Day 139 | US launches fresh strikes on Iran as Tehran vows retaliation
Latest Updates:
- The US military has launched a second wave of strikes against Iran, with CENTCOM saying the attacks are targeting Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran's top negotiator and Parliament Speaker, Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, said the country has "never welcomed war, nor do we now," while stressing that Iran "must always be prepared for battle" to safeguard its national security and interests.
- Iran's Health Ministry says at least 35 people have been killed and 300 wounded in US attacks on southern Iran over the past several days.
- Iran's military said a US barrage involving 13 missiles struck southern Iran, killing seven troops in what it described as "cowardly aggression," and vowed to retaliate.
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched attacks on US military assets in the region, claiming to have inflicted heavy damage on the US Fifth Fleet headquarters.
Iran claims missile and drone attack on US base in Kuwait
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it carried out a missile and drone attack on Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem Air Base, claiming it targeted US military assets and accusing Washington of using Kuwaiti territory for operations against Iran.
New US airstrikes reported across Iran as explosions hit several areas
Iranian officials and local media report renewed attacks across several parts of the country, including alleged US airstrikes near Khandab, air defense activity in Pakdasht, and explosions reported in Khorramabad and Semnan provinces.
US aircraft disables tanker attempting to break Iran naval blockade
Bahrain activates warning sirens amid security alert
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry has activated warning sirens and urged citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe locations amid a security alert.
Kuwait says air defenses intercept Iranian drone attacks
Kuwait’s military says its air defense systems are currently responding to hostile drone attacks following what it called an Iranian aggression, with explosions heard as a result of interception operations.
Trump says Iran releases detained American citizen after months in custody
US President Donald Trump says Iran has allowed an American citizen who was "wrongfully detained" in December 2024 to leave the country and is now safely outside Iran.
Trump thanked Tehran for what he called a "gesture of goodwill" as tensions between the two countries remain high.
Iran says US attacks will not reopen Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s military says US strikes will not force the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, insisting the waterway will remain closed until Washington accepts what Tehran calls its legal authority over the area.
Tehran also claimed it blocked an “illegal corridor” created south of the strait and targeted vessels it said violated its rules.
US says it disabled tanker attempting to breach naval blockade on Iran
The United States said its forces disabled an oil tanker in the Arabian Gulf after it allegedly attempted to violate a US naval blockade on Iran.
In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said US forces targeted the Curacao-flagged tanker M/T Belma after it ignored repeated warnings while sailing toward Iran's Kharg Island.
According to CENTCOM, the unladen commercial vessel was transiting international waters when US forces determined it was attempting to breach the blockade. The military said a US aircraft fired Hellfire missiles into the ship's smokestack, disabling the vessel and preventing it from continuing toward the Iranian port.
"The ship is no longer transiting to Iran," CENTCOM said.
The US military said it resumed enforcement of a naval blockade on vessels travelling to or from Iranian ports and coastal areas at 4 p.m. ET on July 14.
CENTCOM said that during the first 24 hours of enforcement, US forces redirected two commercial vessels that complied with its orders and disabled one vessel that it described as non-compliant.
"US forces remain vigilant and prepared to ensure full compliance," the command said.
The announcement comes as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate following an exchange of military strikes and growing concerns over maritime security in and around the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
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Read more: Day 138 | US launches new strikes on Iran as Trump reverses tariff plan
