night as Trump threatened to attack Pickaxe Mountain, a key underground Iranian nuclear facility near Natanz. The escalation continued as Iran launched missiles at Jordan and warned of 'eye for an eye' retaliation if the US targets Iranian infrastructure.

The Trump administration approved a new nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that could provide the kingdom with uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear program. Nuclear experts warned the deal throws 'fuel on the smoldering fire of atomic proliferation,' while Israeli officials expressed concerns about triggering a regional arms race.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed the estimated cost of the Iran war has reached $37.5 billion, prompting Senator warnings about 'another forever war.' House Republicans began drafting a $95 billion reconciliation bill to fund the ongoing conflict and other priorities, while Trump defended the expensive war saying it would have no impact on him politically.

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was seized and brought to the US earlier this year, is scheduled to face trial in June 2027 on weapons and drug charges. Maduro and his wife continue to deny all allegations against them.

Oil prices rose above $95 per barrel as the Middle East conflict escalated, driven by US-Iran aggression in the Strait of Hormuz and Houthi threats in the Bab el-Mandeb. The price surge threatens to reignite inflation concerns and disrupt global supply chains.

The House passed a $1.15 trillion defense bill despite divisions over Trump's unilateral decision to join Israel in attacking Iran without congressional approval. The passage marked a complicated vote as Republicans pushed through the measure over Democratic opposition.

The House passed a $1.15 trillion spending bill to fund the government through December 4, narrowly avoiding a third government shutdown this year. Senators on both sides expressed quiet hope about avoiding the volatile issue heading into the midterm election season.

Trade chief Jamieson Greer defended Trump's tariff policies before Congress, denying that tariffs have pushed up prices despite Democratic lawmakers' concerns about cost-of-living impacts. The administration doubled down on tariffs even as the Supreme Court had previously struck down emergency tariff authority.

The Trump administration announced plans to purchase two ICE detention centers in California despite opposition from Democratic state leaders, revealing a strategy to expand immigration detention capacity. Simultaneously, more than 20,000 unaccompanied immigrant children risk losing legal representation after federal funding cuts to legal services programs.

Two witnesses told a federal court that an ICE agent who fatally shot a Mexican man, Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, in Houston on July 7 was in no immediate danger and that the driver's vehicle was parked. Additionally, a judge blocked ICE's attempt to hastily deport witnesses to the fatal shooting, citing concerns about witness intimidation.

Election deniers won Republican primary nominations in Arizona: Representative Andy Biggs won the GOP nomination for governor to challenge Democrat Katie Hobbs, while election denier Alexander Kolodin won the nomination for secretary of state over a more moderate Republican.