US bombs Iran in response to attack in Strait of Hormuz

A loss in Congress

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President Donald Trump, died Saturday night after a brief and sudden illness. He was 71 years old. His office confirmed the news in a statement posted on social media.

“The family appreciates the prayers and asks for privacy at this difficult time,” the text stated. No further details were immediately given.

Hours later, a second statement revealed the preliminary cause: an aortic dissection resulting from arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to the District of Columbia Medical Examiner. This is a rupture of the aorta due to hardening of the arteries.

Trump, who spoke frequently with Graham, told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that the senator called him on Saturday after returning from a trip to Ukraine. “It sounded a little tired, but perfect,” he said. The president ordered flags to fly at half-mast until next Saturday.

Graham, a former Air Force attorney, served three decades in Congress. He was a foreign policy hawk and advised Trump on issues such as Iran and Russia. On Friday he had announced an agreement to advance sanctions against Russia. As chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, he was key in Trump’s second term, when Republicans pushed laws with a slim 53-47 majority in the House.

Pope Leo XIV and his call for peace from Castel Gandolfo

Pope Leo XIV presided this Sunday over his first summer Angelus from the Castel Gandolfo residence. Unlike the traditional popemobile, the pontiff toured the streets in a golf cart to greet the faithful and highlighted the place as a place to rest.

However, the summer season did not diminish his concern about global conflicts. During his reflection, the Pope expressed concern about the wars that affect various regions.

“Unfortunately, the winds of war are blowing again in the Middle East, in Ukraine and in many other parts of the world, sowing violence, terror and death, and once again hitting so many innocent people. Let us not allow these winds to extinguish the small flame of hope and peace,” he stated.

The Pontiff insisted that dialogue is the only way to a lasting solution.

“I renew my desire to persevere on the path of dialogue, encounter and diplomacy, the only path capable of leading to a just and lasting peace,” he said.

International peace summit in Castel Gandolfo

As part of Sea Sunday, Leo XIV also sent a message to maritime workers, affected by the remoteness and fear of conflicts on routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.

The promotion of peace will be the focus of a high-level summit to be held this week at the Borgo Laudato Si’. For three days, some 30 Nobel laureates, former heads of state and representatives from more than 30 universities will debate international security, governance of artificial intelligence, disarmament and economics for peace. Among the attendees are leaders from OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Aaru and Anthropic.

The opening of the meeting will be on Tuesday, July 14, with the participation of Cardinals Fabio Baggio, Silvano Maria Tomasi and Ángel Fernández Artime, as well as Nobel Prize winners Muhammad Yunus, Juan Manuel Santos and James Muller.

Although an intervention by the Pope has not been confirmed, the fact that the summit will be held in Castel Gandolfo and that the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas is the central theme generates expectations. Sources indicate that a possible announcement regarding his presence could be made this Monday.

Pulse through the Strait of Hormuz

The struggle between Washington and Tehran for control of the Strait of Hormuz escalated this week with attacks and crossed statements. “Hormuz is open. We hit them hard,” said President Donald Trump at the end of a night of bombings against Iran. Tehran “does not control the strait,” he added.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) endorsed the position: US forces are deployed to “ensure freedom of navigation, despite Iran’s unjustified aggression, threats and arbitrary statements.” Shortly after, the military command reported new attacks against missile systems, air defense and vessels of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard.

Hours earlier, an apparent calm and talks in Muscat – mediated by Oman and Qatar – had raised hopes of detente. But in the early hours of Saturday to Sunday, Iran announced the closure of the strait after attacking a Cyprus-flagged ship with a drone.

Washington’s response was immediate: a third round of attacks against 140 Iranian facilities in the vicinity of the pass, raising the weekly total to 310 targets. “Iran made the wrong decision. Now it is paying the consequences,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Tehran counterattacked with missiles towards US bases in the Middle East. Three fell in Jordan, and Qatar reported three injuries – including a minor – from shrapnel during the interception. Oman denounced having been the target of Iranian attacks and summoned the Iranian ambassador for a formal protest. Saudi Arabia condemned “Iran’s persistent destabilizing behavior.”

Trump expressed frustration: “On Saturday night we had a deal with Iran. It was perfect for us. No nuclear program, none of this, none of that. Iran gave in on everything, but they walked out of the room and an hour later they launched a drone at a ship. They’re sick.”

The Iranian Supreme Leader’s military advisor, Mohsen Rezaei, warned: “This strategic step is worth more than dozens of atomic bombs and the Islamic Republic will protect it.”

For Trump, keeping Hormuz open is key to avoiding a global economic depression. However, the fifth section of the memorandum – which addresses control of the strait – has generated controversy. Analysts point out that its wording gives Iran some influence over the step that it did not previously have, and its ambiguity could fuel new friction.

The scenario complicates negotiations on the Iranian nuclear program, where pessimism is growing even within the US administration.