The Nightly Build.
Current Events

Trump cancels a strike on Iran, citing a deal Iran denies making

The same day, federal investigators were probing a suspected Iran link in a hacking campaign against water utilities in at least seven states.

2 min read2026-08-02
IRAN

Trump cancels Iran strike over a deal Iran denies1

Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday night that Middle Eastern governments asked him to hold off because “the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to,” including “Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT.” He agreed to cancel the strike “subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL.”1 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Trump and emphasized the necessity of prioritizing dialogue to de-escalate tensions, according to Saudi state media relayed by NPR.2 Iran's Mehr news agency called the claim “nothing but a new lie,” and Fars separately denied a floated compromise on Hormuz transit.3

CYBERSECURITY

FBI investigates suspected Iran link to water utility hacks4

Since July 27, hackers have targeted internet-facing Rockwell Automation/Allen-Bradley MicroLogix controllers at water and wastewater utilities in at least seven states, the FBI and EPA said in a joint advisory.4 Nine systems in Michigan and more than 30 in Minnesota have reported intrusions. The FBI has not publicly named a suspect, and Michigan's environmental agency reports no known impact on water quality so far.5

WILDFIRE

Ferguson declares wildfire emergency, orders statewide burn ban6

Record drought and high winds have burned roughly 425,000 acres across more than 1,000 fires in Washington this year, prompting Gov. Bob Ferguson to activate 110 National Guard members and bar burning statewide through Sept. 30.6 Near Spokane, the Old Trails, Fairview and Autumn Lane fires have burned 5,390 acres7 and destroyed 640 structures, which incident commander Tom Clemo called “probably the largest, most destructive fire in Washington's history.”8

IMMIGRATION

State Department makes visa bond program permanent9

Consular officers can now require B-1/B-2 travelers from roughly 50, mostly African, countries to post a bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000, defaulting to $15,000 unless an applicant can't afford it.9 The rule closes out a one-year pilot. Visa issuance to those countries fell 83% during the pilot, as about 20,000 applicants faced a bond against a projected 2,000 and nearly half declined to pay.10 Overstays fell from 45,500 in 2024 to fewer than 50 in the pilot's first ten months.10

Sources

  1. Truth Social (mirrored via trumpstruth.org) · Trump post, Aug. 1, 2026, 10:05pm ET
  2. NPR · “Trump says he's cancelling Iran strikes, deal pending”
  3. The Times of Israel · “Iran denies it asked Trump not to strike or agreed to deal to split control of Hormuz”
  4. FBI/EPA · Public Service Announcement I-073026-PSA, July 30, 2026
  5. AP via ABC News · “FBI investigates as Michigan joins Minnesota in reporting cyberattacks on water systems”
  6. Office of Gov. Bob Ferguson · Statewide wildfire emergency declaration
  7. KHQ · “Evacuations issued for fires in Spokane area”
  8. The Spokesman-Review · “Wildfire destroys 640 structures”
  9. Federal Register · “Visas: Visa Bond Program” (final rule)
  10. PBS NewsHour · “U.S. will make visa bond program permanent, affecting mostly African countries”