Global Express | July 25, 2026 Iran War Escalates: Senate Blocks Withdrawal Resolution, Iran Strikes US Bases in Three Nations

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📰 US Senate Defeats Iran War Powers Resolution as Conflict Enters Second Week

The US Senate on Thursday defeated a motion to advance a war powers resolution that would have directed President Trump to withdraw troops from hostilities against Iran. Despite growing unease among some Republicans over the expanding conflict, the majority voted to block the measure, marking Congress's first direct vote on the Iran war since the ceasefire collapsed.

Meanwhile, US airstrikes on Iran have continued for 12 consecutive nights. Since mid-July, when Iran began attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the United States has launched large-scale strikes against Iranian missile sites, air defense installations, and nuclear facilities. The Pentagon has deployed additional refueling aircraft and medical personnel to the Middle East in preparation for an extended campaign.

Iran has shown no signs of backing down. On Friday, Iran's military announced it had launched drone and missile strikes against US military bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait in retaliation for Washington's latest assault. These countries all host American military facilities and have become the frontline of Iran's counter-offensive. Analysts warn the conflict is now spreading from the Strait of Hormuz across the broader Middle East.

— CNN

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📰 Trump Imposes New Tariffs on 60 Nations, Reigniting Global Trade War

President Trump signed an executive order on July 24 imposing sweeping new tariffs on America's 60 largest trading partners. The new duties come in two tiers — 10% and 12.5% — and cover 59 countries plus the European Union, including China, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, India, and Australia. The White House invoked legislation targeting forced labor practices, asserting the tariffs are necessary to combat unfair trade.

The new tariff regime replaces temporary duties that were set to expire, institutionalizing Trump's protectionist trade policies. "We will no longer allow other countries to take advantage of the United States," Trump declared in a statement. The tariffs cover virtually all of America's major trading partners, drawing sharp condemnation from Canada, the European Union, and Asian economies.

Global markets shuddered at the news. Asian stock benchmarks fell sharply in early trading, with mainland Chinese and Hong Kong indices leading the decline. Economists warn that the new tariffs, combined with soaring energy prices from the Iran conflict, will compound global inflationary pressures and could push the world economy toward recession.

— NPR

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📰 SpaceX Starship Nails Flight 13, Deploys 20 Starlink V3 Satellites

SpaceX launched its Starship megarocket from Texas on the evening of July 24 for its 13th orbital test flight. The "Lucky 13" mission achieved multiple key milestones: Starship successfully deployed 20 Starlink V3 satellites in suborbital space — the first time Starship carried actual mission payloads rather than dummy prototypes. The V3 satellites extended their solar wings and antennas, communicating via laser with existing Starlink satellites already in orbit.

The Super Heavy booster executed a successful hot-stage separation before returning for a soft splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, while the Starship upper stage achieved a controlled landing in the Indian Ocean. The success is critical for SpaceX as it pursues an IPO, demonstrating Starship's transition from experimental testing to commercial capability.

SpaceX now operates more than 10,000 Starlink satellites, making it the world's largest satellite internet constellation. The V3 deployment will further enhance bandwidth and coverage. NASA is closely watching these test flights, as a lunar-lander variant of Starship is slated to be a cornerstone of the Artemis Moon program.

— CNN

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📰 Over 200,000 Evacuated as Wildfires Ravage Spain and France

Massive wildfires fueled by searing heat have swept across Spain and France, forcing more than 200,000 people to flee or shelter in place. Spain declared a national emergency as fires raged out of control, with multiple communities in the Madrid region severely affected. France's Interior Minister said 40,000 people have been evacuated in the Gironde department and another 23,000 in the Landes.

On France's Atlantic coast, authorities ordered the total evacuation of the Cap Ferret peninsula, deploying boats to rescue residents trapped by encroaching flames. Satellite imagery showed thick smoke blanketing the coastline from Bordeaux to Biarritz. Both Spain and France have appealed to fellow European Union members for assistance, and firefighting teams from multiple countries are en route.

Climate scientists note that this summer's heatwave across Europe has been more intense and prolonged than previous years, directly linked to climate change. Temperatures across the Mediterranean have exceeded 45°C (113°F) for consecutive days, and dry winds are accelerating the fires' spread. Forecasts for the weekend show weather conditions remain unfavorable for firefighting efforts.

— The Guardian

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📰 Rubio and Lavrov Meet in Manila, Discuss Ukraine War

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held bilateral talks on July 23 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, Philippines. The meeting marked the first substantive high-level US-Russia exchange on Ukraine in months. Lasting just over half an hour, Rubio said afterward that the US is ready to help end the "senseless war" but cautioned that no quick deal is ahead.

Rubio acknowledged that US-mediated ceasefire negotiations have stalled and that new ideas are needed to move the peace process forward. Lavrov reiterated Russia's demands for Ukrainian neutrality and security guarantees. No concrete breakthroughs were announced, but diplomatic observers viewed the meeting itself as a signal that channels of dialogue between Washington and Moscow on Ukraine are being restored.

Manila has emerged as a global diplomatic hub during the ASEAN meetings. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also held multiple bilateral sessions with ASEAN counterparts. Analysts note that ASEAN's diplomatic stage is increasingly becoming a microcosm of great-power competition, with the Philippines demonstrating its bridging role in regional diplomacy.

— AP News

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📰 Oil Prices Surge Past $100 as Red Sea Crisis Deepens Supply Fears

Global crude oil prices breached $100 per barrel on July 24, with Brent crude closing 7% higher at $100.69 — the first time oil has returned to triple digits since May. The immediate trigger was a claim by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen that they had struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, sparking panic over potential disruptions to global petroleum supplies.

Energy analysts note that oil prices have surged nearly 40% since early July. The Iran war has placed the Strait of Hormuz — the world's most critical oil transit chokepoint — under unprecedented risk, while Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping are tightening the noose on another vital energy artery. Global shipping companies are already rerouting vessels around Africa's Cape of Good Hope at enormous cost and delay.

As the world's largest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia's tankers coming under fire sent markets into turmoil. The US Energy Information Administration said it is closely monitoring global supply conditions. Analysts project that if the Middle East conflict continues to widen, oil could hit $120 per barrel in the near term, dealing a severe blow to the global economic recovery.

— NBC News

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📰 Iran Claims Strikes on US Bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait

Iran's military formally announced on July 25 that it had carried out drone and missile strikes against American military bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. Iranian state television described the operation as a "proportionate and appropriate response" to the latest round of US strikes on Iranian territory. Iran's Foreign Ministry warned that any country allowing its territory to be used for attacks on Iran would face consequences.

Jordan's military said it intercepted seven missiles and six drones, though debris fell in some areas. Authorities in Bahrain and Kuwait have not yet released full damage and casualty assessments. US Central Command confirmed that multiple installations came under attack but said the vast majority of incoming weapons were intercepted by air defense systems.

The strikes mark a new phase in the Iran conflict — the war is expanding from Middle Eastern waterways to land-based military installations. Bahrain hosts the US Fifth Fleet headquarters, while Kuwait's Ali Al Salem Air Base serves as a critical logistics hub for American operations in the region. Military analysts warn that any significant US casualties could trigger a dramatic further escalation.

— Euronews

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📰 Asian Markets Plunge Under Weight of Multiple Headwinds

Asian stock markets fell broadly in early Friday trading. Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong benchmarks led the declines, with Japan's Nikkei 225, South Korea's KOSPI, and Australia's ASX 200 also recording losses. Market analysts pointed to a triple whammy: surging oil prices driven by Middle East tensions, Trump's new tariffs on 60 trading partners, and Iran's retaliatory strikes on US bases in the region.

Chinese equities faced a double blow — collapsing global risk appetite combined with Trump's targeted tariffs on China. The yuan experienced volatility, and the People's Bank of China injected liquidity through open market operations to stabilize sentiment. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell more than 2%, with technology and shipping stocks leading the selloff.

Investment banks are downgrading global growth forecasts. Morgan Stanley warned in its latest report that "the combination of an energy price shock and escalating trade protectionism is creating a macro environment that is extremely unfavorable for emerging markets." Safe-haven flows surged into gold and the US dollar, with spot gold approaching a record $2,800 per ounce.

— CNBC

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📰 US Measles Cases Hit 35-Year High, Surpassing Last Year's Total

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday that the United States has recorded 2,318 measles cases in the first seven months of 2026 — surpassing last year's total of 2,289 and marking the highest case count since 1991, a 35-year record. Even more concerning, with five months still remaining in 2026, cases are expected to climb significantly higher.

The CDC attributed the resurgence primarily to outbreaks in unvaccinated communities, with declining vaccination rates cited as the main driver. Multiple states have declared public health emergencies, with schools and daycare centers emerging as key transmission hotspots. Federal health officials are working with local health departments to accelerate vaccine distribution and inoculation efforts.

Public health experts expressed deep alarm. Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause severe complications including pneumonia, encephalitis, and death. The World Health Organization had previously warned that declining global vaccination rates are enabling the resurgence of infectious diseases once thought under control. The American Academy of Pediatrics is urging parents to ensure eligible children receive the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine immediately.

— BBC News

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📰 ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Removed Over Sexual Misconduct

The International Criminal Court's 125 member states voted on July 24 to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from his post — the first time in ICC history that a chief prosecutor has been ousted. The decision followed a 20-month investigation that substantiated allegations that Khan had sexually harassed a subordinate. The vote passed with a large majority.

Khan, a British barrister and former UN special investigator, had served as ICC chief prosecutor since 2021. During his tenure, he led several high-profile investigations, including probes into alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine and potential war crimes by Israel in Gaza. His legal team has claimed the removal was "politically motivated," but the decisive vote by ICC member states demonstrated broad and unmistakable consensus.

The leadership change comes at a moment of intense global scrutiny on international judicial institutions. The ICC is currently handling multiple sensitive cases involving major powers, and the selection of a new chief prosecutor will be closely watched by the international community. An interim deputy prosecutor will assume the role during the transition period.

— NPR

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