US military says Iranian attacks targeted commercial ships
The head of US Central Command said on Tuesday that Iran had intentionally attacked seven commercial ships over the past seven days, resulting in "nearly a dozen" civilian crew members being killed, injured or going missing.
"Iranian forces have also launched dozens of missiles and drones towards neighbouring Gulf countries," Admiral Brad Cooper said in a statement posted on social media.
Fire in Kuwait brought under control after Iranian attack
A fire was brought under control at a site targeted in Iranian hostile attacks, Kuwaiti state news agency KUNA reported, citing the fire service.
It said six teams, backed by the army and National Guard, responded, with no injuries reported and damage limited to material losses.
Trump says US representatives held talks with Iran on Tuesday
Trump says US strikes on Iran will continue 'until I say it's enough'
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said strikes on Iran "will continue until I say it's enough."
In an interview that aired on Fox News' "Special Report", Trump said Iran's military capacity has been "degraded", but "they still have some fight left". The president said strikes would continue on Tuesday evening and said he anticipated additional attacks potentially into next week.
Trump threatens to hit Iran power plants next week if no deal
President Donald Trump told Fox News on Tuesday he would expand US strikes on Iran next week to target power plants and bridges if Tehran does not make a deal.
"Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges," Trump said in an interview with the US broadcaster.
"We're going to knock out all their power plants. We're going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate."
Air defences activated around Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant
Iran's semi-official Mehr news agency said early on Wednesday that air defences around the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran had been activated.
Mehr said there had been no official comment so far.
US reimposes Iran blockade after dropping Hormuz shipping fee
US forces carried out strikes against Iran for a fourth consecutive day on Tuesday and reimposed a naval blockade to prevent ships from sailing to or from the country's ports.
The military action came after US President Donald Trump backed down on his threat to impose a hefty tax on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, saying Gulf countries had agreed to make major investments in the United States.
US Central Command said the latest strikes were aimed at "degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping" in the strait, where Tehran has repeatedly carried out attacks on civilian vessels.
US reimposes blockade of Iranian ports
The US military says it has reimposed its blockade of Iranian ports in response to Iran’s attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as the interim ceasefire deal unravels and concerns grow about a return to all-out war.
The US first imposed the blockade in mid-April and then lifted it in mid-June, a day after the signing of the interim deal aimed at permanently ending the war. The deal set a 60-day timeline to negotiate an agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme, but talks have stalled as fighting over the strait has intensified.
Kuwait says four crew hurt in Iran strike on navy vessel
Kuwait's military has said one of its naval vessels was hit during an Iranian missile and drone barrage, wounding four crew.
"The heinous Iranian aggression resulted in the targeting of a number of vital and civilian facilities, and the fall of shrapnel in several locations across the country, leading to material damage," defence ministry spokesman Colonel Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan said.
"One of the naval vessels belonging to the Kuwaiti Naval Force was also targeted, resulting in the injury of four members of the armed forces."
US issues new Iran-related sanctions and a general license
The US has issued new Iran-related sanctions and a general license, according to details posted to the Treasury Department's website.
The sanctions target several individuals, entities and vessels, while the general license allows wind down activities, limited safety and environmental transactions, and the offloading of cargo involving certain persons or vessels blocked on July 14, the Treasury Department said.
US forces launch new round of strikes on Iran
The US launched strikes against Iran for the fourth day in a row Tuesday, the US military said.
The strikes are aimed at "degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," US Central Command said on X, adding that they came as "American forces prepare to resume the naval blockade against Iranian ports and coastal areas."
Deathtoll in latest Hormuz vessel strikes rises to two: maritime group
First day of new Lebanon-Israel talks in Rome has ended, US official says
Lebanon and Israel concluded the first day of Washington-mediated talks in Rome on Tuesday, a US official said, as Israel said it was ready to move forward with plans to withdraw from two parts of southern Lebanon.
The US-brokered negotiations took place in the Italian capital over a framework agreement sealed last month after five rounds of talks in Washington, with Lebanese negotiators hoping for progress on an Israeli withdrawal.
The framework deal emerged after war broke out between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah on March 2 against the backdrop of the wider Middle East war.
It calls for an end to the war in Lebanon, disarmament of Hezbollah, the deployment of Lebanese troops in the south and for Israeli forces to steadily withdraw from the country in two "pilot zones".
"Talks in Rome by Representatives from the United States, Israel, and Lebanon were productive and held in a positive atmosphere," a US state department official said, adding that "both sides are eager to move forward" and that talks will resume on Wednesday.
India summons Iranian diplomat to protest after ships attacked
India summoned Iran's senior diplomat in New Delhi on Tuesday to protest against attacks on two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz that killed an Indian seafarer and wounded several others.
The Indian foreign ministry said it had summoned the deputy chief of mission of the Iranian embassy to register "a strong protest" against the attacks reported early on Tuesday.
The two vessels had a total of 46 crew members aboard, including 30 Indians, one of whom has "tragically lost his life", it said in a statement.
"India is deeply concerned by the attacks on two vessels, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, during their transit through the Strait of Hormuz today," it said.
The Iranian embassy declined to comment when contacted by AFP.
Trump hails new Iraq PM amid pressure over Iran
US President Donald Trump praised new Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi as a "champion" in a meeting at the White House Tuesday, even as Washington presses Baghdad to curb Iranian influence.
Trump hinted at making major oil deals with Iraq as he hosted Zaidi, a businessman who came to power this year with US blessing after Trump vetoed another candidate.
"We have a fantastic champion, a new champion," Trump said as he welcomed the Iraqi premier to the Oval Office. "He's been a great fighter and a great fan of America."
Trump said he had even decided to hold an unscheduled lunch with al-Zaidi because of their "tremendous chemistry."
The Iraqi's visit comes against the backdrop of renewed military escalation between the United States and Iran. Washington and Tehran are Iraq's main allies but have long fought a proxy war over the country.
Bahrain warns people to seek shelter as air raid sirens sound
Air raid sirens have sounded in Bahrain, the interior ministry confirmed, after Manama announced it had intercepted several Iranian attacks earlier in the day.
"The siren has been sounded ... Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place," the interior ministry said in a statement posted on social media.
Houthis say shot down Saudi surveillance drone
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis say they have shot down a Saudi-operated reconnaissance drone.
The fighters "succeeded in shooting down an enemy Saudi 'Wing Loong II' reconnaissance aircraft while it was carrying out hostile missions at dawn today over Al-Bayda Governorate in the centre of the country," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said.
Kuwait army intercepting 'hostile' projectiles
Kuwait has said it is currently responding to "hostile" missile and drone threats.
"The General Staff of the Kuwait Armed Forces announces that any explosions are the result of the Air Defense systems intercepting hostile attacks," the army said in a statement.
Trump backs down on levy on Hormuz ships
President Donald Trump has said he is scrapping a planned levy on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz a day after he announced it, and replacing the fee with trade deals with Gulf allies.
Trump said his sudden decision to withdraw the toll -- which he imposed amid fresh clashes with Iran over the vital waterway -- was "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," Trump said on his Truth Social network.
The US leader said he would continue with a "FULL Blockade" on ships coming to and from Iranian ports but only on Ships coming to and from Iranian ports, or carrying anything have to do with Iranian cargo.
Trump had declared on Monday that Washington was now the "THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT" and would impose hefty fees on shipping to reimburse the United States for protecting the key conduit for oil and gas.
Iran's military command had insisted it would not allow the US to "interfere" in the strait and warned its Gulf neighbours against cooperating with Washington.
Netanyahu tells Iran's leaders Israel will hit back if attacked
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to strike powerfully against Iran if Tehran carried out a new attack on his country.
"I will say it to the leaders of Iran: Do not count on things remaining quiet if you attack us," Netanyahu said at a conference, according to a video released by his office. "The days are over when someone strikes us and we don't hit back with a decisive blow."
Yesterday's key developments:
- US President Donald Trump has sent Congress formal notification that hostilities against Iran resumed on July 7, a letter his administration sees as opening a new 60-day window to use the military in the region without congressional approval.
- Trump on Monday said the United States would again strike Iran "hard", as the military launched a fresh salvo of attacks for the third night in a row and reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports .
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has mocked Trump's threat to impose hefty fees on commercial shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz , saying Tehran would charge a lower rate.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AP and AFP)
