Donald Trump has threatened Iran with airstrikes against their bridges and suggested “other people” will launch a ground campaign for him.
As fighting in the region intensifies, the US president said he will hit Iran “very hard” in the coming days.
“Next week comes the bridges. We're going to knock out all their power plants. We'll knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate”, Trump told Fox News Tuesday evening, Washington time.
Trump also didn’t rule out a ground campaign, saying, “Sometimes you need a ground campaign, but we have other people that will do the ground campaign for us”.
American forces launched more strikes against Iran and reinstated their blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.
US Central Command announced that the additional strikes were conducted to “continue degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.”
But Trump U-turned on his plan to impose a 20 per cent fee on maritime traffic to guard the oil waterway.
The president wrote on Truth Social that trade and investment deals with the Gulf states would replace the fee for ships to pass through the channel.
Key Points
- Trump threatens to hit Iran's energy infrastructure
- Strait of Hormuz blockade begins
- Trump doesn't rule out seizing Kharg Island
- US launches more strikes against Iran
- Trump scraps Hormuz fee a day after raising it
- US accuses Iran of intentionally targeting civilians by attacking 7 commercial ships
Iran targets US Fifth Fleet facilities in Bahrain
04:27 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said this morning that it had targeted what it described as command-and-control, logistics, fuel and military equipment facilities belonging to the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.
This was in response to what it said were US actions in the Indian Ocean and efforts to control the Strait of Hormuz and restrict shipping routes.
The Guard warned that if Washington sought to block the region's oil and gas exports by controlling maritime routes, other export routes serving US and allied interests could also be closed, saying regional energy exports would be "for everyone or for no one".
Bahrain's home ministry this morning said air raid sirens were sounded and urged residents to remain calm and seek shelter.
Oil rises sharply after US-Iran hostilities flare again
04:21 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Oil rose this morning as US president Donald Trump reimposed a naval blockade on all Iranian ports and Iran launched retaliatory strikes on US infrastructure in the region.
For the second straight session, Brent closed at its highest since 12 June and West Texas Intermediate at its highest since 15 June and rose further on early trade.
Brent rose $1.46, or 1.72 per cent, to $86.19 a barrel while WTI was up $1.11, or 1.4 per cent, to $80.40 a barrel.
Trump attacks Obama for Iran Nuclear Deal when asked if Tehran is serious about negotiating
04:05 , Rachel Dobkin
Donald Trump has attacked former US President Barack Obama for his Iran Nuclear Deal when asked if Tehran was serious about negotiating peace.
“Do you believe the Iranians are serious about making a deal?” Fox News’ Trey Yingst asked Trump during an interview Tuesday evening, Washington time.
When the US president said Iran has “no choice” but to, Yingst asked, “Why haven’t they yet?”
“They never made a deal with Obama. What they did sign was a worthless piece of paper”, Trump said.
He said the Iran Nuclear Deal was a “road to a nuclear weapon, and what I have is a wall — there will be no nuclear weapon”.
The Iran Nuclear Deal, which Iran signed in 2015 and Trump withdrew from in 2018, restricted Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions.
Trump suggests most of war goals 'have been completed'
03:55 , Rachel Dobkin
Donald Trump has suggested that most of his administration’s goals for the Iran war “have been completed”.
“Your objectives are to ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon, to keep the Strait [of Hormuz] open, and to degrade the Iranian military.
“Can those objectives be completed in an air campaign alone, or does this require a ground component?” Fox News’ Trey Yingst asked Trump during an interview Tuesday evening, Washington time.
“I think they are completed now, honestly”, Trump said. “If we left right now, it would take them 20 years to rebuild what they have”.
Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has remained diminished as the US and Iran trade strikes.
US treasury announces sanctions on 'major force behind Iran’s oil exports'
03:45 , Rachel Dobkin
The US Treasury Department has announced sanctions on Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani’s shipping network, which the agency said is a ”major force behind Iran’s oil exports”.
“This action is part of Treasury’s ongoing efforts to ramp up economic pressure on the Iranian regime after it resumed destabilizing attacks in the Strait of Hormuz”, the Treasury Department said in a Tuesday press release.
Trump rival says 'we won't look away' after Senate Democrats blocked defense spending bill
03:31 , Rachel Dobkin
Chuck Schumer, a political rival of US President Donald Trump, has said “we won't look away” after he and other Senate Democrats blocked a defense spending bill.
“Donald Trump is dragging America deeper into a war in Iran with no authorization, no plan, and no exit strategy.
“Democrats will not go along. Trump is expecting Congress to look the other way and ignore his illegal war, just days after he tore up his own ceasefire deal and dramatically escalated the fighting. We won’t look away”, the Senate minority leader wrote on X.
Earlier Tuesday, a motion to advance the $1.15 trillion annual defense authorization bill failed 50 to 46. It needed 60 votes to advance to the Senate floor.
Iran retaliates over US strikes by attacking Bahrain and Kuwait: report
02:53 , Rachel Dobkin
Iran has launched attacks against Bahrain and Kuwait, the Associated Press reported.
The Gulf nations were attacked in retaliation for fresh US strikes and American forces reinstating a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian official accuses US of war crimes after he says environmental ranger post was targeted
02:38 , Rachel Dobkin
Esmaeil Baqaei, a spokesperson for Iran’s foreign affairs ministry, has accused the US of war crimes after he said an environmental ranger post was targeted.
“In the early hours of Tuesday, the terrorist U.S. military attacked an environmental ranger post in the village of Seyed Jowzar, Hajjiabad County, in northern Hormozgan, and martyred 3 members of Mr. Javad Hasanzadeh's family, the hardworking ranger.
“This is merely the latest example of America's heinous war crimes over the past four and a half months,” Baqaei wrote on X.
Watch: US military says it used drone boats on Iranian targets in first-of-its-kind attack
02:03 , James Reynolds
Trump suggests 'other people' will launch a ground campaign for him in Iran
01:25 , Rachel Dobkin
Donald Trump has suggested that “other people” will launch a ground campaign for him in Iran.
“Are you ruling out a ground campaign in a limited capacity?” Fox News’ Trey Yingst asked Trump during an interview Tuesday evening, Washington time.
“Well, I don’t want to say that either, but I would say no — if I thought it was appropriate. Sometimes you need a ground campaign, but we have other people that will do the ground campaign for us”, Trump said.
Senator Roger Marshall, a Kansas Republican, called for “the Gulf Coast countries” to “go in and finish the job” in an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Monday.
“They need to send their ground troops in, if that's what it takes. But it should not be American soldiers that are leading the way”, Marshall said.
Iran has attacked its Gulf neighbors throughout the war.
Trump doesn't rule out seizing Kharg Island
01:17 , Rachel Dobkin
Donald Trump has not ruled out seizing Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil hub.
The US president has threatened to take control of Kharg Island throughout the Iran war.
“Do you still intend to take Kharg Island?” Fox News’ Trey Yingst asked Trump during an interview Tuesday evening, Washington time.
“So I can't say that to you because if I did it'd be foolish. But it'd be nice, it'd make a little headlines”, Trump said.
“We already hit Kharg Island, as you know, twice — even three times. I said, ‘Hit everything but the oil’”, the president said. “Because I don’t want that, in terms of the world economy.”
Trump cautioned, “We haven’t hit that, but at some point we could, but I think it’s unlikely. As far as taking it is concerned, if we degrade them far enough and deep enough back, I would do that.”
Trump threatens to hit Iran's energy infrastructure
01:05 , Rachel Dobkin
Donald Trump has threatened to hit Iran's energy infrastructure in a new interview.
Fox News Trey Yingst asked the US president Tuesday evening, Washington time, if he’s considering hitting energy targets in Iran.
“I’ll save the energy targets for last, but ultimately, we'll hit energy targets”, Trump said.
The president warned that the US will hit Iran “very hard tonight. We’re gonna hit them very hard tomorrow night. We’re gonna hit them very hard the night after”.
“Next week comes the bridges. We're going to knock out all their power plants. We'll knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate”, Trump added.
Trump issues warning for Iran: 'You better make a deal'
Wednesday 15 July 2026 00:44 , Rachel Dobkin
Donald Trump has told Iran that it “better make a deal” with the US.
The US president told Fox News Trey Yingst Tuesday evening, Washington time, that Iran wants to work out a peace agreement with the US, but “every time they make a deal, they break it.”
Trump said his representative spoke with Iranian officials soon before his interview, and they said, “You better make a deal. You're not going to have anybody left.”
But the president noted, “We’re being very careful with the civilian population.”
US accuses Iran of intentionally targeting civilians by attacking 7 commercial ships
Wednesday 15 July 2026 00:35 , Rachel Dobkin
Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US Central Command, has accused Iran of intentionally targeting civilians.
“Over the past seven days, Iran has intentionally targeted civilians across the region by attacking seven commercial ships resulting in nearly a dozen civilian crew members killed, missing, or injured”, Cooper wrote in a statement.
Statement from Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander: pic.twitter.com/epNbgbDaOP
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 14, 2026
Oil is up after Strait of Hormuz closed again - so why hasn’t the stock market cratered this time?
Wednesday 15 July 2026 00:05 , James Reynolds
A reopening of hostilities in the Middle East has seen the Strait of Hormuz shuttered once more, with the US and Iran exchanging missile strikes to leave hopes of an extended ceasefire in tatters.
One immediate knock-on effect has been a rise in the price of oil, with Brent Crude rising to $87.20 by noon on Tuesday, a one-month high, though still materially lower than the $110-120 range seen regularly through March and April in the first months of the war.
But stock markets have not, yet at least, reacted in a similarly strong way, with some investors pondering whether this will be a classic Donald Trump bait-and-switch scenario, where the US president has repeatedly said one thing and then done another in the days afterwards.
Read the full story:
Oil is up after Iran attacks – so why hasn’t the stock market cratered this time?
US energy secretary says US has been achieving its goal of getting oil to flow out of the Arabian Gulf
Tuesday 14 July 2026 23:33 , Rachel Dobkin
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has said the US has been achieving its goal of getting oil to flow out of the Arabian Gulf.
"No matter what happens with Iran, we've got to assure we can get flow of meaningful oil, and gas, and products out of the Arabian Gulf, and the U.S. military's been achieving that—and of course, as the military ramps up, and we degrade Iranian capabilities, that will just keep getting better and better”, he told CNBC.
White House says 'there's going to be some back and forth' as oil prices jump
Tuesday 14 July 2026 23:02 , Rachel Dobkin
White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai has said “there's going to be some back and forth” as oil prices rose to a one-month high on Tuesday.
“We had so many experts and economists, many people in the media speculate that these disruptions that we saw, that we were always very transparent about from the beginning of Operation Epic Fury, would be permanent. That oil prices would stay elevated for a very long time, would stay above $100 or hit $150 per barrel or something like that.
“And we've seen the exact opposite of that, where we've seen oil prices drop very to almost down to where they were before the start of Operation Epic Fury just a couple of short weeks ago. And obviously, there's going to be some back and forth.
”The president's obviously focused on ensuring that Iran never has a nuclear weapon. But again, we've proven, and the president has been vindicated, that oil prices will plummet like a rock, and have plummeted like a rock once traffic in the Strait of Hormuz gets normalized”, Desai told NewsNation.
Brent futures, the international benchmark for oil prices, climbed about 2 per cent to $84.73 per barrel after the US reinstated its naval blockade against Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday, Reuters reported.
CENTCOM says over 20 warships and hundreds of military aircraft are operating during blockade
Tuesday 14 July 2026 22:28 , Rachel Dobkin
U.S. forces resumed the naval blockade against vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas today at 4 p.m. ET.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 14, 2026
There are currently more than 20 U.S. Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft operating across the Middle East. American forces remain… pic.twitter.com/ATRJHlLQNo
Trump steps back from 20 per cent Strait of Hormuz fee
Tuesday 14 July 2026 22:00 , James Reynolds
US President Donald Trump has stepped back from a proposal to charge a 20 per cent fee to guard the Strait of Hormuz as part of the conflict with Iran, saying on Tuesday he would instead seek investment deals with Gulf states.
US forces had carried out waves of attacks for the third night in a row after Tehran said it had closed the strait, prompting Trump on Monday to reinstate a blockade of Iranian shipping and propose the fee.
But just a little under five hours before the fee had been due to come into effect at 8 p.m. GMT, Trump said the strait was open to all shipping traffic except that of Iran.
"Based on highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership, I have decided to replace the 20% United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States”, he said in a post on Truth Social.
Oil futures prices pared their gains following the post after rising earlier on Tuesday.
CENTCOM confirms strikes, announces blockade has begun
Tuesday 14 July 2026 21:00 , Rachel Dobkin
US Central Command has confirmed that it launched fresh strikes against Iran and that its blockade of Iranian ports would begin at 4 p.m., Washington time.
At 3 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching an additional round of strikes against Iran to continue degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes are taking place as American forces prepare to resume the…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 14, 2026
US launches more strikes against Iran: reports
Tuesday 14 July 2026 20:04 , Rachel Dobkin
The US military has launched more strikes against Iran, according to reports.
The strikes were carried out Tuesday, the Associated Press and Reuters reported, citing a US official.
It comes hours before the US is expected to reinstate its blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the AP.
Beyond the Strait of Hormuz: How Gulf countries are preparing for life without the waterway
Tuesday 14 July 2026 20:00 , James Reynolds
The US and Iran continue tit-for-tat strikes over the vital shipping route while a fifth of the world’s oil supply remains at a standstill. But Gulf countries have been looking towards alternatives for a more independent future, Maira Butt reports:
How Gulf countries are preparing for life without the Strait of Hormuz
Recap: Tehran launches missiles on tankers in Strait of Hormuz after more Trump strikes
Tuesday 14 July 2026 19:00 , James Reynolds
A sailor was killed and eight others were wounded when two Emirati oil tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE said on Tuesday, as Tehran stepped up attacks around the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said two "offending supertankers" were struck after ignoring warnings, turning off navigation systems and attempting to pass through "a mined route".
Separately, the UKMTO agency said that a tanker had been hit by an unknown projectile while travelling 40 nautical miles northeast of Oman's Qalhat. It was unclear whether they were referring to the same incident as the UAE.
The latest hostilities come after Iran said at the weekend it was closing the Strait, which usually carries a fifth of the world’s oil, casting further doubt on an interim deal to halt the war and driving oil prices higher.
Both Iran and the United States traded strikes for a third consecutive night as Donald Trump reinstated a blockade of Iranian shipping and proposed charging a 20 per cent fee to guard the Strait.
Jordan’s armed forces said they had intercepted and shot down four missiles entering their airspace from Iranian territory.
US attacks Iran using unmanned kamikaze boats for first time
Tuesday 14 July 2026 18:00 , James Reynolds
US forces struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran using kamikaze drone boats in an operational first amid renewed hostilities around the Strait of Hormuz.
Central Command said on Monday that it had “degraded Iran’s ability to continue attacking commercial shipping” with strikes on the port at Bandar Abbas naval base.
Footage shared by Centcom showed three Corsair unmanned surface vessels speeding into jetties, causing huge explosions and smoke to billow over the port.
Watch it here:
US attacks Iran using unmanned kamikaze boats for first time
Trump speaks on Strait of Hormuz
Tuesday 14 July 2026 17:25 , Alex Lang
US President Donald Trump welcomed the Iraqi Prime Minister to the White House Tuesday and took questions from the press. He addressed the ongoing Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz. Trump had walked back his plan to charge a 20% fee for ships traveling the waters.
"I was called by different people, different countries, kings and emirs, and all of the people that we all know and we all love, and they've been frankly, they've been very strong partners, and they said we'd love to do it a different way. We'd love to invest in the United States with billions and billions of dollars, and continue our record setting because we would. There's never been a time like this with the United States, with the factories, with the plants, with everything else, and we would like to invest tremendously in the United States, as opposed to charging a fee, and I like that actually because I don't think anybody should be able to charge a fee for the for the Strait or for any other Strait relationship in terms of other sections of the world," the president said.
Updated: Explosions reported on Qeshm Island
Tuesday 14 July 2026 17:11 , James Reynolds
Qeshm Island hit by US projectile, says Iran
Tuesday 14 July 2026 17:05 , James Reynolds
The governor of Iran’s Qeshm Island says that the island was hit by a US projectile at 7pm local time - around 4.30pm BST.
Read out June report on why Qeshm matters:
Inside Qeshm: How Iran’s fortress island holds the key to the Strait of Hormuz
Tuesday recap: US says it has completed latest wave of strikes on Iran
Tuesday 14 July 2026 17:00 , James Reynolds
Kuwait responding to missile and drone threats
Tuesday 14 July 2026 16:54 , James Reynolds
Kuwait says that its air defences are currently responding to missile and drone threats.
Sirens sounded in Kuwait again
Tuesday 14 July 2026 16:54 , James Reynolds
Sirens are sounding over Kuwait, according to its state news agency.
Kuwait has weathered repeated attacks from Iran in recent days, following a restarting of clashes with the US.
US projectile lands near water + power facility: Tasnim
Tuesday 14 July 2026 16:49 , James Reynolds
An American projectile has exploded near a water and electricity facility on Iran’s Kish island, the Iranian Tasnim news agency is reporting.
BP set for further boost from oil prices, but braces for £740m write-down
Tuesday 14 July 2026 16:30 , James Reynolds
BP has said it expects a further boost to oil trading in its second quarter due to the soaring cost of crude, but flagged a write-down of around £1 billion dollars (£740 million) and expects production to fall amid the Middle East conflict.
The FTSE 100 giant said its oil trading result is set to be “slightly higher” than the first quarter, when the wider customers and products division saw profits surge to 2.5 billion US dollars (£1.87 billion).
This compared with 1.4 billion dollars (£1.04 billion) in the previous quarter and 103 million dollars (£77.1 million) a year ago.
Read the full story:
BP set for further boost from oil prices, but braces for £740m write-down
Trump scraps Hormuz fee a day after raising it
Tuesday 14 July 2026 16:09 , James Reynolds
Donald Trump says in a post on Truth Social that he has decided to scrap the 20% fee on traffic in the Strait of Hormuz - barely a day after suggesting it.
In his latest U-turn, Trump says:
“Based on highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership, I have decided to replace the 20% United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States.
“Those Investments will be MASSIVE but, at the same time, extraordinarily good for them, and their future.”
Trump again insists the Strait is open to all traffic except Iranian boats, despite Iran hitting cargo ships with cruise missiles
Recap: Downing Street 'in touch' with Trump administration over Strait of Hormuz toll
Tuesday 14 July 2026 16:00 , James Reynolds
Downing Street is "in touch" with the United States after Donald Trump said he would levy a 20 per cent toll on shipping for safe passage through the critical waterway.
Asked whether the prime minister is making representations to the US president to reverse the policy, his spokesperson said: "Our priority is stability and a return to a ceasefire between the US and Iran and we continue to work with our allies to support a long lasting peace deal which will see an end to the violence and full reopening of the Strait.
"The UK's position hasn't changed. Freedom of navigation must now be restored to begin easing the severe economic impacts that have been felt on families here in the UK and around the world."
She added: "We are in touch with the US as you'd expect, we are using diplomatic channels to find out the intended scope of this. Those conversations are happening."
Watch: US military says it used drone boats on Iranian targets in first-of-its-kind attack
Tuesday 14 July 2026 15:30 , James Reynolds
US attacks Iran using unmanned kamikaze boats for first time
Tuesday 14 July 2026 14:30 , James Reynolds
US forces struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran using kamikaze drone boats in an operational first amid renewed hostilities around the Strait of Hormuz.
Central Command said on Monday that it had “degraded Iran’s ability to continue attacking commercial shipping” with strikes on the port at Bandar Abbas naval base.
Footage shared by Centcom showed three Corsair unmanned surface vessels speeding into jetties, causing huge explosions and smoke to billow over the port.
Here’s how it happened:
US attacks Iran using unmanned kamikaze boats for first time
Netanyahu to Iran: Don't count on there being silence if you attack us
Tuesday 14 July 2026 14:22 , James Reynolds
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says in a message to Iran’s leaders: “Don't count on there being silence if you attack us.
“Don't count on a replay; it will be a different broadcast—one far more powerful.”
המסר שלי למנהיגי איראן:
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) July 14, 2026
אל תבנו על כך שיהיה שקט אם תתקפו אותנו. אל תבנו על שידור חוזר, זה יהיה שידור אחר - עוצמתי הרבה יותר. pic.twitter.com/lTqHczGSjG
Analysis: Trump is a toxic ally. His war with Iran is once again spreading across the Gulf
Tuesday 14 July 2026 14:00 , James Reynolds
As the war in Iran spreads again to Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait and Donald Trump announces a 20 per cent toll on all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, it’s time the Gulf states realised the US president is a dangerous ally, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley:
Trump is a toxic ally. His war with Iran is once again spreading across the Gulf
World Middle East Dubai to build new port to bypass Strait of Hormuz
Tuesday 14 July 2026 13:30 , James Reynolds
Dubai is planning to build a new port and terminal to circumvent Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz.
Passage through the vital shipping route – through which one fifth of the world’s oil passes – has been disrupted since US-Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February.
Despite an interim agreement effectively opening up access to commercial vessels, a row has broken out over the interpretation of a clause relating to the waterway, sparking a resumption of hostilities between the US and Iran.
Dubai to build new port to bypass Strait of Hormuz as Iran continues attacks on ships
Downing Street 'in touch' with Trump administration over Strait of Hormuz toll
Tuesday 14 July 2026 13:02 , Millie Cooke
Downing Street is "in touch" with the United States after Donald Trump said he would levy a 20 per cent toll on shipping for safe passage through the critical waterway.
Asked whether the prime minister is making representations to the US president to reverse the policy, his spokesperson said: "Our priority is stability and a return to a ceasefire between the US and Iran and we continue to work with our allies to support a long lasting peace deal which will see an end to the violence and full reopening of the Strait.
"The UK's position hasn't changed. Freedom of navigation must now be restored to begin easing the severe economic impacts that have been felt on families here in the UK and around the world."
She added: "We are in touch with the US as you'd expect, we are using diplomatic channels to find out the intended scope of this. Those conversations are happening."
Iranian foreign minister makes a dig at Trump over plan to charge ships for transiting Hormuz
Tuesday 14 July 2026 13:00 , James Reynolds
Iranian foreign minister took a jab at Donald Trump over his comments saying the US should be compensated for ensuring safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
The president on Monday reinstated a blockade of Iranian shipping and proposed charging a 20% fee to guard the Strait of Hormuz.
POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) July 13, 2026
Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER.
20% is of course too much. We will be fair
US pauses removal of tankers from Ben Gurion airport amid escalation with Iran
Tuesday 14 July 2026 13:00 , James Reynolds
The United States has frozen its removal of refueling tankers from Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv amid the latest escalation with Iran.
The Israel Airports Authority said that as many as 50,000 flight tickets could be at risk of cancellation unless more American planes are pulled from Israel’s main international airport.
The US had started to remove some of the aircraft it had stationed at Ben Gurion earlier this month as negotiations with Iran raised hopes of a lasting end to the war.
Comment: Finally, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been banned – but I hope Andy Burnham goes even further
Tuesday 14 July 2026 12:54 , James Reynolds
British-Iranian dissident Vahid Beheshti went on a hunger strike to demand that the UK outlaw the brutal military group that directs Tehran’s terrorist proxies.
After years of official reluctance, it has now been proscribed as a threat to our national security – but there is much more that the new administration can do to keep us all safe:
Finally, the IRGC has been banned – but I hope Andy Burnham goes even further
Trump insists Strait of Hormuz is open
Tuesday 14 July 2026 12:30 , James Reynolds
Donald Trump said on Monday afternoon that the Strait of Hormuz was open and would remain open, despite renewed Iranian strikes in the channel.
We heard from the UAE today that two of their ships had been hit by Iranian cruise missiles in the strait of Monday.
Update: Iran reports US projectiles hit areas in Abadan and Mahshahr on Tuesday
Tuesday 14 July 2026 11:59 , James Reynolds
Hormuz cargo fee would be 'fundamentally wrong', says shipping giant
Tuesday 14 July 2026 11:15 , James Reynolds
Charging fees for passage through international waters "would be fundamentally wrong", German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd said on Tuesday after Donald Trump said he would reinstate a naval blockade on Iran and charge 20% on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz.
The company told Reuters it could not reliably quantify the financial impact of tensions in the Gulf region on its business.
Chemical tanker company says ship hit off Oman
Tuesday 14 July 2026 11:15 , James Reynolds
Stolt Tankers, which operates the world’s largest fleet of chemical tankers, says that the Stolt Magnesium suffered from an explosion caused by an unidentified external device off the coast of Oman.
They say the ship is experiencing a fire in the engine room as a result of the explosion. All seafarers are safe and accounted for, they say.
Stolt Magnesium is a 165m long Liberia flagged chemical tanker built in 2017.
More explosions recorded
Tuesday 14 July 2026 11:10 , James Reynolds
Iran’s coastal Bushehr city has been struck by US projectiles, according to Iran’s IRNA news agency.
Residents in Bushehr province and Choghadak have also reported explosions, according to Fars.
Earlier we heard of renewed explosions west of Bandar Abbas, in the south.
The US said earlier it had completed five hours of overnight strikes.
There was no immediate comment from the US.
'Participation trophy' trolling Trump and Iran war appears on National Mall
Tuesday 14 July 2026 10:45 , James Reynolds
A giant satirical statue of a participation trophy appeared on Monday on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., mocking the Trump administration’s continued stalemate in the Iran war.
“We hereby award President Donald J. Trump this participation trophy for his enthusiastic involvement in the Iran War,” a plaque on the statue reads. “While some concern themselves with military strategy, diplomacy, or measurable outcomes, President Trump demonstrated the courage to participate regardless of the final score.”
“As the recipient of this prestigious award, President Trump joins the ranks of children everywhere who received recognition for simply showing up,” the plaque continues.
Read the full story:
Mysterious statue trolling Trump and Iran war appears on Washington’s National Mall
Recap: Donald Trump notifies Congress of new war against Iran
Tuesday 14 July 2026 10:15 , James Reynolds
Donald Trump formally notified lawmakers over the weekend that the nation is at war with Iran again, giving his administration another 60 days to use the military without congressional approval.
The US president said in a letter to Congress dated 10 July that the renewed strikes since 7 July represent “military action consistent with my responsibility to protect Americans and United States’ interests both at home and abroad”, according to POLITICO.
It come after tensions flared over reported Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, followed by a kinetic US response.
Washington said on Monday it would reimpose its blockade of Iran starting 7pm GMT on Tuesday, covering the entire Iranian coastline including ports and oil terminals. US Centcom later on Monday announced a five hour mission striking targets across the country.
Iran’s IRGC said early on Tuesday that it had targeted a US air base in Jordan with ballistic missiles. Sirens also sounded early on Tuesday in Bahrain, home to another US military base.
ICYMI: Companies backed by Trump sons earn billions in military contracts
Tuesday 14 July 2026 09:45 , James Reynolds
President Donald Trump’s sons have in recent months become heavily invested in the defense sector, and ventures they back have reportedly earned billions of dollars in government business as the Trump administration looks to massively boost military spending amid the Iran war.
These companies, building technologies ranging from drones to smart factories, have generated at least $3.2 billion in direct government business since Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump became involved, a Washington Post analysis found, while the firms stand to potentially access billions more in future contract options.
The Post estimates that 97 percent of this windfall has come from SpaceX and Anduril, established defense contractors, and 10 of the 15 Trump-linked companies in the analysis were already doing government business prior to the pair’s involvement.
Read the full story:
Trump is boosting defense spending. Companies backed by his sons are earning billions
What we know about missile strikes on Emirati tankers
Tuesday 14 July 2026 09:15 , James Reynolds
The UAE’s defence ministry said on Tuesday that two Emirati oil tankers had been hit by cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz in the latest escalation in the waterway.
One person was killed and eight were injured in the strikes, which the UAE said occurred in the southern lane of the strait while in Omani territorial waters.
Abu Dhabi’s National Oil Company’s shipping arm said the very large crude carriers Mombasa B and Al Bahiyah were struck.
The dead crew member was Indian and aboard the Mombasa, the UAE said. Of the eight wounded, four were seriously injured. Six of the wounded were Indian nationals and two were Ukrainian nationals, the ministry said.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that two "offending" supertankers had been hit and disabled in the Strait of Hormuz after ignoring repeated warnings, turning off navigation systems and attempting to pass through what the Guards described as a mined route.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Tuesday that a tanker had been hit by an unknown projectile while travelling 40 nautical miles northeast of Oman's Qalhat.
It was not immediately clear whether that report referred to the same incident as the one reported by the UAE.
UKMTO said the tanker's master reported that the projectile struck the starboard-side engine room and that all crew were safe.
What we know about missile strikes on Emirati tankers
Tuesday 14 July 2026 09:15 , James Reynolds
The UAE’s defence ministry said on Tuesday that two Emirati oil tankers had been hit by cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz in the latest escalation in the waterway.
One person was killed and eight were injured in the strikes, which the UAE said occurred in the southern lane of the strait while in Omani territorial waters.
Abu Dhabi’s National Oil Company’s shipping arm said the very large crude carriers Mombasa B and Al Bahiyah were struck.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that two "offending" supertankers had been hit and disabled in the Strait of Hormuz after ignoring repeated warnings, turning off navigation systems and attempting to pass through what the Guards described as a mined route.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Tuesday that a tanker had been hit by an unknown projectile while travelling 40 nautical miles northeast of Oman's Qalhat.
It was not immediately clear whether that report referred to the same incident as the one reported by the UAE.
UKMTO said the tanker's master reported that the projectile struck the starboard-side engine room and that all crew were safe.
Commercial tanker hit by missile outside of Strait of Hormuz - UKMTO
Tuesday 14 July 2026 08:45 , James Reynolds
A tanker was hit by a missile 13 nautical miles southeast of Oman's Limah, while transiting outbound of the Strait of Hormuz on the southern route, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said on Tuesday, dating the reported incident to July 13.
Statue trolling Trump and his war with Iran appears on the DC National Mall
Tuesday 14 July 2026 08:39 , Alex Croft
A giant satirical statue of a participation trophy appeared on Monday on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., mocking the Trump administration’s continued stalemate in the Iran war.
“We hereby award President Donald J. Trump this participation trophy for his enthusiastic involvement in the Iran War,” a plaque on the statue reads. “While some concern themselves with military strategy, diplomacy, or measurable outcomes, President Trump demonstrated the courage to participate regardless of the final score.”
“As the recipient of this prestigious award, President Trump joins the ranks of children everywhere who received recognition for simply showing up,” the plaque continues.
The work, which encourages members of the public to leave their own trophies nearby, comes from Secret Handshake, an anonymous group of artists who have been installing prank statues in Washington throughout the administration.
Smaller trophies were seen scattered around the monument on Monday.
Watch: US military says it used drone boats on Iranian targets in first-of-its-kind attack
Tuesday 14 July 2026 08:21 , Alex Croft
Trump: There's not a damn thing Iran can do about our strikes
Tuesday 14 July 2026 08:03 , Alex Croft
Speaking to the "Hugh Hewitt Show" on Monday, Trump was typically bombastic in his threats towards Iran.
The country would be hit "very hard tonight, and we're going to hit them hard tomorrow,” he said. “And there's not a damn thing they can do about it."
The US has followed up these threats, launching a five-hour barrage strikes across the country in the third consecutive night of attacks.
The latest hostilities come after Iran said at the weekend it was closing the Strait of Hormuz, casting further doubt on an interim deal to halt the war and driving oil prices higher.
"The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. We are reinstating THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE," Trump had said earlier on Monday 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."
Iranian oil exports continuing as usual despite resumption of US sanctions, says Tehran
Tuesday 14 July 2026 07:47 , Alex Croft
Iran's oil exports are continuing as usual despite the cancellation last week of a 60-day waiver of US oil sanctions, oil minister Mohsen Paknejad said on his official Telegram account on Tuesday.
Paknejad said the oil ministry had maintained mechanisms for years to neutralise the impact of US sanctions and that Iran's oil exports would face no problems despite the removal of the waivers.
Trump is a toxic ally. His war with Iran is once again spreading across the Gulf
Tuesday 14 July 2026 07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
As the war in Iran spreads again to Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait and Donald Trump announces a 20 per cent toll on all ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, it’s time the Gulf states realised the US president is a dangerous ally, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley.
More here.
Trump is a toxic ally. His war with Iran is once again spreading across the Gulf
Iran executes two men convicted of links to Isis
Tuesday 14 July 2026 07:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iran executed two men convicted of being members of an Isis-linked militant cell and of armed action against the Islamic Republic, the Iranian judiciary's news outlet Mizan reported this morning.
Mizan said Mohieddin Abdollahi and Hossein Palani were sentenced to death after their convictions were upheld by the Supreme Court, adding that the cell had planned attacks in Iran after operating from the Bamo heights along the Iran-Iraq border.
India summons Iranian envoy over killing of seafarer
Tuesday 14 July 2026 07:08 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
India has summoned Iran's deputy ambassador to lodge a protest after an Indian crew member on board an Emirati tanker was killed in an Iranian airstrike.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said this morning that two "offending" supertankers had been hit and disabled in the strait after ignoring repeated warnings, turning off navigation systems and attempting to pass through what the Guard described as a mined route.
New Delhi over the weekend condemned Iran's attack on another merchant vessel off the coast of Oman with these 11 Indian nationals on board.
At least 10 seafarers were resued while one Indian national went missing following the attack.
Brazil's Lula calls Trump's tariff plans amounts to 'piracy' in Hormuz
Tuesday 14 July 2026 06:56 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has criticised US president Donald Trump's proposal to impose a 20 per cent tariff on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
"President Trump tweeted that he will unblock the Strait of Hormuz. But for every ship unblocked, every ship removed from the strait, the oil owner must pay him 20 per cent," Lula said in Sao Paolo.
"This used to be considered piracy," Lula said. "A major nation like the United States, which I believe has fought against piracy for a long time, cannot now become a pirate," he added.
Oil prices hit one month-high as Trump reinstates Iran blockade
Tuesday 14 July 2026 06:50 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Oil prices climbed to their highest level in four weeks after the US reinstated a naval blockade on Iran and announced plans to charge ships a 20 per cent toll on all cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude futures rose 2.1 per cent to $85.11 a barrel in early Tuesday trading, while West Texas Intermediate, the US crude benchmark, gained 2.3 per cent to $79.91 a barrel, extending gains after Brent surged 9.6 per cent in the previous session – its biggest single-day rise since May 2020.
Prices have now climbed to their highest levels since the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on 17 June aimed at ending the conflict.
More here.
Oil prices hit one month-high as Trump reinstates Iran blockade
Iran rescues bulk carrier crew after collision in Strait of Hormuz
Tuesday 14 July 2026 06:35 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iran rescued 23 foreign crew members after a bulk carrier collided with another vessel north of Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
The bulk carrier suffered serious damage to its hull and began taking on water, prompting the captain to order an emergency evacuation, Fars said, adding that all crew members were safely transferred to Qeshm Island.
Iran says it targeted US air base in Jordan
Tuesday 14 July 2026 06:25 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
A US air base in Jordan was targeted by Iranian ballistic missiles on Tuesday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in a statement published by Fars News, calling on the Jordanian people to dismantle American bases in their country.
"You know very well that not only do we not have any enmity with your country, but we also love you, the noble people, who understand the pain and oppression of the Palestinian people more than any other nation," the statement said.
Keir Starmer speaks out on Strait of Hormuz attacks as Trump threatens 20% tolls
Tuesday 14 July 2026 06:14 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Sir Keir Starmer has called for unrestricted transit through the Strait of Hormuz, following Donald Trump’s suggestion of a 20 per cent toll on shipping for safe passage through the vital waterway.
The American president’s controversial proposal comes amidst escalating tensions in the region.
The outgoing British prime minister also urged an immediate end to hostilities and a return to diplomatic negotiations, as the US launched its third consecutive night of strikes against Iran over the contested strategic sea route.
Trump defended his proposed fee on cargo using the Gulf channel as a "matter of fairness" to cover the costs of providing security.
More here.
Keir Starmer speaks out on Strait of Hormuz attacks as Trump threatens 20% tolls
Jordan intercepts missiles from Iran
Tuesday 14 July 2026 05:29 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Jordan's armed forces said they have intercepted and downed four missiles in Jordanian airspace that were fired from Iran.
US military death toll in Iran war rises to 14
Tuesday 14 July 2026 05:16 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The US military’s official tally of deaths in the Iran war has risen to 14 service members, with the death of a Navy pilot in a helicopter crash in early July in the Arabian Sea.
The number of wounded troops from the conflict also has grown to more than 400 as of Monday. Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for US Central Command, said the majority of them suffered traumatic brain injuries.
The Navy initially described the 1 July crash as an emergency landing and said there was “no indication the emergency was caused by hostile action.” The remaining three sailors aboard the helicopter were rescued shortly after the mishap.
The Pentagon’s war casualty count added one non-hostile death in July. It is the first death recorded since 13 service members were killed in separate incidents in March at the beginning of the war.
US embassy in UAE cancels consular appointments
Tuesday 14 July 2026 05:03 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The US embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US Consulate General in Dubai have cancelled consular appointments from 13-15 July due to the regional security situation, the embassy said in a security alert.
The embassy said it remains on ordered departure status and non-emergency US government personnel have been relocated outside the country.
Watch: US says it has completed latest wave of strikes on Iran
Tuesday 14 July 2026 05:03 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iran says two supertankers hit and disabled in Strait of Hormuz
Tuesday 14 July 2026 04:35 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iran's Revolutionary Guard this morning said two "offending supertankers" have been hit and disabled in the Strait of Hormuz after the ships ignored warnings, turned off navigation systems and attempted to pass through "a mined route", Iranian media reported, citing a statement from the Guard.
The Guard said the US was "inciting vessels to use an illegal route" and that cooperation with the "aggressor enemy" would result in damage, delays in reopening the strait and a global energy crisis.
Indian crew dead as Iran strikes UAE oil tankers
Tuesday 14 July 2026 04:23 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
One Indian crew member was killed and eight others were wounded when two Emirati oil tankers were struck by Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE said this morning.
The UAE's defence ministry said the tankers, the Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, were targeted in the southern lane of the strait while in Omani territorial waters. The dead crew member was aboard the Mombasa, it said.
Of the eight wounded, four were seriously injured. Six of the wounded were Indian nationals and two were Ukrainian nationals, the ministry said.
The attacks caused material damage to both tankers after fires broke out on board. The ministry said the fires had been brought under control. It condemned what it called a "blatant attack" and said the UAE retained "its full right to respond to this escalation".
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said this morning that two "offending" supertankers had been hit and disabled in the Strait of Hormuz after ignoring repeated warnings, turning off navigation systems and attempting to pass through what the Guard described as a mined route.
Iran claims attacks on Bahrain
Tuesday 14 July 2026 04:16 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said it targeted “several weapons storage depots, a satellite communications centre, and a building housing US forces” at the AlJuffair base in Bahrain.
Air raid sirens were sounded in Bahrain at least three times this morning, urging people to take immediate shelter.
Iran said the missile and drone attacks were part of the second phase of its “retaliation operation”.
