US launches new strikes against Iranian targets

Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency reported late on Wednesday night that air defences were engaging what it described as “hostile targets” near the port city of Bandar Abbas.

According to Al Jazeera, the Mehr and Fars news agencies also reported the sounds of explosions in Bandar Abbas and Sirik in southern Iran, near its Gulf coast. Mehr also reported explosions near Konarak and Chabahar.

Confirming the attacks, the United States military’s Central Command said on X: “At the direction of the commander in chief, US Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway.”

Earlier in the day, United States President Donald Trump had warned Iran of strikes tonight.

Iran says Trump understands ‘language of force better’

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said earlier that Trump “apparently understands the language of force better” after he threatened further attacks against Tehran.

Trump’s remarks “from insulting the Iranian nation to threatening further attacks” were “not a sign of strength, but an admission of the failure of a policy that for years has been built on force, sanctions, and threats”, Gharibabadi said on X.

He said that policy “failed to bring the Iranian nation to its knees”.

“With the criminal and murderous Trump, one must speak in his own language,” Gharibabadi said. “Apparently, he understands the language of force better.”

Meanwhile, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned that Trump’s declaration ending a memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington “pushes the region toward the flames”.

“Responsibility for the latest escalation, and for the verbal admission of cancelling the memorandum of understanding by the thieving politician disgraced by the Epstein scandal—a memorandum that had already been repeatedly violated in practice—once again pushes the region toward the flames,” Ali Akbar Velayati said in the first Iranian reaction to Trump’s comments, as cited by the Mehr News Agency.

Iran had “previously warned that the region is not a venue for the political gambling of small states, and we have repeatedly demonstrated that acts of adventurism will receive an immediate response”, he said.

US will probably hit Iran again tonight: Trump

Trump earlier warned Iran that the US would likely ​engage in additional strikes tonight after ‌attacks the previous day.

“I’ll give a little warning: We’re going to hit them hard tonight,” Trump told reporters at the NATO summit in ​Turkiye before his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr ​Zelenskiy.

But ​he did not explicitly say Washington would return to full-fledged war and it was not immediately clear whether the negotiations between the two ​sides to turn the ceasefire into a permanent deal ​would still continue or not.

“I don’t know if we’re going to have ‌a ⁠deal. We may just do it without a deal,” Trump said before his meeting with Zelensky.

He earlier said that the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran to end the conflict was “over”, adding he didn’t want to engage with Tehran.

The interim ceasefire agreement signed between Washington and Tehran — under the mediation of Pakistan — was intended to provide a 60-day window for negotiations on a permanent agreement, but indirect talks in Qatar ended last week with no sign of headway and the US military unleashed a new wave of strikes against Iran on Tuesday.

“To me, I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them,” Trump said ahead of a NATO summit in the Turkish capital Ankara.

“They’re scum. They’re sick people. They’re led by sick people,” he added alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s just a waste of time dealing with them.”

The US on Tuesday also revoked a license allowing Iran to sell oil after three tankers were hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz.

Under the interim US-Iran agreement, the US Treasury issued a June 22 general license to allow the sale of crude oil and petrochemical and petroleum products of Iranian origin through August 21. In revoking that license on Tuesday, it gave Iran until July 17 to wind down any transactions.

UN chief ‘alarmed’ over renewed military confrontations between US, Iran

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticised the renewed tensions between Iran and the US.

“The secretary-general is alarmed by the renewed military confrontations in the Gulf. The incidents that we have seen over the last 24 hours risk derailing the diplomatic progress achieved between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States,” Guterres’ spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said during a news conference.

He warned that “a return to full-scale hostilities would have catastrophic consequences for the people of the region and for international peace and security and for the global community, global economy as a whole.”

“The secretary-general calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, avoid any further escalatory action, and take immediate steps to de-escalate,” Dujarric said, noting that Guterres “recalls the obligations of all parties to fully comply with international law, including the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and respect for navigational rights and freedoms”.

Saying that the UN chief further urged “Iran and the United States to urgently resume negotiations and address outstanding issues through diplomacy”, Dujarric said: “We, of course, remain committed to supporting all efforts to prevent a return to conflict, to restore stability, and advance a comprehensive and durable solution to this conflict.”

Dar discusses regional situation in meeting with Saudi ambassador

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, met with Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmed Al-Malki, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, to discuss the evolving regional situation following the recent memorandum of understanding reached in Islamabad, according to the Foreign Office.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the latest regional developments and underscored the need to advance joint efforts aimed at promoting dialogue and diplomacy, the Foreign Office spokesperson said.

The Saudi ambassador commended Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote regional peace and security, the spokesperson added.

Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations across all areas of mutual interest.

Iran condemns US air strikes and warns neighbours against aiding ‘aggression against Iran’

The Iranian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the “aggressive attacks and gross violation of the Memorandum of Understanding” by the United States following military strikes in southern Iran on Wednesday in an X post.

According to Al Jazeera, the ministry said that in the early hours of Wednesday, “the terrorist US military, in clear violation of Article 2, Paragraph 4 of the United Nations Charter, committed military aggression against several monitoring and surveillance centres on the southern coasts of Iran.” It noted that these strikes “constitute a flagrant violation of Paragraph 1 of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Termination of War, which mandates the cessation of military operations”.

The statement also highlighted “the international legal obligation of all governments, particularly neighbouring countries located on the southern coast of the Persian Gulf, to prevent aggressor parties from utilising their territory and facilities to conduct aggressive acts against the Islamic Republic of Iran.” It added that “any cooperation in committing the crime of aggression against Iran constitutes complicity and participation in the crime”.

While reminding the UN Security Council and the Secretary-General of their responsibilities, the ministry emphasised that Iran’s armed forces “will not hesitate in defending Iran’s territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and national security against US military aggression in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, and will target the source and origin of the aggression”, according to the statement.

Iran says US strikes targeted coastal surveillance sites, accuses Washington of violating ceasefire

Iran said on Wednesday that the latest US military strikes targeted several monitoring and surveillance centers along the country’s southern coast, accusing Washington of violating international law and a ceasefire agreement.

In a statement, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the “US terrorist army” launched strikes in the early hours of Wednesday against several monitoring and surveillance facilities on Iran’s southern coastline.

The ministry said the attacks constituted “a blatant violation” of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of states.

It also accused Washington of violating the first article of the ceasefire agreement between the two countries, which it said requires an end to military operations.

Iran and the US reached a memorandum of understanding on June 17 aimed at ending their military conflict and achieving a lasting peace agreement.

Separately, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported that a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy was killed in the US attacks in Bandar Mahshahr.

The public relations office of the Third Naval Zone of the Imam Hussein Basij Corps in Bandar Mahshahr identified the casualty as a Basij member assigned to the unit, saying he was killed during what it described as an encounter with enemy drones early Wednesday.

China urges US, Iran to engage in talks over use of military force

China said on Wednesday that the use of military force was “not appropriate” and urged the US and Iran to engage in talks amid retaliatory airstrikes by both sides.

“Reigniting the flames of war does not serve anyone’s interests,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters in Beijing.

The statement came after the US military said it had carried out a new wave of strikes against Iran, hitting more than 80 targets in response to Iranian attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The US Central Command said the strikes were conducted “in immediate response to Iranian attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”

Explosions reported in Iran’s Bushehr after latest US strikes

Explosions were heard early Wednesday in the southern Iranian city of Bushehr and surrounding areas, Iran’s state-affiliated Mehr news agency reported.

Mehr said blasts echoed across Bushehr and nearby areas but did not immediately provide details on the cause of the explosions.

The reported blasts came after the US military said it had carried out a new wave of strikes against Iran, hitting more than 80 targets in response to as Iranian attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Bahrain says air defences intercept Iranian aerial attacks

Bahrain’s air defences intercepted and destroyed Iranian aerial attacks over the country early on Wednesday, state television reported.

The broadcaster said the attacks were intercepted in Bahraini airspace but did not immediately provide details on the type or number of projectiles or drones involved.

Sirens sounded across Bahrain for the third time in several hours as the Interior Ministry urged citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe place.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The developments came after Iran’s military warned that all US bases across the region would become “legitimate targets” if Washington continued violating a ceasefire agreement.

Iran says all US bases in region are ‘legitimate targets’ if ceasefire violations continue

Iran’s military said on Wednesday that all US bases across the region would become “legitimate targets” for its drones if Washington continues violating a ceasefire agreement, Iranian state media reported.

In a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB, the army said it had targeted what it described as gathering centers of US forces at Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain earlier on Wednesday.

The army said the attack was carried out in response to US “hostile aggression against military and civilian areas in the southern part of the country” and violations of the 14 articles of the ceasefire agreement.

“The consequences of repeatedly and blatantly violating the ceasefire with criminal America will be that all American bases in the region will be legitimate targets for the Army’s drones,” the statement said.

New attacks on Iran were absolutely necessary, NATO chief says

The new attacks by the US on Iran were “absolutely necessary”, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday.

“When you have a ceasefire and Iran is basically violating the ceasefire, I think it is totally crucial that the US forcefully react,” Rutte told reporters before a summit of NATO leaders in Ankara.

Iran claims downing of US MQ-9 drone over Bushehr province

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it shot down a US MQ-9 drone over Khormoj in the southern province of Bushehr early Wednesday, Iranian state media reported.

State broadcaster Press TV said the drone was intercepted and destroyed by an air defence system following what it described as “aerial aggression” by US forces over Bushehr province.

No further details were immediately available about the circumstances of the incident.

There was no immediate comment from US authorities on the Iranian claim.

Iran’s parliament speaker accuses US of major ceasefire violations after renewed strikes

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the United States of committing major violations of the ceasefire deal between the two countries known as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding following renewed US strikes against Iran.

In a post Wednesday on the US social media platform X, Ghalibaf listed what he described as US violations, including “persistent threats of further strikes,” the reinstatement of oil sanctions, attacks on southern Iran, and continued Israeli military action in Lebanon.

“Major MOU Violations by the US,” he wrote. “The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don’t fold.”

The statement came shortly after the US military said it had completed a new round of strikes against Iran, hitting more than 80 targets in response to Tehran’s latest attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran targets sites in Bahrain, Kuwait after wave of US strikes

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait on Wednesday after the US launched a wave of military strikes on Iran in response to attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

In the latest blow to the fragile ceasefire agreement, ​the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it carried out a joint missile and drone operation against key US military sites in Bandar Salman, Bahrain’s Fifth Naval District and Ali Al Salem Air ‌Base in Kuwait, and shot down a US MQ9 drone attempting to interfere in the operation.

Explosions reported in several areas of southern Iran

Explosions were reported early on Wednesday in several areas of southern Iran, according to Iranian state media.

Iranian state television reported six explosions in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas.

Iran’s Fars News Agency said 10 explosions were heard in the southern city of Sirik and four others in Misin village on Qeshm Island.

No casualties or damage were immediately reported.

US and Iran exchange fire again after attacks in Hormuz strait

The US military launched a series of strikes against 80 Iranian targets early on Wednesday hours after revoking a temporary sanctions waiver for oil export, following three tankers were struck in the Strait of Hormuz, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

In a statement posted to social media, CENTCOM said American forces launched the strikes “to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway in unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire”.

Earlier on Tuesday, the US Treasury Department canceled a license announced in June that had allowed Iran to produce, sell and deliver crude oil and related products through August 21. “Iran’s actions in the Strait were wholly unacceptable to the United States and will be met with consequences,” a US official said.

The official told AFP that the US-Iran memorandum of understanding was “entirely performance-based,” warning that Tehran would see benefits only if it showed “good behaviour.” But US negotiators were continuing to work “in good faith towards a final deal,” the official said.

British maritime security agency UKMTO said an “unknown projectile” hit a tanker overnight, causing a fire, before two more vessels were struck, at least one by a drone. All three vessels were struck close to Oman. Qatar said one of the vessels was its LNG tanker and blamed Iran for “unacceptable” attack.

The announcement came as US President Donald Trump landed in the Turkiye capital Ankara for a two-day meeting of the heads of state and government of the member states of NATO, the first gathering of the Alliance members since the Iran war.

In Ankara, Trump overshadowed the summit with fresh criticism of alliance members, a renewed demand for US control of Greenland, a pledge to lift sanctions on Turkiye and signals that Washington could allow Ankara back into the F-35 fighter jet programme.

Against a backdrop of lingering tensions within the alliance following the US strikes on Iran, NATO leaders unveiled defence deals worth tens of billions of dollars, seeking to demonstrate they were responding to American demands for greater military spending.

Meeting host President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the presidential complex in Ankara, Trump announced that the United States would remove sanctions imposed on Turkiye under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) after Ankara purchased Russian S-400 air defence systems in 2020.

He also indicated that his administration would decide on a potential sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkiye, a move that would reverse one of the most contentious disputes between the two NATO allies, although legal and congressional hurdles remain.

Repeating his long-standing complaints that European allies had failed to shoulder a fair share of collective defence responsibilities, he said he remained disappointed with NATO, singling out Britain, France, Germany and Italy for “inadequate support” during the US military campaign against Iran.

Despite his criticism of European allies, Trump expressed optimism about efforts to end the war in Ukraine, saying he had spoken separately with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy before the summit.

Speaking alongside Erdogan, Trump also reignited controversy by renewing his insistence that Greenland should come under US control. He argued that the strategically located Arctic island should be controlled by the United States rather than Denmark, saying Copenhagen had failed to adequately support Greenland.

The remarks drew an immediate response from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who said allies should respect the sovereignty of the Danish kingdom and reiterated that Greenland was not for sale. Greenland’s Foreign Minister Mute Egede also rejected Trump’s comments, saying the island’s future would be decided solely by its own people while continuing close cooperation with allies.

Ahead of Trump’s arrival, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, addressing a defence industry forum on the sidelines of the summit, sought to reassure Washington that European allies were significantly increasing defence investment.

He called for a “revolution” in the alliance’s defence industrial base, warning that the security environment required a rapid expansion of military production to counter threats from Russia as well as challenges posed by China, North Korea and Iran.

NATO announced defence initiatives and procurement agreements estimated to be worth at least $50 billion. The deals included European countries purchasing surveillance drones from US defence company Northrop Grumman and NATO acquiring aircraft from Sweden’s Saab.

A draft agreement was also signed between Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall to jointly produce ATACMS missiles in Germany, marking the first planned production of the missile system outside the United States. Rutte said NATO allies would invest more than $40 billion over the next five years in anti-drone capabilities.

The summit also highlighted continuing anxiety over Ukraine. NATO members are expected to reaffirm their support for Kyiv and pledge $70 billion in assistance for 2026, while Zelenskiy has appealed for additional air defence systems amid intensified Russian attacks.

Trump’s visit to Ankara was accompanied by an elaborate state welcome organised by Erdogan, featuring mounted guards, military honours and fighter jet flypasts at the sprawling presidential complex. The display reflected the close personal rapport between the two leaders.

Although NATO leaders sought to present a united front in Ankara, the summit again exposed the difficult balance between accommodating Trump’s demands for greater European military contributions and preserving alliance cohesion at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.

While major defence spending commitments and new arms deals demonstrated movement towards Washington’s objectives, disagreements over Greenland, the aftermath of the Iran conflict and the future of US engagement in Europe ensured that familiar tensions continued to shape the alliance’s agenda.

Qatar urges Iran to halt threats to maritime security after attack on Qatari vessel near Hormuz

Qatar condemned on Tuesday an Iranian attack on a Qatari vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, calling on Tehran to immediately halt actions threatening maritime security and global energy supplies.

In a statement on the US social media company X, Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said the targeting of the Qatari-owned LNG carrier Al Rekayyat as it was transiting near the strategic waterway constituted “an unacceptable attack on the security and safety of international maritime navigation.”

The targeting of the Qatari vessel “Al-Rekayyat” while transiting near the Strait of Hormuz constitutes an unacceptable attack on the security & safety of international maritime navigation, the security of global energy supplies, & a grave & explicit violation of international…

— د. ماجد محمد الأنصاري Dr. Majed Al Ansari (@majedalansari) July 7, 2026

He said the attack also threatened global energy supplies and amounted to “a grave and explicit violation of international law,” particularly the rules guaranteeing freedom of navigation and safe passage through international waterways.

“We demand that the Islamic Republic of Iran immediately cease all practices that undermine regional security or threaten the safety of international maritime navigation and refrain from endangering global energy supplies and the resources of the countries of the region in pursuit of narrow interests,” Ansari said.

He added that Qatar holds Iran “fully legally responsible” for the attack and for any resulting damage and consequences.

The Al-Rekayyat vessel was reportedly among two commercial vessels struck near the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian missiles while transiting the waterway late Monday, causing significant damage but no casualties.

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, citing unnamed sources, claimed that a Qatari oil tanker attempting to transit the Omani route through the Strait of Hormuz with US Navy support was targeted after ignoring repeated warnings from Iranian forces.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports from Gulf producers.