The latest situation in the Middle East conflict

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has held telephone conversations with the foreign ministers of Oman and Saudi Arabia regarding the latest developments in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s state news agency.

During the phone discussions with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, attention was given to the latest bilateral and regional developments.

Iran’s IRNA news agency reported that both sides emphasized the need to strengthen regional cooperation to reduce the instability surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and highlighted the importance of continuing joint diplomatic efforts.

Iran has stated that the insecure situation in the Strait of Hormuz has been caused by what it described as “aggressive actions” by the United States.

The Iranian side also stressed the importance of working through diplomatic channels to improve cooperation among regional countries and create stability in the region.

President Donald Trump said on Monday the United States was having "good ‌talks" with Iran and there was a chance of a deal over their conflict, but he warned that U.S. strikes would resume if the negotiations failed to deliver.

Despite Trump's optimism, Tehran appeared to quickly test the pause in the U.S. military campaign, with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq reporting drone attacks on Monday.

Washington abruptly suspended a two-week campaign of air strikes on Iran on Saturday in Trump's latest strategic U-turn in the five-month-old conflict.

"We're having good talks," he said. "I think there's a good chance that something could happen, ​and if it does, good, if it doesn't, we go back to doing what we were doing two days ago."

At a campaign rally in Michigan later on Monday, Trump said of Iran: "You can't bribe ​them. You've got to beat them, and we'll beat the hell out of them. But we'll see how it turns out. Right now, there are very friendly negotiations ⁠going on."

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that messages were still being passed between the sides through mediators and Iran had not forsaken diplomacy, but reports that it requested negotiations were "fabricated."

"This is not in ​our DNA," he said.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Sunday that Iran would halt its own attacks as long as Trump's self-imposed ceasefire continued.

Iran's central military command later on Monday accused the U.S. of threatening vessels and oil tankers ​in its territorial waters and of "attempting to implement an illegal maritime blockade", which it said "constitutes an escalation of the conflict in the region."

Saudi Arabia said it shot down drones aimed at petroleum targets, including in Riyadh. It said they had been launched from Iraq by Iran-backed armed groups, and it reserved the right to respond.

Separately, Iran's Houthi allies in Yemen said they had targeted the East-West Pipeline carrying oil to Saudi Arabia's main Red Sea port of Yanbu in retaliation for Saudi drone incursions.

Tehran also said ​it remained in control of the contested Strait of Hormuz, the key waterway for global energy supplies, which Trump has demanded vessels be able to pass through freely.

OIL PRICES TUMBLE

Public disapproval of the war has been weighing on Trump ​and his Republican Party ahead of November midterm elections in which they have to defend slim congressional majorities.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted over the weekend showed Trump's approval rating ticking higher to 37%, up three points from last month when it tied ‌the lowest of ⁠his presidency.

However, just one in three Americans support the Iran war, the lowest Reuters/Ipsos reading since the conflict's early days, with most saying Trump has failed to explain his goals.

The end of the U.S. campaign after 13 successive nights of intensifying bombing and Trump's remarks on talks sent oil prices tumbling. U.S. crude CLc1 fell 8.21% to $81.98 a barrel, and Brent LCOc1 fell to $87.77 per barrel, down 9.31% on the day.

Trump's decision to suspend U.S. attacks reflected advice from his military that the bombing had reached the limits of what it could achieve, according to a U.S. official and several U.S. media reports.

The U.S. official told Reuters military commanders had advised the president they were running out of targets ​and that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, ​General Dan Caine, had expressed concern over the ⁠depletion of air munitions.

Trump dismissed suggestions that the U.S. faced munitions shortages, saying the military was rapidly rebuilding inventories depleted by shipments to Ukraine. He said he would like more of "the more sophisticated stuff."

IRAN MEDIA SAY SIX SHIPS TURNED BACK

Iranian state media outlets cited an "informed source" as saying that Iran had turned around six "offending ships" on Monday ​that had attempted to cross the Strait of Hormuz without permission.

Trump launched his renewed bombing campaign to punish Iran after Tehran fired on ships using a ​route promoted by the United States, ⁠which told vessels to sail close to the coast of Oman.

Iran says ships may pass only through a Hormuz channel that runs closer to its own coast, which it controls and where it intends to impose transit fees.

The two weeks of renewed U.S. bombing killed scores in Iran and destroyed bridges and tunnels across the south as well as military targets.

Four U.S. service members were killed in return fire against U.S. bases in neighbouring states. Iran also struck civilian infrastructure in ⁠Gulf countries, calling ​it retaliation for U.S. strikes.

It remains unclear what leverage Washington can exert to break Iran's grip on the strait.

Washington and Tehran reached ​an agreement in June on a framework for talks meant to take place by the end of August to resolve major issues such as Iran's nuclear programme.

But they have disputed the meaning of the memorandum's language about the strait, with Washington insisting it requires Tehran to allow free ​travel, while Iran says it grants it the authority to supervise transit.

Source: Reuters

Iran will halt its own attacks as long as the United States maintains its latest pause on air strikes, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Sunday, after President Donald Trump abruptly called off his two-week-old bombing campaign.

After 13 nights of intensifying U.S. air strikes on Iran, the Pentagon abruptly suspended the campaign late on Friday, with no U.S. attacks reported on either Saturday or Sunday.

Iran, which had been following each night of U.S. attacks with its own strikes on neighbouring countries that host U.S. bases, has also so far held fire for two days.

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, told Fox News on Sunday that Trump had decided to pause U.S. attacks to allow more time for diplomacy.

"He's giving talks some space, he's giving it a little bit of room," Waltz said, without providing further details.

The senior Iranian source, ⁠speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters: “Iran’s position remains ‘attack for attack’: if the attacks stop, Iran will also halt its operations. That message has already been conveyed to the United States.”

The source added: “However, Iran is prepared to mount a broad response should the U.S. launch another attack.”

Asked about the pause, a senior official in Trump's administration said on Saturday that the president “has always been clear that his preference is diplomacy, but he has shown Iran what will happen if they fail to come to the table in a serious way.”

The senior Iranian source said Tehran did not hold much hope that Trump's decision to pause strikes represented a major shift in the U.S. negotiating position.

"There is more scepticism than optimism about the halt in attacks. The prevailing view is that the pause is tactical rather than genuine. Iran has accumulated enough bitter experience with what it sees as U.S. deception," the source said.

NYT, CNN: TRUMP ADVISERS RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT MISSILE DEFENCE STOCKS

U.S. forces had been striking Iran nightly in what Washington said was retaliation for Iranian attacks on ⁠shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says it aims to retain control of the strait, the world's most important energy shipping route.

The two-week-long U.S. military campaign effectively torpedoed last month's interim agreement aimed at ending the war that the United States and Israel launched in February.

The New York Times and CNN both reported that Trump had backed off plans to escalate the war with even bigger military options after concerns were raised on Friday by some of his advisers, including over whether U.S. missile defence stocks were running low from protecting U.S. bases in the region.

CNN ⁠and the Times both identified Pentagon Chief of Staff Dan Caine as having raised such concerns. CNN said Vice President JD Vance also had expressed reservations.

News site Axios reported that Trump had been receiving plans for strikes on Iran from the Pentagon every afternoon for two weeks and signing off on them each night, until Friday when the latest plan was presented to him and ⁠he decided not to go ahead.

Trump's decision to pause strikes has come at a turning point in the war, with both sides testing the boundaries of escalation that they set before a ceasefire ended major fighting in April and the interim agreement reopened Hormuz in June.

U.S. forces have already struck bridges and tunnels in southern Iran, prompting Iran to ⁠strike water desalination plants that nearby Gulf Arab states rely on to make their desert cities habitable.

Over the past week, Iran's Houthi allies in Yemen have announced a blockade on Saudi oil in the Red Sea, potentially shutting a second major chokepoint for energy shipping.

That pushed the benchmark Brent crude price above $100 for the first time since May. On Saturday, the Houthis fired on Saudi Red Sea oil targets for the first time in years.

An oil tanker travelling through the Strait of Hormuz has reportedly been severely damaged in a massive explosion after striking a naval mine, according to Iranian media.

Providing further details on the incident, Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that the tanker had deviated from a shipping route approved by Tehran before the explosion occurred.

The incident has once again drawn attention to maritime security in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

However, Iranian authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident. The identity of the tanker has also not been disclosed.

International media outlets note that the incident has not yet been independently verified, and officials are awaiting further information before confirming the reports.

Iran says it has temporarily halted its retaliatory attacks targeting Gulf countries and US facilities in the region after the United States suspended its airstrikes for the past two days.

"Our strategy has primarily been based on retaliation, and at this point, we have also suspended our retaliatory operations," Iranian military spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia told international media.

As of today, no new attacks by Iran on Gulf countries have been reported. International media also report that, for the second consecutive night, the United States has not carried out airstrikes targeting Iran.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced that it intercepted six vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz after issuing strong warnings to them.

According to the IRGC Navy, the ships were ordered to anchor after they ignored initial warning instructions and continued their voyage despite being directed to stop. The force also claimed that it has "full control" over the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of Iran's Parliamentary National Security Commission, stated that the Strait of Hormuz is entirely under Iran's control and will continue to remain so.

"The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is very clear. This strategic waterway has always been under the control of the Islamic Republic, and it will remain so permanently," he told state media.

He further stated that the Bab al-Mandab Strait is under Yemen's control, adding that developments in that waterway should be viewed in the context of the ongoing conflict involving Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned an attack launched by Ukraine on an Iranian merchant ship located in the Caspian Sea.

It is reported that an explosion caused by the attack resulted in the death of one sailor on board, while another sustained injuries.

In order to register their protest over the incident, Iranian authorities have summoned Ukraine's diplomat (Chargé d'Affaires) stationed in Tehran.

Accusing Ukraine of attempting to further escalate the war through such attacks, Iran emphasized that it stands firm in protecting its national interests and security.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that long-range attacks targeting ships engaged in military transport operations in the Caspian Sea were successful.

Iranian state television has reported that four vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours were stopped.

According to the report, the naval forces of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) halted the ships after firing warning shots at them.

The vessels had reportedly attempted to use the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz, which the IRGC considers an "unsafe navigation route."

The IRGC further stated that it would take "strong action" against any vessel attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz using routes that have not been approved by the organisation.

As a result of this situation, significant uncertainty has arisen regarding international commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global maritime passage for the world's energy supplies.

Saudi Arabia has carried out airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled city of Hodeidah in Yemen, according to the Houthi-run Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV reported that the strikes targeted facilities belonging to the Telecommunications Authority as well as Kamaran Island.

According to the report, one woman was injured in the attack on Kamaran Island.

Meanwhile, international media cited eyewitnesses as saying that large explosions were seen near the Port of Hodeidah.

However, the Saudi-led coalition denied targeting the port.

The Port of Hodeidah is regarded as the main gateway for commercial goods and humanitarian aid entering northern Yemen, which remains under Houthi control.

Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, said the operation was prompted by continued Houthi attacks against maritime navigation in the Red Sea.

He further warned that if the Houthis continue their attacks, the coalition will take all necessary military measures without delay.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed that it carried out a second attack on a data center owned by the American technology company Amazon in Bahrain.

According to the IRGC, the attack destroyed the last remaining building at the site, which it alleged served as a key intelligence hub providing support to the U.S. military.

Iranian state media reported that the IRGC described the facility as "an Amazon intelligence data center that provides intelligence support to the U.S. military."

The IRGC had previously claimed that it targeted the same data center in an earlier attack last Wednesday.

As of now, neither Amazon nor the Bahraini authorities have issued an official response to Iran's claims.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that the United States is prepared to launch a military strike against Iran that would surpass any previous attacks if deemed necessary.

Speaking in an interview with an American news website, President Trump said the U.S. is considering a large-scale military operation against Iran following what he described as Iranian attacks targeting American allies in the Gulf region, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.

"I am considering a massive strike. It would be bigger than anything we've done before. Everything necessary for such an operation is ready," President Trump said.

Meanwhile, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had carried out airstrikes against Iran for the 13th consecutive night.

According to CENTCOM, the strikes targeted Iranian military command centers, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance stations, and naval security infrastructure.

CENTCOM stated that the objective of these operations was to reduce threats posed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to commercial maritime traffic and to respond to its activities in the region.

Meanwhile, reports from Tehran indicate that explosions were heard in several locations, including Qeshm Island and the city of Ahvaz in Khuzestan Province.

Iran's Mehr News Agency also reported that U.S. missile strikes targeted the cities of Andimeshk and Omidiyeh in Khuzestan Province.

The United States military has reportedly deployed a B-1 long-range strategic bomber in airstrikes targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran.

According to media reports citing U.S. officials, a B-1 bomber was used to carry out strikes on Tuesday.

Analysts view this move as a significant escalation of U.S. military operations.

The B-1 is regarded as one of the U.S. Air Force's most powerful strike platforms due to its ability to carry a large payload of conventional bombs as well as long-range cruise missiles capable of striking distant targets.

The Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen has reportedly attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers, Encelia and Layla, while they were transiting the Red Sea.

According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, the vessels violated the group's recently declared maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia. He stated that the attack was carried out using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.

Saree also claimed that the strikes caused fires aboard the targeted vessels.

Saudi Arabia's state news agency (SPA) confirmed that the tanker Encelia was hit in the attack. However, it stated that all crew members aboard the vessel were safe. No detailed information has yet been released regarding the condition of the Layla.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also reported receiving information that an unidentified object struck an oil tanker, resulting in a fire on board.

On 20 July, the Houthi movement announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia following an airstrike by the Yemeni government, which the Houthis say was intended to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing at Sana'a International Airport.

The Houthis argue that, for nearly 12 years, Saudi Arabia has imposed blockades on ports and airports under their control, causing severe economic hardship and humanitarian suffering for the Yemeni population.

They describe their latest actions as part of an "eye for an eye" policy in response to what they characterize as Saudi Arabia's long-standing blockade and military campaign.

The US military announced Wednesday that it was conducting a 12th night of strikes against Iran as both sides increasingly targeted civilian infrastructure.

US Central Command once again said the attacks were designed to "further degrade Iran's ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters," as the Americans push to regain control over the Strait of Hormuz and restore the flow of international shipping.

President Donald Trump warned earlier Wednesday that the US will destroy one bridge or power plant each time Iran shoots at a ship in the strait.

"From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT," Trump wrote on social media.

The continued American airstrikes are occurring even as diplomatic efforts show little public sign of progress and officials on both sides have dug in on the dispute over the crucial waterway for global energy that remains largely closed because of Iranian attacks. The unpopular war threatens further worldwide economic disruption and sending fuel prices up ahead of midterm US elections this fall.

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, said his country would adopt an "eye for an eye" defense doctrine.

"Any aggression against Iran, including our infrastructure, will compel a powerful and decisive response," he posted Wednesday on X.

The US carried out a previous wave of strikes on Iran overnight into Wednesday, and air defenses opened fire over the capital, Tehran. Iran launched a missile attack on a Jordanian city on Israel's doorstep, and alerts were issued in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

With negotiations largely stalled, both sides have sought leverage by targeting civilian infrastructure. Iran has responded to US attacks by targeting energy infrastructure and desalination plants that provide drinking water in parched neighboring Gulf countries.

International law generally prohibits such attacks unless the infrastructure is being used for military purposes. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres decried such attacks as "unacceptable" on Tuesday.

The closure of the strait, through which a fifth of the world's traded oil and gas passed during peacetime, has jolted the world economy with effects far beyond the Middle East. A new threat by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen to target Saudi shipping in the Red Sea puts another trade chokepoint at risk.

"From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT," Trump wrote on social media.

Trump traveled to Dover Air Force Base on Wednesday for the arrival of the remains of four US service members. A day earlier, his defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, estimated in a fiery Senate hearing that the US had spent $37.5 billion on the war so far.

Benchmark Brent crude oil rose to more than $93 a barrel in trading. That's up from less than $72 early this month, which is roughly where it was before the war. Gasoline prices are also climbing.

Iran says it has the right to manage traffic and potentially charge fees in the strait, which was open to all and toll-free before the war. It has attacked ships using a route through the strait that is overseen by US forces and intended to be outside Tehran's control.

Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, who has led negotiations with the US, appeared to brush off Trump's threats.

"If our security is not ensured, no infrastructure will be safe, and the security of the strait is in the absence of American forces," he wrote on social media. “We have repeatedly said that the situation of the strait will not return to prewar conditions.”

Jordan's military said it intercepted four Iranian missiles over Aqaba, while two others fell in "uninhabited areas." Plumes of smoke could be seen overhead in videos filmed by people in the nearby Israeli city of Eilat. Jordan said it also intercepted four Iranian drones.

Iran has avoided striking Israel since hostilities resumed last month, apparently hoping to keep it from reentering the war. But the attack on Aqaba, within sight of Israel's Eilat, raised concerns over a further widening of the conflict after an agreement to halt hostilities collapsed.

Another missile alert sounded in Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia warned residents of the Persian Gulf city of Dammam to seek shelter. Saudi authorities later said the danger had passed, without elaborating.

The US military said earlier Wednesday that it had completed an 11th night of strikes on Iran, with targets including aircraft hangars and drone storage sites.

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported explosions across several provinces. Iran's Health Ministry says US strikes over the past 11 days have killed 53 people, including six women and three children, and wounded nearly 600 people.

Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard insisted its retaliatory attacks would continue.

Before the latest strikes, Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni visited Pakistan, a key mediator in the conflict, seeking to revive diplomacy. But it was unclear what new arrangement might be reached to end the war, which lately has become a battle for control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's Interior Ministry spokesman Ali Zeinivand said "diplomacy isn't called off" and that messages were still being exchanged, without elaborating, according to IRNA.

An Arab diplomat said Gulf states are increasingly pessimistic about finding an off-ramp for escalating hostilities and are particularly concerned about the latest round of threats in which the two sides have warned they may attack civilian infrastructure.

The diplomat said countries in the region, in addition to Pakistan and Turkey, are continuing to push for de-escalation. But, he said the chances for any improvement currently appear bleak. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.

At a regional summit in the Philippines, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio denounced Iran's actions in the strait.

"If we create a precedent in the Middle East where a nation state can decide that they are going to control an international waterway, charge a toll and if you don't pay them, blow up your ships, we have created a very dangerous precedent which will repeat itself in other parts of the world, including in this region," he said.

Rubio said the US remains open to negotiations with Iran, "but right now they don't seem to be serious about that" so instead the focus is on protecting shipping.

In response to Iran's attacks, the US re-imposed a blockade on Iranian ports.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump gave a dim view on possible talks, saying the U.S. had “no interest in meeting.”

He signaled that U.S. forces could soon target an under-construction Iranian nuclear site buried deep under a mountain.

The site, known as Pickaxe Mountain, lies on the south side of Iran's Natanz nuclear enrichment site, which was bombed by the U.S. during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in 2025. But Pickaxe Mountain has remained untouched as Iran continues to dig at the site.

Iran has always insisted its nuclear program is peaceful, while resuming the enrichment of uranium to near weapons-grade levels since Trump scrapped a 2015 nuclear deal during his first term. The U.S. and others believe Iran had a nuclear weapons program until 2003 and may reconstitute it in the future.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Iran through a post on his Truth Social platform.

In his statement, Trump said that if Iran launches a missile, rocket, drone, or any other type of attack against a vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the United States will respond by destroying one Iranian bridge or power plant for each such attack.

He further warned that potential targets could include bridges and power plants located near Iran's capital, Tehran.

The statement has heightened concerns that tensions between the United States and Iran could escalate further, with international analysts warning that the already strained relationship between the two countries may become even more volatile.

Former Iranian Foreign Minister and current Member of Parliament Manouchehr Mottaki has called on Iran's judiciary to act swiftly to sentence U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to death under the Islamic legal principle of Qisas.

According to Mottaki, "As soon as Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei issues a Qisas ruling against Trump, he will be forced to retreat, and his influence will weaken."

Mottaki also stated that Iran had made a major mistake by engaging in discussions with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz and by considering granting Muscat a role in the management of the strategic waterway.

However, these remarks reflect Manouchehr Mottaki's personal views, and it has not been confirmed whether they represent the official position of the Iranian government.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for attacks targeting the King Faisal and Prince Hassan air bases in Jordan.

According to the IRGC, the two facilities were being used by U.S. military forces. The group stated that the strikes targeted a hangar used to prepare F-15 fighter jets and another hangar used for MQ-9 Reaper drones.

The IRGC further claimed that eight newly delivered MQ-9 drones, which had not yet been assembled, were completely destroyed, while two additional drones parked outside the hangar sustained severe damage.

The statement also alleged that a separate strike on a helicopter hangar caused significant damage to two U.S. military helicopters.

Additionally, the IRGC claimed that an attack on a military accommodation building resulted in the deaths of several U.S. service members and left several others injured.

The United States has spent a total of US$37.5 billion on military operations related to the conflict with Iran, according to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth disclosed the figure while testifying before the U.S. Senate Budget Committee. During the hearing, he and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine requested a US$1.5 trillion defense budget, including a proposal to allocate US$70 billion specifically for operations involving Iran.

However, the official estimate is lower than projections made by independent economic analysts. Moody’s Analytics estimates that, after accounting for higher fuel prices and other economic impacts, the overall cost of the conflict to the U.S. economy could reach US$150 billion.

The reported US$37.5 billion includes operational and maintenance expenses expected through the end of September, although Secretary Hegseth did not provide a detailed breakdown of those costs.

The latest figure represents an increase of approximately US$8 billion from the US$29 billion estimate announced by the Trump administration in May.

Addressing the Senate Budget Committee, Hegseth also emphasized that the conflict has placed significant strain on U.S. military stockpiles. He said additional funding is urgently needed to accelerate the production of high-demand weapons and defense systems, including missiles, JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) guided bombs, hypersonic weapons, and counter-drone systems.

Following the collapse of the ceasefire agreement that had been in effect since June 17, tensions and military clashes between the United States and Iran have escalated once again.

Kuwaiti authorities have reported that Iran has once again launched attacks targeting the country's power plants and seawater desalination facilities.

According to Kuwait's Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy, this marks the fourth consecutive attack on these critical infrastructure facilities.

The attacks triggered fires at several locations. However, emergency response teams, firefighters, and security personnel worked together to successfully contain and extinguish the blazes.

The ministry also stated that several power generation units have been temporarily taken offline as a precautionary measure to protect equipment and safeguard the country's electricity and water systems.

Repair and restoration work is continuing without interruption, officials said.

Authorities are closely assessing the potential impact of the attacks on Kuwait's electricity supply and drinking water services

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for a missile strike targeting Amazon's central data infrastructure in Bahrain, describing the facility as an American commercial target.

According to an IRGC statement, the attack was carried out in retaliation for what it described as U.S. strikes on civilian infrastructure in the Darkhovin region.

Iran also claimed to have launched attacks using kamikaze (suicide) drones against three major U.S. military installations in Kuwait.

Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that the alleged targets included administrative buildings and signal detection antennas at Camp Arifjan, the helicopter parking area at Al-Adiri military base, and troop accommodation facilities at Ahmed Al-Jaber Air Base.

Separately, the IRGC stated that it also carried out an attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan on the previous day (20th).

These claims have not been independently verified, and there has been no immediate confirmation from U.S., Bahraini, or Kuwaiti authorities regarding the reported attacks or the extent of any damage.

The United States has carried out airstrikes on nine cities in Iran, as well as several coastal areas.

According to the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA), the strikes took place around midnight yesterday.

The targeted locations reportedly included Abdanan, Bandar Abbas, Bandar Lengeh, Bushehr, Chabahar, Qeshm Island, Sirik, Shiraz, and Konarak.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on its X (formerly Twitter) account that the strikes targeted Iranian military command centers, naval facilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems.

The report also states that U.S. President Donald Trump had previously said the attacks were launched in response to the deaths of two U.S. soldiers in Jordan and one U.S. soldier in Iraq. He reportedly said that Iran was subjected to heavy strikes the previous night as a tribute to those soldiers.

The US military says it has begun a new round of strikes against Iran to "further degrade" its capabilities to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The strikes - the 10th consecutive night of attacks - come after US President Donald Trump vowed to punish Iran for the deaths of US soldiers, saying it would pay "many times over".

He earlier said Iran had been hit "very hard" the previous night "in honour" of three US soldiers killed recently - two in Jordan and one in Iraq. Iran's military and communications sites were struck.

Iran said it had targeted sites in Bahrain, Jordan and Syria, with President Masoud Pezeshkian saying Iran was now fighting a "full-scale war" with the US.

At the same time, Tehran said diplomatic messages were still being exchanged by both sides through intermediaries, despite a collapse of a ceasefire.

Elsewhere in the region, Jordan's military said late on Monday it had shot down three Iranian missiles as sirens sounded across the country warning of incoming fire.

Earlier in the day, Kuwait's armed forces said they had intercepted Iranian drones.

Bahrain said drones launched by Iran had targeted its air navigation systems - but traffic remained unaffected.

On the US strikes the previous night, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that several cities had been hit including Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini.

Iranian state media reported that two oil tankers had exploded as the vessels tried to cross the strait.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the tankers were going through what it called an "unsafe and hazardous southern route" of the strait and "exploded and were brought to a halt". Centcom disputed the claims.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the United States remains open to pursuing a diplomatic solution with Iran, despite carrying out military strikes against Iranian targets.

Speaking to reporters before departing for an official visit to the Philippines, Rubio stated that although the United States had conducted airstrikes against Iran for nine consecutive days following the deaths of three American service members, Washington is still willing to seek a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

Rubio also stressed that the responsibility for safeguarding maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz should be shared among the world's major powers.

He accused Iran of using the strategically important Strait of Hormuz as a tool to exert pressure during the ongoing regional conflict. He therefore emphasized that other countries should assume a greater share of responsibility in ensuring the security of international shipping through the waterway.

While the United States will continue to take the necessary measures to protect maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, Rubio said the burden of these security operations should not fall solely on the United States. Instead, he called on other nations to contribute by providing equipment, resources, or financial support to help share the responsibility.

ranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that the conflict with the United States will only come to an end when Iran has gained a significant strategic advantage on the battlefield.

Speaking in an interview with Iran's state news agency, IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency), Araghchi said that one of the most critical decisions in managing a conflict is determining the right moment to halt military operations and begin negotiations.

"A war can only end in one of two ways: through complete military victory or through negotiations. The most appropriate time for negotiations is after achieving a credible and strategic victory on the battlefield," Araghchi said.

He further emphasized that decisions affecting the lives of the people and the future of the nation cannot be made lightly. Instead, all decisions must be based on careful analysis and a comprehensive assessment of the situation.

Araghchi also noted that political leaders must continuously evaluate whether continuing the war would yield greater strategic benefits or whether it would instead result in further loss of human life and greater damage to national resources.

Concluding his remarks, he said:

"Although we have suffered certain losses, this war has enabled us to emerge as a state with significant influence on the international stage. It has also allowed us to demonstrate the strength and resilience of our system to the world."

A U.S. service member has been killed and another injured in northern Iraq after an unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian attack drone detonated.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the incident occurred while personnel were attempting to safely dispose of an unexploded explosive device left behind from an Iranian attack drone that had been shot down.

CENTCOM confirmed that one service member was killed and another sustained injuries in the explosion.

Meanwhile, following Friday's attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan, CENTCOM announced that the search operation for a missing service member has uncovered unidentified human remains. Authorities are currently conducting forensic examinations to determine whether the remains belong to the missing soldier.

Earlier, two U.S. service members were killed in an Iranian attack on the military base in Jordan.

According to international media reports, at least two strikes are believed to have hit the base, and video footage from the scene indicates that one of the explosions was particularly powerful.

Since the outbreak of the conflict in February, the number of U.S. military personnel killed has risen to 17. Officials have also confirmed that a U.S. Navy pilot who had previously been reported missing has died.

The United States has reportedly carried out a missile strike on the Darkhovin Nuclear Power Plant project, which is currently under construction in Khuzestan Province, Iran.

According to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), several missiles struck the nuclear facility in the early hours of today (19).

The AEOI stated that further details regarding the incident will be released at a later time.

Construction of the Darkhovin Nuclear Power Plant project began in 2022.

On Saturday night (the 18th), the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said it carried out another series of airstrikes targeting Iran's coastal surveillance systems and air defense facilities.

CENTCOM also stated that it struck targets belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which the United States says were linked to attacks on U.S. military personnel in Jordan.

According to CENTCOM, the strikes against Iranian military targets were successful.

Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that Qeshm Island, located in the Strait of Hormuz, was also hit in the attacks.

CENTCOM said the objective of these strikes, carried out for the eighth consecutive night, was to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial maritime traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Two US service members were killed and one remains missing after Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks in Jordan on Friday, military officials said.

The US Central Command (Centcom) said four US service members were medically evacuated to Jordan hospitals but have since been discharged. Others who had minor injuries have returned to duty.

US military officials did not disclose the identities of those killed, nor provide details about the circumstances or location of the incident.

On Saturday night the US launched another round of air strikes against Iran at President Donald Trump's direction, Centcom said.

The strikes - for the eighth night in a row - are "designed to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz", the statement said.

The strikes aim to "swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night," the statement continued, without providing further details.

It followed a week of renewed hostilities in which Washington reimposed its blockade of Iranian ports and Tehran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, as their preliminary ceasefire collapsed less than a month after it began.

Late on Saturday, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said in a written statement that America's "repeated breaches" of the agreement had "laid bare a fundamental truth: the signature of the US president is utterly worthless and devoid of credibility".

Khamenei, who has not been seen in public since the attack which killed his father at the start of the war, accused the US of seeking to "escalate the conflict" and said Iran had "unforgettable lessons in store for it".

Jordan's military earlier said it had intercepted 10 Iranian missiles fired into its airspace overnight, without reporting any damage.

The US death toll in the conflict has now risen to 16 after an American Navy pilot who went missing earlier this month was declared dead, marking the second increase in the toll this week.

In a statement on Saturday, Centcom said: "Two US service members in Jordan were killed in action as US Central Command (Centcom) and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. Additionally, one service member is currently missing.

"Out of respect for the families, Centcom will withhold additional information, including the identities of the fallen warriors, until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified."

Responding to the announcement of the deaths, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X: "Godspeed, heroes. Their sacrifice only stiffens our resolve."

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had destroyed at least two US fighter aircraft early on Saturday on Al-Azraq base in Jordan, according to Iranian state media.

The BBC contacted Centcom regarding this report but it declined to add further details.

Separately on Saturday, the US Department of State issued a notice advising Americans worldwide, but particularly in the Middle East, to exercise "increased caution".

The travel notice urged those in the region to "monitor the news for breaking developments", adding: "Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation."

Washington and Tehran struck a preliminary deal to end the war in June, but the agreement unravelled within weeks - with Trump declaring the agreement "over" on 8 July.

At least 50 people have been killed and more than 500 injured in US strikes over the past three weeks, Iranian state media reported citing the country's health ministry.

Thousands more have been killed across the Middle East since the US-Israeli war with Iran began on 28 February, official figures show, with the vast majority coming from Iran and Lebanon.

As well as military targets, both Iran and the US have been accused of striking critical infrastructure in recent days.

The US denied Iranian accusations that it had hit bridges, a train station and an airport earlier this week. Washington said it had exclusively struck military targets. BBC Verify confirmed an attack on a bridge in Hormozgan province.

Trump had threatened on Tuesday to strike Iran's bridges and power plants next week if the country did not return to talks.

Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council accused Tehran of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure in the region. After Iran said it had responded to US strikes by targeting American Gulf allies on Saturday, Kuwait said a power plant and a water distillation plant had been hit.

Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, who leads the council representing Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, said such action amounted to "war crimes".

Under international law, attacking civilians or civilian areas is illegal. However, in certain circumstances, civilian objects - like a bridge or a power plant - lose their protection if they are used to support the enemy's war effort.

This week also saw Trump reimpose the US blockade of Iranian ports, under which Centcom said five commercial vessels had been "redirected" and one had been disabled as of Saturday.

Iran meanwhile declared the Strait of Hormuz shut, causing traffic to grind to a halt through the vital shipping channel through which around a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas ordinarily passes.

Trump said on Monday that all vessels transiting the strait - including those of US allies - would have to pay a 20% fee to do so, before abandoning the proposal altogether on Tuesday, saying it would instead be replaced by trade deals with Gulf allies.

Source: BBC

Iran has officially announced that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran, which was intended to facilitate efforts to ease tensions, is no longer in effect.

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the country's technical negotiation team, stated that the agreement has effectively been suspended because the United States has violated all of its commitments under the MoU.

"The United States has breached all of its obligations under the Memorandum of Understanding and has effectively suspended its commitments. Accordingly, we have also suspended all of our obligations and ceased implementation of the agreement. At this moment, our foremost priority is to defend our country," Gharibabadi said.

Although Iranian officials have previously accused the United States of violating the MoU, this marks the first time Iran has officially declared that the agreement is no longer in force and that none of its provisions will continue to be implemented.

Communications services have been disrupted in southern Iran following U.S. airstrikes.

According to the head of the Communications and Information Technology Department of Iran's Hormozgan Province, the strikes carried out by the United States on the night of July 18 caused widespread disruptions to telecommunications services in the Bandar Abbas and Hajiabad areas.

Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that 116 telecommunications towers were put out of service as a result of the attacks. The damage has disrupted landline telephone, mobile phone, and internet services across the affected areas.

Meanwhile, Valiollah Hayati, Deputy Governor for Security Affairs of Iran's Khuzestan Province, stated that the United States has carried out attacks on more than 95 locations in the province over the past 10 days.

According to reports, at least eight civilians have been killed as a result of these strikes.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a strong warning to countries that provide assistance to U.S. forces for launching attacks against Iran.

The IRGC stated that any country facilitating such operations should be prepared for a "proportionate response."

It also called on those countries to activate their civil defense systems and relocate civilians to safe areas as a precaution.

Meanwhile, the IRGC claimed that it carried out a drone and missile strike on the U.S. military logistics center at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, causing casualties among U.S. military personnel. The claim was reported by Iran's Tasnim News Agency.

In addition, the IRGC said it had launched an attack on Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait. According to the IRGC, the operation disabled the base's radar systems and destroyed a weapons maintenance facility as well as drone infrastructure.

The United States has carried out a seventh consecutive night of strikes against Iran, targeting multiple military sites, including logistics infrastructure, according to a statement issued by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, CENTCOM said the strikes were directed at surveillance centers, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons depots, and naval facilities.

According to CENTCOM, the operation lasted several hours and involved fighter aircraft, drones, warships, and other military assets.

Iranian state media reported that explosions were heard in the central city of Yazd, as well as on Qeshm Island and in areas surrounding the port of Bandar Abbas.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has launched an attack targeting United States fighter aircraft stationed in Jordan, according to Iranian state television.

However, the Jordanian military had earlier announced that its air defense systems successfully intercepted and shot down three Iranian missiles.

Meanwhile, the IRGC claims it has destroyed a U.S. air surveillance radar system located in the Ghanim area of Oman, as well as a U.S. maritime surveillance radar installation in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement, the IRGC said the operation marks the 13th phase of Iran's ongoing retaliatory campaign and emphasized that the mission will continue "with unwavering determination."

The statement also asserted that the Strait of Hormuz remains under the full control of the IRGC Navy.

The United States military carried out strikes on targets in Iran for the sixth consecutive night yesterday (17), according to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).

CENTCOM stated that American fighter aircraft, drones, and warships were used to strike a number of military targets across Iran, including coastal surveillance centers, air defense systems, supply infrastructure, and naval facilities.

Iranian state media reported that the naval control tower at the Port of Chabahar in southeastern Iran was targeted for the third time today (17).

Photographs circulated on social media and by Iranian media appear to show that the control tower has been completely destroyed.

According to international media reports, the naval control tower plays a critical role in guiding ships safely into and out of the port, monitoring port operations, and coordinating search and rescue (SAR) missions.

CENTCOM said the series of strikes was launched with the objective of further weakening Iran's military capabilities.

However, Iranian state media claimed that the U.S. attacks also caused damage to civilian infrastructure. According to those reports, bridges, a railway station, and an airport were among the sites that were hit.

Iran states that 38 people have been killed in attacks carried out by the United States during the ceasefire period.

Foreign media reported that 400 people were injured and hospitalized in the incidents.

It is mentioned that the United States launched these attacks after both parties met in Switzerland on June 22nd for talks to end the 60-day war.

As the Strait of Hormuz has been closed to maritime traffic, the ceasefire agreements between both sides have now collapsed.

Meanwhile, eight drones launched by the United States over the city of Erbil in northern Iraq have been shot down.

Foreign media reported that no casualties were reported in that incident.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reportedly launched an attack targeting United States fighter aircraft stationed in Jordan, according to Iranian state television.

However, the Jordanian military had earlier announced that its air defense systems intercepted and shot down three Iranian missiles.

Meanwhile, the IRGC claims it has destroyed a U.S. air traffic control radar system located in the Ghanim area of Oman, as well as an American maritime surveillance radar system positioned in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement, the IRGC said that this operation marks the 13th phase of Iran's ongoing series of retaliatory strikes, adding that the campaign will continue "with unwavering determination."

The statement also asserted that the Strait of Hormuz remains under the full control of the IRGC Navy.

Iranian authorities say that patients at Baghaei Specialized Hospital in Ahvaz, southern Iran, were evacuated to safer locations following U.S. airstrikes in the area.

According to officials, 211 patients receiving treatment at the hospital were urgently transferred after the reported attacks. Among those evacuated were cancer patients and others in critical condition who required intensive medical care.

Hospital Director Reza Basar stated that the strikes made it impossible for the facility to continue operating normally.

A hospital staff member told international media:

"Heavy bombing struck the area surrounding the hospital. Even patients who were dependent on oxygen and ventilators had to be evacuated immediately. Some people carried children in their arms, while others were taken out of the hospital in wheelchairs."

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei strongly condemned the reported attack, describing it as a "barbaric assault."

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said the incident recalled previous allegations concerning attacks on healthcare facilities. He added that 211 patients undergoing treatment, including those receiving chemotherapy, had to be evacuated on an emergency basis.

The United States has not yet issued an official response to these allegations.

Iran’s military has warned that if attacks are carried out against Iran’s infrastructure, it will retaliate by targeting all American infrastructure facilities across the Middle East region.

In a statement issued by Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari, it was stated that U.S. President Donald Trump had threatened to launch attacks targeting Iran’s infrastructure. The statement warned that if such actions are carried out, regional infrastructure facilities that have so far remained protected due to Iran’s restraint could face severe attacks.

Zolfaghari also emphasized that the United States would not be allowed to interfere with the Strait of Hormuz in any way.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump recently stated that if Iran does not return to negotiations, the United States would launch attacks targeting Iranian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that its latest series of airstrikes against targets in Iran has been successfully completed.

According to CENTCOM, the operation, carried out yesterday (15), targeted several military sites across Iran. The strikes focused on military command centers, air defense systems, missile and drone facilities, as well as coastal surveillance installations.

CENTCOM stated that the primary objective of the operation was to reduce Iran's ability to threaten maritime traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important shipping routes.

The command also confirmed that targets in several locations, including Bandar Abbas, were struck during the operation.

In a separate 90-minute mission conducted on the same day, CENTCOM said it also attacked multiple coastal defense positions and cruise missile sites located on Greater Tunb Island.

Over the past several days, the United States has carried out a series of strikes against multiple locations across Iran.

According to Iranian health authorities, hundreds of U.S. airstrikes have been launched across Iran over the past week. The reported attacks have resulted in at least 35 deaths and nearly 300 injuries.

The United States stated that, alongside the renewed enforcement of a naval blockade, it targeted military sites along Iran's southern coastline and areas near the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran on Thursday claimed to have carried out drone and missile strikes on US military facilities in Jordan and Kuwait, saying the strikes were conducted in retaliation for recent US strikes on Iranian territory, according to Iran's state broadcaster IRIB.

The current ongoing operations against US strikes are 'Operation Lightning' carried out by the Iranian Army and 'Operation Nasr 2' carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to IRIB, the Iranian Army said that in the ninth phase of 'Operation Lightning,' it targeted "the communication systems and fuel tanks of the US terrorist army in Jordan with destructive drones."

The statement said the strike targeted the fixed radar site, communication system and fuel tanks at the Al-Azraq base in Jordan, which it called "one of the most important strategic and command centres for American aggressive forces in the West Asian region."

The army said the operation was launched "in response to the child-killing enemy's (US) aggression against areas of our country and the Bampour Iranshahr garrison, which led to the martyrdom of 7 army ground force officers and soldiers."

Condemning the strikes on the Payvar and Vazhd staff sanatorium in Iranshahr, the army said, "The children of the nation in the army are the sacrifices of the people and defenders of Iran's security, and they will not shrink from the honourable task of defending the nation and Islamic homeland and avenging the blood of the dear martyrs."

Separately, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in its Announcement No. 15, claimed responsibility for strikes on the US military's Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, in its eighth wave of Operation Nasr 2.

According to IRIB, the IRGC said, "Following last night's enemy aggression against parts of the country's southern coasts and cities, your brave and heroic sons in the IRGC Navy and Aerospace Force, in the eighth wave of Operation Nasr 2, under the symbol of Mubarak or Zeinab Kubra (S), in a combined operation using their missile and drone power, targeted and destroyed the C-RAM early warning radar system at Ali al-Salem base, as well as the gathering place of the criminal soldiers of the US terrorist army."

The IRGC added that the strikes were conducted in response to the use of Kuwaiti land by the US for its military operation. The statement said, "Once again, we remind the honourable people of Kuwait that these crimes are being committed by America using your soil against Muslim Iran."

"We expect you, Muslim brothers and sisters, to cleanse your country of aggressors and, by fulfilling your Islamic duty, preserve your historical honour and dignity," it said.

The retaliation came in response to the completion of a new wave of military strikes against Iranian targets, targeting command centres, air defence systems, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities.

In a statement, CENTCOM said the strikes concluded at 9 pm ET on July 15 (Wednesday). The operation employed precision-guided munitions against multiple targets, including in Bandar Abbas, an important port city of Iran.

"US forces struck Iranian command centers, air defense sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten innocent mariners crewing commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM used precision munitions to hit targets in multiple locations, including Bandar Abbas," CENTCOM said.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Iran, stating that if the country does not return to negotiations by next week, the United States will launch attacks on Iran’s bridges and power plants.

The warning was made during an interview with Fox News, at a time when attacks and counterattacks between the United States and Iran have continued for the fourth consecutive day.

Although Iran had threatened to impose a 20% fee on cargo ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, it has since resumed efforts to block Iranian ports.

“They will face a very difficult situation next week… If they do not come to the negotiating table, we will shut down all of their power plants. We will destroy their bridges as well,” Trump said.

“Energy targets will be kept for the end, but eventually, we will strike those targets too,” President Trump said during the Fox News program.

He stated that U.S. negotiators had delivered a message to Iranian representatives on Tuesday evening (14), telling them: “Reach a deal, or you will have nothing left.”

Earlier, in April, President Trump had also warned about possible attacks on Iran’s civilian infrastructure, including bridges and power plants.

At that time, United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk stated that “deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure could constitute a war crime under international law.”

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for a successful attack on several targets at the U.S. Fifth Fleet naval base in Bahrain.

In a statement issued on the morning of July 15, the IRGC said the strikes were carried out as a "strong response" to recent actions by the United States.

According to the IRGC, the attack destroyed several key facilities at the U.S. Fifth Fleet base, including the command and control center, the naval support management center, warehouse complexes, and fuel storage facilities.

A series of military strikes has been carried out against multiple targets located near the Strait of Hormuz and along Iran's coastal regions.

According to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation lasted for approximately seven hours, beginning on the night of the 14th. CENTCOM stated that it had successfully completed another wave of coordinated air and naval strikes against Iranian targets.

The operation involved fighter aircraft, drones, and naval vessels, which conducted precision strikes on Iranian missile and drone facilities, naval installations, and coastal defense systems.

CENTCOM said the objective of the operation was to further degrade Iran's capability to threaten commercial shipping and civilian maritime personnel operating in the region.

In addition, CENTCOM announced that it had resumed naval blockade operations targeting vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports on the same day.

Iran's Armed Forces Spokesperson, Mohammad Akraminia, has issued a stern warning that the ongoing conflicts will "take on a new dimension" if attacks launched by the United States continue.

Issuing a statement via the Telegram social media network, he stated, "If America's aggressive activities persist, Iran will take steps to expand this war toward new battlefronts."

According to foreign media, he also noted in his statement that a large portion of the true strength and capabilities of the Iranian armed forces has not yet been demonstrated to the world.

"In the face of any hostile action directed against Iran, our response will be at a significantly higher level compared to the current situation. It will not only exceed the enemy's expectations but will also lead to the opening of new zones of conflict," he further emphasized.

With this statement, there is a rising risk that the ongoing military tensions within the Middle East region could escalate even further.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel will respond forcefully if Iran launches another attack against the country.

Speaking at a conference, Netanyahu said, "I want to make it absolutely clear to Iran's leaders: if you attack us, do not expect the current calm to continue."

He further stated, "The era in which we absorbed attacks without responding is over. From this point onward, any attack against us will be met with a decisive and powerful response."

Following these remarks, international attention has once again turned to the security situation in the Middle East, with concerns over the potential for renewed regional tensions.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has advised airlines to avoid operating flights through the airspace over Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Gulf of Oman.

According to EASA, the region's unpredictable security situation and the potential use of missiles, drones, military aircraft, and air defence systems pose a significant risk to civil aviation at all flight levels within the affected airspace.

EASA stated that the warning was issued because of the heightened risk arising from the ongoing military tensions in the region.

Previously, EASA had also advised airlines to avoid flying through the airspace of Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon due to similar security concerns.

As a result of these safety advisories, international flights operating through the Middle East may experience route diversions, longer flight times, and possible delays.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has claimed responsibility for launching a series of missile and drone attacks on the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

According to the IRGC, the attacks set fire to several fuel storage facilities at the military base and destroyed a Patriot air defense radar system, an air traffic control radar system, a C-RAM early warning radar system, and a command center for unmanned surface vessels.

The IRGC further stated that the retaliatory military operation is still ongoing.

Meanwhile, the IRGC also claimed that it carried out a ballistic missile strike on a U.S. air base in Jordan.

The Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen has claimed responsibility for launching ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport.

The Houthis stated that the attack was carried out in retaliation for an earlier strike on Sana'a International Airport.

The group also issued a warning to all airlines, advising them to avoid using Saudi Arabian airspace.

Meanwhile, the Yemeni government has stated that it was responsible for carrying out the attack on Sana'a International Airport.

The US military says it has completed its latest wave of strikes on Iran.

In a statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had "successfully struck" targets in Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas after a third consecutive night of attacks.

It added that the strikes were to "further degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping" and that US forces had "employed precision munitions against Iranian coastal defence systems, missile and drone sites, and maritime capabilities".

CENTCOM also said that more than 50,000 US service personnel are currently deployed across the Middle East.

One Indian crew ​member was killed and eight others were wounded when two Emirati oil tankers were struck by ‌Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday, in the latest escalation in the strategic waterway.

The ministry said the tankers, the Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, were targeted in the southern lane of the strait while in ​Omani territorial waters. The dead crew member was aboard the Mombasa, it said.

Of the eight wounded, four ​were seriously injured. Six of the wounded were Indian nationals and two were Ukrainian nationals, ⁠the ministry said.

The attack caused material damage to both tankers after fires broke out on board. The ministry said ​the fires had been brought under control.

It condemned what it called a "blatant attack" and said the UAE retained "its full right ​to respond to this escalation".

The ministry added that the UAE remained fully prepared to deal with any threats and was taking all necessary measures to respond firmly to any attempts to undermine the country's security and stability.

Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said on ​Tuesday that a tanker had been hit by an unknown projectile while travelling 40 nautical miles northeast of Oman's ​Qalhat.

UKMTO said the tanker's master reported that the projectile struck the starboard-side engine room and that all crew were safe.

Reuters could not ‌immediately verify ⁠whether the UKMTO report referred to the same incident as the one reported by the UAE's Ministry of Defence. Iran has not commented on the latest attacks.

The latest incidents in the waterway come after weeks of heightened tensions since the war broke out on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran.

On Monday, President Donald Trump ​said the U.S. was reinstating its ​blockade of Iranian shipping ⁠in the Gulf and would ensure the Strait of Hormuz stays open — for a fee — while warning that U.S. forces would hit Iran again "very hard" in the coming hours after ​the two sides exchanged missile and drone attacks.

Iran's top joint military command said the U.S. ​had no role ⁠in determining the future of the waterway and would not be allowed to intervene.

The conflict has destabilised the Gulf and spread across the region, with Iran attacking U.S. bases in multiple countries. It has also thrown into question an interim U.S.-Iranian agreement signed ⁠last ​month to reopen the strait and halt hostilities.

Before the conflict began in ​February, around a fifth of the world's oil and gas traffic passed through Hormuz daily, delivering more than 15 million barrels of fuel to global ​markets worth at least $1.2 billion.

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the United States will “most likely take control” of the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Iran of violating an agreement reached with the United States.

Trump made these remarks during an interview with Fox News.

The U.S. president said:

“We are going to take control of the strait… They have nothing.”

Commenting on the attacks carried out by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) against Iranian military targets, Trump said that the U.S. had delivered a “heavy blow” to Iran.

“They have lost a lot of things… Their air defense systems have also been destroyed,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Iranian embassy stated that a temporary secure maritime route had been established for vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.

However, it said that due to U.S. military actions, the area has become a “high-risk zone.”

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important routes for oil transportation, and any crisis in the region could have an impact on global energy markets.

The UK government has decided to officially designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as an organization that poses a threat to national security.

In a statement presented to Parliament, UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that under the new legal powers, supporting the IRGC, publicly praising the organization, or assisting its activities will become serious criminal offenses, carrying a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

Under the same legislation, two additional organizations have also been banned:

The Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR). A volunteer group linked to Russia's military intelligence agency (GRU).

The new laws will grant British police and intelligence agencies broader powers to combat foreign espionage, state interference, sabotage, and hostile attacks.

British authorities state that the IRGC has been behind several attacks targeting the UK's Jewish and Israeli communities. Among them was an attack on March 23, 2025, in Golders Green, London, where four ambulances belonging to a Jewish emergency medical service were set on fire. The IMCR claimed responsibility for that attack.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said that Britain would not allow foreign states to spread fear, division, or violence within the country.

He added:

"We have already taken strong action against the Iranian regime and those associated with it, as well as against Russian operational networks. These new laws will make it easier to bring to justice and imprison those who act on their behalf within the United Kingdom."

If approved by Parliament, the legislation will also allow courts to impose life imprisonment on individuals acting on behalf of foreign states who commit arson, sabotage, or other destructive acts.

Under the new legal framework, prosecutors will no longer need to prove a direct connection with a foreign state in every individual case, making it easier to pursue legal action against those involved.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood also stated:

"Iran and Russia use proxy groups and criminals inside the United Kingdom to achieve their objectives. We have moved quickly to ban all three organizations so that those acting on their behalf can be identified and brought to justice."

In addition, the UK's domestic intelligence agency MI5 has revealed that over the past year it has identified more than 20 alleged Iranian-backed plots targeting individuals in the United Kingdom.

According to the British government, the IRGC serves as the central organization behind these activities, with particular focus on targeting the Jewish community and Iranian dissidents living in the UK.

Iran has once again reaffirmed its commitment to delivering justice for its Supreme Leader and every citizen who was killed.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that securing justice for Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed, and for all Iranian citizens who lost their lives is one of the government's highest priorities.

Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, he said:

"This is a fundamental principle that the government is firmly committed to pursuing, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also playing its part in this process."

He further stated that Iran would use all available international legal and diplomatic mechanisms to document evidence and seek justice regarding actions carried out by the United States and Israel.

Baghaei also said that Iran is seeking to establish a joint operational mechanism with Oman to oversee maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. However, he claimed that discussions have been delayed due to pressure from the United States.

US President Donald Trump said Monday that Washington was reinstating what he called an “Iranian blockade” and proposed charging a 20% fee on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for US protection of the strategic waterway.

"The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving. All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait.”

Trump said the US would provide security for the waterway and seek reimbursement from cargo operators.

“The USA will be, from this point forward, known as 'THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,' but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World.”

He said implementation would begin immediately.

Iran’s Nour News Agency reports that the Iranian Army and the IRGC have launched “large-scale missile and drone attacks” on “enemy bases in the region”.

Citing an Iranian military official, the agency said the operation was launched in response to the US’s continuing attacks on Iran and targeted sites identified following “enemy movements” over the past 48 hours.

Iran claims attack on Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa airbase

The IRGC says it targeted several facilities at the Sheikh Isa airbase in Bahrain in the second phase of its retaliatory operation.

In a statement, the IRGC said its aerospace forces struck helicopter maintenance facilities, a hangar housing a P-8 aircraft and a US military drone command-and-control centre.

The IRGC added that its retaliatory attacks were continuing.

Iran claims attacks on Kuwait airbases

The IRGC says it has “completely destroyed” fuel tanks and Patriot air defence systems at the Ali Al-Salem airbase, as well as a strategic FPS radar system at the Ahmed Al-Jaber airbase.

In a statement, the IRGC said the attacks were carried out by its aerospace forces during the third phase of its “eye-for-an-eye” operation in response to US military action against Iran.

The IRGC said the operation was continuing.

It also warned against further US involvement in the Strait of Hormuz, saying that Iran would not allow continued foreign military interference in the waterway.

Iran claims attacks on Jordan’s Prince Hassan airbase

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it targeted the Prince Hassan airbase in Jordan with missiles and drones, setting fire to several fuel depots and ammunition storage facilities.

In a statement, the IRGC said the US attacks followed an operation by the IRGC Navy to stop two ships in the Strait of Hormuz, which it accused of “switching off their tracking systems, travelling illegally and endangering navigation”.

The IRGC said its retaliatory operations are continuing and that the results would be announced in subsequent statements.

A massive series of strikes launched by U.S. defense forces targeting Iranian military and civilian infrastructure has shattered the temporary ceasefire between the two nations, raising a severe risk of a return to full-scale war.

This wave of air and missile strikes was deployed shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the recently established ceasefire agreement was "over."

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Response The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launched these counterstrikes following allegations that Iran had attacked international commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

According to U.S. defense officials, more than 90 military targets were destroyed.

These targets included air defense systems, missile storage facilities, and naval bases located along the Iranian coast.

Impact and Casualties in Iran However, Iranian media reports indicate that the strikes were not limited solely to military targets.

Huge explosions have been reported across the region, impacting the Bushehr nuclear power plant zone, the port city of Bandar Abbas, as well as civilian residential areas and school zones.

Retaliation and Regional Fallout Iran did not remain silent following the attacks; they launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. military bases and allied nations in the region, including Bahrain and Kuwait.

As a result, the entire Middle East region has once again plunged into intense wartime volatility, triggering an imminent risk of a sharp surge in global crude oil prices.

The IRGC says it has hit and stopped a second “offending vessel” in the Strait of Hormuz.

It warned that the continuation of what it called US-Israeli “aggressions” would result in “even more devastating” responses.

The United States says it has launched a new wave of strikes against Iran after Iran attacked a vessel passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) states that the waterway has been closed until further notice.

According to state media, the vessel was attacked because it turned off its systems and diverted from the approved route.

US Central Command (Centcom) stated that it carried out its "third round of strikes this week" after the IRGC "blatantly attacked" a Cyprus-flagged vessel.

Following incidents earlier this week where three commercial tankers were attacked, the mutual exchange of strikes between the US and Iran has escalated in this manner.

Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has declared that revenge for his father's death, as well as for all those who lost their lives in the two recent wars, is inevitable.

Addressing the public for the first time after his father's funeral, Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, stated:

"Let us pledge to avenge your pure blood, as well as the blood of all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in these two wars. This is the determination of the entire Iranian nation."

He further said that the millions of people who attended his father's funeral represented "a historic display of national unity that shattered the enemy's ambitions."

Mojtaba emphasized that seeking revenge is the demand of the Iranian people and that it will inevitably be carried out.

He also reportedly stated that:

"Those responsible for these crimes will not even have the hope of dying peacefully in their own beds."

According to foreign media reports, he added that whether he or other government officials remain in office or not, the promised revenge will still take place. He further said:

"People around the world who aspire to freedom will soon fulfill their part in this divine mission."

The message was originally issued on July 9 and was released to the public on Saturday (July 10).

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that the United States would respond with overwhelming military force if Iran were to attempt to assassinate him. In a post on his Truth Social platform “1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the Globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!” he said. “Orders have already been given, and the U.S. Military is ready, willing, and able, for a one year period of time, subject to extension, to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran.” Trump concluded his message with the words: "Praise be to Allah!" The statement has attracted widespread international attention, with analysts warning that it could further heighten tensions between the United States and Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump states that the American military will completely destroy all areas of Iran if Iran attempts to assassinate him.

This was emphasized in a post Trump placed on his 'Truth Social' account.

Previously, the U.S. had launched airstrikes targeting Iran for several days, and in response, Iran had also launched attacks targeting various countries across the Middle East.

Accordingly, Trump noted, "1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat."

Trump further mentions that the U.S. military will "completely destroy all areas of Iran."