Day 135 | Iran's supreme leader pledges revenge for father's death

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Read more: Day 136 | Iran says projectiles target Qeshm Island as Strait of Hormuz tensions escalate

US Central Command (CENTCOM) has flatly denied a wave of Iranian state propaganda claiming that three American service members were killed in recent strikes on Kuwait, verifying that there are absolutely zero reports of US casualties in the region and that all military personnel remain fully accounted for.

 CLAIM: Iranian propaganda claimed today that three American service members were killed in Kuwait by strikes from Iran. FALSE.

 TRUTH: There are zero reports of U.S. service member deaths or injuries in the region. All personnel are accounted for. pic.twitter.com/9RZCN7puWT

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 12, 2026

Two projectiles reportedly struck Abu Musa Island at the southernmost point of Iran, local sources confirmed to the Mehr News Agency, while journalists monitoring the nearby Larek Island inside the strategic Strait of Hormuz verified that its security situation remains completely normal and safe with no incidents reported.

An administrative director within the telecommunications sector of Iran's Hormozgan Province was killed and two others were wounded following a US attack targeting Farur Island in the Bandar Lengeh district, according to official reports carried by the Mehr News Agency.

The targeted US military strikes executed across Iran approximately one hour ago were explicitly designed to degrade and weaken Tehran's strategic capacity to launch drone and missile attacks against international merchant vessels, a senior American official told The New York Times.

Kuwaiti defense spokesperson Major General Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi announced Sunday that three northern land border outposts were hit by a criminal aggressive attack, while a hostile drone targeted an offshore Kuwait Oil Company drilling platform in territorial waters, causing material damage and injuring one oil worker.

Between 10 and 11 enemy projectiles struck Qeshm Island in southern Iran on Sunday evening, according to Qeshm Governor Hossein Amir Teymouri, who told state-run news agency IRNA that while the strikes directly targeted military facilities, no casualties have been reported.

The US military executed a targeted wave of strikes approximately one hour ago destroying Iranian air defense batteries, missile launch systems, and several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval speedboats across multiple flashpoints flanking the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a senior American official told Axios.

A series of powerful explosions were reported early Sunday on the eastern outskirts of the strategic port city of Bandar Abbas and across the maritime territory of Qeshm Island in southern Iran, according to the semi-official Fars News Agency.

• Iran's President called for active public participation to navigate the crisis.
• He warned of efforts to divide the Iranian public and government.
• Pezeshkian stressed that national unity is essential to withstand external pressure.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a high-alert address declaring that Iran is currently locked in a complex "hybrid and economic war," warning that adversaries are actively trying to exploit internal fractures.

Speaking amid intensified international sanctions and regional security frictions, Pezeshkian laid out a strategic framework centered on civic cooperation to safeguard state stability.

Civic mobilization 

Pezeshkian noted that the nature of modern warfare has shifted heavily toward financial systems and societal destabilization, transforming economic resilience into a frontline defense priority.

"We are waging a hybrid and economic war," Pezeshkian stated, underscoring the compounding challenges facing the country's infrastructure.

He further explained that successfully navigating this turbulent period cannot be achieved by administrative directives alone, noting that it "requires active and effective participation from our citizens."

Countering internal subversion

Addressing the psychological and political dimensions of the external pressures, the Iranian President cautioned that state adversaries are deploying targeted campaigns specifically designed to undermine public trust in administrative systems.

According to Pezeshkian, the enemy's core objective is to drive a wedge and stoke discord between ordinary citizens and state officials.

To neutralize these hostile strategies, Pezeshkian concluded that domestic cohesion must be prioritized above all else, reaffirming that "our unity is the most important element in confronting these pressures."

• Pakistan pledged support for regional peace through dialogue and diplomacy.
• Islamabad reaffirmed its backing for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of regional states.
• The Foreign Ministry urged all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan issued an urgent diplomatic directive on Sunday, declaring its full commitment to facilitating regional stabilization through diplomatic dialogue while calling on all neighboring parties to de-escalate ongoing tensions.

The diplomatic push comes at a critical juncture for regional security, with Islamabad positioning itself as a central mediator following the recent signing of a multilateral framework agreement.

Call for absolute compliance

In a series of official statements, the Foreign Ministry urged all involved factions to immediately halt further escalations and return to established communication channels to prevent broader security breakdowns.

"We urge all parties to exercise restraint, take immediate steps toward de-escalation, and fully fulfill their commitments under the Memorandum of Understanding," the Foreign Ministry stated, emphasizing that adherence to the negotiated framework remains paramount.

Compounding its call for operational de-escalation, Islamabad underscored its foundational foreign policy regarding national borders, explicitly reaffirming its unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all fraternal states in the region.

The ministry concluded by stating that Pakistan stands ready to provide all necessary structural and political backing required to anchor long-term, durable peace and stability through open dialogue and rigorous diplomacy.

• Trump claimed Washington and Tehran reached a diplomatic agreement before the escalation.
• He said an Iranian drone attack on a ship prompted the US military response.

US President Donald Trump has declared that the strategic Strait of Hormuz is open for commercial maritime traffic, speaking shortly after executing an intense wave of overnight US military strikes against Iran.

In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Trump disclosed that the kinetic military action followed a sudden collapse of a major diplomatic breakthrough between Washington and Tehran just hours prior.

Broken accord 

Trump outlined a rapid timeline of events that led to the overnight bombardment, revealing that a comprehensive bilateral agreement had been reached yesterday before being abruptly upended by Iranian forces.

"We had an agreement with the Iranians yesterday and they conceded on everything," Trump told CNN. "Then suddenly, two hours later, they hit a ship with a drone."

Following the maritime drone attack, Trump ordered immediate retaliatory measures.

Commenting on the scale of the subsequent American military operations, the President stated, "We hit Iran with extreme force last night."

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian extended his condolences to Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, following the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

In a message addressed to Sheikh Tamim, Pezeshkian expressed his sympathy to the Al Thani family, as well as the government and people of Qatar, describing the late former Emir as a key figure in strengthening the brotherly ties and friendly cooperation between Iran and Qatar.

Pezeshkian said Sheikh Hamad played an effective role in expanding bilateral relations during his time in office, adding that his contributions "will always be remembered with respect by the peoples of both countries."

The Iranian president also prayed for God's mercy upon the late former Emir and wished patience and strength for Sheikh Tamim and the bereaved family.

Iran’s Foreign Minister expressed condolences following the death of Qatar’s former emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

“It is with great sadness and sorrow that we mourn the passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani,” the minister said in a post on X, offering condolences to Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Al Thani family and the people of Qatar.

The message came hours after Iran’s army said it targeted Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts US forces, with ballistic missiles.

Qatar said it intercepted the missiles, while falling debris injured three people, including a child.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all vessels seeking to legally transit the international waterway.

US forces are “positioned and prepared to ensure that freedom of navigation remains available despite unwarranted Iranian aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary declarations,” CENTCOM said.

The command added that Iran does not control the strategic waterway and claimed that “traffic is flowing” through the strait.

The statement comes after Iranian officials claimed Tehran had taken control of the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the region.

Oman’s Foreign Ministry summoned Iran’s ambassador to deliver a protest note after drone attacks targeted sites in the Musandam and Al Wusta governorates.

The ministry expressed its dissatisfaction to the Iranian envoy over what it described as “these irresponsible actions.”

The move follows Oman’s earlier announcement that sites in Musandam, an Omani enclave overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, were targeted by drones. Authorities said they were taking necessary measures to protect the country and its residents.

Oman’s Maritime Security Centre said it responded to a distress call from a Cyprus-flagged commercial vessel after it was targeted off the coast of Musandam.

The center said 23 crew members from the vessel were rescued, while search operations remain underway for one missing crew member.

The incident comes amid heightened maritime tensions in the region, with authorities monitoring security threats affecting commercial shipping routes.

A US air strike on Iran’s Jask port killed an Iranian navy officer, local media reported.

“Lieutenant Hamidreza Dehghani, of the navy of the Islamic Republic’s armed forces, was martyred during the criminal, terrorist attack last night by the United States on the port of Jask,” an unnamed official was quoted as saying by Iranian news agencies.

Iranian officials said the death toll from US strikes over the past four days has reached 19, with more than 100 people wounded. Civilians were among those reported killed.

Qatar has ordered all vessel owners to temporarily suspend navigation and marine activities until further notice, the Ministry of Transport said.

The suspension applies to recreational boats, fishing vessels and jet skis, with authorities saying the measure was taken to protect public safety.

The decision comes after Iran launched ballistic missile attacks on Qatar early Sunday. At least three people were wounded and hospitalized due to debris from intercepted missiles, according to Qatari authorities.

Qatar said it has the right to respond after a series of Iranian missile strikes targeted the Gulf state, which hosts a major US military base.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry said the continued attacks represent a “dangerous escalation” that could complicate efforts to reduce tensions and undermine diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving regional security and stability.

“Qatar holds the Islamic Republic of Iran fully legally responsible for these aggressions and all their repercussions and consequences,” the ministry said in a statement.

Doha described the attacks as a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Qatar and a “blatant breach of international law.”