Day 147 | Trump weighs 'massive attack' Iran attack as Hormuz tensions escalate
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Key updates:
- Trump says he is considering a "massive attack" on Iran, "bigger than ever before", and is close to making a decision.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Iran is "begging for a deal" but is not prepared to uphold one.
- Iran's IRGC says a tanker is on fire in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Yemen's Houthis claim missile and drone attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
Trump says Iranians getting “very serious” in talks
US President Donald Trump said Friday that he had not decided on whether to launch major strikes on Iran as Tehran was now getting "very serious" in talks with Washington.
"No I haven't," Trump told journalists in the Oval Office when asked if had made a decision, following reports that he was meeting advisors to discuss a large-scale operation.
"Look, we're talking to them right now. I think they're getting more and more serious as the days go by, for maybe the obvious reason."
US mistakenly struck tanker believing it was carrying Iranian gas: Iran state TV
Iranian state television (IRIB) claimed Friday that the United States military fired two missiles at an LPG tanker, mistakenly believing it was carrying Iranian gas.
"Today afternoon, the US military fired two missiles at an LPG tanker that was attempting to enter the region from the Gulf of Oman,” IRIB said, citing what it said was an informed source.
“The tanker was struck under the assumption that it was carrying Iranian gas. The attack killed two crew members and damaged the vessel’s engine room, forcing the ship to stop,” it added.
US embassy in ‘Israel’ warns citizens of possible airspace closure
The United States Embassy in ‘Israel’ warned its citizens on Friday of “possible flight cancellations” and “airspace closures”, as tensions continue to rise between Washington and Iran.
“Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex, with the potential for unforeseen escalation,” the embassy said on X.
“U.S. citizens should exercise increased caution, stay alert, and be prepared for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures, and other travel disruptions,” it added.
Security Alert: Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex, with the potential for unforeseen escalation. U.S. citizens should exercise increased caution, stay alert, and be prepared for possible flight cancellations, airspace… pic.twitter.com/wnwHP7bjvF
— U.S. Embassy Jerusalem (@usembassyjlm) July 24, 2026
Iran warns will send one US soldier “to hell” for every Iranian killed
The commander of Iran's top joint military command (Khatam al-Anbiya) said Friday that a “new equation” will take place, threatening that one US soldier will be “sent to hell” for every Iranian citizen killed in Washington’s strikes.
"The rule that we had previously proven to the enemy was operational is, from this moment, considered the definitive and officially declared equation of the battlefield,” said Major General Ali Abdollahi, in statements cited by Iranian media.
“…for every proud citizen of the Islamic Republic of Iran who is martyred, one American servicemember will be sent to hell."
Trump warns Russia and China against arms sales to Iran
US President Donald Trump warned China and Russia on Friday against selling weapons to Iran, saying he believed assurances from Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin that they were not yet doing so.
"Therefore, two major Countries that people speak of often in terms of Iran are, in my opinion, not participating," Trump said on his Truth Social network.
"If they did, it would be very bad for them -- Certainly not in their best interests."
Kuwait says intercepting Iranian drone attack
The Kuwaiti army said Friday evening that its air defenses are currently dealing with drones fired by Iran.
“Kuwaiti air defenses are currently intercepting hostile drone attacks following the criminal Iranian aggression,” the army said on X.
Kuwait air defences intercept Iranian missiles and drones
Light flashes are seen in footage yesterday above Kuwait City and sirens ring out as Kuwaiti air defence batteries open fire on incoming Iranian missiles and drones.
"Kuwaiti air defences are currently intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks following the wrongful Iranian aggression," the general staff said in a message posted at the time.
Araghchi warns using Iran’s frozen assets sets ‘incendiary’ global precedent
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warns that using frozen state assets to pay for future claims sets a dangerous global precedent.
“Seizing another nation’s assets to pay for unrelated future claims is an incendiary precedent,” Araghchi wrote on X.
He cautioned that “those who celebrate or profit from such funds should remember: once governments normalize confiscation, no one’s assets are safe. Ensuing chaos will not be pretty or peaceful.”
Seizing another nation's assets to pay for unrelated future claims is an incendiary precedent.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) July 24, 2026
Those who celebrate or profit from such funds should remember: once governments normalize confiscation, no one's assets are safe. Ensuing chaos will not be pretty or peaceful.
Iran says four killed in US strike near Ahvaz
Authorities in Iran's Khuzestan province said four people were killed and five others wounded in a US strike on the outskirts of Ahvaz early Friday.
Iran activates air defenses over Tehran
Iran's Mehr News Agency reported that air defense systems were activated in the capital, Tehran, to intercept what it described as hostile targets.
Explosions reported across southern Iran
Explosions were reported in several cities across southern Iran, with a Khuzestan provincial official saying US missile strikes targeted areas around Ahvaz, while Iranian media also reported blasts in Bandar Abbas and near Omidiyeh.
Explosion heard in Iran's Ahvaz
Iranian state television reported that an explosion was heard in the southwestern city of Ahvaz in Khuzestan province.
