US Strikes Iran for Ninth Straight Night as Ceasefire Deal Collapses

US forces launched a ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iran on July 19–20, 2026, as an interim deal to end the war appeared to have all but collapsed. US Central Command said the strikes aim to degrade Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Three American troops have been killed since July 17. Iran's supreme leader warned the US would "pay" for escalating the conflict.