Donald Trump is in “revenge mode” with Iran and believes the only way to get through to its leadership is with military force, allies have said as the US military carried out a 13th consecutive day of strikes.A senior administration official told the Wall Street Journal that the US president was losing patience and sees few good options in front of him besides continuing strikes.Officials and those close to the president said he is increasingly frustrated that a conflict he expected to be wrapped up within weeks is still dragging on with no end in sight.The US military is now reportedly moving weapons, medics and special forces to the Middle East to broaden options as hopes of a diplomatic resolution wane.In a bid to break Iran’s hold on the Strait of Hormuz, Trump also announced overnight that any damage sustained by ships as a result of Iranian strikes would be compensated with frozen Iranian assets held in the US.Iran claims drone strikes on KuwaitThe Iranian army says it has launched another wave of drone attacks against US military facilities in Kuwait.Sirens are also sounding in Bahrain, according to the country’s interior ministry.James Reynolds24 July 2026 08:55James Reynolds24 July 2026 08:40The latest: Trump in 'revenge mode' as war drags on - reportGood morning. If you are just joining us, here’s the latest:- Donald Trump is increasingly frustrated that a war he thought would be over within weeks is dragging on with no end in sight, the WSJ reported, citing administration officials and people close to the US president.- The outlet also reported that Trump is in “revenge mode” and believes Iran only understands force. It said the US was surging forces, medics and weaponry to the region to give more options if Washington chooses to escalate again.- The US military said it had completed a 13th consecutive night of strikes on Iran in an effort to dislodge its hold on the Strait of Hormuz, while the Islamic Republic announced strikes on Jordan and sirens sounded in Bahrain.- Trump announced that any damage done to ships by Iran would be compensated with frozen Iranian assets held by the US - a point of leverage earlier referenced in talks to end the war.- The number of tankers crossing the Strait of Hormuz fell to just one on Thursday, the lowest level since 7 May. The very large crude carrier New Giant, loaded with 2 million barrels of Iraqi Basrah crude, exited the strait on Thursday and is due to arrive at China's Rizhao port by mid-August.Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, July 21 (Reuters)James Reynolds24 July 2026 08:10Stuti Mishra24 July 2026 07:50Qatar Airways suspends flights to Bahrain, Kuwait and Erbil until 31 JulyQatar Airways has suspended passenger flights to Bahrain, Kuwait and Erbil until 31 July, the airline said in a statement on its website, as regional security tensions continue to affect air travel across the Gulf.Stuti Mishra24 July 2026 07:30MAGA support for Trump’s Iran war plummets, poll finds: ‘Maximum level of frustration’MAGA support for President Donald Trump's war against Iran has cratered over the past two months – with just 37 percent of his crumbling base now saying the conflict should continue even if it increases inflation, according to a new poll.That's down from 50 percent since May, Politico said in a Wednesday report that came a day after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparred with Democrats during a fiery Senate hearing over the cost of the war.A person close to the White House told Politico that it's "at a maximum level of frustration right now," with Trump "fully aware that the only way to the victory that he wants is completely politically impossible."James Reynolds24 July 2026 07:10Iran claims attacks on US military bases in Jordan and BahrainIran's army has claimed attacks on US military facilities at Jordan's Al-Azraq base and Bahrain's Sheikh Isa air base, Iranian state media reported. Stuti Mishra24 July 2026 06:51UN chief warns Middle East is 'getting out of control' and 'teetering on the edge of the unimaginable'UN secretary general António Guterres has warned the Security Council that the Middle East conflict is "getting out of control"."It is teetering on the edge of the unimaginable. The region is being pulled into an ever-widening circle of confrontation. One crisis feeds another. One escalation triggers the next," Mr Guterres told the Security Council.(Getty)Stuti Mishra24 July 2026 06:30Trump says he is close to decision on 'major military punishment' for Iran after Houthi tanker attacksUS president Donald Trump has said he is considering re-launching major combat operations against Iran and is close to a decision, telling Axios that Tehran "hasn't received enough pain yet."Mr Trump's warning came after Yemen's Houthi fighters struck two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, extending the Middle East war to a second major shipping chokepoint.Mr Trump said he would hold Iran responsible for any further Houthi attacks, writing on social media: "If they do this again, the US will hold Iran responsible, in that the Houthis are a Surrogate and/or Proxy of Iran, and major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis, themselves."Sources in Iran and Yemen told Reuters that Iran had flown Revolutionary Guard commanders, military advisers and missile and drone-related equipment into Yemen days before the Houthis announced their Red Sea blockade. The Houthis dismissed the report.(Reuters)Stuti Mishra24 July 2026 05:58In focus: Massive escalation or back to talks? The four options Trump has left on IranThe US is failing to wear down Iran with strikes around the Strait of Hormuz and making no progress to resolve the conflict through diplomacy. Here are Donald Trump’s apparent options:James Reynolds24 July 2026 05:25