The United States has returned to strikes on Iranian territory. What the media is writing

The United States resumed strikes on Iranian territory a few days after a pause was taken to try to resolve the conflict diplomatically. These actions were a response to Tehran's attack on a military base in Jordan. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia continues to reflect on its role in the war, unwilling to participate in the fighting, but forced to resist the attacks. What the media write about the development of the conflict is in the Izvestia digest.

The Guardian: The United States launched new attacks on Iran after a multi-day pause

In response to Tehran's attack on U.S. forces in Jordan on July 29, the U.S. military struck Iranian targets, raising the risk of a resumption of full-scale war in the region. The new strikes came hours after US President Donald Trump promised to deliver a "very strong blow" to Iran. Iranian state media reported two casualties on the island of Qeshm in the Persian Gulf and explosions in Khuzestan province in the northwest of the country.

Analysts said that the escalation of the situation on several fronts, after several days of relative calm, had brought the region into "uncharted territory." The fighting will heighten concerns about a further reduction in the United States' already meager stocks of modern ammunition needed to protect its bases and allies.

CNN: Why did Iran decide to resume hostilities after the US stopped firing

Iran ended several days of relative calm in the Middle East with what the United States called a "sudden" strike, which marked a dramatic change in the nature of the fighting. Trump attributed last week's pause to Iran's request, saying "they asked us very politely" and wanted talks. Tehran has never publicly confirmed its commitment to the recent pause, although a senior Iranian official said that "our armed forces have also decided not to take military action." This makes Iran's decision to resume fire even more significant.

Apparently, the attack was a signal related to Netanyahu's visit to the White House. This suggests that Iran's military strategy may have changed, and that Tehran is now ready to launch a preemptive strike if it detects signs of an impending threat. At the same time, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has perhaps formulated the country's position most clearly. He noted that Iran has stopped firing, but will not hesitate to resume hostilities if its claims to sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz are challenged. The official said that Tehran would not be able to consider itself a winner if the strait returned to its pre-war status.

Eternal flame: the conflict between Iran and the United States will drag on for decades

The Americans are trying to draw regional allies into the conflict with Tehran.

The New York Times: Saudi Arabia is reluctant to enter the war between the United States and Iran

On July 29, Saudi Arabia entered the war between the United States and Iran, launching airstrikes in Iraq. Analysts say the belated entry illustrates the kingdom's predicament in trying to prevent attacks without being drawn into a larger conflict. The kingdom's defense ministry announced the airstrikes, accusing Iranian-backed Iraqi militias of attacking Saudi oil facilities.

Although Saudi Arabia's relations with Iran have long been antagonistic, Saudi officials have sought warmer ties, viewing them as the most pragmatic way to counter the threat from Iran. The war nullified these diplomatic efforts. In response to the US attacks, Iran launched thousands of missiles and drones at the Persian Gulf states where US military installations are located, including Saudi Arabia. In July, the kingdom also entered into a new confrontation with the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, who announced a blockade of Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.

Axios: Saudi Arabia's defense minister held an emergency meeting with Trump

Trump met with Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. The meeting was included in the president's schedule after he met with Vice President JD Vance and informed him that Saudi Arabia was in favor of de-escalating the conflict with Iran - despite the joint US—Saudi strike this week against pro-Iranian militias in Iraq.

Prince Khalid, the brother and close associate of Mohammed bin Salman, was scheduled to visit Washington last week, but postponed the trip due to airstrikes in Iraq. The source said he told Vance that attacks by Iraqi militias supporting Iran on Saudi infrastructure and energy facilities had crossed a "red line" and the kingdom had to respond. At the same time, the Crown Prince wanted to convey to Vance that the strikes on Iraq did not mean that Saudi Arabia favored escalation, but rather that it was ready to defend itself if necessary.

BBC News: The dilemma of Saudi Arabia, which is trying to stay out of the war

Saudi Arabia is facing a difficult dilemma. Since the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, the Saudis have mostly tried to stay on the sidelines. But now, after attacks from three sides, they decided to put an end to it. This week, Riyadh, together with the United States, launched strikes against Iranian proxy militias in Iraq. For Saudi Arabia, the question is whether to continue retaliating as a deterrent or try to de-escalate the situation, perhaps by bribing some of its opponents.

Part of the Vision 2030 program includes attracting foreign investments. The construction of facilities such as data centers, which are vulnerable to attacks, is also part of the program. This will not work if Saudi Arabia finds itself under constant, long-term threat from drones launched by the Houthis across its southern border in Yemen, or ballistic missiles launched directly by Iran. In 2022, Saudi Arabia concluded an uneasy truce with the Houthis through payments to them, but now the richest country in the region is once again facing the threat of strikes. None of this was provided for in the plans of the Vision 2030 program.