The United States carried out airstrikes targeting Iran on July 20, 2026, marking the ninth straight day of such operations according to reports from The Hindu and Newsmax. Iranian missile launches toward Jordan and explosions immobilizing two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz were also reported on or around that date, alongside the announcement of an additional American service member death. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had stated the prior day that Iran was using the Strait of Hormuz as leverage.