Daily English Article — September 3, 2026

Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated dramatically overnight into Wednesday, as both sides launched military strikes against each other. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the U.S. had carried out 'large and powerful' strikes on Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz. He stated the action was in retaliation for Iran's alleged attempt to lay mines along the strategically critical waterway that handles a significant portion of global oil trade.

U.S. Central Command confirmed the strikes, stating they had targeted Iranian air defense systems, radar installations, maritime assets, communication infrastructure, and mine-laying capabilities. The operation was framed as a defensive measure to protect international shipping lanes. Trump warned reporters at the Oval Office on Wednesday that the U.S. military remained fully prepared to conduct further strikes at any time, describing the previous night's assault as 'a very heavy attack.'

The Iranian Red Crescent reported that a U.S. strike hit a building hosting a wedding celebration in the coastal city of Kuhestak, killing five people, including at least one child, and injuring nearly 70 others. Footage geolocated by NBC News showed a structure with its roof blown open and a nearby telecommunications tower destroyed. CENTCOM spokesperson Navy Captain Tim Hawkins acknowledged reports of civilian casualties but maintained that the U.S. military does not target civilians.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responded by launching retaliatory strikes against U.S. military bases across multiple countries in the region, including Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. The IRGC characterized the original U.S. bombing as a 'flagrant violation of human rights,' condemning the transformation of what it called an 'engagement event' into a 'mourning ceremony.' The IRGC also disclosed that four of its own aerospace force members were killed in U.S. strikes on the city of Kermanshah.

The exchange of strikes signals a dangerous new phase in U.S.-Iran relations. Iranian parliamentary security committee chair Ebrahim Azizi vowed on X that 'these crimes will not go unpunished.' Trump, meanwhile, issued a stark warning: should Iran retaliate further, the U.S. would respond at 'a much harder and higher level,' adding that an even larger attack remained 'waiting in the wings.' The situation continues to evolve rapidly, with significant consequences for regional stability and global energy markets.

With Apple's September event just one week away, fresh details about the highly anticipated iPhone Ultra — Apple's first foldable smartphone — have emerged in an interview between tech journalist Mark Gurman and Tom's Guide. The iPhone Ultra has been the subject of extensive speculation, and Gurman's latest comments offer some of the clearest picture yet of what consumers can expect from the device's hardware features, software capabilities, launch timing, and pricing.

On the hardware side, Gurman confirmed that MagSafe wireless charging will be included in the iPhone Ultra, dispelling recent uncertainty surrounding the feature. He also addressed two of the most talked-about physical aspects of the device: the display crease and the hinge. While the crease is not entirely eliminated, Gurman noted it is comparable to — and potentially better than — those found on Samsung's latest foldable phones, thanks in part to what Apple describes as a more durable liquid metal hinge mechanism.

Durability has been a central design priority for Apple throughout the iPhone Ultra's development. According to Gurman, Apple's internal specification was to make the foldable phone as durable as any existing iPhone model, or at least close to that standard. The company has devoted considerable resources and time to engineering a device that can withstand the physical demands placed on a folding form factor, which historically has been more vulnerable to wear and damage than traditional flat smartphones.

Software features represent another major selling point. Gurman previously reported that iOS 27 would introduce iPad-like multitasking layouts for the iPhone Ultra, enabling side-by-side app usage. He now adds that drag-and-drop functionality will be supported across multiple on-screen apps simultaneously, allowing users to seamlessly transfer data — such as images, text, or files — between applications without switching screens. This positions the iPhone Ultra's software experience as meaningfully distinct from that of standard iPhones.

Regarding launch timing, Gurman expressed confidence that the iPhone Ultra would debut either simultaneously with Apple's new Pro models or within a few weeks of them, dismissing speculation about significant delays into late October or November. On pricing, he reiterated his earlier estimate of a starting price exceeding $2,000, placing the device firmly in the ultra-premium segment. The combination of cutting-edge hardware and advanced software features is expected to make it one of the most talked-about smartphone launches in recent memory.