US President Donald Trump has reportedly approved an expanded military operation against Iran following intelligence assessments that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could continue attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to The Times of Israel on July 9, 2026, envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner informed Trump that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he could not guarantee the IRGC would halt attacks on commercial vessels and oil tankers transiting the strategic waterway.
The report said US and Israeli intelligence agencies assessed that the IRGC leadership believed continued pressure in the Strait of Hormuz could secure additional concessions from Washington, including approval to impose transit fees on vessels using the route.
Following the briefing, Trump reportedly met with senior officials before authorising a broader round of strikes than previous operations. However, the report said the military action was calibrated to avoid crossing thresholds that could trigger a wider regional escalation while increasing pressure on Tehran.
