Let's get this Strait

July 17, 2026

Salam reader,

I’m in Colorado attending the annual Aspen Security Forum, where Iran was, unsurprisingly, one of the main topics of discussion. (The title of this newsletter is borrowed from a panel title I recommend you watch.) On July 13, US President Donald Trump sent a formal letter to Congress declaring a new Iran war, resetting the 60-day clock that governs the president’s ability to use military force without congressional authorization (Reuters). He also threatened to bomb bridges and power plants if Iranian negotiators didn’t return to the table—a move that would violate international humanitarian law (Fox News).

For the past seven days, southern Iran’s coastline has come under repeated attack, with the port city of Bandar Abbas—the country’s main naval and commercial port overlooking the Strait of Hormuz—the hardest hit. Among the targets were civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities and at least seven bridges, in violation of international humanitarian law (The Guardian). Iranian officials also allege that a railway station, water facilities, food silos, and even residential neighborhoods were struck (Al Jazeera). According to the Iranian Health Ministry, the renewed strikes had killed at least 30 people and wounded more than 400 as of July 17 (The Guardian).

Iran-based activist Sepide Qoliyan wrote on July 15:

“The situation in Sarbandar was terrible last night. Worse than all the days of the previous war. Now it’s Ahvaz :(” (X)

Southern Iran has always endured brutal summer heat. But after days of airstrikes, repeated power outages have left many without air conditioning for hours at a time, turning an already punishing summer into a living hell (IranWire).

Sahar, a high school student in Bandar Abbas, said:

“The room went dead silent, and then the blasts hit. We were terrified. I lost all focus and just wanted to finish and escape. Last night, just as we went to bed, the power went out. It’s 45°C (113°F) outside, and you can’t survive for ten minutes without air conditioning. Before the conflict, we could at least go to the coast for a sea breeze. Now even that is gone.” (IranWire)

Tehran, unsurprisingly, responded in kind, targeting Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. In Kuwait, a water desalination plant and a power plant were hit (AP). The Trump administration is reportedly sending dozens of additional refueling aircraft to Israel ahead of a possible escalation in military operations against Iran (Axios).

Trump is also considering a strike on Pickaxe Mountain, a deeply buried—but incomplete—complex linked to Iran’s nuclear program, though it’s considered a significantly more complex operation than Operation Midnight Hammer (Wall Street Journal). President Trump also renewed his threat to take Kharg Island last week, Iran’s main oil export hub—often referred to as its “crown jewel”—that is five miles long and three miles wide.

40-year old Ali, a boat captain, said:

“It is true they hit the ships, but we are strong on the ground. If needed, we will all take up arms. We are southerners. We have pride. We are used to this.” (The Times)

Meanwhile, former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made headlines once again. The New York Times published new details about Israel’s years-long effort to groom him as a potential future leader of Iran. Haaretz offered a more detailed look at the Israeli rationale for such an unusual plan—and why many Israeli officials were skeptical it could ever succeed.

Separately, on July 15, Dena Karari, a US-Iran dual citizen who has been barred from leaving Iran since 2024 on allegations of espionage and collaborating with a hostile state, was released (CBS News/IranWire).

Going back to the bigger story, I wanted to highlight that news coverage often focuses on Iranians living in major cities and provincial capitals, while the people of southern Iran rarely receive the same level of attention. I’ll leave you with these photos I took on Qeshm Island in 2013 as part of my “Instagramming Iran” series.

More soon,

Holly

P.S. Feel free to follow me on X for real-time updates and on LinkedIn, where I’ve been sharing additional interviews and commentary.