Iran accused the United States of a strike near a nuclear power plant on Thursday after the US military said it had struck dozens of sites across Iran in a second blistering night of attacks.
Iran's deputy governor of Bushehr province told state media a US projectile struck the area surrounding Iran’s Bushehr power plant, shortly after reports of explosions in the southern coastal region.
The official said several locations in Bushehr province, including the perimeter area of the nuclear facility, were hit in US attacks, without specifying when.
Sirens sounded in Jordan on Thursday early afternoon after the detection of missiles from Iran, according to the country’s state news agency.
That came amid heightened tensions after Iran launched fresh attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain in response to the wave of US attacks overnight.
Key Points
- US launches second wave of strikes on Iran
- Iran appears to target Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait in strikes
- Trump still insisting Iran conflict isn't a war
- Iran says Strait of Hormuz will not operate under ‘American threats’
- Iran 'called a little while ago' seeking a deal, Trump claims
- Iranian sources accuse US of striking nuclear plant
Multiple explosions reported in southern Iran
19:33 , Harriette Boucher
Explosions have been reported in parts of southern Iran right now following the US’s wave of attacks last night.
Local media has reported that six explosions were heard in Iran’s Bushehr province, including in Choghadak.
Another three explosions have been reported in the city of Konarak.
The war in Iran is not over - Netanyahu
19:03 , Harriette Boucher
Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the war in Iran is “not over” as he again vowed that “with or without an agreement, Iran will not possess nuclear weapons.”
The Israeli prime minister said the US military was “a tremendous force multiplier” for Israel, The Times of Israel reported.
“Alongside old challenges, new ones continue to emerge. Old axes collapse, and new ones arise.
“We are preparing for every scenario. We know one thing: we must always remain stronger than our enemies.”
We reported earlier that defence minister Israel Katz said his country was prepared to “alert and prepared for the resumption of the campaign”.
Inside Trump’s tense 24 hours in the White House that ended the Iran ceasefire
19:00 , James Reynolds
Barely two weeks ago Donald Trump praised Iran’s leadership as “very rational people” who were “nice to deal with” as he laid on the merits of a new agreement to end the war.
But by Wednesday, that optimistic tone had been all but forgotten as the president hit out at the “sick” and “evil” people leading the country, who he assessed could not be trusted to keep to a deal.
Asked why his position had changed so suddenly, Trump told a Nato summit in Ankara that he “got to know ‘em”. He suggested the US could achieve its goals without a deal, and authorised two nights of strikes on Iranian ports, islands and boats.
Read the full story:
Inside Trump’s tense 24 hours in the White House that ended the Iran ceasefire
US strikes on Iran 'failed to cause major damage'
18:41 , Harriette Boucher
Donald Trump’s overnight strikes on Iran “failed to cause major damage”, according to an official.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told AFP that the strikes “were intercepted or failed to cause major damage”, and there were “no US injuries”.
Several locations in the Bushehr province and in other southern parts of Iran were targeted overnight.
IDF 'alert and prepared' to resume strikes in Iran
18:17 , Harriette Boucher
Israel is prepared to “alert and prepared for the resumption of the campaign” in Iran, the country’s defence minister has said.
Israel Katz told a pilots’ graduation ceremony that the military was prepared to “regain air superiority and carry out ‘blue-and-white’ [independent Israeli] strikes in Iran to remove threats — even for a third time” The Times of Israel reported.
“If we need to return, we will return with even greater force.”
Trump tells the world that Iran ‘scum’ want to assassinate him: ‘I’m the No. 1 target’
18:00 , James Reynolds
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he remains a target for assassination by Iran as he concluded a whirlwind day at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Ankara with his ceasefire deal with Tehran in shambles and oil prices spiking across the globe.
Trump was recounting to reporters how the U.S. and Israel had killed off most of Tehran’s senior leadership during the opening days of the war he started five months ago when he mused aloud about whether he might end up sharing their fate at the hands of his country’s enemies.
“They had leaders, they're gone, and they had another set of leaders, they're gone. Now they have another set of leaders, they may be gone. Who knows? And you know what, I may be gone too, because I'm their No. 1 target,” he said.
Read the full story:
Trump tells the world Iran ‘scum’ want to assassinate him: ‘I’m the No. 1 target’
Trump strikes Iranian railway bridges on route to Khamenei’s funeral as ceasefire unravels
17:54 , Harriette Boucher
Iran accuses Trump of escalating strikes with attack on nuclear plant
'Hey Trump we will kill you': Mourners issue death threat ahead of burial of Iran's late supreme leader
17:43 , Harriette Boucher
Pakistan and Qatar trying to get Iran and US to negotiating table - report
17:05 , Harriette Boucher
Pakistan and Qatar are working to get the US and Iran back to negotiating table after the ceasefire was declared “over”.
Regional sources told CNN that the Middle Eastern nations were trying to revive discussions.
Both countries emerged as key mediators during negotiations in Switzerland last month.
Mourners gather in Khamenei's hometown of Mashhad for last stretch of funeral
17:00 , James Reynolds
In pictures: Satellite imagery shows Iranian port before and after US strikes in Sarkhur Tahruyi
16:44 , Harriette Boucher
Analysis: Why Trump desperately needs Nato’s help to get out of his mess in Iran
16:30 , James Reynolds
Despite launching a new wave of strikes, Washington knows that there is no military solution to break the deadlock in talks with Tehran.
Daniel Keane argues that it is time for other countries to help Trump find a solution:
Why Trump desperately needs Nato’s help to get out of his mess in Iran
Watch: Eyewitness footage shows glowing sky after US said it launched strikes on Iran
16:00 , James Reynolds
Trump takes a break from posting footage of Iran bombings to show off latest tacky additions to West Wing
15:30 , James Reynolds
President Donald Trump has posted a photograph of his latest modification to the White House, amid a number of clips of U.S. airstrikes on Iran.
“The newly revamped West Wing of the White House, including signage and renovated walls, maple trees, and plantings!” the president wrote in a Truth Social caption accompanying a wonky picture of the entranceway in question, which now announces itself as “The West Wing” in gold italic lettering.
Trump’s latest tweak was warmly received by MAGA commentators on social media, who applauded the “major glow-up” given to the executive mansion and praised the “beautiful updates to this iconic symbol of American leadership.”
Read the full story:
Trump shows off latest tacky additions to West Wing as Iran airstrikes continue
Trump warns situation could ‘get much worse’ amid renewed attacks on Iran
15:00 , James Reynolds
US forces said they hit about 90 targets across Iran with President Donald Trump warning the conflict could “get much worse”.
Iran responded to a second day of renewed attacks by targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar early on Thursday.
US Central Command said the strikes were aimed at hitting Iran’s ability “to threaten freedom of navigation” through the Strait of Hormuz.
Renewed hostilities broke out on Tuesday after Iran targeted three tankers in the vital waterway, which remains a flashpoint in the fragile truce.
“U.S. forces remain vigilant, lethal, and prepared to execute operations directed by the Commander in Chief,” the statement from Central Command said.
Trump warns situation could ‘get much worse’ amid renewed attacks on Iran
Recap: Trump mistakenly claims ‘Islamic Republic of Japan’ fired missiles at US aircraft carrier
14:30 , James Reynolds
President Donald Trump on Wednesday confused a current American adversary for a long-ago foe when he told reporters that U.S. aircraft carriers had come under fire from Japanese forces during a bilateral meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky.
The 80-year-old American president was in the midst of a freewheeling impromptu press conference alongside the Ukrainian leader when he began extolling the virtues of American defensive weaponry after what he said was an attack on the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln.
“We had 111 missiles shot by the Islamic Republic of Japan. They were shot at the aircraft carrier over a period of about one hour. 111 missiles going to a very expensive ship, and every one of those missiles was knocked down, pretty much most by Patriots, but by other means also,” he said.
Trump says US shot missiles at ‘Islamic Republic of Japan’ in latest baffling fumble
The Independent View: Donald Trump’s childish Nato tirades pose an early challenge to Andy Burnham
14:00 , James Reynolds
Editorial: The next prime minister must show not only leadership on defence spending and European unity, but a level head to negotiate the petulant unpredictability of the US president:
Donald Trump’s childish Nato tirades pose an early challenge to Andy Burnham
Three IRGC members killed in US strikes on Thursday, reports Mizan
13:42 , James Reynolds
Three members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the US strikes on Thursday, according to the Mizan news agency.
Analysis: Why Trump desperately needs Nato’s help to get out of his mess in Iran
13:30 , Maira Butt
Barely a month has passed since Donald Trump told the world's ships to "start your engines and let the oil flow!". The war in Iran, he told us in a burst of joy, was over for good.
His optimism did not last long. On Wednesday, the US struck more than 80 targets in Iran in response to attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Hours later, Trump said a ceasefire agreed as part of an interim peace deal was over and labelled the Tehran regime "scum". After a second night of strikes, he claimed Tehran had called and “want to make a deal so badly”.
There is still hope that diplomacy will prevail over the madness of a return to war. On 26 June, Iran and the US traded strikes before returning to dialogue. But the fact that such bursts of aggression are met with a collective shrug by the global community speaks to the absurdity of the peace process. Trump summarised it best himself when he remarked last month that a ceasefire in the Middle East is just “shooting in a more moderate manner”.
Why Trump desperately needs Nato’s help to get out of his mess in Iran
Jordan intercepts 8 missiles from Iran
13:24 , James Reynolds
Jordanian air defences intercepted eight missiles launched from Iran, the state news agency reports.
There were no casualties or damages, the agency says.
US 'adventurism' will lead to Iran's 'crushing response', says IRGC
13:23 , James Reynolds
In a new statement, the naval arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says that US “adventurism and interference” in determining traffic routes in the Strait of Hormuz will only result in Iran’s “crushing response”.
Sirens continued to sound across the region as Iran launched retaliatory strikes over the latest round of American attacks.
Iran says US attacks disrupt reopening of Strait of Hormuz, statement
13:17 , James Reynolds
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said on Thursday that US attacks on Iran and intervention in redirecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz were disrupting the strategic waterway's gradual reopening and jeopardizing the interests of countries benefiting from it.
The Guards added that transit capacity under Iran's supervision had recovered to about 50% of pre-war levels over the past two weeks, and that transit capacity was only being expanded for vessels granted permits to use routes designated by Iran.
They warned that any further U.S. intervention would draw a "crushing response".
Asian stocks slip and oil prices jump as Iran and US launch fresh attacks
13:00 , James Reynolds
Shares slipped in Asia and oil prices jumped Thursday as conflict escalated in the Middle East, with Iran and the U.S. launching fresh attacks.
As it happened:
Asian stocks slip and oil prices jump as Iran and US launch fresh attacks
The Independent View: Donald Trump’s childish Nato tirades pose an early challenge to Andy Burnham
12:30 , James Reynolds
Editorial: The next prime minister must show not only leadership on defence spending and European unity, but a level head to negotiate the petulant unpredictability of the US president:
Donald Trump’s childish Nato tirades pose an early challenge to Andy Burnham
Trump denies security fears behind change of plane in UK
12:00 , James Reynolds
President Donald Trump has explained why he switched back to the old Air Force One rather than flying in the Qatari-gifted jet amid scrutiny over security concerns.
Trump told reporters Wednesday he was taking the older plane home “for old time’s sake” while the $400 million jet tours an air force base housing U.S. troops.
When asked later Wednesday en route to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland after leaving this week’s NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, about a potential security concern that could have caused the switch, the president denied there was one.
Trump explains why he switched back to old Air Force One from Qatari-gifted jet
Iranian sources accuse US of striking nuclear plant
11:54 , James Reynolds
More information on the reported attack in Bushehr.
The deputy governor of Bushehr province told state media on Thursday that a US projectile hit the area surrounding the nuclear plant.
The official said several locations in Bushehr were hit in US attacks.
Sirens sound in Jordan
11:50 , James Reynolds
Missile alert sirens are also sounding over Jordan, according to local television.
Iran has been hitting US-linked targets in response to renewed strikes in Iran.
There was no immediate confirmation of incoming projectiles.
Breaking: Iranian nuclear plant 'hit by US projectile', says state media
11:49 , James Reynolds
Iranian state media is now reporting that the perimeter of Bushehr nuclear power plant has been hit by a US projectile.
Earlier they reported on explosions in the area, but it was unclear what caused them.
In full: US launches new airstrikes on Iran and Tehran fires back at Gulf Arab states
11:30 , James Reynolds
The United States launched new airstrikes against Iran early Thursday, and Tehran responded by targeting Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar in crossfire that again threatened an interim deal intended to help end the war in the Persian Gulf.
The strikes came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said recent Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz signaled the end of the fragile ceasefire.
The U.S. struck a variety of military sites and port facilities early Wednesday after Iran targeted several merchant vessels off the coast of Oman, sparking Iranian fire then as well.
Read the full story:
US launches new airstrikes on Iran and Tehran fires back at Gulf Arab states
Watch: Trump says he's 'number one' on Iran's target list
11:00 , James Reynolds
Explosions heard in Iran's Bushehr
10:31 , James Reynolds
Iranian state media is reporting fresh explosions in Bushehr.
The reports could not immediately be verified, and it was unclear what may have caused them.
It follows a wave of US strikes overnight.
Bahrain 'thwarts' Iranian attacks
10:30 , James Reynolds
Bahrain’s army said in a statement on Thursday it had “thwarted” the latest Iranian attacks at its territory.
Watch: US forces strike 90 military targets along Iran’s coastline
10:00 , James Reynolds
Trump says Iran may not be 'worthy' of a deal
09:30 , James Reynolds
Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One early on Thursday that Iran had called him seeking a deal.
But the president, who on Wednesday said the talks appeared to be a “waste of time”, said: “I just don’t know if they’re worthy of making a deal. I don’t know that they’re going to honour the deal.”
In pictures: Explosions in Iran after a second night of strikes
09:15 , James Reynolds
At least 3 killed in US strikes on Iran - state media
09:00 , James Reynolds
Iranian state media is reporting that three people were killed by the US strikes overnight.
The deputy governor of Khuzestan, in the south west, said more were injured in attack near Ahvaz.
08:53 , James Reynolds
Mapped: Ships congregate outside Strait on Thursday morning
08:45 , James Reynolds
What do we know about the wave of strikes overnight?
08:30 , James Reynolds
Iranian media reported strikes primarily along Iran's southern coast, from the Strait of Hormuz to the Gulf of Oman.
Among the locations hit were Bandar Abbas, home to Iran's largest port and key navy and Revolutionary Guards facilities on the Strait of Hormuz, as well as Konarak and Chabahar, neighbouring coastal cities near Iran's border with Pakistan.
Electricity had been restored to most areas of Chabahar after strikes knocked out power for some in the city, Mehr news agency reported, citing the local utility. Media also reported that a maritime traffic control tower in Chabahar was hit.
A firefighter was killed in a strike on the airport in the southeastern city of Iranshahr, state media reported. In northern Iran, a U.S. attack hit a railway bridge near the town of Aqqala, according to Press TV.
Kuwaitis told not to share photos of attacks
08:13 , James Reynolds
Kuwaitis have again been told not to share footage of the overnight attacks on social media.
In a statement on X, the army tells citizens not to take or share photos or videos of missiles or drones being intercepted.
Citizens are also told not to approach the sites of fallen shrapnel.
Catch up: Missile sirens sound across Middle East after Trump resumes strikes on Iran
08:00 , James Reynolds
The US military said it struck 90 sites across Iran this morning, saying the operation was aimed at degrading Tehran’s ability to target shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
After explosions were reported in coastal areas across southern Iran, missile sirens sounded across Gulf nations warning of potential retaliatory strikes from Tehran.
The US continued carrying out airstrikes against Iran after president Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that the ceasefire between the two nations was “over” in the wake of Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the strait.
The president wrote on social media on Wednesday that the strikes were “retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran”, warning that attacks could “get much worse” if hostilities continued.
He told reporters onboard Air Force One that Iran had reached out recently and claimed that Tehran still wanted to make a deal “so badly”. Iran hasn't confirmed any such overtures.
The resumption of attacks came as the president said he was “not sure” if he wanted to make a deal with Tehran going forward.
Asked why he now viewed Iran’s leadership as “scum”, the US president told the Nato summit in Turkey that he “got to know ‘em”.
Iran accuses Nato chief of ‘willful complicity’ in US-Israeli war
07:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Iran has criticised Nato secretary general Mark Rutte over his support for recent US strikes, accusing him of admitting Europe’s role in the conflict.
Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said European countries that allowed the use of their military bases and infrastructure for the campaign were complicit in what he called an “unprovoked aggression” against Iran.
Mark Rutte’s repeated admissions of Europe’s willful complicity in the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran only confirms, once again, that they were not impartial in this brutal unlawful aggression. Those who provided their territories, military bases, and infrastructure to…
— Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) July 9, 2026
His remarks came after Rutte described the latest US attacks as “absolutely necessary” and said thousands of US military aircraft had operated from European bases during the war.
“Mark Rutte’s repeated admissions of Europe’s willful complicity in the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran only confirms, once again, that they were not impartial in this brutal unlawful aggression. Those who provided their territories, military bases, and infrastructure to enable the aggression cannot evade responsibility for their contribution to an unprovoked aggression and its grave consequences,” he wrote on X.
US forces strike 90 military targets along Iran’s coastline
07:10 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Shipping through Strait of Hormuz slows sharply after renewed US strikes
06:50 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Commercial vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped significantly after the US carried out a second day of strikes on Iran, according to Bloomberg News.
Using ship-tracking data, the report said only a handful of large vessels were moving through the strategic waterway, including a US-sanctioned supertanker leaving the Gulf and an Iranian-flagged container ship.
Bloomberg said just 14 cargo ships passed through the strait in both directions on Wednesday, the lowest daily total since the US and Iran signed their memorandum of understanding in mid-June.
By comparison, the waterway had averaged around 34 cargo vessel transits a day during the three weeks after the interim agreement came into effect.
Khamenei’s coffin transported from Najaf to Iran ahead of burial
06:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The coffin of Iran’s slain supreme leader is being transported from the Iraqi city of Najaf to Mashhad in northeastern Iran ahead of his burial later today, according to the Mehr news agency.
The transfer marks the final stage of six days of funeral ceremonies held across Iran and Iraq, including in the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala.
Mohammad Mohammadi Golpayegani, head of Khamenei’s office, said the late leader had requested to be buried in Mashhad, near the shrine of Imam Reza.
US says latest strikes intended to ‘degrade Tehran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation’ in Strait of Hormuz
06:10 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The US military said its latest strikes were aimed at protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after recent attacks on vessels.
US Central Command said the operation was intended to “further degrade Tehran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation” and “further degrade Tehran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation” in the vital waterway.
In a statement, it said: “The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway.”
Iran dismisses Trump’s ‘scum’ remark and says they will answer with ‘action’ and not ‘vulgarity’
05:50 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Donald Trump claimed that Iran had reached out seeking a deal but questioned whether Tehran could be trusted to uphold any agreement.
He told reporters: “I don’t want to deal with them anymore, they’re scum. You know what scum is? They’re scum. They’re sick people.”
Later, he said: “I just don’t know if they’re worthy of making a deal - I don’t know that they’re going to honour the deal, that’s the problem.”
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, hit back and dismissed further negotiations. “We do not answer vulgarity with vulgarity, but with action: fearlessly and with great valour,” Araghchi wrote on X.
Trump says Iran wants a deal 'so badly' after US military action
05:30 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Iran’s parliamentary speaker says Strait of Hormuz will not operate under ‘American threats’
05:10 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned Washington that any further attacks would draw a response after the US launched fresh strikes overnight.
“Let me put it plainly: if you strike, you’ll get hit,” he wrote on X, adding that the Strait of Hormuz would only operate under Iranian arrangements and not “American threats”.
Trump says Washington would request even more forcefully if Iran targeted shipping again
04:50 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Donald Trump has warned that Washington would respond even more forcefully if Iran targeted shipping again, while US Central Command said the operation was aimed at protecting freedom of navigation through one of the world’s busiest oil transit routes.
The renewed conflict has raised fears of a wider regional crisis and sent shockwaves through global markets.
Brent crude climbed more than 5 per cent to nearly $80 a barrel as investors worried about disruptions to oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, while US stock markets fell.
The fresh strikes have also dealt a blow to hopes that last month’s interim truce between Washington and Tehran could be turned into a lasting peace agreement.
US launches second wave of strikes on Iran
04:18 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The US launched a second wave of strikes on Iran on Wednesday, hours after president Donald Trump declared that an interim agreement to end the conflict was “over”.
Iranian state media reported explosions in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, the coastal city of Sirik and Bushehr province, while the US military said the attacks were intended to weaken Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The latest escalation came after three commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz were attacked, prompting the US to carry out what it described as retaliatory strikes.
Reignited Iran fight rattles Wall Street
04:01 , Josh Marcus
With the US and Iran once again trading strikes, traders across Wall Street are racing to factor in more potential disruptions to the global economy.
“We always expected it to be a rocky road to resolution, but this is a pretty big rock,” Tyler Rosenlicht, head of natural resource equities at Cohen & Steers, told The Wall Street Journal. “It’s really tough to be confident in anything.”
On Wednesday, Brent crude oil futures rose 5.2 per cent and US oil futures were up 4.4 per cent.
PHOTOS: Mourners arrive at Imam Reza's shrine in Mashhad for funeral of slain Iranian leader Ali Khamenei
03:30 , Josh Marcus
ICYMI: Tenuous state of a US-Iran ceasefire renews anxiety over high fuel prices
03:00 , Cathy Bussewitz and Mae Anderson
The potential unraveling of a fragile truce between Iran and the United States renewed anxiety Wednesday over whether fuel prices would go back up if sustained fighting kept oil tankers from traveling through the Persian Gulf.
Oil prices rose to their highest point in weeks after President Donald Trump declared the U.S. ceasefire with Iran over, responding to Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and on American military sites in other Gulf nations. Costlier crude oil could lead to costlier gas station fill-ups as drivers in many countries were getting a break from elevated prices brought on by the war.
“Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has essentially stopped, which tells you more about risk perception right now than any statement from Washington or Tehran," said Jorge Leon, head of geopolitical analysis at Rystad Energy, in an email. “Oil markets reacted quickly to the renewed geopolitical risk."
U.S. gasoline prices increased slightly Wednesday to an average of $3.80 for a gallon of regular, up from $3.79 the day before, but still well below the month-ago average of $4.16, according to motor club federation AAA.
Crude oil makes up the bulk of the price of gasoline, so when oil prices rise, gasoline eventually follows. But it can take weeks for consumers to feel the full impacts. That's because refiners make gasoline with oil purchased in advance. The finished product then has to travel through a system of pipelines and trucks to reach gas station pumps.
More details in the full story.
The tenuous state of a US-Iran ceasefire renews anxiety over high fuel prices
Trump still insisting Iran conflict isn't a war
02:30 , Josh Marcus
President Trump continues to argue the US-Israeli conflict with Iran is not a war, even as American forces have struck targets across Iran on Wednesday.
"It's really not a war so much”, he told reporters on Air Force One on Wednesday. “It's a de-nuking of Iran. De-nuclearisation of Iran”.
"So this is all about taking nuclear weapons, not allowing Iran to have nuclear weapons”, he added. “And everybody should like that”.
Trump switched to old Air Force One over Iran threats, sources say
02:01 , Josh Marcus
President Trump reportedly used the old Air Force One rather than the new, Qatar-donated luxury model to depart the Nato summit in Turkey on Wednesday as a security precaution because of the reignited Iran war, according to The New York Times.
On Wednesday, the president claimed the new plane was being sent to a Royal Air Force base in England on its way back from the summit as a treat for the “wonderful” American military service members there.
Iran appears to target Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait in strikes
01:47 , Josh Marcus
The US-Iran conflict appears to be widening again.
Bahrain announced on Wednesday that its air defences had intercepted “several Iranian air attacks”.
In a statement, the country condemned what it called Iran’s “criminal attacks using missiles and drones targeting civilians in Bahrain”.
Missile alerts also went off in Qatar, the Associated Press reports.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say they targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait on Wednesday.
Trump insists US has won Iran war, despite resumption of attacks
01:30 , Josh Marcus
President Trump continues to paint a victorious picture of his Iran campaign, even as hostilities ratcheted back up this week.
“We’ve already won”, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Wednesday.
He nonetheless vowed overwhelming American reprisals to Iranian attacks on shipping vessels, promising to return any force with 20 times the power.
01:00 , James Reynolds
Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that Nato had emerged from its annual summit "stronger and more united", citing Donald Trump's closing remarks which he said had praised the spirit and unity of the meeting.
"President Trump summed up and said that he was very pleased to welcome the spirit of the meeting and the unity of the meeting, and therefore, in terms of what's the outcome here, and answering that question 'is Nato stronger and more united coming out of this summit?' then the answer is yes to that," Starmer told reporters.
The outgoing prime minister added that the alliance had achieved its principal goal of reinforcing cohesion at a time of conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Former MAGA members criticise Trump for Iran attacks
Thursday 9 July 2026 00:40 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Some former prominent figures associated with Donald Trump’s MAGA movement have criticised the US's latest strikes on Iran, arguing they undermine Trump’s pledge to avoid prolonged foreign conflicts.
Former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene questioned why the US resumed bombing Iran despite previously claiming its military had been severely weakened.
“We are back to bombing Iran during the ceasefire for the Iran war that is not a war because Iran bombed a vessel for crossing the Strait of Hormuz that they don’t control yet apparently control,” she wrote on X.
She continued: “I’m so glad that Trump ran for president to end forever foreign wars otherwise I might start thinking this war that is not a war that we won like 40 times is starting to turn into another forever foreign war in the Middle East.”
We are back to bombing Iran during the ceasefire for the Iran war that is not a war because Iran bombed a vessel for crossing the Strait of Hormuz that they don’t control yet apparently control.
— Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@FmrRepMTG) July 8, 2026
Not sure how they bombed the vessel because we have totally and completely…
Former National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent said the attacks effectively ended the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran.
“We are back to attempting to find a military solution to the SOH,” he wrote on X, referring to the Strait of Hormuz.
“The problem is we signed the MoU because there was no military solution & we needed the SOH open,” he said, adding, “Our best option is to walk away.”
Why would Iran want to derail the MoU with Hormuz attacks?
Thursday 9 July 2026 00:20 , Josh Marcus
A former Pentagon official believes diplomatic intrigue could explain why Iranian forces attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz this week, leading to the collapse of the tentative peace deal and helping kick off the latest round of back-and-forth strikes.
“It’s also quite possible that the attacks on the neutral civilian ships were launched by a Revolutionary Guard faction that was trying to derail the diplomatic process,” David Des Roches, former Pentagon Nato operations director, told Al Jazeera.
