China rejects Trump’s accusations of electoral interference

New attacks in the Strait of Hormuz

The US military reported Sunday that it carried out airstrikes against Iran to “quickly punish” the Revolutionary Guard. The action occurs after an attack in Jordan that left two US soldiers dead, another missing and four hospitalized.

The Central Command noted that the attacks seek to degrade Iran’s ability to restrict oil tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a route that before the war moved about 20% of the world’s oil supply.

An area near Sirik was attacked around 1:30 a.m., according to Iran’s state agency IRNA. Local authorities in the province of Hormozgán confirmed the fact.

Since the beginning of the conflict, 16 American troops have died and more than 430 have been injured.

Regional impact and warnings

In Iraq, a Kurdistan Freedom Party base was hit by a drone near Irbil, injuring eight of its members. Residents heard air defense explosions. Irbil has been the target of drones in the last four days, coinciding with the visit of the Iraqi prime minister to Washington.

Iran’s supreme leader warned of “unforgettable lessons” if the US continues attacks. He also called President Trump’s signature “worthless.” An Iranian negotiator said Tehran has suspended its commitments under the deal signed a month ago.

Kuwait confirmed damage to a desalination plant and an oil facility. The country obtains 90% of its drinking water through desalination. Several firefighters and a worker were injured. Kuwait briefly closed its airspace and rescheduled flights.

Jordan reported shooting down Iranian missiles with its air defenses. Anti-aircraft alarms also sounded in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council accused Iran of war crimes for attacks on civilian infrastructure.

The United States stated that on its seventh consecutive night it hit surveillance sites, logistics infrastructure and underground warehouses. US attacks destroyed a desalination plant in Bonji, leaving some 10,000 people without water. They also damaged a plant on the island of Qeshm.

Iran reported at least 50 deaths and more than 500 injuries in three weeks of attacks, including eight who lost their lives in a bridge attack on Friday. The Ministry of Energy asked the population to reduce electricity consumption in southern provinces in the face of extreme heat.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated that Brazil does not accept being offended by any nation, in apparent reference to the tariff increase imposed by the United States. However, he warned that he will only comment on the measure after his colleague Donald Trump does so.

“This country must hold its head high because we do not accept that any other nation in the world wrongs Brazil. We want respect, in the same way that we will respect everyone,” he declared during an official event in Rio de Janeiro, accompanied by several ministers and Governor Ricardo Couto de Castro.

Strategic waiting

Lula added that he will wait for Trump’s statements before referring to the “increase in tariffs,” thus avoiding a direct exchange of accusations. “I’m going to wait to talk about the tariff when Trump speaks out. As long as he doesn’t speak, I won’t speak either, because we are going to show that no one beats Brazil with lies,” he said.

The Brazilian government, through its ministers, described as “unjustified” the 25% increase in the rates applied to the South American country’s exports. Washington’s decision has generated trade tension, although Lula opts for a prudent and conditional stance.

Regional context

The US measure impacts key sectors of the Brazilian economy, such as steel and aluminum. Brazil has historically maintained a complex trade relationship with the United States, alternating conflicts and agreements. Lula’s strategy seeks to avoid an escalation while evaluating possible retaliation or negotiations.

Analysts believe that the president’s momentary silence seeks to pressure Trump to take the first step, preventing Brazil from being seen as the initiator of a trade war. The international community is closely watching the development of this dispute between two of the largest economies on the continent.

Attack on strategic plant in Kuwait

On Friday, an Iranian attack hit a power and desalination plant in Kuwait, causing damage to several power generation units and a fire that was controlled by emergency crews. Kuwaiti authorities activated contingency plans to maintain the supply of water and electricity.

Kuwait relies on desalination for about 90% of its drinking water, similar to other Gulf countries such as Oman and Saudi Arabia. Most of these facilities are on the Persian Gulf coast, making them vulnerable to missile or drone attacks.

This incident highlights the fragility of critical infrastructure in the Middle East amid regional escalation.