US-Iran news highlights: US launches fresh strikes on Iran; explosions reported in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island
The updates to this live blog have ended. Our latest coverage on the US-Iran war has moved here – follow for regular, real-time updates on the conflict.
US-Iran news highlights: The updates to this live blog have ended. Iranian state media are reporting new attacks on military targets on Iran’s Qeshm island, near the Strait of Hormuz. This blog has now ended. Track live updates here. ...Read More
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency cited the island’s governor as saying just under a dozen projectiles had been fired since Sunday afternoon. While initially it was being reported that no casualties had taken place, Iranian state media reported later that one person had died and two were injured in the attacks.
There was no immediate comment by the U.S. military, which earlier Sunday said it struck about 140 targets in Iran in response to the latest Iranian strike on a commercial ship on the strait.
The largest island in the Persian Gulf is home to about 150,000 people.
Explosions were heard in Kuwait on Sunday evening, Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported, citing sources. Kuwait, among other Gulf nations, has come under Iranian attack after US bombing of Iran in renewed tensions over the past few days.
An Iranian leader on on Sunday said the Strait of Hormuz was more important than "dozens of atomic bombs", vowing to protect the vital waterway.
"This strategic passage is more important than dozens of atomic bombs, and the Islamic Republic of Iran will protect it," Mohsen Rezaee was quoted by the ISNA news agency as saying.
The conflict between the United States and Iran escalated sharply on Sunday as Washington launched a fresh round of strikes targeting Iran’s coastal energy infrastructure, while Tehran announced the closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz “until further notice”.
The developments came amid rising tensions in the Gulf after Iran stopped a cargo vessel in the strait and the US blamed Tehran for an attack on a commercial ship near Oman, further dimming prospects for renewed diplomatic talks.
US launches third round of strikes
The US carried out its third round of strikes on Iran this week, targeting facilities linked to Tehran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Gulf.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), President Donald Trump ordered the strikes after Iranian forces allegedly attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship. Iranian state media reported explosions across several locations along the country's southern coastline, including the energy and petrochemical hubs of Bushehr and Asalouyeh.
Blasts were also reported in the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Bandar-e Dayyer, as well as Sirik, a coastal area near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran declares Hormuz Strait closed
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the Strait of Hormuz had been closed and said no vessels would be allowed to pass through until what it described as foreign interference comes to an end.
According to state-run IRIB News, the IRGC said it intercepted a cargo vessel after firing a warning shot when the ship attempted to transit the waterway on Saturday despite being instructed not to do so.
Ship crew abandons vessel off Oman
The latest escalation followed an incident involving a commercial vessel off the coast of Oman.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said the crew of the damaged ship had abandoned the vessel after it suffered serious damage.
"UKMTO has been informed by military authorities and the CSO of the vessel that the crew have abandoned the vessel and are currently embarked in a lifeboat," it said of the incident that took place around 17 kilometres (10 miles) east of Oman.
US Central Command said the ship sustained significant damage, leaving it unable to continue its voyage. It also said one civilian crew member remains missing.
Earlier, Iran had stated that it stopped a ship in the Strait of Hormuz after it allegedly ignored repeated instructions to follow an approved transit route.
UAE responds to missile threat
As tensions spread across the Gulf region, the United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems had been activated in response to a missile threat.
The UAE defence ministry said on Sunday that its air defence network was responding to the situation, underscoring concerns that the confrontation could widen beyond the immediate US-Iran theatre.
Trump issues warning
The escalation comes days after Trump intensified his rhetoric against Tehran.
On Friday, he warned Iran that the US would respond forcefully if any threat against him materialised, saying he would shower the country with “1000 Missiles” if it acted on threats to kill the US president, “in this case, ME!”
The Trump administration has also demanded that Iran publicly guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and commit to refraining from attacks on civilian shipping. Senior US officials warned that Tehran would face consequences if it failed to provide such assurances.
Follow all the updates here:
- Jul 13, 2026 07:18 am IST
This live blog has now ended
Track fresh updates here.
- Jul 13, 2026 06:52 am IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Oil jumps as US-Iran tit-for-tat strikes escalate
US-Iran war LIVE: Oil prices surged in early trading after the United States launched fresh strikes on Iran amid the escalating standoff over the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude rose 3.3% to $78.50 a barrel, rebounding from a recent low of $70.14, while US West Texas Intermediate crude gained 3.4% to $73.83 a barrel. The gains came as renewed military exchanges heightened concerns over potential disruptions to global oil supplies through the key shipping route.
- Jul 13, 2026 06:35 am IST
US-Iran war LIVE: US says IRGC fired at commercial ships in Strait of Hormuz
US-Iran war LIVE: The US military says Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has fired at commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz over the past hour.
US Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said US forces shot down an Iranian cruise missile and a one-way attack drone, as Washington launched a fresh wave of strikes targeting Iranian military assets it says threaten commercial shipping, as per Al Jazeera.
While US President Donald Trump has said the strait remains open, Iran insists it is seeking to close the waterway until US interference ends. Shipping traffic through Hormuz has dropped sharply, according to Kpler, while Brent crude has climbed to around $79 a barrel, adding to domestic political pressure on the Trump administration over rising fuel prices.
- Jul 13, 2026 06:21 am IST
US-Iran war LIVE: US strike on Iran water pumping station kills one, injures four, says Iran
US-Iran war LIVE: Iran's Khuzestan provincial authorities said a US projectile struck an agricultural water pumping station in Mahshahr early on Sunday, killing one person and injuring four others. According to state news agency IRNA, the person killed was a security guard at the facility. Deputy Governor for Security and Law Enforcement Valiollah Hayati said emergency and medical teams were treating the injured.
- Jul 13, 2026 06:07 am IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Ro Khanna slams Israeli envoy over West Bank detention remarks
US-Iran war LIVE: US Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna has criticised Israel's ambassador to the US, Michael Leiter, calling his remarks on Khanna's detention by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank the "height of arrogance". Leiter said Khanna had failed to coordinate his visit with Israeli authorities, despite Khanna's office maintaining that it had done so. Responding on X, Khanna said that if a US lawmaker and American citizens were illegally detained by settlers and the military of any other country, that nation's ambassador would apologise to the American people and act against those responsible.
- Jul 13, 2026 06:03 am IST
US-Iran war LIVE: US shoots down Iranian missile and drone as IRGC fires at ships in Strait of Hormuz
According to Al Jazeera a US Central Command spokesperson told them that, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have fired at commercial shipping transiting the Strait of Hormuz over the past hour. Captain Tim Hawkins said US aircraft have so far shot down an Iranian cruise missile and a one-way attack drone.
This comes after CENTCOM announced a fresh wave of US attacks on Iranian military targets, which began about two hours ago, aimed at degrading Iran's ability to target commercial shipping and Iranian vessels in the waterway.
- Jul 13, 2026 05:24 am IST
US-Iran war latest updates: Oil prices rise as Strait of Hormuz shipping drops amid renewed attacks
According to The New York Times, Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, opened about 3.5 percent higher on Sunday to nearly $79 a barrel, up nearly 9 percent from its pre-war price.
Daily ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries a fifth of the world's oil, recently dropped to the lowest level in weeks, with only 22 ships passing through on Thursday, according to Kpler. More than 130 vessels passed through daily before the war.
The average price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States remains 30 percent higher than before the war, rising slightly to $3.88 a gallon on Sunday from $3.80 a gallon a week earlier, according to the AAA motor club.
- Jul 13, 2026 04:44 am IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Two explosions heard near Khondab
According to Iranian SNN, residents of Khondab, in Iran's Markazi province have reported hearing two explosions.
The deputy governor of Markazi province said the sounds were caused by what he described as “enemy projectiles” landing in an area outside the city, as per Al Jazeera.
- Jul 13, 2026 04:15 am IST
US-Iran war LIVE: US strikes hit telecommunications tower near Strait of Hormuz
According to initial reports from Iran's state media, among the targets of tonight's US strikes was a telecommunications tower near the village of Tahroi in Sirik, Hormozgan Province which abuts the Strait of Hormuz.
The regional government said there were no reported civilian casualties or damage to residential or commercial infrastructure, as per New York Times.
- Jul 13, 2026 03:29 am IST
US-Iran war LIVE: US says it has begun new strikes on Iran
US Central Command has said it began a fresh round of strikes on Iran, aimed at "degrading" Tehran's ability to disrupt commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
As per CENTCOM's statement, “At 5 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching more strikes against Iran to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”
CENTCOM added, “The Commander in Chief has directed the strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable.”
- Jul 13, 2026 03:12 am IST
US-Iran war latest updates: More explosions reported in Qeshm Island, Jask, Sirik and Bandar Abbas
According to Iran's state TV as cited by Al Jazeera, explosions have been heard in Qeshm Island as well as Jask.
State TV also reported explosions near Sirik and west of Bandar Abbas. This comes after the US military announced a set of attacks on Iran.
- Jul 13, 2026 02:35 am IST
US-Iran war LIVE: UN chief warns of 'catastrophic consequences' amid Gulf escalation
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday he was "deeply concerned by the serious escalation and renewed military confrontations in the Gulf." As per his statement, this includes "the Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the attacks by the US on Iran, and the attacks by Iran on targets in the neighboring countries."
“These attacks must all stop,” Guterres said, warning that “a return to full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences - for the peoples of the region, for international peace & security & for the global economy.”
He added, “I urge Iran & the US to urgently resume negotiations & to address outstanding issues through diplomacy.”
- Jul 13, 2026 01:48 am IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Gaza death toll rises as Israeli attacks continue
According to Wafa news agency, citing medical sources in Gaza, at least 73,223 people have been killed and 173,654 wounded in Israel's war on Gaza since October 7, 2023.
The continued attacks in Gaza are in violation of the "ceasefire" agreed in October, with at least 1,098 Palestinians killed and 3,535 wounded since then, as per Al Jazeera.
- Jul 13, 2026 12:50 am IST
US-Iran war latest updates: Iran says it targeted US HIMARS launchers in Kuwait with drone strikes
According to Al Jazeera, Iran's Fars news agency says that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) used drones to attack US High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) missile launchers and their ammunition storage sites in Kuwait.
Hours earlier, Kuwait's defense spokesperson said a “criminal attack” had damaged three border posts and an offshore oil drilling platform. One worker was injured in the attack.
- Jul 13, 2026 12:13 am IST
US-Iran war latest updates: Iran reports 4200MW drop in power grid after war damage
As per Iran's state-run power company Tavanir, the country's electricity grid has lost 4200MW of capacity following the latest US strikes.
According to CNBC TV18, the utility said more than 2000 points on the network were damaged, with officials urging public support as the power sector also grapples with peak summer demand.
- Jul 12, 2026 11:40 pm IST
US-Iran war LIVE: Lebanon death toll rises
Since March 2, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed at least 4,322 people and injured 12,219 others, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.
- Jul 12, 2026 11:21 pm IST
US-Iran war latest news: Kuwait reports ‘hostile’ attacks on border posts and offshore oil rig
Kuwait's Ministry of Defense said on Sunday that three land border posts in the north of the country were damaged in what it called a “hostile, criminal attack.” An offshore drilling rig belonging to the Kuwait Oil Company was also hit by a hostile drone.
As per a statement by the ministry's official spokesperson, Staff Colonel Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan, the attacks caused material damage. One worker was injured in the drone strike on the offshore drilling rig, located in Kuwaiti territorial waters, and is receiving the necessary medical care, as per CNN.
According to the General Staff of the Kuwaiti Army, the armed forces remain on full readiness and are taking “all necessary measures and precautions to maintain the security of the country and the safety of its territories.”
- Jul 12, 2026 10:54 pm IST
US-Iran war latest news: Qeshm Island, Iran's largest, under attack
US-Iran war latest news: Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency cited the governor of Qeshm island, located near the strait, as saying under a dozen projectiles had been fired at military targets there, with no casualties. There was no immediate U.S. military comment. The largest island in the Persian Gulf is home to about 150,000 people.
IRNA said explosions were also heard in the coastal city of Bandar Abbas and inland, in Hajiabad, a city to the north.
The exchanges came as Iran and the U.S. are nearly at the midway point of the 60-day period of their interim deal aimed at reaching a permanent end to the war.
via AP
- Jul 12, 2026 10:52 pm IST
US-Iran war latest news: UN chief urges US, Iran to halt new fighting, resume talks
US-Iran war latest news: The chief of United Nations has urged the US and Iran to halt new fighting and resume talks.
- Jul 12, 2026 10:46 pm IST
US-Iran war latest news: Kuwait says three border posts, offshore oil platform attacked
US-Iran war latest news: Kuwait's defence ministry said on Sunday that three border posts and an offshore oil platform were attacked during a fresh exchange of strikes between the United States and Iran.
"Three land border posts in the north of the country were subjected to a cowardly attack, resulting in material damage," the statement said, without specifying the origin of the assault. It added that an "offshore drilling platform belonging to the Kuwait Oil Company... was targeted by a hostile drone, resulting in material damage and the injury of one worker".
via AFP
- Jul 12, 2026 10:32 pm IST
US-Iran war latest news: One killed, two injured in attacks on southern Iran, reports state media
US-Iran war latest news: One killed, two injured in attacks on southern Iran, reports state media.
- Jul 12, 2026 10:17 pm IST
US-Iran war latest news: US conducts strikes on Iran missile systems around Strait of Hormuz, says report
US-Iran war latest news: The US carried out several strikes on Iranian missile and air defense systems and targeted small speed boats of the IRGC at several locations around the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported on Sunday, citing a senior US official.
- Jul 12, 2026 10:07 pm IST
US-Iran war latest news: US targeted IRGC small boats, says report
US-Iran war latest news: The US has also targeted IRGC small boats at a couple of location around the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported.
- Jul 12, 2026 10:06 pm IST
US-Iran war latest news: Iran's IRNA says 'enemy' launches missiles towards Qeshm Island
US-Iran war latest news: Iran's IRNA state news agency said missiles were launched by the "enemy" towards Qeshm Island on Sunday afternoon, adding that no casualties were reported.
via Reuters
- Jul 12, 2026 10:05 pm IST
US-Iran war latest news: Iran says no casualties reported
US-Iran war latest news: Iran's IRNA state news agency said missiles were launched by the "enemy" towards Qeshm Island on Sunday afternoon, adding that no casualties were reported.
via Reuters
- Jul 12, 2026 09:50 pm IST
US-Iran war latest news: Explosions heard near Iran's Bandar Abbas and coastal Qeshm, reports state media
US-Iran war latest news: Several explosions have been heard near Iran's Bandar Abbas and coastal Qeshm, Iran's Fars News reported.
- Jul 12, 2026 09:23 pm IST
US-Iran war latest news: Iran declares Hormuz strait closed, US military insists traffic flowing
US-Iran war latest news: Iran said the Strait of Hormuz was closed on Sunday while the United States insisted it remained open, after the confrontation over the vital waterway again sparked US and Iranian strikes.
The strait, essential to global oil and gas supplies, has become a central point of contention between the two foes, repeatedly leading to exchanges of fire despite an agreement aimed at ending the Middle East war that was struck last month.
The latest exchange was prompted by another Iranian attack on a commercial ship in the waterway whose crew was forced to abandon it after it went up in flames.
Before the war began with surprise US-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28, there was free passage through Hormuz, but Tehran now insists that it will control the strait, while Washington is adamant it cannot.
"Following this incident... the Strait of Hormuz will be closed until further notice and until the end of American interventions in this region," Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Sunday, according to state news agency IRNA.
The US military's Central Command countered on X that the strait was "open to all vessels seeking to lawfully transit the international waterway".
It said US forces were "positioned and prepared to ensure" freedom of navigation, adding: "Iran does not control the strait. Traffic is flowing."
Control of the waterway has become key leverage for Iran, with an adviser to the country's supreme leader on Sunday saying it was more important than "dozens of atomic bombs".
via AFP
- Jul 12, 2026 08:29 pm IST
US-Iran war latest news: US warns of 'overwhelming force' if Iran attacks shipping
US-Iran war latest news: US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said the MoU between the US and Iran was always "performance-based" and warned that America would respond with "overwhelming force" if shipping routes were attacked or if Tehran acted belligerently. He said President Donald Trump had made Washington's position clear on the issue.
- Jul 12, 2026 08:09 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Iranian state TV 'congratulates' citizens after US Senator's sudden death
US-Iran news LIVE: An Iranian state TV clip has gone viral after US senator Lindsey Graham died following a 'brief and sudden illness' on Saturday, with the anchor congratulating the people of Iran over the death of one of US President Donald Trump's closest allies in the government.
In the viral clip, the anchor can be heard using terms such as ‘war-mongering’ and ‘anti-Iranian’ for Graham.
"I congratulate the great nation of Iran on Lindsay Graham, the war-mongering, anti-Iranian, US senator, being sent to hell," said the anchor on Iranian state TV, in a video shared by Iran International on X.
HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the clip. Read full report here
- Jul 12, 2026 08:07 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: India condemns attack on GFS Galaxy vessel off Oman's coast
India on Sunday condemned an Iranian attack on a Cyprus-flagged container ship that left an Indian crew member missing and repeated its call for de-escalation of tensions and conclusion of negotiations for a diplomatic solution that ensures peace and stability in the region.
GFS Galaxy was targeted by Iranian forces off the coast of Oman early on Sunday, resulting in a fire on board that forced the crew to abandon the vessel and leave in a lifeboat, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported.
“We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, earlier today. Of the 11 Indian nationals on board, 10 have been rescued so far, while one Indian national is reportedly missing,” the external affairs ministry said in a statement, without naming Iran in connection with the attack.
The Indian embassy in Oman is monitoring the situation and coordinating with Omani authorities for the search and rescue operation. The Indian side thanked the Omani authorities for their support.
“The continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome. We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region,” the statement said. Read full report here
- Jul 12, 2026 07:37 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Trump says US hit Iran 'very hard' in latest attacks
US-Iran news LIVE: President Donald Trump said Sunday the United States hit Iran hard in response to its latest attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
"We hit them very hard last night," Trump told CNN by telephone in an interview centering mainly on the death of Senator Lindsey Graham.
Trump said the United States and Iran had been close to "a deal" on Saturday. "They were giving up everything, and then all of a sudden two hours after that they hit a ship with a drone. These people, there is something wrong with them," he said.
via AFP
- Jul 12, 2026 07:32 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Iran denies passage through Strait of Hormuz even as US claims freedom of navigation
US-Iran news LIVE: Iran doubled down on the US while insisting that the passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains closed after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed that the "traffic is flowing", dismissing Tehran's authority over the critical chokehold.
The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), an official Iranian maritime body established to regulate and control transit through the Strait of Hormuz, stated in a post on X that the passage has been closed due to "recent illegal movements" of the US military and will be permitted only through a "transit permit" issued by PGSA.
It added that the requests regarding the transit will be reviewed "as soon as stability and calm are restored" in the region.
"We hereby inform all esteemed applicants. Due to the recent illegal movements of the United States military forces in the region, passage through the Strait of Hormuz is currently not possible. As soon as stability and calm are restored, all requests will be reviewed based on the schedule, and the necessary permits will be issued," PGSA stated.
"The only way to obtain a transit permit is through the website http://PGSA.ir. To receive the latest news and updates, follow our account on the social network X. We appreciate your patience and cooperation," it added.
via ANI
- Jul 12, 2026 07:30 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: They agreed to deal and then…, says Trump on Iran
US-Iran news LIVE: Trump on Iran: Amid heightened Mideast tensions, US President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to a deal yesterday but they attacked a ship in Hormuz later. “They agreed to a deal yesterday. Perfect deal for us. No nuclear. They gave up everything. And then after that, they left the room, and within an hour they launched a drone at a ship,” Trump said in a TV interview.
- Jul 12, 2026 07:16 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Israeli attacks in Gaza kill three people, including a girl, say medics
US-Iran news LIVE: Israeli attacks killed at least three people in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, including a 9-year-old girl, Palestinian health officials said.
Medics said Israeli gunfire directed at a tent encampment on the eastern side of the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza killed 9-year-old Tala Abu Matar. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the girl's death.
An airstrike at a metal foundry in Gaza City's Sabra neighbourhood killed two people. Witnesses said the site was hit with three Israeli missiles.
Israel's military told Reuters it had struck "terrorist" infrastructure, without giving further details.
The ceasefire agreed in October 2025 between Israel and Hamas halted major fighting in the enclave, but it has failed to stop Israeli attacks that have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians since it took effect. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza over the same period.
The latest violence comes as Hamas leaders visited Cairo for further talks over implementing the second phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan.
The discussions include Hamas disarmament and Israeli army withdrawals, according to sources close to the talks, adding that there had not yet been a breakthrough.
Nearly all of Gaza's 2 million people, most of whom have been displaced several times, now live on a tiny strip of land along the coast, mainly in makeshift tents or damaged buildings, under Hamas control.
via Reuters
- Jul 12, 2026 07:13 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Israeli attacks in Gaza kill five people, including a girl, say medics
US-Iran news LIVE: Israeli attacks killed at least five people in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, including a 9-year-old girl, Palestinian health officials said.
Medics said Israeli gunfire directed at a tent encampment on the eastern side of the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza killed 9-year-old Tala Abu Matar. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the girl's death.
An airstrike at a metal foundry in Gaza City's Sabra neighbourhood killed four people. Witnesses said the site was hit with three Israeli missiles.
Israel's military told Reuters it had struck "terrorist" infrastructure, without giving further details.
The ceasefire agreed in October 2025 between Israel and Hamas halted major fighting in the enclave, but it has failed to stop Israeli attacks that have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians since it took effect. Four Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants in Gaza over the same period.
The latest violence comes as Hamas leaders visited Cairo for further talks over implementing the second phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan.
via Reuters
- Jul 12, 2026 06:58 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Trump says Strait of Hormuz open to commercial traffic
US-Iran news LIVE: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial traffic, though the U.S. and Iran continue to trade attacks that have raised concerns over safety on one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
Trump's comments were made during an interview on NBC's Meet the Press.
via Reuters
- Jul 12, 2026 06:23 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: US centcom says Hormuz open for all, prepared to ensure freedom of navigation
US-Iran news LIVE: The US centcom on Sunday said that Hormuz open for all and is prepared to ensure freedom of navigation through the key waterway. “The Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels seeking to lawfully transit the international waterway. U.S. forces are positioned and prepared to ensure that freedom of navigation remains available despite unwarranted Iranian aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary declarations. Iran does not control the strait. Traffic is flowing,” it said in a post on X.
- Jul 12, 2026 05:59 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Oman summons Iranian ambassador, issues formal protest after attack, reports state media
US-Iran news LIVE: Oman on Sunday issued a formal protest to the Iranian ambassador following an attack on the country, state media reported, in a rare instance of it publicly accusing Tehran of targeting its territory.
"Oman expresses its profound dismay at these irresponsible acts, and underscores the imperative of adhering to the provisions of state sovereignty, good neighbourliness, non-interference in internal affairs," the state news agency said in a post on social media, just a day after Oman hosted the Iranian foreign minister for talks on the Strait of Hormuz.
via AFP
- Jul 12, 2026 05:01 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Ghalibaf warns US after trade of strikes in Strait of Hormuz
US-Iran news LIVE: Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Sunday (local time) issued a stern response to the US attacks, stating that the "one-sided" Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two sides was "over."
In a post on X, the Speaker highlighted the fifth point in the MoU, which concerns the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and notes, "Upon the signing of this MOU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days only, from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa..."
Ghalibaf claimed that the US backed off from the deal and affirmed, “The era of one-sided deals is OVER. We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking.”
His response comes as US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Saturday (local time) completed a third round of strikes this week against Iran, saying they were holding Iranian forces accountable for attacking another commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz, an official statement by CENTCOM said. US forces hit approximately 140 Iranian military targets with precision munitions launched by land- and sea-based fighter aircraft, drones, and naval vessels.
- Jul 12, 2026 04:44 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Iraqi prime minister to visit Washington on Monday; oil and gas deals expected
US-Iran news LIVE: Iraq's prime minister will visit Washington on Monday to deepen strategic ties with the United States, with oil and gas deals expected to be signed as part of a broader push for economic, trade and investment cooperation.
Iraq has been seeking to balance its ties with neighbouring Iran and the U.S. as military escalation between the two rivals continues.
"The agreements to be signed will include several memorandums of understanding in the oil and gas sector as Iraq prepares to bring in various U.S. companies that will provide momentum to increase oil production capacity," government spokesperson Haider al-Aboudi said.
Iraq's state news agency, citing al-Aboudi, said the planned oil and gas agreements would also seek to create alternative export outlets to reduce Iraq's exposure to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iraq, like other Gulf oil producers, has suffered a drop in oil revenue due to the effective closure of the vital shipping route during the U.S.-Iran war.
Al-Aboudi said strengthening Iraq's armed forces would also be among the issues discussed in Washington.
Relations between Iraq and the U.S. have at times been strained over the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq, Baghdad's ties with Iran, and U.S. pressure on Iraq to curb the influence of Iran-backed armed groups.
via Reuters
- Jul 12, 2026 04:33 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Oman says 23 members of GFS Galaxy vessel rescued, search on for one crew member
US-Iran news LIVE: Oman says 23 members of GFS Galaxy were rescued, search on for one crew member missing.
via Reuters
- Jul 12, 2026 04:23 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Military strikes, nuclear attack or nothing? What happens if Iran assassinates Trump
US-Iran news LIVE: US President Donald Trump said earlier this week that he had issued standing instructions for the American military to strike Iran "at levels they've never seen before" if Tehran carries out its long-standing threats to assassinate him.
His remarks came as funeral ceremonies for Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saw mourners holding posters and banners calling for the deaths of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The US government does not have any automatic or pre-approved system that would lead to military retaliation if a president is assassinated.
If Trump were killed, power would instead pass to his successor under the 25th Amendment and the Presidential Succession Act of 1947. In that case, vice president JD Vance would immediately become commander-in-chief and would have the authority to decide on any military response.
Vance could then choose to carry out the action Trump had called for. However, he could also decide not to follow those instructions or respond differently.
The US also has detailed continuity-of-government plans to deal with situations such as a nuclear attack or another major disaster that could devastate Washington, news agency Associated Press said in a report.
However, those plans do not reportedly include launching immediate retaliatory strikes following the death of a president, even if the president had previously instructed the military to prepare for such action.
- Jul 12, 2026 04:12 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: What we know about the Iranian army officer killed in strikes
US-Iran news LIVE: Overnight US strikes on Iran killed one soldier, Iranian media reported Sunday after fighting resumed between the foes.
"Lieutenant Hamidreza Dehghani, of the navy of the Islamic republic's armed forces, was martyred during the criminal, terrorist attack last night by the United States on the port of Jask" in southern Iran, the Mehr and Tasnim news agencies said, citing a local official.
via AFP
- Jul 12, 2026 04:02 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Iran says soldier killed in overnight US-Israeli strikes as clashes flare again
US-Iran news LIVE: Iran has said that a soldier was killed in overnight US-Israeli strikes on Sunday, state media reported.
- Jul 12, 2026 03:49 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Iran newspaper lists Trump, European leaders as revenge targets
US-Iran news LIVE: A conservative newspaper in Iran known for its provocative tone has published a list of people to be targeted as revenge for the killing of supreme leader Ali Khamenei, including the leaders of the US, Israel and European countries.
US-Israeli strikes killed the late ayatollah on February 28, the first day of the Middle East war, and his son and successor Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed revenge.
"Vengeance is the will of our nation and must inevitably be carried out," Mojtaba said on Saturday in his first message since his father's funeral this week.
"These criminals, whose names appear on a list, will take to their graves the wish of a peaceful death in their beds."
The Hamshahri newspaper, which is published by authorities in the Iranian capital, released an infographic online late Saturday featuring photos of 13 foreign leaders alongside Mojtaba's statement.
The supreme leader in his message said Iran had compiled a list of individuals to be targeted, but did not offer names, and there was no suggestion the newspaper's list was officially endorsed.
The infographic includes US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, among others.
It does not appear in the paper's Sunday print edition.
Also on the list are US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
During the war, Iran accused European countries of failing to condemn attacks on its territory, and of being complicit by allowing US military aircraft to fly through their airspace.
via AFP
- Jul 12, 2026 03:47 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Qatar condemns Iranian attacks on Gulf nations
US-Iran news LIVE: Qatar on Sunday condemned Iranian attacks against its territory and its neighbours, after the Islamic republic launched salvos against Arab countries.
"Qatar condemns in the strongest possible terms the renewed attacks carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran," the foreign ministry said in a statement, also referring to the targeting of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait and calling the barrages a "dangerous escalation".
via AFP
- Jul 12, 2026 03:37 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Iran says Hormuz important than a ‘dozen atomic bombs’
US-Iran news LIVE: An adviser to Iran's supreme leader said on Sunday that the Strait of Hormuz was more important than "dozens of atomic bombs", vowing to protect the vital waterway.
"This strategic passage is more important than dozens of atomic bombs, and the Islamic Republic of Iran will protect it," Mohsen Rezaee was quoted by the ISNA news agency as saying. Western countries accuse Iran of seeking to create an atomic bomb, but Tehran has insisted its nuclear programme is for peaceful, civilian purposes.
via AFP
- Jul 12, 2026 03:13 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Qatar says continuation of attacks a ‘serious escalation’
US-Iran news LIVE: Qatar has termed the latest Iranian strikes on its territory and other Gulf neighbours as a ‘serious escalation’, adding that incidents like these ‘complicate’ efforts to contain tensions in the region.
via Reuters
- Jul 12, 2026 03:11 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Qatar condemns Iranian strikes on its territory
US-Iran news LIVE: Qatar has condemned Iranian strikes on its territory and other Gulf nation amid fresh flare-up in Iran-US tensions, Reuters reported.
- Jul 12, 2026 03:10 pm IST
US-Iran news LIVE: Qatar suspends all maritime sailing, fishing boat ops
US-Iran news LIVE: In view of fresh spate of Iranian strikes, Oman has announced suspension until further notice of all maritime vessel and fishing boat ops, citing public safety.
via Reuters