US Strikes Iranian Targets In Latest Escalation Over Strait Of Hormuz Attacks

UPDATE | Iran Issues Sweeping Demands Before It Opens Strait Of Hormuz: US Must 'Correct Its Behavior'

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), led by Secretary Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, on Saturday, issued a sweeping list of demands declaring that the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the United States "corrects its behavior."

These demands, published by Iranian state media, include permanently ending threats and hostilities against Iran and its regional allies, withdrawing all U.S. military forces from the region, lifting the naval blockade and sanctions, paying full war reparations, and unconditionally releasing frozen Iranian assets.

Iran effectively closed the Strait in retaliation for attacks by the U.S. and Israel, halting critical maritime trade and causing global energy prices to spike, with U.S. gas prices averaging $4.02. A temporary ceasefire memorandum signed in June collapsed over U.S. military interference. Tehran claims that after shipping restored to roughly 60% of pre-war capacity, the U.S. sought to establish unauthorized alternative routes and challenge Iranian management of the channel.

Iranian military continue to attack 'violating' vessels—including a Saturday Iranian missile strike on an Emirati-flagged tanker—underscoring the volatile environment surrounding the Strait of Hormuz through which roughly 20% of the world’s petroleum and natural gas normally flows.

SNSC's stated conditions include the following.

1. A permanent cessation of U.S. threats and military actions directed at Iran probably directed at President Donald Trump who regularly threatens the Iranian government in apocalyptic terms.

2. An immediate end to strikes and offensive military operations targeting Iran's allies across Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq.

3. Complete termination of the U.S. naval blockade restricting Iranian ports.

4. Full pullout of U.S. naval and air forces deployed in the immediate vicinity of Iran.

5. Financial compensation paid by Washington for damages inflicted during the war.

6. Complete lifting of economic sanctions and the immediate release of frozen Iranian assets abroad.

"Until America corrects its behavior, the Strait of Hormuz will not open," Zolghadr declared, emphasizing that Tehran views control over the waterway not merely as an economic mechanism, but as a core pillar of its geographic and strategic power.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday, that negotiations with Oman are in the "final stages" and close to an agreement on managing shipping traffic, specifically regarding the determination of new transit routes.

Araghchi noted that the historical Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the strait is no longer acceptable to Tehran. Iranian and Omani naval delegations have drafted maps for a temporary route along Oman's coast to serve as a bridge toward a permanent framework.

However, Araghchi cautioned that this bilateral deal alone is insufficient; the full reopening of the waterway remains contingent on the U.S. meeting Tehran’s conditions, which he attributed to Washington's alleged violation of the interim ceasefire memorandum signed in June.

Oman described talks as "positive and constructive" but warned that ongoing attacks on commercial vessels, such as the recent missile strike on UAE-owned ship, could derail progress.

The Trump administration has insisted on the complete, unhindered reopening of the Strait and rejected Iran’s attempts to charge transit fees or exercise unilateral control, viewing the Iranian demands as unlikely to be agreed upon.

While U.S. officials expressed optimism over a potential 30- to 60-day maritime truce, they warned that sanctions relief and unfreezing assets remain strictly tied to a broader peace agreement and nuclear compliance.

Zolghadr’s public hardline stance Saturday, follows unconfirmed reports of internal debates within Tehran. Reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian had supported the Omani diplomatic track to resolve the crisis and end economic isolation. However, hardline factions led by Zolghadr and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders insist that the strait remain closed as leverage against U.S. pressure.

Vice President JD Vance told Fox News on Saturday: "We're talking to the Iranians, of course. We're trying to maximize the amount of oil and gas that is coming out of the Strait of Hormuz. We're just trying to make sure that we get what we need out of this particular conflict.

"We've destroyed their nuclear program, we've destroyed their conventional military, we've radically reduced their asymmetric military abilities, and right now, we're trying to see if they're willing to make the kind of long-term changes that would be necessary to have a better relationship with the United States—and if not, that's fine too. We're just going to keep on applying the pressure that we can apply and getting as much oil and gas out of the Middle East so that Americans can enjoy lower gas and energy prices."

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UPDATE | Top US General Urges Trump To Seek Off-ramp From Iran War, Warns Escalation Risks Backfiring

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is reportedly privately seeking an "off-ramp" from the war with Iran, arguing that U.S. airpower alone cannot achieve President Donald Trump's objectives and that further escalation risks backfiring due to depleted munitions stockpiles, and the high probability of Iranian retaliation against U.S. forces and regional allies.

Caine reportedly coordinated with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe to present a unified view to Trump in a recent meeting, that the military conflict has reached a crossroads, prompting the administration to focus on a diplomatic solution that offers the president a "symbolic" win.

In a statement to CNN, a spokesperson for Caine said, “General Caine is an incredible asset to President Trump’s national security team, and the overwhelming success of Operations Epic Fury, Midnight Hammer, and Absolute Resolve speaks for itself.”

Caine and other administration officials were skeptical of a series of U.S. strikes on Iran late last month, where the U.S. bombed the country for at least 12 straight days.

“The only ones in favor of the operation were elements of CENTCOM,” a U.S. official reportedly said, noting that Israel also supported the effort to escalate hostilities. Eventually, the U.S. eased up on the strikes after Middle East allies told Trump the bombings were endangering the region.

In meetings with the president, Caine has made clear the potential downsides of continued U.S. actions in Iran, but he also reassured Trump that “we could absolutely wreck” the Iranians if he would like to proceed.

This push for disengagement comes as Iran and Oman finalize a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway Iran has restricted since the war began in February 2026. The Trump administration aims to transition from a military stalemate to a diplomatic breakthrough, using the reopening of the Strait as a tangible victory to justify ending the conflict to the American public.

The proposed Iran-Oman agreement establishes temporary inbound and outbound shipping lanes and sets a 60-day period for further negotiations, with the U.S. pledging to lift its blockade on Iranian ports once the deal is implemented. Under the plan, commercial vessels would enter the Persian Gulf via an Iranian-controlled route and exit through an Omani-controlled route.

The negotiations have resulted in broad agreement on a new transit framework, which Trump said on Friday,, could be announced "soon" as a pathway to ending hostilities.

The conflict, launched via Operation Epic Fury in February 28, has dragged on for nearly six months with no clear military resolution; ground invasion is rejected by Trump, while airstrikes have failed to force a favorable deal.

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UPDATE | CENTCOM Seeks New Ideas To Punish Iran, In Email To US Troops, As Trump Fumes Over Stalled Negotiations

A senior US Central Command (CENTCOM) intelligence officer reportedly sent an internal email last Wednesday, soliciting "creative and unconventional" strategies to pressure and punish Iran, signaling a strategic impasse in the ongoing conflict.

This crowdsourcing effort emerged as President Donald Trump’s administration faced limited options following weeks of airstrikes that failed to compel Tehran into a negotiated settlement or secure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

“We are looking for new creative and unconventional ways to pressure and punish Iran,” read the message from the CENTCOM intelligence branch officer. In a statement responding to the leaked email, CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Timothy Hawkins did not deny the message, explaining that CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper routinely solicits ideas across all ranks to encourage operational innovation.

“U.S. Central Command has a long history of thinking and working in innovative ways,” Capt. Hawkins said in the statement. “Admiral Cooper, in particular, reaches out to members of our great team, regardless of rank, to achieve the highest levels of operational performance possible.” However, military officials described the broad solicitation of ideas via email as unusual given the sensitivity of ongoing operations.

Intelligence assessments from the CIA and Defense Intelligence Agency reportedly concluded that the current bombing campaign is unlikely to shift Iran’s negotiating position. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine has acknowledged that air power has limits, particularly regarding deeply buried nuclear facilities like Pickaxe Mountain which conventional bombs cannot fully destroy.

Trump is weighing difficult alternatives, including a sustained bombardment of Iranian missile capabilities (hampered by dwindling US interceptor stocks), symbolic "fireworks" strikes, or a ground invasion. A ground operation which is very unpopular, would risk destroying Trump's presidency, violating his 2024 core campaign promise to avoid prolonged foreign wars and would require significant US troop deployment.

Eighteen US service members have been killed in the fighting, with hundreds more wounded. Officials have raised concerns that striking Iranian infrastructure, such as bridges or desalination plants, could cause high civilian casualties and further destabilize the region.

The internal email preceded a threat by Trump to launch a massive new round of strikes. However, Trump called off the attack over the weekend following direct de-escalation interventions from key regional allies, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The president also claimed the Iranians begged him to put off the attack, a claim denied by officials from the Persian nation, Monday.

In a Truth Social post Monday, Trump accused Iran’s leadership of being “unbelievably duplicitous” and insisted peace negotiations were under way “whether” the regime “wants to admit it or not” after Tehran publicly denied his claim of direct talks.

Trump had told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, that negotiations with Iran would begin “tomorrow afternoon” and declared a peace agreement was “imminent.” The president also said he had shelved plans for what he described as “the biggest attack since World War II” after appeals from Iran and regional partners.

As the direct U.S.–Iran negotiations remain stalled, Iranian officials confirmed ongoing negotiations with Oman regarding the management and transit mechanics of the Strait of Hormuz.

Proposals brokered through Omani mediation aim to establish new defined shipping channels, grant a 60-day toll-free passage period through the strait, and end Washington's naval blockade in exchange for halting attacks on Persian Gulf shipping lanes. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei noted these talks center on securing safe transit mechanisms following the breakdown of earlier ceasefires.

In the lengthy post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump reacted to a statement from Baqaei earlier in the day, who had rejected the idea that the regime was negotiating with the United States.

Trump wrote, "Iranian Leadership is unbelievably duplicitous! They ask for a meeting, some would say 'beg,' talks begin, with more scheduled in the immediate future, and they say, openly and proudly, that they’re not having any discussions, that nothing is being talked about, and they’re only dealing with 'Oman.'

"They then go on to give their usual blather in saying, the Strait of Hormuz will be operated powerfully by them, when it is already completely controlled by the United States Navy and our 'Blockade' or, as some say, 'The United States Wall of Steel!' Nothing gets through to Iran, unless we want it to, and nothing will get through, unless a Deal, or Total Surrender, is accomplished. Whether Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking of a solution to a problem that they have caused, for decades. It is very simple, IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!"

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UPDATE | Trump Backs Down From Planned Military Strikes On Iran, Amid US General's Warning About Insufficient Assets To Defend Israel

President Donald Trump has called off planned U.S. military strikes on Iran. In a Truth Social post early morning UTC Sunday, he claimed Iran and other Middle Eastern countries asked him to cancel the planned operation, after the “perimeters of a deal” were agreed to.

Trump wrote, "The U.S.A. is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II. Despite this, we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to.

"This would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat. Based on this request, I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL.

"The Country of Israel joins me in this commitment. Get to work, everybody, and get it DONE. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP."

The announcement came a day after he threatened that the U.S. military will pummel Iran, and reportedly target the country's civilian infrastructure. “We will be hitting them very hard,” Trump said during a televised press conference Friday at Camp David. “And you know at some point, they’re going to say, ‘We just can’t take it anymore.’”

Trump's reversal comes amid report that Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, head of U.S. European Command (EUCOM), reportedly privately warned the Pentagon that he lacks sufficient naval forces to protect Israel from Iranian ballistic missiles, stating he would be forced to prioritize the U.S. homeland without an additional Navy destroyer.

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UPDATE | 'Heavy Wave' Of US Strikes Hit Iranian Targets After 'Surprise Attack' On American Base In Jordan

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) conducted a "heavy wave" of airstrikes against dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets in Iran on Thursday, from 0000 UTC to 0200 UTC, a "powerful response" to an attempted Iranian ballistic missile attack on U.S. forces in Jordan the previous evening, CENTCOM said in posts on X.

According to CENTCOM, the strikes targeted military command centers, missile and drone facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and maritime capabilities to degrade threats against American forces and commercial shipping.

In response to CENTCOM strikes on Iranian targets, the IRGC launched retaliatory attacks against U.S. facilities in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The IRGC claimed its aerospace forces targeted the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Azraq, Jordan, using ballistic missiles to strike what it described as the U.S. Central Command headquarters and facilities housing F-35 fighter jets.

The IRGC statement asserted that its forces "completely destroyed three F-35 aircraft" and caused "heavy damage" to three others at the base, while also claiming the killing of enemy officers and maintenance personnel. Tehran said the attack is a necessary response to U.S. bombardment of Qeshm Island, which Iranian officials reported killed a family, declaring that the war would continue until "the last American occupier is expelled."

Jordanian and U.S. contradicted Iran's claims, with the Jordanian military claiming that its air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed all five incoming ballistic missiles with no casualties or material damage reported. CENTCOM claimed that the missiles were successfully intercepted and that U.S. forces remained at a high state of readiness.

President Donald Trump authorized today's offensive after previously halting strikes to allow for potential negotiations, telling reporters at the White House Wednesday, that it was the U.S. military's "turn" to hit Iran "very hard."

The escalation followed a collapsed diplomatic four-day pause in hostilities, during which the IRGC launched multiple ballistic missiles at a U.S. base in Jordan in what CENTCOM termed an "attempted surprise attack." The attack was widely interpreted by analysts as an attempt by Tehran to demonstrate military initiative and pressure the Trump administration during ongoing mediation efforts. CENTCOM claimed all incoming missiles were successfully intercepted by U.S. and Jordanian air defenses.

U.S. and Saudi fighter aircraft conducted joint strikes Tuesday, against Iran-backed militia logistics and weapons sites across seven provinces in Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters from the Popular Mobilization Forces.

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UPDATE | IRGC's 'Surprise Attack' Targets American Base In Jordan, As US, Saudi Arabia Strike Iraqi Sites Linked To Iran-backed Militia, PMF

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) late Tuesday, launched multiple ballistic missiles and drones at U.S. military bases in Jordan, an operation U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) described as an "attempted surprise attack" on U.S. forces in the Middle East.

At 2145 UTC (5:45 p.m. ET, July 28), IRGC forces fired multiple ballistic missiles from Khomein (a city in central Iran known for missile-related sites) toward U.S. targets, including around the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base near Azraq and a CENTCOM center in Jordan. This marked the first ballistic missile attack on a U.S. base in the region since President Trump ordered a pause on U.S. strikes against Iran on July 24, 2026, to allow for diplomatic negotiations regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM claimed in a statement that all Iranian missiles were successfully intercepted, with no reported damage or casualties to U.S. forces.

"At 5:45 p.m. ET today, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces launched multiple ballistic missiles from Iran in an attempted surprise attack on U.S. forces based in the Middle East. All Iranian missiles were successfully intercepted. U.S. forces remain vigilant and at a high state of readiness," CENTCOM wrote on X.

Iranian media outlet IRNA published a statement confirming the barrage aimed at the U.S. air base and Central Command node in Jordan, declaring: "As long as the threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran continue and the illegal and evil actions of the American forces against our interests continue, the resistance will continue."

Meanwhile CENTCOM also announced on X that U.S. and Saudi Arabian forces conducted precision strikes in eastern Iraq against sites linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). The attacks targeted Iran-aligned militants directed by the IRGC to launch over 30 aerial drone attacks in the previous 72 hours, as well as to attack Saudi energy infrastructure, CENTCOM claimed. The strikes destroyed several logistics hubs and weapons storage facilities used by IRGC-backed militias part of the PMF network.

The Saudi Defense Ministry confirmed its participation, stating it reserved the right to defend itself after Iranian-backed militias launched drones at oil facilities in the Eastern Province. Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, stated that Saudi Arabia coordinated directly with CENTCOM in exercising its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

PMF reported attacks on their Basra Operations Command around 2 a.m. local time, wounding at least two members.

Tensions also flared in the Red Sea, where Houthi rebels claimed to have fired missiles at a Saudi oil tanker for violating a Houthi blockade, and in the Strait of Hormuz, where the IRGC reported striking three oil tankers.

The region had seen intense fighting since late February, with the U.S. carrying out 13 nights of airstrikes against Iran in late July to degrade its ability to disrupt shipping. President Trump paused the campaign to engage in "very deep talks" with Tehran, warning that failure would result in **"very strong military action."

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UPDATE | Trump Halts US Strikes On Iran, As Clashes Between The Houthis and Saudi Arabian Forces Escalate With Aramco Attack

President Donald Trump ordered a halt to U.S. military strikes on Iran on Friday, ending a 13-day streak of consecutive nightly attacks to create space for diplomatic negotiations. He reportedly met with advisers to discuss potential escalation and weighed whether to launch a "massive attack;" as military officials raised worries about U.S. readiness for wider conflicts with adversaries like China.

The decision came shortly after an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with Trump telling reporters at the White House he preferred to "make a deal" while keeping the military "locked and loaded."

"We're talking to [the Iranians] right now. I think they're getting more and more serious as the days go by. We're locked and loaded and ready to go, but we're talking to them," Trump said.

Later on Friday, during his remarks at the White House Correspondents Association dinner, Trump said he didn't think Iran is ready to make a deal at the moment, "but I'm willing to listen."

The Israeli security cabinet and Israel Defense Force reportedly expected another round of U.S. strikes on Friday and prepared for a massive U.S. attack that could trigger a retaliatory attack on Israel, Israeli officials say.

Trump's decision comes at a critical juncture as regional conflict spreads, maritime blockades persist, and U.S. ammunition stockpile depletes. Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, while U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has maintained an active maritime blockade to prevent tankers from entering or exiting Iranian oil terminals (such as Kharg Island).

As part of the blockade operations, U.S. forces targeted non-compliant oil tankers—including firing a Hellfire missile directly into the engine room of a vessel attempting to run the blockade—disabling its propulsion system without sinking the ship. Dozens of vessels have been turned back or redirected, according to CENTCOM.

Meanwhile the conflict is escalating on another front, as Iran-aligned Houthi forces launched coordinated ballistic missile and drone strikes overnight on Saturday, targeting major Saudi Aramco refining facilities in Jizan and Yanbu along the Red Sea. Satellite thermal imaging and geolocated footage confirmed active fires and smoke plumes at the Jizan refinery complex.

With transit through the Strait of Hormuz severely disrupted, attacks on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea oil infrastructure directly threaten alternative export routes, compounding global energy market volatility.

Regional mediators are currently pressing for an extended cease-fire or de-escalation off-ramp, as threat of all out war remains high across CENTCOM's area of responsibility.

The ceasefire broke down in early July 2026 after Iranian forces attacked non-compliant commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, after Tehran accused the US of breaking the memorandum of understanding.

The US responded with renewed strikes on Iranian military targets (air defenses, command sites, small boats, radars, etc.) to protect navigation. This led to multiple nights of US action, Iranian retaliation (including on US bases), and blockade enforcement. CENTCOM conducted strikes on Iran for roughly 13 consecutive nights until Friday, targeting capabilities threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

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UPDATE | Iran Rejects US Ceasefire Proposal As CENTCOM Strikes Iranian Targets For The 13th Consecutive Night

Iran has reportedly rejected a U.S. ceasefire proposal delivered by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi Thursday, following his meeting with President Donald Trump, citing the deal's failure to resolve control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials dismissed the offer as an unacceptable "temporary deal," with top negotiator Brig. Gen. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stating that the core issue is America's "outlook" rather than a lack of mediation.

Trump has threatened a "massive attack" on Iranian infrastructure and declared on Thursday, in a Truth Social post, that frozen Iranian assets will be used to pay for any future damage to ships or cargo on the Strait of Hormuz.

A frustrated Trump reportedly in "revenge mode," vented in a recent Oval Office meeting, calling Iranian leaders scumbags and lunatics. Administration officials say Trump believes force is the only thing Iran understands and sees few options besides continuing strikes. Vice President JD Vance and Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly still believe a deal can be reached with the Iranians, while other advisers have given up on one.

Top White House aides have reportedly been warned by intelligence agencies that Iranians are trying to kill them, and told to stop using commercial car services.

Iranian military has proven to be an asymetrically formidable fighting force, frustrating Trump's hope that the Persian nation will agree to Washington's demands.

Satellite images reportedly show Iran rebuilding faster than expected. The Iranians have quickly rebuilt infrastructure damaged during months of U.S. and Israeli bombing, from missile bases deep inside mountains to bridges, ports and production facilities.

Planet Labs and Airbus imagery reportedly showed repairs at missile bases near Kangavar, north of Kermanshah, and at Dezful, where crews reopened collapsed tunnel entrances and repaved access roads within weeks. Partial reconstruction was visible at an IRGC-linked shipyard in Bandar Anzali on the Caspian and at Raja Shimi Industries near Tehran, assessed to produce missile components.

One Israeli military official said Iran repaired a bridge hit by three Israeli bombs within days. Officials also said that some strikes only collapsed entrances to deeply buried facilities, leaving the missiles inside intact. Ran Kochav, former commander of Israel's air and missile defense forces, said the recovery matches Iran's rebuilding record after the 12-day war in June 2025.

Trump reportedly said he is “close to making a decision” on a “massive attack” bigger than previous ones, adding the U.S. is “all set.” This follows a Situation Room discussions on wider escalation against Iran.

In response, Iranian officials warned that further U.S. aggression could trigger strikes on Tel Aviv and a Houthi-led blockade of the Bab al-Mandab strait, while global oil prices surged.

"Seizing another nation's assets to pay for unrelated future claims is an incendiary precedent," Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi wrote on X. "Those who celebrate or profit from such funds should remember: once governments normalize confiscation, no one's assets are safe. Ensuing chaos will not be pretty or peaceful."

At the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Trump’s policy toward Iran is “a head for an eye,” directly countering Araghchi’s declaration that Tehran’s defense doctrine is “an eye for an eye.”

Rubio asserted that Iran would “pay a very heavy price” for its actions, warning that the U.S. would “bomb and destroy” Iranian infrastructure (such as bridges or power plants) in response to attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. He claimed Iran is “begging” for a deal but is “not ready” because Tehran repeatedly breaks or attempts to change agreements. He warned that the cost to Iran rises “every night” as its industrial and defense infrastructure suffers damage.

Reacting to Houthis' attack on Saudi-flagged tankers, Rubio expressed hope that the Yemeni militants would stop, accusing Iran of having “suckered” the Houthis into targeting Saudi vessels in the Red Sea, which he described as a negative development for global stability. He emphasized that the U.S. goal is denuclearization rather than regime change.

US Military Strikes Iranian Targets For The 13th Consecutive Night

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out its 13th consecutive night of strikes on Thursday, beginning at 2245 UTC (6:45 p.m. ET) and concluding around 0100 UTC, July 24, (9 p.m. ET, Julky 23).

The military strikes targeted Iranian command centers, drone storage facilities, communication networks, and coastal surveillance sites to diminish threats to commercial shipping, claiming that the Strait of Hormuz remains open under U.S. military support. Explosions were confirmed in sensitive southern locations including Ahvaz, Omidiyeh, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Andimeshk, Khandab, and Jask.

In response, Iran attacked U.S assets and bases in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait.

The U.S. military deployed over 50,000 troops to the region for operations against Iran, and to secure maritime commercial traffic on the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of global oil flows.

Last month, Washington and Tehran signed a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding designed to pause military hostilities and restart formal nuclear and maritime negotiations. The agreement collapsed shortly after, triggering open conflict. Mediators (Iraq, Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, Oman, etc.) have tried various short-term truces, but deep disagreements over Hormuz control and other issues persist.

As U.S. forces conduct nightly bombing runs, regional proxies including the Houthis in Yemen have launched attacks on Gulf oil tankers, driving global oil prices above $100 per barrel.

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UPDATE | US Attacks Iran For The 12th Consecutive Night As Officials Suspect Russian Help In Iranian Precision Strikes Targeting Key American Intelligence Locations

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out 12th consecutive night of precision strikes against Iranian military targets. These operations ran roughly in the timeframe mentioned (evening of July 22 UTC into early July 23).

U.S. forces struck Iranian maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense assets, according to CENTCOM. Local news outlets reported missile strikes occurring near the Shalamcheh border crossing in southwestern Iran, near the Iraqi border, targeting military logistics and infrastructure nearby.

The strikes are aimed at degrading Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, according to CENTCOM. As part of a broader campaign in the region, CENTCOM confirmed that U.S. forces have redirected nine commercial vessels and disabled another to prevent ships from entering or exiting Iranian ports. Over 50,000 U.S. service members remain deployed across the Middle East.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) has closed the Strait of Hormuz, and has conducted repeated attacks on commercial shipping in the strait. Iran has also launched drones and missiles at U.S. and allied facilities in the Gulf. Shipping traffic through the strait has dropped sharply, driving up oil prices (Brent crude surged past $96/bbl.

US Suspect Russian Help As Iranian precision strikes Hit key American intelligence locations In The Middle East Amid US-Iran War

U.S. sources confirm that Iranian precision strikes targeted key U.S. intelligence locations, including the CIA station inside the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as well as a secondary facility in eastern Iraq.

Analysts suspect Iran used modified variants of its Shahed-136 drones equipped with Russian-supplied Kometa-M satellite navigation modules. These modules render the guidance systems highly resistant to electronic warfare and signal jamming.

Western intelligence memos suggest Moscow may have provided real-time satellite imagery and targeting data to help Iranian forces pinpoint clandestine and sensitive U.S. military/intelligence infrastructure in the region.

Possible direct Russian technical or targeting support for attacks on CIA and U.S. personnel marks a deepening intelligence alliance between Moscow and Tehran amidst the Gulf conflict. U.S. intelligence is investigating whether Russia provided such targeting assistance, advanced drone tech (e.g., enhancements to Shahed/Geran-type drones), or satellite/intelligence support.

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UPDATE | US Intelligence Concludes That Military Strikes Unlikely To Weaken Iran's Resolve, As CENTCOM Attacks Iranian Targets For The 11th Consecutive Night

U.S. intelligence assessments conclude that ongoing American military strikes are unlikely to significantly impact Iran's government or soften its negotiating stance, leaving both nations in an indefinite "limbo" between peace and war.

While U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) executed its 11th consecutive night of strikes late Tuesday, targeting military operations centers and logistics infrastructure to degrade threats to commercial shipping, analysts believe Tehran will not alter its position due to these actions alone.

The classified intelligence assessment—reportedly authored primarily by the CIA and briefed to top President Trump administration officials—paints a picture of a tactical and strategic stalemate.

Intelligence analysts determined that despite losing key leadership and substantial military hardware, the Iranian regime remains resilient and prioritized on regime survival. As a result, additional strikes are unlikely to alter Iran’s core negotiating demands.

American spy agencies concluded that Washington and Tehran are currently stuck in an "indefinite limbo between peace and war," where tit-for-tat military actions continue without breaking the diplomatic deadlock.

Analysts highlighted that despite heavy economic strain—including the impact of U.S. naval blockades and aerial bombardments—Iran retains the capacity to sustain low-intensity maritime and missile operations indefinitely.

According to CENTCOM, American forces launched the 11th night of operations beginning at 23:00 UTC on July 21 (7:00 p.m. ET) and concluding around 00:15 UTC on July 22. Strikes were reported across southern and western Iran, including Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Chabahar, Behbahan, Mahshahr, and Parchin.

Iranian air defense networks were activated in northeastern Tehran (Sohanak), west of Tabriz, and near Sirik. Analysts noted that low-flying U.S. drones over the capital were likely deployed to force Iranian radar units to switch on and reveal their positions for suppression.

Iran retaliated with attacks on U.S. allies, vessels, and regional targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and Jordan.

President Donald Trump signaled that the U.S. would target fortified underground installations—including the "Pickaxe Mountain" nuclear facility—if Iran refuses to engage in what the White House terms "meaningful" negotiations.

In response, the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters (Iran's military operational command) warned that any strike on Iranian nuclear facilities would trigger retaliatory strikes against all U.S. assets and allies in the region.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed to fight "until the very last day," threatening to halt regional oil and gas exports and retaliate against U.S. interests if nuclear facilities are struck.

While mediators from Qatar, Egypt, Oman, and Pakistan are facilitating back-channel messages, intelligence officials report that both Washington and Tehran remain unwilling to deescalate, resulting in a prolonged standoff with no immediate resolution in sight.

Pentagon reports submitted to Congress show the war has cost U.S. taxpayers over $37.5 billion, generating intense domestic political debate during congressional hearings over emergency defense spending.

Iranian actions (attacks, mining threats, forcing routes) on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for ~20-25% of global seaborne oil and LNG, disrupted traffic, spiking energy prices (Brent crude over $91/barrel, U.S. gas above $4/gallon in places). The U.S. has escorted ships and conducted strikes/blockades in response; U.S. forces have reportedly helped hundreds of vessels transit safely.

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UPDATE | US Military Strikes Iran For The 10th Consecutive Night, As Mediators Push For 10-day Ceasefire To Allow Transit Through The Strait Of Hormuz

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) at 2000 UTC Monday, initiated a major wave of airstrikes across Iran whic lasted five hours, concluding around 0100 UTC, Tuesday, marking the 10th consecutive day of high-intensity U.S. air operations against Iranian targets amid mouting U.S. casualties.

Operations targeted Iranian military command-and-control centers, air defense systems, coastal surveillance radars, naval assets, communications networks, and missile/drone launch sites, according to CENTCOM, stating the primary objective is to degrade Iranian military capabilities used to disrupt commercial shipping and enforce a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. officials reported nearly 100 U.S. service members have sustained varying degrees of injuries since the current campaign intensified earlier in July, with three U.S. troops killed in Jordan.

In response to the expanding U.S. campaign, Iranian military forces and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) units launched widespread counter-strikes across the Persian Gulf region, targeting U.S. bases and host infrastructure across Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait using ballistic missiles and attack drones.

Jordan air defenses intercepted multiple incoming missiles over the port of Aqaba. Iranian strikes targeted utility infrastructure in Kuwait, including a power and water desalination plant, causing localized blackouts and fires. And nationwide air-raid sirens sounded as air defense units attempted to intercepted incoming drones and missiles aimed at facilities hosting U.S. assets.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared Monday that the Islamic Republic considers itself in an "all-out war" against the United States, warning citizens to prepare for sustained strikes.

Despite the major escalation, international mediators—including regional Gulf partners and European diplomats—have been actively attempting to broker a 10-day temporary ceasefire to allow human-interest corridors and secure critical energy shipping routes.

Mediators including Pakistan and Qatar reportedly presented Washington D.C and Tehran, the 10-day ceasefire that will open both the southern and northern routes on the Strait of Hormuz, while talks continue on a permanent transit management framework which could allow Iran to collect "reasonable service fees" modeled on the Strait of Malacca, or the fees could flow into a joint fund involving the International Maritime Organization.

However, the crumbling of crumbling of earlier interim agreements and continued attacks on commercial oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz have repeatedly stalled these diplomatic efforts, as the level of trust between both sides is at all time. An Iranian spokesman Monday, confirmed receiving a proposal but gave no details.

Tensions surged in July when Iran after Iran attacked some ships on the Strait of Hiormuz, accusing the U.S. of breaking the meomrandum of understanding signed by both countries, by escorting commercial vessels through the Omani corridor on the strait without coordinating with Iran.

Following Iranian attacks on international oil tankers, President Donald Trump signed off on aggressive CENTCOM operations to enforce freedom of navigation. The death of U.S. personnel in Jordan triggered multi-day blitzes against IRGC coastal batteries and small-boat fleets, drawing direct counter-attacks against Gulf states that host American installations.

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UPDATE | US Troop Killed By Unexploded Ordnance In Iraq, As CENTCOM Strikes Iranian Targets For The 9th Consecutive Night

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the recovery of unidentified remains in Jordan from an Iranian attack on July 17 that killed two U.S. service members and left one missing. Separately, a U.S. service member was killed in action on July 18 in northern Iraq during the controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone, with a second service member sustaining minor injuries.

Following an Iranian ballistic missile and drone strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (MSAB) in Jordan on July 17, two U.S. service members were confirmed dead and one was listed as missing. Four others were injured. On Sunday, CENTCOM search-and-recovery teams located unidentified remains at the strike location. Forensic examination is underway to verify whether the remains belong to the missing service member.

The conflict, which began in February 2026, has resulted in 17 U.S. service member deaths and over 430 injuries.

The report comes on the ninth consecutive evening of U.S. airstrikes against Iran, launched to "swiftly punish" Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces responsible for the Jordan attack. The strikes targeted Iranian coastal surveillance, air defense systems, and missile storage facilities.

Reports indicate U.S. strikes hit IRGC-operated Tabriz Missile Field in East Azerbaijan Province of Northwestern Iran, and the under-construction Darkhovin nuclear power plant, though the IAEA states no nuclear material was present.

"They've got very little left-they've got some missiles, they've got some drones, they've got some manufacturing ability, not much. Uhh we control the Strait," President Trump told reporters after his attendance at the FIFA World Cup final match between Spain and Argentina in New Jersey. "They don't control anything. So we'll see what happens but we hit em very hard again tonight, and we did that it honor of the...probably 3, it's probably 3, as opposed to 2....great patriots."

IRGC has already started retaliatory strikes targeting U.S. bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq. U.S offiials warned Americans living in Bahrain and Jordan of specific threats of some planned Iranian attacks.

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UPDATE | Two US Troops Killed, Dozens Injured During Iranian Missile Attacks In Jordan, As US-Iran War Escalates

Two U.S. service members were killed and one remains missing following an Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack on a U.S. base in Jordan on July 17, 2026, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Four other service members were injured and evacuated to hospitals but have since been discharged, while additional personnel with minor injuries returned to duty. The identities of the fallen are being withheld until 24 hours after next-of-kin notification.

The first attack to hit U.S. forces in Jordan reportedly struck a residential facility at King Faisal Air Base, wounding as many as five U.S. service members. The second hit a base in eastern Jordan where U.S. Blackhawk helicopters were operating from, damaging a significant number of them.

Then hours later, Iranian missiles reportedly hit Jordan’s Muwawffaq Salti Air Base in Azraq, which is the same base where the troops were killed on Friday, the officials said. The earlier strike wounded about 20 U.S. troops rushing to take cover in bunkers. No one was killed in that barrage. But on Friday, when the Iranians struck the base again,  two U.S. troops were killed.

Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (also known as Al-Azraq), hosts U.S. troops, combat aircraft (including F-35s, F-16s, and F-15s), and has supported operations in the region. Videos circulating online show missiles impacting the base, with explosions and smoke. Jordan reported intercepting around 10 Iranian missiles, but some penetrated defenses. The flurry of attacks and the losses they have caused are a sign that Iranian forces not only still have ample missile stocks but have also become more adept at evading U.S. air defense systems, according to U.S. officials.

“On July 17, two U.S. service members in Jordan were killed in action as U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and partner forces defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks, CENTCON reported earlier Saturday. "Additionally, one service member is currently missing. Four American service members were medically evacuated to Jordanian hospitals. They have since been discharged. Other personnel who were evaluated for minor injuries have returned to duty.”

In his first public reaction, President Donald Trump reportedly said "it’s a very sad thing. We hate to see it happen." And that "it’s in service to our country…we’re never, they’re never going to allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”

Iranian officials on Saturday, said the country has withdrawn from commitments to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with the U.S. "The US has violated and suspended all its commitments within the framework of the Islamabad MoU," Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said. "We have also suspended our commitments... and we are busy defending the country."

In a statement Saturday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said, "The Great Satan's repeated violations of the memorandum of understanding signed between the presidents of Iran and the United States once again proved to everyone how worthless and unreliable the signature of the U.S. president is, and that bullying, hegemonic ambitions, and savagery are inseparable elements of the American way and doctrine.

"The Great Satan has once again revealed its true face without a mask, so that this dark experience of crime and bad faith will stand as yet another powerful testament to America's deceitfulness, irrationality, untrustworthiness, and wickedness. Now that the American enemy is seeking to ignite war and incur even heavier costs and greater disgrace, it should know that the beloved Iranian nation and the Axis of Resistance have unforgettable lessons in store for it. The bravery of the fighters of Islam and the courage of the people of Iran's southern region in recent days have already demonstrated examples of those lessons."

When asked about the supreme leader's statement, Trump told reporters, "I couldn’t care less.”

The attack in Jordan coincided with broader Iranian strikes targeting U.S. facilities and infrastructure in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq, with alerts also issued in Saudi Arabia. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps(IRGC) claimed to have struck specific bases, including Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, and Al Azraq Air Base in Jordan, alleging damage to aircraft and radar facilities.

Iranian missiles and drones also targeted civilian infrastructure as well, including oil facilities and water desalination plants in Kuwait, causing fires and injuries.

U.S. officials reportedly note that Iranian missiles (including advanced models like those with maneuverable reentry vehicles, hypersonic glide capabilities such as Fattah variants, or "dancing" missiles like Sejjil) have shown improved ability to challenge defenses through high speeds, trajectory changes, and saturation tactics. Some have penetrated or required multiple interceptors from the U.S. Patriot systems. Iran has adapted tactics over the conflict, using varied launch strategies and more capable systems. Officials are reportedly surprised Iran is able to hit "sensitive targets."

Recent fatalities mark the first U.S. combat deaths in the conflict since a cease-fire unraveled last week, bringing the total U.S. military death toll to 16. The violence follows the collapse of the Memorandum of Understanding.

Iran has suspended its commitments, accusing the U.S. of violating the agreement by resuming airstrikes on Iranian territory, which Iran's Health Ministry says have killed at least 50 people. Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz and vowed further repercussions.

U.s. and Iran continue to exchange missile and drone attacks, Saturday night. "Today at 6 p.m. ET, U.S. forces began launching new airstrikes against Iran at the Commander in Chief’s direction," CENTCOM announced on X. "The strikes are designed to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces who launched attacks against American service members in Jordan last night."

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UPDATE | US Strikes Target Iranian Bridges, Other Civilian Infrastructure In Latest Escalation

US Central Command (CENTCOM) executed its sixth consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, late Thursday to early Friday morning expanding targets to include civilian infrastructure such as six bridges, a railway station, an airport, and a maritime control tower at Chabahar Port.

The strikes, aimed at severing logistical links to the port city of Bandar Abbas and degrading Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, killed at least seven to eight people and wounded dozens more in southern provinces including Hormozgan.

The American campaign focused on disrupting Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz by targeting highway and railway bridges in Bandar Khamir and collapsing a surveillance tower at the Chah Bahar Shahid Kalantari Port on the Gulf of Oman.

President Donald Trump authorized these strikes on energy sites and transport networks supposedly to pressure Tehran into easing its chokehold on the waterway, which has caused global oil prices to surge above $86 a barrel.

While CENTCOM described the targets as "military logistics infrastructure," Iranian officials condemned the attacks on power facilities and bridges as strikes on civilian infrastructure, with the Energy Ministry reporting power outages during extreme heat.

In retaliation, Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) launched missile and drone attacks against US-allied nations hosting American forces, striking targets in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, former US base in Syria and sites in Iraq's Kurdish region.

Iran responded by firing missiles at desalination plants in Kuwait, causing fires and damage to vital water infrastructure, and targeting air defenses in Qatar where falling shrapnel injured a child. IRGC claimed it struck the al-Tanf garrison in Syria and US assets in Bahrain and Oman. However the US military and Syrian sources denied that any American troops were present or harmed at the Syrian site, noting US forces had withdrawn months prior.

The escalation has effectively halted commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, with only eight vessels** transiting the waterway on July 16, via the Iranian corridor, as the interim ceasefire between the US and Iran remains collapsed.

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UPDATE | US Conducts Daytime Strikes On Iranian Targets, As CENTCOM Enforces Naval Blockade

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday, executed a second wave of daylight strikes against Iran and disabled the Curaçao-flagged tanker M/T Belma with Hellfire missiles after it ignored warnings while attempting to violate the reimposed U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Following a heavy 90-minute wave of morning strikes that concluded around 11430 UTC (which hit coastal defense systems and cruise missile storage on Greater Tunb Island), the U.S. launched a second wave of daylight strikes at 1900 UTC. These daytime strikes are highly unusual and signal a significant increase in operational tempo.

The U.S. military stated these actions target Iranian capabilities threatening the Strait of Hormuz, having already redirected two other compliant vessels during the first 24 hours of enforcement.

In rapid retaliation, Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC)  and Iranian army launched coordinated missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. military command centers, air defenses in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, UAE and Erbil Air Base/U.S. Consulate Area, and a primary "gathering center" of U.S. forces in northern Iraq.

The U.S. reinstated its maritime blockade on Tuesday to stop vessels from entering or exiting Iranian ports, a move President Donald Trump clarified would not include a previously proposed 20% cargo fee but would instead rely on new trade deals with Gulf states.

During enforcement, CENTCOM fired missiles into the M/T Belma's smokestack as it headed toward Kharg Island, marking the tenth commercial ship disabled since April for resisting U.S. instructions.

The blockade aims to secure the waterway, through which roughly 20% of global oil supplies typically move, following recent Iranian attacks on commercial shipping.

Following the U.S. strikes on Iranian coastal defenses and missile sites, Tehran threatened to halt all Middle East energy exports, declaring that regional oil would be available "to everyone or to no one."

 The conflict has disrupted global trade, pushing Brent crude prices above $85 a barrel, and raises fears of a wider regional war involving the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The military confrontation between the U.S. and Iran has escalated dramatically following the breakdown of a short-lived June ceasefire.

Meanwhile Trump announced in a Truth Social that a detained American citizen has been freed  by Iran. "Iran has allowed an American Citizen, who was wrongfully detained in December of 2024 under the “presidency” of Sleepy Joe Biden, to leave the Country. She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition. The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!" the president wrote.

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UPDATE | US To Reinstate Naval Blockade Of Iranian Ports Over Strait Of Hormuz Attacks: Trump

Donald Trump Monday, announced on Truth Social that the U.S. is reinstating the "Iranian Blockade" on the Strait of Hormuz, declaring the waterway "OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran." The President stated the measure targets only Iranian ships or customers, while all other nations retain "fair and open use" of the strategic corridor.

The president declared the U.S. will act as the "Guardian of the Hormuz Strait" and demanded a 20% reimbursement on all cargo shipped to cover security costs, asserting the process would begin immediately. However critics point out that Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) controls ship transit through the strait by firing missiles on ships that try to take the US-supported route off the Omani coast.

"The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. We are reinstating 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 wrote on Truth Social. "The U.S.A. 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. The process and formation will begin immediately."

Earlier in the day, during a phone interview on Fox News, Trump claimed, "We’re taking over the strait... We’re going to get paid for guarding it—a lot of money," suggesting wealthy Gulf nations should reimburse the U.S. for keeping the channel secure.

The reinstatement follows a breakdown in a 60-day truce and a weekend of intensified tit-for-tat missile and drone strikes between the U.S. and Iran, sparked by attacks on commercial shipping off the coast of Oman. Sunday's strikes marks the first combat use of U.S. unmanned surface vessels (Corsair drones) to strike facilities at the Bandar Abbas Naval Base.

In response, Iran declared the Strait closed, with the Revolutionary Guard vowing to prevent "illegal interference" by U.S. forces, while Iranian Foreign Ministry officials accused Washington of undermining the interim peace agreement.

Trump formally notified the U.S. Congress over the weekend that the country is once again at war with Iran, giving his administration another 60-day clock to use the military in the region without congressional approval. In a letter to lawmakers dated July 10, the president reportedly stated that the strikes that began on July 7 represent “military action consistent with my responsibility to protect Americans and United States’ interests both at home and abroad.”

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed via X post, that enforcement of the naval blockade against all Iranian ports and coastal areas will commence on Tuesday, July 14, at 4 p.m. ET (2000 UTC). The military command warned that neutral vessels must depart the blockaded zone before the deadline, stating that any ship suspected of entering or leaving without authorization faces interception, diversion, and capture.

CENTCOM emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global trade and that Iran does not control it, following recent U.S. strikes on Iranian air-defense systems, radar sites, and drone capabilities.

TThe Strait of Hormuz is the most vital chokepoint in the global energy market, carrying roughly 20% of the world's petroleum and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded with dry sarcasm on social media. While mockingly agreeing that safe passage "should be compensated," he declared that Iran is and will remain the sole "GUARDIAN of the Strait". He added that Trump's proposed "20% is of course too much." Meanwhile, Iranian military commanders warned Gulf nations that providing logistical support to the U.S. blockade would be treated as "an act of war."

Maritime legal experts and international allies have raised concerns over Trump's plan to levy a 20% fee on transiting cargo. Historically, the U.S. has fiercely defended the Strait as an open international waterway free of transit fees. Implementation of a toll would likely trigger immense legal battles and push global energy prices higher.

However political observers and critics say that Trump appear to be flailing and "stuck" in the messy conflict with Iran, dismissing his social media post about a 20% transit fee as a desperate and provoctive rhetoric aimed at making the president appear in control of events on the ground in the strait.

Key importing nations in Asia, such as India, South Korea, and Thailand, are highly vulnerable to prolonged disruptions in the Strait. Previous weeks of the blockade in the spring of 2026 reportedly cost the Iranian economy billions, but also drove up global shipping insurance and fuel prices.

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UPDATE | US Strikes Iranian Targets As IRGC Declares Strait Of Hormuz Closed, After Attacking Transiting Ships

The U.S. launched a third round of strikes on Iran late Saturday into early Sunday, directly responding to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) closing the Strait of Hormuz and attacking the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy. Iran later attacked a second ship.

"At 7:15 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command [CENTCOM] forces began launching the third round of strikes this week against Iran after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces blatantly attacked M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM wrote on X. "A civilian crew member is missing and the vessel is unable to continue the journey due to an onboard fire and significant engineroom damage."

Earlier Saturday, the IRGC declared the strategic waterway closed "until further notice" after firing on vessels it claimed were using unauthorized routes, resulting in significant engine room damage to the Galaxy and leaving one civilian crew member missing. "Due to insecurity caused by the illegal intervention of foreigners, the Strait of Hormuz is closed until further notice and until the end of the United States' intervention in this region. No vessel will be allowed to pass," IRGC wrote in a statement.

The U.S. military reported the ship suffered extensive engine-room damage from a missile strike, leaving a civilian crew member missing. Iran countered that it merely fired a "warning shot" because the ship was navigating an unauthorized route.

Within an hour of the IRGC's declaration, CENTCOM), acting on orders from President Donald Trump, launched the third major wave of its precision airstrikes this week. American land- and sea-based fighter jets, naval vessels, and drones pounded roughly 140 military targets along Iran’s southern coast. Large explosions were recorded near major energy hubs and port cities, including Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, Jask, and Chabahar.

In response, Iran launched missile and drone strikes on US military bases in Qatar, UAE Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan. IRGC reportedly claimed it destroyed logistical support centers for US aircraft carriers and refueling platforms at Duqm port in Oman with ballistic, in the third phase of its response to the US strikes. This is the first Iranian strike on Oman since early March.

"The era of one-sided deals is OVER. We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking," Speaker of Iran's parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on X with a screenshot of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding highlighting article 5 which reads: “The Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts "for free passage of commercial vessels through Hormuz, “for 60 days only.”

Saturday's mediation efforts by Oman and Qatar failed as Iran rejected U.S. demand to issue a public statement guaranteeing the Strait of Hormuz is open. Trump had declared the ceasefire between US and Iran over; and on Saturday threatened total devastation if alleged assassination plots against him by Iran are realized.

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UPDATE | Iran's Supreme Leader Vows Revenge On Netanyahu, Trump Over Ali Khamenei's Assassination

Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed inevitable revenge for the assassination of his father, Ali Khamenei, and family members in US-Israeli strikes, declaring retaliation a national demand that will occur "soon" regardless of his own survival.

In a written statement released on Saturday, following the conclusion of week-long funeral ceremonies in Mashhad, Mojtaba promised that the "criminal and disgraced killers," whose names are documented, would not die peacefully. The new leader, who has not appeared publicly since sustaining injuries in the February 28 attacks, emphasized that vengeance is a "divine mission" for the Iranian nation.

“Revenge for Iran’s martyred leader is the will of our people, and it must certainly be carried out," Mojtaba wrote. "These criminals, all of whom are fully identified, from the most senior to the most junior, will take to their graves the dream of dying peacefully in their beds.”

President Donald Trump responded with an explicit threat on Truth Social, stating that 1,000 missiles are "locked and loaded" and aimed at Iran, with thousands more ready to follow if Tehran attempts to assassinate him. Trump ordered the US military to be prepared to "completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran" for a one-year period should any attack on his life occur, citing intelligence regarding hardline factions' aspirations.

While US officials noted no evidence of a unified, specific assassination plot currently in motion, the exchange of threats has severely strained relations just weeks after a temporary peace memorandum was signed.

Meanwhile diplomatic talks in Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz concluded without an agreement, as Iran rejected proposals for separate navigation routes and refused US demands to surrender its enriched uranium stockpile.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of violating the interim deal by revoking oil waivers following Iranian attacks on commercial vessels, while the US insisted the ceasefire is effectively "over" due to these maritime hostilities.

With Iran maintaining that control of the strategic waterway rests exclusively with Tehran, the failure of these negotiations raises the risk of further military escalation in the Persian Gulf.

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UPDATE | Trump Claims Iran Asked To Continue Peace Talks With US Following Military Tit-for-tat Over Strait Of Hormuz

President Donald Trump on Friday, posted on Truth Social that the Islamic Republic of Iran has asked to continue "talks" and that the U.S. agreed, but he emphatically stated "the Cease Fire is OVER!" in no uncertain terms. Qatari mediators are reportedly in Iran for talks in coordination with the U.S. and Pakistan.

While Trump confirmed ongoing diplomatic engagement, he said the June ceasefire agreement is nullified following recent Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. “The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue 'talks.' We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!” he wrote.

The "Cease Fire" Trump referred to was a 60-day Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on June 17, 2026. This interim deal was intended to pause the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran—which originally erupted on February 28, 2026—and restore the flow of international shipping.

However, the truce collapsed earlier this week when Iran attcked three Qatari and Saudi commercial tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the week. Iran blamed U.S. attempt to undermine the Persian nation's management of transit through the Strait.

The U.S. has reportedly given Iran until Saturday (July 11, 2026) to issue a formal, public statement. Washington is demanding that Tehran explicitly declare that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all international transit and pledge an immediate halt to all attacks on commercial vessels. U.S. officials have warned that if Iran continues to disrupt shipping or engage in hostile acts, the military will resume heavy strikes.

Compounding the geopolitical tension, Trump revealed during a phone interview with the New York Post on Friday, that he has prepared a severe military contingency plan in the event that Iran successfully targets him.

“I’ve been on their list for a long time. That’s what we’re dealing with… The only thing is, I’ve left instructions — if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before,” Trump claimed.

Israel reportedly shared fresh intelligence with U.S. officials tracking specific Iranian plots against Trump. While Trump publicly downplayed the new intelligence in his interview, U.S. intelligence agencies have been monitoring a steady stream of threats, but are skeptical of Israel's intelligence and motives.

The rhetoric has reached a boiling point during the multiday mass funeral proceedings in Iran for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 28. At the state-sponsored viewings, massive banners calling for Trump's death were prominently displayed by the regime. Tehran has openly vowed vengeance against Trump ever since the 2020 strike that killed Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani.

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UPDATE | US Expands Strikes On Iranian Targets As Trump Calls Iran's Leadership 'Scum, Sick People,' Over Strait Of Hormuz Attacks

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in a statement said it launched "approximately 90 strikes" against Iranian military targets Wednesday night into early morning Thursday(UTC), marking a second day of intensified conflict after President Donald Trump declared the existing ceasefire "over." The operation targeted air defense systems, coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage sites, and over 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fast attack crafts to degrade Tehran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The escalation was triggered by Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on July 7, which U.S. officials described as "unwarranted" violations of a June interim agreement. In retaliation to earlier US strikes, the IRGC claimed to have struck 85 U.S. military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain, including Camp Arifjan and the Naval Support Activity Bahrain, home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet.

Explosions were reported early Thursday, in multiple Iranian port cities, including Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, and Chabahar, while a railway bridge in Aqqala, northeast of Tehran, was also damaged.

Speakig to reporters aboard Air Force One on the way back home, from NATO summit in Ankara, President Trump claimed that the Iranians called "a little while ago" and sought a new deal "badly" but expressed doubt about their reliability.

Iranian officials reportedly denied they made such call to Trump or any US official, and expressed frustration for having to correct Trump's blatant lies.

Iran has since conducted strikes on US bases in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain in response to the latest US attack

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