US deploys advanced weapons in Iran conflict after ceasefire collapses
Since late February 2026, the United States and Israel have been engaged in military operations against Iran following airstrikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The conflict began during nuclear negotiations and has involved unprecedented weapons deployments including the Precision Strike Missile, which can strike targets up to 500 kilometers away, and low-cost kamikaze-style LUCAS drones. As of mid-July, the US has conducted hundreds of strikes while Iran has targeted American military bases and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire negotiated in June collapsed, with both sides resuming strikes over the past week. The conflict has disrupted global oil supplies, killed hundreds to thousands of people, and cost the US government at least 113 billion dollars. The war's duration and ultimate objectives remain unclear as negotiations continue alongside hostilities.
Key facts
- US and Israeli forces began Operation Epic Fury on February 28, 2026, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in initial airstrikes
- The Precision Strike Missile was deployed in combat for the first time, capable of striking targets 60-500 kilometers away with GPS-guided precision
- As of July 13-14, 2026, the US conducted three consecutive nights of strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure near the Strait of Hormuz
- A ceasefire signed in June 2026 collapsed after the US reinstated oil sanctions and resumed strikes following Iranian attacks on commercial shipping
- As of June 2026, the war cost US taxpayers an estimated 113.3 billion dollars with hundreds of Iranian and regional casualties reported
How different outlets framed it
Left-leaning coverage: Progressive critics characterize the war as illegal, based on false pretenses, and destructive of diplomatic solutions. They note that only 27 percent of Americans support the strikes while 43 percent disapprove, and argue that Trump abandoned the Iran nuclear deal which was containing Iran's program. Progressive legislators call the conflict a 'war of choice' that wastes resources and drives up energy prices.
Right-leaning coverage: Right-leaning sources frame the strikes as necessary responses to Iranian aggression and nuclear ambitions, celebrating Trump's willingness to act where previous presidents hesitated. They argue the operation demonstrates American strength and has successfully degraded Iranian military capability, while characterizing opposition as based on Trump-related bias rather than legitimate strategic concerns.
Limits of this briefing
The exact casualty figures remain disputed between US and Iranian sources. Additionally, the long-term impact of these weapons on US stockpiles and capability to respond to other security threats, particularly in the Pacific against China, remains a significant point of disagreement among defense analysts and officials.
Sources
- Euronews: Precision Strike Missile: Washington's latest weapons system striking Iran Centre
- Axios: America's new war machines showcased in Iran war Centre
- Common Dreams: 'End This War': Progressives in Congress Blast Trump's Return to Bombing Iran Left
- Fox News: War critics on wrong side of history as Iran celebrates Trump's strike shocks US left Right
- CNN: July 13, 2026 - US resumes strikes while Iran says it struck two tankers Centre