Donald Trump has warned that Iran "better behave" amid a renewed exchange of attacks between the two sides.
When asked by reporters whether he would give Tehran a deadline, Mr Trump said: “I don't like giving deadlines, but they pretty much know, they know the story... they better behave."
Earlier he said Iran released a US citizen in a “gesture of goodwill”.
“Iran has allowed an American Citizen, who was wrongfully detained in December of 2024 under the ‘presidency’ of Sleepy Joe Biden, to leave the Country”, the US president wrote on Truth Social Wednesday. “She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition”.
Also on Wednesday, the US launched multiple rounds of airstrikes against Iran to degrade the country’s ability to attack commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump held an emergency meeting in the Situation Room Tuesday to discuss a massive offensive against Iran to reopen the strait, Axios’ sources said.
American forces also reinstated their blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday. But Trump U-turned on his plan to impose a 20 per cent fee on maritime traffic to guard the oil waterway.
Key Points
- Trump says 'wrongfully detained' US citizen freed by Iran
- Vance says some Israeli officials want to keep Iran war going 'indefinitely'
- US launches fresh strikes on Iran
- Trump refuses to say exactly how long Iran has until US bombs bridges
- US reimposes its blockade on Iranian ports
Trump tells Iran to 'better behave'
05:30 , Stuti Mishra
Donald Trump told reporters he doesn't want to set a deadline for Iran but warned that Tehran "better behave" amid a renewed exchange of attacks between the two sides.
“I don't like giving deadlines, but they pretty much know, they know the story... they better behave," he said.
Eight missiles targeted Jordan
05:15 , Stuti Mishra
Jordan's military says it shot down 8 missiles launched by Iran targeting the kingdom.
CENTCOM shares photos of nighttime flight operations above Arabian Sea
05:00 , Rachel Dobkin
U.S. sailors conduct nighttime flight operations aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) while transiting the Arabian Sea. pic.twitter.com/uzJcrfGFXO
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 15, 2026
US airstrikes hit northern Iran as it disables ship trying to run the blockade
04:35 , Stuti Mishra
The United States intensified its strikes targeting Iran today, hitting targets further north as American forces also fired into a ship it accused of trying to break its naval blockade on the Islamic Republic. Iran retaliated with missile and drone fire targeting Bahrain and Kuwait before dawn.
Days of back-and-forth strikes by the US and Iran across the Middle East, and renewed threats to the Strait of Hormuz, have shredded the interim deal to end the Iran war and could tip the region back into all-out war. Already, Iranian officials say US strikes have killed more than 35 people and wounded more than 300 others. Strikes also reached into areas around Iran's capital, Tehran, for the first time of this latest round of violence.
Lebanon and Israel move towards implementing withdrawal deal, US says
04:04 , Jane Dalton
Lebanon and Israel took steps toward implementing "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon where Israeli forces would withdraw and turn over control to the Lebanese army, the US State Department has said after two days of US-mediated talks in Rome.
The State Department said the talks were "productive" and the parties "agreed on the structure and guidelines for the pilot zone process, to be finalised and implemented in the coming days.
"There was no immediate statement from Lebanon or Israel on the outcome of the negotiations.
Lebanon and Israel announced a "framework agreement" on June 26, laying out a plan for Israeli forces to withdraw from the large swathes of southern Lebanon they are occupying, in exchange for the disarmament of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group.
The deal was supposed to begin with two "pilot zones" where the Israeli military is to turn over control to the Lebanese army, which would clear the areas of any Hezbollah presence.
However, implementation on the ground had stalled.
Read on...
Lebanon and Israel move toward implementing withdrawal agreement, US officials say
WATCH: US forces strike oil tanker 'violating' blockade
03:31 , Rachel Dobkin
Latest round of US strikes against Iran ends
03:14 , Rachel Dobkin
US Central Command has announced that its latest round of airstrikes against Iran is completed.
“US forces struck Iranian command centers, air defense sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten innocent mariners crewing commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz”, CENTCOM wrote on X Wednesday night, Washington time.
JD Vance tries to clear up the 'bulls***' about Iran negotiations
03:04 , Rachel Dobkin
US Vice President JD Vance has tried to clear up what he calls the “bulls***” that has been circulating about the country’s peace negotiations with Iran.
"There's just so much bulls*** out there when what I'm actually trying to do is accomplish what the president of the United States told me to accomplish — which is a settlement of this that accomplishes our objectives. Iran doesn't have a nuclear weapon; we have the free flow of oil and gas”, Vance told podcaster Joe Rogan in an episode released Wednesday.
Strait of Hormuz traffic remains diminished
02:41 , Rachel Dobkin
Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has remained diminished as the US continues to attack Iran.
About 41 ships transited the vital oil waterway in the past 24 hours, according to the Hormuz Strait Monitor.
Iran retaliates over US strikes by attacking Bahrain and Kuwait: report
02:23 , Rachel Dobkin
Iran has retaliated over US airstrikes on Wednesday by attacking Bahrain and Kuwait, the Associated Press reported.
Watch: Trump says 111 missiles shot by Iran were 'knocked into the sea'
02:20 , Rachel Dobkin
.@POTUS "111 missiles shot a few weeks ago were launched by our lovely friends from Iran — they were aimed at the Abraham Lincoln, which is a beautiful aircraft, by the way...
— DOW Rapid Response (@DOWResponse) July 15, 2026
Out of the 111 missiles shot, 111 were knocked into the sea." pic.twitter.com/ANuJtmwO9w
Vance says some Israeli officials want to keep Iran war going 'indefinitely'
01:49 , Rachel Dobkin
US Vice President JD Vance has said that some Israeli officials want to keep the Iran war going “indefinitely.”
“I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there have been people within the Israeli government who are trying to actually shift us away from [negotiations] because they want to continue the military campaign”, Vance told podcaster Joe Rogan in an episode released Wednesday.
“There are some people within their system, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt, who are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely”, Vance said. “Again, not towards any objective, but just indefinitely”.
Some ships refusing US-military guided Hormuz transits
01:28 , Jane Dalton
Shipping companies are avoiding using a US military-guided transit scheme through the Strait of Hormuz after a wave of Iranian attacks on vessels sparked safety concerns, seven maritime security and shipping industry sources said.
For decades, ships sailed into and out of the Gulf using a safe set of lanes down the middle of the strait established by the UN’s shipping agency in 1968, dubbed the Traffic Separation Scheme.
Since the Iran war began on February 28, Iranian forces have mined this area, forcing vessels to use one of two makeshift routes close to either the Iranian or Omani coast.
WATCH: JD Vance says US will strategically 'use out military force'
01:02 , Rachel Dobkin
.@VP on Iran: "What the President has done very, very capably is said we're going to use military force in this situation when it's connected to something we're trying to achieve... But we're not just going to do something open-ended, indefinitely... We're going to try to use our… pic.twitter.com/Sr1O0uQBGK
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 15, 2026
Trump says 'wrongfully detained' US citizen freed by Iran
Thursday 16 July 2026 00:21 , Rachel Dobkin
Donald Trump has said a “wrongfully detained” US citizen has been freed by Iran in a “gesture of Goodwill”.
“Iran has allowed an American Citizen, who was wrongfully detained in December of 2024 under the ‘presidency’ of Sleepy Joe Biden, to leave the Country.
“She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition. The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!” Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday evening, Washington time.
Iran's top negotiator says country 'must always be prepared for battle'
Thursday 16 July 2026 00:05 , Rachel Dobkin
Iran's top negotiator has said that his country “must always be prepared for battle” as tensions grow in the region.
“We have never welcomed war, and do not do so now, but we must always be prepared for battle and be ready to defend our national security and interests with our lives”, Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a statement carried by state media and reported on by CNN.
“At the same time, we must also use diplomacy and negotiations to advance and consolidate our national interests”, Ghalibaf said.
Vance urges congressional Republicans to pass Iran war funding package: report
Wednesday 15 July 2026 23:39 , Rachel Dobkin
US Vice President JD Vance has urged congressional Republicans to pass a $95 billion package that includes funding for the Iran war, among other party priorities, Politico’s Meredith Lee Hill reported.
NEW — @JDVance just urged House Republicans to pass the $95 billion Iran war and ag package in a closed-door meeting, per people in the room
— Meredith Lee Hill (@meredithllee) July 15, 2026
WH is leaning in hard.
Vance also noted he went on Joe Rogan yesterday (and that’s why he missed their party meeting)
WATCH: Trump says he doesn't think about his safety in public despite alleged Iranian kill plots
Wednesday 15 July 2026 23:09 , Rachel Dobkin
"There have been threats on your life from Iran... Do you feel safe making appearances like this?"@POTUS: "I don't even think about it — because if I do, I wouldn't be very effective." pic.twitter.com/D0gGP72lHV
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 15, 2026
US forces strike oil tanker trying to 'violate' blockade
Wednesday 15 July 2026 22:34 , Rachel Dobkin
US Central Command announced Wednesday that it struck an unladen oil tanker trying to sail toward an Iranian port.
“The commercial vessel ignored multiple warnings as it attempted to violate the U.S. blockade”, CENTCOM wrote on X.
WATCH: Trump claims Iran 'wants to settle so badly'
Wednesday 15 July 2026 22:11 , Rachel Dobkin
Trump: Iran wants to settle so badly.. we'll find out whether or not we settle with them or we just finish it off pic.twitter.com/knGLze8hnL
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 15, 2026
Explosions heard in southern Iran after latest round of US strikes: report
Wednesday 15 July 2026 21:32 , Rachel Dobkin
Explosions have been heard in southern Iran after the latest round of US strikes, the country’s state media has reported.
The blasts rang out in the cities of Ahvaz and Chabahar late Wednesday evening local time, according to CNN, which cited Iranian media outlets.
Trump says he might wipe out IRGC if they can reach a deal
Wednesday 15 July 2026 21:10 , Rachel Dobkin
Donald Trump has said he might wipe out Iran’s paramilitary, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, if they can reach a peace deal.
"You came to the conclusion that you couldn't negotiate with the IRGC. Does that mean that you might wipe them out like you did ISIS?" a journalist from Fox Business asked Trump Wednesday.
"Yeah, it does. We will see what's happening”, Trump replied.
The US president said his team received a call from Iran as he was arriving at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit.
“They want to meet. They always want to meet”, Trump said.
US launches fresh strikes on Iran
Wednesday 15 July 2026 20:35 , Rachel Dobkin
The US military has launched fresh strikes on Iran.
“The strikes are targeting Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels freely transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, an international waterway vital to global commerce”, CENTCOM wrote on X Wednesday.
It marks the third wave of attacks in 24 hours.
Israel says 3 Hezbollah 'terrorists' were killed in southern Lebanon
Wednesday 15 July 2026 20:28 , Rachel Dobkin
The Israeli military has said three Hezbollah “terrorists” were killed in southern Lebanon.
“The terrorists were eliminated in order to remove the threat they posed to IDF soldiers operating nearby”, the Israel Defense Forces wrote on X Wednesday.
🔴ELIMINATED: 3 armed Hezbollah terrorists, who were carrying combat equipment, in the area of Beit Yahoun which is located within the Security Zone in southern Lebanon.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 15, 2026
The terrorists were eliminated in order to remove the threat they posed to IDF soldiers operating nearby.
US military denies Iranian accusation that it hit a civilian wheat storage facility
Wednesday 15 July 2026 20:02 , Rachel Dobkin
US Central Command has denied an accusation from the Iranian state media that it hit a civilian wheat storage facility in Hoveyzeh on Tuesday.
“On July 14, U.S. forces hit Iranian military targets in Bandar Abbas, Khormuj, Ahvaz, Qeshm, Tunb, Bushehr, and Kuh-e Stak to degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz”, CENTCOM said.
“Meanwhile, Iran has targeted innocent civilians transiting the strait and in neighboring Gulf countries”.
🚫 CLAIM: Iranian state media claims that U.S. forces struck a civilian wheat storage facility in Hoveyzeh on July 14. This is FALSE.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 15, 2026
✅ TRUTH: On July 14, U.S. forces hit Iranian military targets in Bandar Abbas, Khormuj, Ahvaz, Qeshm, Tunb, Bushehr, and Kuh-e Stak to degrade… pic.twitter.com/n7Njez05lE
Trump refuses to say exactly how long Iran has until US bombs bridges
Wednesday 15 July 2026 19:40 , Rachel Dobkin
Donald Trump has refused to say exactly how long Iran has until the US begins bombing bridges.
“Are you giving Iran a deadline before you start bombing bridges?” one reporter asked Wednesday.
Trump responded: “I don't like giving deadlines, but they pretty much know. They know the story. They’d better behave”.
In a Fox News interview Tuesday evening, Washington time, Trump warned Iran: “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”.
Lebanon, Israel conclude US-brokered talks on 'pilot zones' in Rome
Wednesday 15 July 2026 19:32 , Maira Butt
Lebanon and Israel concluded US-brokered talks in Rome on Wednesday, with a US official saying they had made progress on implementing a plan that could see Israeli forces begin to withdraw from some parts of southern Lebanon within days.
The two longtime foes held ambassador-level talks at the US embassy in Rome on Tuesday and Wednesday — their sixth round of face-to-face negotiations since a new war erupted on March 2 between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, triggered by the wider regional conflict.
Under a US-brokered June 26 framework deal, Lebanon and Israel agreed to implement a "pilot zone" project that would see the disarmament of militant groups — an apparent reference to Hezbollah — as well as the deployment of Lebanese troops to the south and the progressive withdrawal of Israeli forces still occupying Lebanese land.
In written comments distributed to journalists, a US official described the two days of talks as "productive and positive".
"We agreed on the structure and guidelines for the pilot zone process, to be finalised and implemented in the coming days," the official said.
The official said talks would move to a technical phase to implement the framework deal and reach a "comprehensive agreement between Israel and Lebanon."
There was no immediate comment from either Lebanon or Israel on progress made in the talks.
US issues new non-proliferation sanctions
Wednesday 15 July 2026 19:00 , Maira Butt
The United States has imposed new non-proliferation sanctions targeting individuals and entities in Russia and Iran, according to a post on the US Treasury Department's website on Wednesday.
IMF says very long disruption to energy supplies will hit global economy
Wednesday 15 July 2026 18:30 , Maira Butt
Christian Mumssen, director of strategy for the International Monetary Fund, said he believed offsetting forces that had prevented the war in the Middle East from hitting global growth harder thus far would remain in effect, but a very long disruption to energy supplies would clearly affect the outlook.
Mumssen, asked if the resumption of hostilities between the United States and Iran would force the IMF to revise its estimate of 3% global growth in 2026, said it was very difficult to say where the global lender's October forecast would land.
"Internally, we will have to continue to think in scenarios. And for some countries, the question of energy prices ... is, of course, extremely important," he said.
Trump ‘asked Netanyahu’ to pull Israeli troops out of Syria and Lebanon: ‘They don’t want you there’
Wednesday 15 July 2026 18:00 , Maira Butt
President Donald Trump told Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pull troops out of Syria and southern Lebanon, according to reports.
Israel currently occupies swathes of southern Lebanon and Syria despite international backlash, contributing to a deadlock in negotiations over a peace deal between the US and Iran.
Previous reports have suggested that Trump has had angry discussions with his Israeli ally, asking him to stop military action in Lebanon. He is alleged to have once called him “f***ing crazy”.
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Trump asked Netanyahu to pull Israeli troops out of Syria and Lebanon
Watch: US military says it used drone boats on Iranian targets in first-of-its-kind attack
Wednesday 15 July 2026 17:30 , Maira Butt
UK economy set to have stayed in slow lane after Iran war held back growth
Wednesday 15 July 2026 17:00 , Maira Butt
The UK’s economy is expected to have been largely stagnant for another month as some industries come under pressure and the Iran war continues to hold back growth.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) will publish May’s gross domestic product (GDP) figures on Thursday following a period of global turbulence during the US-Israel war with Iran.
Most economists are expecting GDP to have edged up by a paltry 0.1% in May, after slipping by 0.1% in April.
UK economy set to have stayed in slow lane after Iran war held back growth
Massive escalation or back to talks? The four options Trump has left on Iran
Wednesday 15 July 2026 16:30 , James Reynolds
The US is failing to wear down Iran with strikes around the Strait of Hormuz and making no progress to resolve the conflict through diplomacy.
James C. Reynolds reviews the options available to Trump:
Massive escalation or back to talks? The four options Trump has left on Iran
US forces have redirected two commercial vessels since blockade restarted
Wednesday 15 July 2026 16:02 , Maira Butt
US Central Command has said that two commercial vessels have been redirected by US force after a naval blockade was reimposed by the Strait of Hormuz.
Comment: Donald Trump is behaving like a pathetic pirate king in the Strait of Hormuz
Wednesday 15 July 2026 16:00 , James Reynolds
What gives this modern-day Blackbeard, Captain TACO, the right to join the Iranians in holding the world’s energy supplies to ransom, asks Sean O’Grady:
Donald Trump is now entering his ‘pirate king’ era
British man detained in Iran has jail term extended for speaking to press, family says
Wednesday 15 July 2026 15:30 , James Reynolds
A British man detained in Iran has had two more years added to his jail sentence for speaking to the press about his incarceration, his family has learned.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, both 53, have been on hunger strike 68 and 59 days respectively in protest at their treatment inside Iran’s notorious Evin prison.
The couple were arrested on a once-in-a-lifetime world motorbike tour 18 months ago, and were later sentenced to 10 years in prison on espionage charges, which they completely deny.
Read the full story:
British man detained in Iran has two years added to jail term, family says
Heating oil customers to receive compensation after price hikes around Iran war
Wednesday 15 July 2026 15:00 , James Reynolds
Heating oil customers who had orders cancelled and prices raised at the height of the Iran war will be entitled to compensation, the competition watchdog has said.
Hundreds of homes were forced to reorder oil at much higher prices or go without, the Competition Markets Authority said.
Oil prices jumped from just under $70/barrel before the war to highs of $120/b in late March, as the conflict disrupted maritime traffic carrying oil and gas.
Some 1,700 households in the UK paid up to £350, the CMA said, as a reuslt of cancellations and price hikes.
The UK and Ireland Fuel Distribution Association (UKIFDA), representing heating oil suppliers, said "there were a small number of cases found which require redress".
Trump pleads for faster weapon production as war with Iran exposes Pentagon shortfalls
Wednesday 15 July 2026 14:30 , James Reynolds
President Donald Trump is set to deliver a stark message to America's biggest defense contractors on Wednesday: build weapons faster.
Speaking to top military leaders, defense executives and investors, Trump will urge the industry to dramatically ramp up production as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East drain U.S. weapons stockpiles and expose cracks in the nation's defense supply chain.
Trump will headline a roundtable at the conclusion of the two-day Defense and Innovation Summit at the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania.
Hosted by Republican Sen. Dave McCormick, the gathering has brought together senior Pentagon officials, military commanders, defense companies, technology firms and investors to find ways to speed up the production of advanced weapons. Trump is also expected to announce new Pennsylvania-based defense investments.
Trump pleads for faster weapon production as war with Iran exposes shortfalls
Israeli soldier sentenced to five years for spying for Iran
Wednesday 15 July 2026 14:00 , Maira Butt
An Israeli soldier has been sentenced to five years in prison for spying for Iran during the 12-Day War in June 2024, when US and Israeli strikes sought to destroy the country’s nuclear facilities, according to the Times of Israel.
A joint investigation carried out by the military police, Israeli police and Shin Bet intelligence agency led to the individuals’ conviction.
Comment: Donald Trump is behaving like a pathetic pirate king in the Strait of Hormuz
Wednesday 15 July 2026 13:30 , Maira Butt
All he needs now is a parrot in his shoulder, a peg leg and an eye patch and Donald Trump will be the complete pirate king of the Persian Gulf.
Long Don Silver’s 20 per cent “tariff” – protection money – on all the precious cargo traversing the Strait of Hormuz would yield a considerable treasure for himself and his shipmates, Cabin Boy “Pete” Hegseth, Bosun “JD” Vance and Sawbones Stephen Miller. Such a vicious crew.
“We’re going to keep the strait, and we’ll probably run it,” Trump said in a phone interview on Fox News, confirming he thinks the US should be reimbursed for controlling the waterway.
Sean O’Grady writes:
Donald Trump is now entering his ‘pirate king’ era
Trump’s move to reward UAE for supporting war in Iran attacked in Congress
Wednesday 15 July 2026 13:00 , Maira Butt
The Trump administration’s move to reward the U.A.E. for its support during the Iran war by granting it better access to U.S.-made AI chips has been attacked in Congress and likened to influence-buying.
A rule change introduced by the administration Friday promotes the emirate to a group of privileged trading partners that includes European allies, India and South Korea and means that it can freely purchase technology with potential military applications.
Joe Sommerlad reports:
Trump’s move to reward UAE for supporting war in Iran attacked in Congress
Araghchi in Doha for funeral of al Thani
Wednesday 15 July 2026 12:55 , James Reynolds
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi is in Doha for the funeral of former Emir Hamad al Thani, according to Iran’s ISNA news agency.
Iran’s relations with Qatar have deteriorated over the recent Iranian missile and drone strikes.
Qatar has played a vital role in mediating regional conflicts, but also hosts the largest US base in the region.
Al Thani died on 12 July aged 74. He helped transform Qatar into a major regional player, investing billions around the world and setting up al Jazeera.
Massive escalation or back to talks? The four options Trump has left on Iran
Wednesday 15 July 2026 12:22 , James Reynolds
The US is failing to wear down Iran with strikes around the Strait of Hormuz and making no progress to resolve the conflict through diplomacy.
James C. Reynolds reviews the options available to Trump:
Massive escalation or back to talks? The four options Trump has left on Iran
What do we know about the latest strikes on Iran?
Wednesday 15 July 2026 12:19 , James Reynolds
US Centcom says that its forces began a new wave of strikes against Iran at 11am BST today.
Those strikes, it said, were designed to further degrade military capabilities Iran has used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
That echoes the language of announcements on similar, limited strikes across coastal Iran and its islands, retaliation for Iranian attacks on shipping.
Iran has responded to the US attacks in recent days with strikes primarily on Bahrain and Kuwait.
Centcom did not state what or where it targeted in its brief post on Wednesday.
Donald Trump has also threatened to strike civilian bridges and power plants unless Iran returns to negotiations.
Trump explains why he backtracked on Hormuz toll
Wednesday 15 July 2026 12:00 , Maira Butt
President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he had backtracked from threats to impose a 20 per cent toll on the Strait of Hormuz after getting calls from different countries about the issue.
On Monday the leader had taunted Iran by suggesting the US could become “guardian” of Hormuz and charge a fee. However, he later said that the toll would not apply.
“I received calls from different people, and from different countries; kings, princes, and all those we all know.
“They said: ‘We would like to do that in a different way. We would like to invest in the United States, billions and billions of dollars, and continue achieving our record numbers’. And I actually liked that, because I don't think any party should be able to impose fees on the strait."
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi hit back that Tehran would be the guardian of the Strait “forever”, adding “20 per cent is of course too much. We will be fair.”
US says it has begun new wave of strikes on Iran
Wednesday 15 July 2026 11:49 , Maira Butt
The US military said it had begun a new wave of strikes against Iran at 6 a.m. ET (1000 GMT) on Wednesday.
“The strikes are designed to further degrade military capabilities Iranian forces have used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” the US Central Command said in a post on X.
Democrats revolt over Trump’s Iran War and block $1.15 trillion defence bill
Wednesday 15 July 2026 11:40 , Maira Butt
Senate Democrats derailed a key $1.15 trillion defense bill Wednesday, accusing President Donald Trump of dragging the United States into war with Iran without congressional approval and refusing to give him what they called a blank check for the conflict.
"Trump started this war without authorization, without a strategy, and without an exit," Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said as he urged colleagues to block the annual National Defense Authorization Act.
The procedural vote failed 50-46, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate. All Democrats opposed moving forward, while every Republican voted yes except Majority Leader John Thune, who voted no for procedural reasons to bring the bill back for another vote.
Democrats revolt over Trump’s Iran War and block $1.15 trillion defense bill
British man detained in Iran has jail term extended for speaking to press, family says
Wednesday 15 July 2026 11:10 , Maira Butt
A British man detained in Iran has had two more years added to his jail sentence for speaking to the press about his incarceration, his family has learned.
Craig and Lindsay Foreman, both 53, have been on hunger strike 68 and 59 days respectively in protest at their treatment inside Iran’s notorious Evin prison.
The couple were arrested on a once-in-a-lifetime world motorbike tour 18 months ago, and were later sentenced to 10 years in prison on espionage charges, which they completely deny.
British man detained in Iran has two years added to jail term, family says
Who are the Houthis?
Wednesday 15 July 2026 10:55 , Maira Butt
Yemen's Houthi movement fired missiles at Saudi Arabia after accusing the kingdom of bombing an airport under their control on Monday, breaking a four-year truce in the conflict between the kingdom and the Iran-aligned group.
The move signals the end of a period of de-escalation and raises concerns that Iran could now start using its Houthi allies to close the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea, which would be the second global shipping choke point disrupted after the Strait of Hormuz.
Who are the Houthis? How rebel group could disrupt global trade and Strait of Hormuz
Trump urged Netanyahu to withdraw troops from Syria and Lebanon
Wednesday 15 July 2026 10:40 , Maira Butt
President Donald Trump asked Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw troops from southern Syria and Lebanon, according to Axios citing American and Israeli officials.
“They don’t want you here. You should redeploy,” he said.
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Beyond the Strait of Hormuz: How Gulf countries are preparing for life without the waterway
Wednesday 15 July 2026 10:10 , Maira Butt
As Dubai looks to build a new port and terminal to bypass the beleaguered Strait of Hormuz, it appears that Gulf countries are already preparing for a life without the crucial waterway.
Port operator DP World is in talks to develop new facilities in the coastal area of Fujairah to take pressure off its flagship Jebel Ali port, according to the Financial Times.
Jebel Ali, built in 1977, has made the UAE a hub of finance and trade, but weeks ago it was set alight by a piece of fallen debris from an Iranian missile. Since then, Dubai International Airport, US military bases and other facilities have come under direct attack.
How Gulf countries are preparing for life without the Strait of Hormuz
Editorial: Another U-turn shows how Trump is lost in his own forever war with Iran
Wednesday 15 July 2026 08:40 , Maira Butt
Donald Trump has constructed a trap for himself and the rest of the world from which there is no escape. Despite signing a ceasefire with Iran a month ago in Versailles, the “memorandum of understanding” has now collapsed.
Mr Trump may have, for now, reversed his threat to impose a 20 per cent toll upon all maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, as the US prepares to resume its blockade of Iran’s ports. But peace is off the table.
Poorly drafted in an atmosphere of deep mutual mistrust, it has, in fact, degenerated into a memorandum of misunderstandings. Mr Trump has denounced it and called his Iranian interlocutors, previously the recipients of backhanded compliments, “scum”.
Another Trump U-turn shows how lost he is in his own forever war
Iran executes man convicted of setting fire to governor's office
Wednesday 15 July 2026 08:10 , Alex Croft
Iran executed a man who was convicted of setting fire to a governor's office and attacking a police station during unrest in the central city of Dehaqan in January, the judiciary's Mizan news agency reported.
Mizan identified the man as Mohammad Amini Dehaghani and said the Supreme Court had upheld his death sentence on Wednesday.
Trump threatens to hit energy targets
Wednesday 15 July 2026 07:33 , Alex Croft
Donald Trump has warned on Tuesday threatened to hit Iranian power plants next week unless Tehran resumes negotiations.
"I'll save the energy targets for last, but ultimately we'll hit energy targets," Trump said in an interview with Fox News’ Trey Yingst.
US negotiators had been in touch with their Iranian counterparts to tell them "you better make a deal", Trump added.
Jordan says it intercepted ballistic missiles from Iran
Wednesday 15 July 2026 06:40 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Jordan’s air defences have intercepted at least three ballistic missiles allegedly fired from Iran during today's early hours, the military said.
It added that engineering teams secured several sites where debris fell and reaffirmed that it would respond to any violation or threat to Jordanian airspace.
US strikes wheat storage silo in Iran
Wednesday 15 July 2026 06:25 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
US projectiles have hit a wheat storage silo in Hoveizeh County in Iran's western Khuzestan province, Fars News reported, citing the deputy governor of the province.
This alleged attack comes after president Donald Trump threatened to strike civilian infrastructure in Iran, including bridges and power plants.
Iran's Guard say they have attacked US bases in Kuwait
Wednesday 15 July 2026 05:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Iran's Revolutionary Guard said they have attacked US military bases in Kuwait.
The statement comes as the US military said it completed an additional round of strikes against Iran at 10pm EST.
It said it hit “dozens of military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian coastal areas”.
US reimposes its blockade on Iranian ports
Wednesday 15 July 2026 05:02 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
The US military this morning reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports over Tehran's attacks on ships trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, sparking new strikes on nations hosting American forces as an interim deal to end the war further unraveled.
The US first imposed the blockade in mid-April. Then we lifted it in mid-June, a day after signing the interim deal that set 60 days for negotiations over issues like Iran's nuclear program. Still, talks have stalled as fighting over the strait has intensified.
Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard threatened this morning to halt all energy exports from the Middle East over the blockade."The export of oil and gas from the region will be either for everyone or for no one," it said.
When US president Donald Trump announced the return of the blockade Monday, he also said he would impose a 20 per cent fee on ships passing through the strait. But he dropped the plan to collect fees hours before resuming the blockade, citing requests from allies in the Persian Gulf.
Watch: Trump threatens airstrikes against bridges and suggests ground invasion
Wednesday 15 July 2026 04:44 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
