Monday 27 July 2026 07:30 UTC
US and Iran Edge Toward Ceasefire as Ukraine Strikes Crimea
In the 24 hours ending 27 July 07:30 UTC, US and Iranian forces moved closer to a ceasefire.
Both sides passed 48 hours without reported attacks. Iran said talks continued through mediators. Donald Trump, the US president, said he was giving diplomacy a chance.
Admiral Brad Cooper, the US regional military commander, advised ending the limited bombing campaign. He said strikes had badly reduced Iran’s ability to attack shipping. Most planned targets had already been hit. Attacking the remaining targets would require renewed major combat.
New US figures recorded 18 troops killed and 627 wounded since 28 February. A newly listed overseas campaign accounted for four deaths and 207 wounded since 7 July.
Iran accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian commercial ship in the Caspian Sea. The explosion killed one sailor and injured another. Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, warned that Iran would respond.
Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian S-400 air defence launcher and radar in occupied Crimea. Ukraine also said its weapons can now strike targets 3,000 kilometres inside Russia.
A cargo ship hit by Russian missiles near Odesa last week sank. The ship had been carrying Ukrainian grain.
A shooting at Seattle Center killed two people and injured five others. A child was among those injured.