Monday Afternoon News Update: Groundhog Day in the Gulf –7/27/26
Your midday Monday update has arrived
Hi all, Ben here. It’s Monday afternoon. I hope you enjoyed your weekend and were able to escape the chaos for a bit. Thanks again to all those who continue to let me know you preordered the book I wrote with my brothers, WTF America?!: The Way Out of This Hell and Back to Democracy. If you preorder your copy today, be sure to let me know in the comments!
We’ve got a lot to catch up on, so let’s start with the headlines.
Here’s what we’re tracking today:
Trump tells Israeli Channel 12 he’s “not going to give Iran that much time,” claims Iran is begging for a deal (yes, again)
Iran’s Foreign Ministry publicly denies any negotiations with the U.S., says talks are only with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz
CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper reportedly recommends halting the Hormuz bombing campaign, says it’s “hit the limit of its effectiveness”
Massive fires at Saudi Aramco’s Abqaiq facility, the world’s largest crude processing plant, after drone strikes
Saudi Aramco’s Jizan refinery still burning days after Houthi missile strikes, hit again today
Another U.S. MQ-9A Reaper drone reportedly shot down over Iraq’s Babil province
U.S. troop casualties in the Iran war have surpassed 600
Iran’s Foreign Ministry mocks U.S. “war management,” references the collapsed Saudi nuclear deal
Major Duma session in Russia, Putin says Russia will achieve its objectives in the “Special Military Operation”
Zelenskyy arrives in the UK to meet with Prime Minister Andy Burnham
Netanyahu departs for his eighth meeting with Trump since his election
Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir calls for Israeli settlements in Gaza and encouraging emigration from the territory
Trump demands Senate Majority Leader Thune terminate the filibuster to pass “The SAVE America Act”
Congressional Republicans blame Jimmy Carter and Joe Biden for the war and the economy
NYC Mayor Mamdani defends his criticism of Netanyahu and vows to attend 9/11 memorial services
Mitch McConnell’s office releases a new “proof of life” statement
New CBS poll shows only 13% of Americans, a new low, say Trump’s policies have left them better off financially
Trump jets off to Michigan
Before I go any further, if you haven’t yet joined as a paid subscriber, consider doing so now by clicking here to support our work. This is how we grow. It will give you access to all recaps like this, our exclusive Ask-the-Editor series, and more. Plus, it is the best way to help support the growth of this network.
Now let’s get into it.
More Trump War Chaos
