Iran Rejects U.S. Cease-Fire Offer, Closing Last Known Diplomatic Channel

Iran rejected a U.S. cease-fire offer delivered through Iraqi intermediaries, The New York Times reported, citing officials. The rejection shuts the last publicly known diplomatic off-ramp as the conflict enters its third week. Trump met advisers July 24 to weigh intensifying the campaign, telling NPR he is "considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before." CENTCOM has conducted 13 straight nights of strikes.