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Las autoridades iraquíes anunciaron la suspensión total de la carga de crudo en las terminales del sur del país tras el impacto de un dron contra un petrolero en la terminal de Basora. Según cuatro fuentes del sector petrolero y de seguridad citadas por Reuters, no hubo incendios ni daños materiales constatados, pero las operaciones se interrumpieron por precaución.

Las terminales afectadas están en el sur de Irak. Hasta ahora no se ha establecido quién lanzó el dron. Como medida de seguridad, el petrolero alcanzado fue remolcado fuera del puerto junto con otra embarcación que se encontraba anclada en la zona.

Ataques con drones en zonas estratégicas de Irak

El miércoles también se informó sobre la caída de otro dron en el puerto de Faw, sin que se registraran daños, según la agencia estatal de noticias; en ese caso las operaciones portuarias no se vieron afectadas.

Irak suele exportar alrededor de 3,6 millones de barriles de petróleo por día. Antes del conflicto con Irán, cerca de 3,4 millones de barriles diarios salían por las terminales del sur, principalmente desde Basora.

En paralelo, fuentes oficiales informaron que ocho drones fueron interceptados cuando intentaban atacar el consulado de Estados Unidos y una base de la coalición internacional en el aeropuerto de Erbil, en la región del Kurdistán. El Servicio Antiterrorista del Kurdistán indicó que los hechos ocurrieron entre la noche del miércoles y la madrugada del jueves; las aeronaves fueron derribadas por las fuerzas de la coalición antes de alcanzar sus objetivos y no hubo víctimas.

Reacciones oficiales y contexto político

El primer ministro Ali al Zaidi condenó con firmeza el intento de ataque, que coincidió con su primera visita oficial a Washington desde que asumió en mayo. En esa visita, Al Zaidi busca exponer su plan para desarmar a las milicias chiíes iraquíes afines a Irán, a las que Estados Unidos ha calificado en el pasado como grupos terroristas y a las que se han atribuido acciones similares.

En un mensaje en X, el primer ministro afirmó que ha ordenado a los cuerpos de seguridad tomar “todos los esfuerzos necesarios” para impedir la repetición de estos ataques y eliminar a quienes amenacen la seguridad, y añadió que dichos ataques intentan socavar la estabilidad y el proceso de construcción del Estado.

Bahaa al Araji, líder del bloque parlamentario Reconstrucción y Desarrollo —principal apoyo político de Al Zaidi—, dijo en la misma red social que el ataque contra Erbil envía “mensajes políticos negativos” e inaceptables y que se produce en un momento sensible que no beneficia a nadie.

El intento contra Erbil se da en el marco de la campaña del primer ministro para desarmar a las milicias chiíes alineadas con Irán. En años recientes, acciones similares han tenido como blanco yacimientos petroleros e instalaciones operadas por empresas estadounidenses en la región del Kurdistán.

Además, el impacto de un dron de origen desconocido en el puerto Grand Faw, un megaproyecto en el extremo sur de Irak, se suma a una serie reciente de incidentes con drones en instalaciones estratégicas del país.

Iran’s regime launched a new wave of missile attacks against Persian Gulf countries hosting U.S. military facilities. Jordan, Kuwait and Iraq reported intercepting several projectiles and condemned the Iranian strikes in the early hours of Thursday.

Late Wednesday, the United States carried out another round of strikes on Iranian territory aimed at reducing Tehran’s ability to “threaten innocent mariners operating commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”

The new offensive followed Washington’s confirmation of the reinstatement of a naval blockade on Iranian ports and coasts, as well as the diversion of two commercial ships that, according to the Pentagon, attempted to evade the restrictions imposed by the United States.

President Donald Trump hardened his stance toward Tehran and warned that the military campaign in the Middle East could expand in the coming days if the Iranian regime does not agree to return to the negotiating table. “Next week the situation will be very bad for them,” he said.

Below, minute-by-minute coverage:

/america/mundo/2026/07/16/irak-suspendio-la-carga-de-crudo-en-las-terminales-de-basora-tras-el-impacto-de-un-drone-contra-un-petrolero/

/america/mundo/2026/07/16/jd-vance-afirmo-que-eeuu-avanza-en-la-direccion-correcta-con-iran-y-sostuvo-que-una-solucion-duradera-requiere-un-acuerdo/

/america/mundo/2026/07/16/el-regimen-de-iran-amenazo-con-atacar-toda-la-infraestructura-de-la-region-si-estados-unidos-cumple-la-advertencia-de-trump/

Pakistan urged Iran and the U.S. to resume peace talks to halt the war in the Middle East

Pakistan said on Thursday that it will encourage the United States and Iran to halt the violence and resume dialogue under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) it helped mediate last month.

“While the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding faces challenges, Pakistan will continue to encourage all parties to end the violence and resume technical-level talks in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding,” Tahir Andrabi, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters in Islamabad.

“We expressed our hope that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will normalize soon and emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and freedom of maritime navigation,” he added.

Oil prices fall

Oil prices fell in the early hours of Thursday, though they remain elevated amid intensified U.S. strikes against Iran and Iranian missile and drone attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell 0.5% to $84.57 a barrel. In late February, before the outbreak of the conflict, it traded near $72 a barrel. The U.S. benchmark fell 0.2% to $79.43 a barrel.

/america/mundo/2026/07/16/el-fmi-advirtio-que-la-oferta-de-petroleo-tardara-hasta-tres-meses-en-normalizarse-una-vez-que-ormuz-se-reabra-completamente/

Tehran threatened regional infrastructure if the United States attacks Iran

Tehran warned on Thursday that it would strike the regional infrastructure of U.S.-allied countries if Washington carries out its threats to attack Iranian facilities.

The spokesman for Iran’s military headquarters said that if those warnings are carried out, “the entire infrastructure of the region would be crushed under the steel blows of the Iranian armed forces.”

Israel informed the Pentagon it will keep troops in “security zones” in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza

Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, told his U.S. counterpart, Pete Hegseth, that the Israeli military will maintain its forces in “security zones” established within Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip.

According to a statement released on Thursday, the two officials spoke overnight and Katz “stressed Israel’s determination to remain in the security zones in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon to protect its borders and nearby communities from threats posed by jihadist forces.”

Fire and smoke seen in Chabahar, Iran , after reports of an explosion

Jordan intercepted eight Iranian missiles during the night

Jordan’s air defense systems intercepted and destroyed eight Iranian missiles aimed at the country in the early hours of Thursday, the Jordanian army reported. No casualties or material damage were reported. Engineering teams secured the areas where debris fell, and the armed forces remain on high alert for possible new threats.

For its part, the Iranian army said its drones attacked communications systems, fuel depots and a fixed radar station at Al Azraq airbase in Jordan, identified as a U.S. military base. The statement, released by official Iranian media, said the offensive corresponds to the ninth phase of “Operation Saeqeh” (Lightning) and was launched in response to recent U.S. attacks on Iran, including a strike on a military garrison in Sistan and Baluchestan province that Tehran says killed seven soldiers.

/america/mundo/2026/07/16/el-regimen-de-iran-lanzo-ataques-contra-bases-e-instalaciones-militares-de-estados-unidos-en-jordania-kuwait-e-irak/

Iraq’s prime minister condemned Thursday’s “drone attack” on Erbil

Iraq’s prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, condemned a “drone attack” that violated Erbil’s airspace in the Kurdistan region after several aircraft were shot down, his office said.

Al-Zaidi said security agencies, in coordination with regional forces, have been instructed to take all necessary measures to prevent such attacks from happening again and to protect the security of Iraqi society.

Iranian media reported explosions in Tehran, Iran’s capital

State media in Iran reported that air defense alerts were activated in several areas of Tehran on Thursday morning and that explosions were heard in the north and west of the country.

The state news agency IRNA reported that, so far, no casualties have been recorded in Tehran. Additional explosions were heard in the western province of Lorestan and in Semnan in the north, IRNA and the Mehr agency reported.

(more…)

The Iranian regime launched a new wave of missile attacks against Persian Gulf countries that host U.S. military facilities. Jordan, Kuwait and Iraq reported intercepting several projectiles and condemned the Iranian strikes in the early hours of Thursday.

Late Wednesday, the United States carried out another round of strikes on Iranian territory aimed at reducing Tehran’s ability to “threaten innocent mariners aboard commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”

The new offensive occurred after Washington confirmed the reinstatement of a naval blockade on Iranian ports and coasts, and after two commercial ships were diverted, which the Pentagon said had attempted to evade U.S.-imposed restrictions.

President Donald Trump toughened his stance toward Tehran and warned that the military campaign in the Middle East could expand in the coming days if the Iranian regime does not agree to return to negotiations. “Next week the situation will be very bad for them,” he said.

Below is minute-by-minute coverage:

/america/world/2026/07/16/iraq-suspended-oil-loading-at-basra-terminals-after-drone-hit-on-oil-tanker/

/america/world/2026/07/16/jd-vance-said-the-us-is-moving-in-the-right-direction-with-iran-and-stated-that-a-lasting-solution-requires-an-agreement/

/america/world/2026/07/16/the-iranian-regime-threatened-to-attack-all-regional-infrastructure-if-the-us-follows-trumps-warning/

Pakistan urged Iran and the U.S. to resume peace talks to curb the war in the Middle East

Pakistan announced on Thursday that it will encourage the United States and Iran to halt the violence and resume dialogue under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) it helped mediate last month.

“While implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding faces challenges, Pakistan will continue to encourage all parties to end the violence and resume technical-level talks in accordance with the MoU,” Tahir Andrabi, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, told reporters in Islamabad.

“We expressed our hope that conditions in the Strait of Hormuz will normalize soon and stressed the importance of ensuring the security and freedom of maritime navigation,” he added.

Oil prices fall

Oil prices declined in the early hours of Thursday, though they remain elevated amid intensified U.S. strikes against Iran and Iranian missile and drone attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell 0.5% to $84.57 a barrel. In late February, before the conflict began, it was trading near $72 per barrel. The U.S. benchmark slipped 0.2% to $79.43 a barrel.

/america/world/2026/07/16/imf-warned-that-oil-supply-will-take-up-to-three-months-to-normalize-once-hormuz-reopens-completely/

Tehran threatened regional infrastructure if the United States attacks Iran

Tehran warned on Thursday that it would strike regional infrastructure in countries allied with the United States if Washington follows through on its threats to attack Iranian facilities.

A spokesperson for Iran’s military headquarters said that if those warnings are carried out, “the entire infrastructure of the region would be crushed under the steel blows of the Iranian armed forces.”

Israel told the Pentagon it will keep troops in “security zones” in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza

Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, informed his U.S. counterpart, Pete Hegseth, that the Israeli military will maintain forces in the designated “security zones” within Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip.

According to a statement released Thursday, the two officials spoke overnight and Katz “stressed Israel’s determination to remain in the security zones in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon to protect its borders and nearby communities from threats posed by jihadist forces.”

Fire and smoke observed in Chabahar, Iran, after reports of an explosion

Jordan intercepted eight Iranian missiles overnight

Jordan’s air defense systems intercepted and destroyed eight Iranian missiles aimed at the country in the early hours of Thursday, the Jordanian army reported. There were no casualties or material damage reported. Engineering teams secured areas where debris fell, and the armed forces remain on high alert for possible further threats.

The Iranian military, meanwhile, said its drones struck communications systems, fuel depots and a fixed radar station at Al Azraq airbase in Jordan, which Iran identified as a U.S. military facility. State media quoted a military statement saying the attack was part of the ninth phase of “Operation Saeqeh” (Lightning) and was launched in response to recent U.S. strikes on Iran, including a bombing of a military barracks in Sistan and Baluchestan province that Tehran says killed seven service members.

/america/world/2026/07/16/the-iranian-regime-launched-attacks-on-us-bases-and-military-facilities-in-jordan-kuwait-and-iraq/

Iraq’s prime minister condemned the “drone attack” on Erbil on Thursday

Iraq’s prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, condemned a “drone attack” that violated Erbil’s airspace in the Kurdistan region after several drones were shot down, his office reported.

Al-Zaidi said security agencies, in coordination with regional forces, have been instructed to take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such attacks and to protect the safety of Iraqi society.

Iranian media reported explosions in Tehran, the capital

State media in Iran reported that air defense alerts were activated on Thursday morning in several areas of Tehran and that explosions were heard in the north and west of the city.

The state news agency IRNA reported that, so far, no casualties have been recorded in Tehran. Additional explosions were reported in the western province of Lorestan and in Semnan in the north, according to IRNA and the Mehr agency.

(more…)

Iran’s regime launched a new wave of missile attacks against Persian Gulf countries that host U.S. military facilities. Jordan, Kuwait and Iraq reported intercepting several projectiles and condemned the Iranian strikes in the early hours of Thursday.

Late Wednesday, the United States carried out a new round of strikes on Iranian territory aimed at reducing Tehran’s ability to “threaten innocent mariners aboard commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”

The new offensive occurred after Washington confirmed the reinstatement of a naval blockade on Iranian ports and coasts, and after two commercial vessels were diverted, which the Pentagon said had attempted to evade the restrictions imposed by the United States.

President Donald Trump hardened his stance toward Tehran and warned that the military campaign in the Middle East could expand in the coming days if the Iranian regime does not agree to return to the negotiating table. “Next week the situation will be very bad for them,” he said.

Below is minute-by-minute coverage:

/america/mundo/2026/07/16/irak-suspendio-la-carga-de-crudo-en-las-terminales-de-basora-tras-el-impacto-de-un-drone-contra-un-petrolero/

/america/mundo/2026/07/16/jd-vance-afirmo-que-eeuu-avanza-en-la-direccion-correcta-con-iran-y-sostuvo-que-una-solucion-duradera-requiere-un-acuerdo/

/america/mundo/2026/07/16/el-regimen-de-iran-amenazo-con-atacar-toda-la-infraestructura-de-la-region-si-estados-unidos-cumple-la-advertencia-de-trump/

Pakistan urged Iran and the U.S. to resume peace talks to halt the war in the Middle East

Pakistan announced on Thursday that it will encourage the United States and Iran to halt the violence and resume dialogue under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) it helped mediate last month.

“While implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding faces challenges, Pakistan will continue to encourage all parties to end the violence and resume technical-level talks in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding,” Tahir Andrabi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said to the press in Islamabad.

“We expressed our hope that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will normalize soon and emphasized the importance of ensuring the security and freedom of maritime navigation,” he added.

Oil prices fall

Oil prices declined in the early hours of Thursday, though they remained elevated amid intensifying U.S. strikes against Iran and Iranian missile and drone attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell 0.5% to $84.57 per barrel. At the end of February, before the start of the conflict, it traded near $72 per barrel. The U.S. benchmark fell 0.2%, to $79.43 per barrel.

/america/mundo/2026/07/16/el-fmi-advirtio-que-la-oferta-de-petroleo-tardara-hasta-tres-meses-en-normalizarse-una-vez-que-ormuz-se-reabra-completamente/

Tehran threatened regional infrastructure if the United States attacks Iran

Tehran warned on Thursday that it would strike the regional infrastructure of countries allied with the United States if Washington carries out its threats to attack Iranian facilities.

The spokesman for Iran’s military operational headquarters said that, if those threats materialize, “the entire infrastructure of the region would be crushed under the steel blows of the Iranian armed forces.”

Israel told the Pentagon it will keep troops in “security zones” in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, told his U.S. counterpart, Pete Hegseth, that the Israel Defense Forces will maintain their presence in the “security zones” established inside Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip.

According to a statement released on Thursday, the two officials spoke overnight and Katz “emphasized Israel’s determination to remain in the security zones in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon to protect its borders and nearby communities from threats posed by jihadist forces.”

Fire and smoke observed in Chabahar, Iran, after reports of an explosion

Jordan intercepted eight Iranian missiles overnight

Jordan’s air defense systems intercepted and destroyed eight Iranian missiles aimed at the country in the early hours of Thursday, the Jordanian army reported. No casualties or material damage were reported. Engineering teams secured the areas where debris fell, and the armed forces remain on high alert for possible new threats.

The Iranian military, for its part, said its drones struck communications systems, fuel depots and a fixed radar station at Al Azraq air base in Jordan, identified as a U.S. military base. The statement, released by Iranian state media, said the offensive was the ninth phase of “Operation Saeqeh” (Lightning) and was launched in response to recent U.S. attacks on Iran, including a strike on a military barracks in Sistan and Baluchestan province that Tehran said killed seven servicemembers.

/america/mundo/2026/07/16/el-regimen-de-iran-lanzo-ataques-contra-bases-e-instalaciones-militares-de-estados-unidos-en-jordania-kuwait-e-irak/

Iraq’s prime minister condemned Thursday’s “drone attack” on Erbil

Iraq’s prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, condemned a “drone attack” that violated Erbil’s airspace in the Kurdistan region after several drones were shot down, his office said.

Al-Zaidi said security agencies, in coordination with regional forces, have been instructed to take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such attacks and to protect the safety of Iraqi society.

Iranian media reported explosions in Tehran, Iran’s capital

Iranian state media reported that air defense alerts were activated in several areas of Tehran on Thursday morning and that explosions were heard in the north and west of the country.

The state news agency IRNA reported that, so far, no casualties have been recorded in Tehran. Additional explosions were heard in the western province of Lorestan and in Semnan in the north, according to IRNA and the Mehr news agency.

(more…)

The complete halt to crude oil loading at Iraq’s terminals occurred Thursday after a drone struck an oil tanker at the Basra terminal, four Iraqi oil and security sources told Reuters. There were no material damages or fires from the incident, but operations were suspended as a precaution.

Iraq’s oil terminals are located in the south of the country. Sources said the party responsible for launching the drone has not yet been determined. The affected tanker was towed out of the port along with another vessel anchored nearby as an additional safety measure.

Drone attacks on strategic areas of Iraq

On Wednesday, another drone was reported to have fallen in the Iraqi port of Faw without causing damage, the state news agency said. Port operations were not affected at that time.

The country typically exports around 3.6 million barrels of oil per day. Before the war with Iran, about 3.4 million barrels per day were shipped through the southern terminals, specifically Basra.

In recent hours, eight drones were intercepted while attempting to attack the U.S. consulate and an international coalition base at Erbil airport in the autonomous Kurdistan region, officials said. The attack took place between Wednesday night and early Thursday, the Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Service reported. The unmanned aircraft were shot down by U.S.-led coalition forces before reaching their targets, and there were no casualties.

Official reactions and political context

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi strongly condemned the attempted attack, which coincided with his first official visit to Washington since taking office in May. During his visit, al-Zaidi aims to outline his plans to disarm Iran-aligned Iraqi Shia militias, which have been blamed for similar actions in the past and are designated as terrorist groups by the United States.

In a message on X, al-Zaidi said he has ordered security agencies to “undertake all necessary efforts to prevent the recurrence of these attacks and to eradicate anyone who seeks to threaten security, wherever they may be.” He added that “they desperately seek to undermine the stability of our people and their determined path toward state-building and the achievement of social peace.”

Bahaa al-Araji, leader of the Reconstruction and Development parliamentary bloc and al-Zaidi’s main political backer, warned on the same social network that “the attack on Erbil sends negative and totally unacceptable political messages, and occurs at a critical moment that benefits no one.”

The attack on Erbil comes amid a campaign led by al-Zaidi to disarm Iran-aligned Shia militias. In recent years, similar actions have targeted oil fields and facilities operated by U.S. companies in the Kurdistan region.

Finally, the impact of a drone of unknown origin on Wednesday at the Grand Faw port—a mega-project at Iraq’s southern tip—adds to the recent string of drone incidents at the country’s strategic facilities.

(more…)

All loading of crude oil at Iraqi terminals was suspended on Thursday after a drone struck an oil tanker at the Basra terminal, four Iraqi oil-sector and security sources told Reuters. There were no material damages or fires from the incident, but operations were halted as a precaution.

Iraq’s oil terminals are located in the south of the country. Sources said the party responsible for launching the drone has not yet been identified. The affected tanker was towed out of the port along with another vessel anchored nearby as an additional safety measure.

Drone attacks in strategic areas of Iraq

On Wednesday, another drone fell in the Iraqi port of Faw without causing damage, the state news agency reported. Port operations were not affected at that time.

The country normally exports about 3.6 million barrels of oil per day. Before the war with Iran, roughly 3.4 million barrels per day were shipped through the southern terminals, notably Basra.

In the last hours, eight drones were intercepted when they attempted to attack the U.S. consulate and an international coalition base at Erbil airport in the autonomous Kurdistan region, according to official sources. The attack took place between Wednesday night and early Thursday, the Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Service said. The unmanned aircraft were shot down by forces from the U.S.-led coalition before reaching their targets, and there were no casualties.

Official reactions and political context

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi strongly condemned the attempted attack, which coincided with his first official visit to Washington since taking office in May. During his stay, al Zaidi aims to outline his plans to disarm Iran-aligned Iraqi Shia militias, groups that have been blamed for similar actions in the past and are designated as terrorist by the United States.

In a message on X, al Zaidi said he had ordered security agencies to “undertake all necessary efforts to prevent the recurrence of these attacks and to eradicate anyone who attempts to threaten security, wherever they are.” He added that “they desperately seek to undermine the stability of our people and their firm path toward state-building and achieving social peace.”

Bahaa al Araji, leader of the Reconstruction and Development parliamentary bloc and a principal political backer of al Zaidi, warned on the same social network that “the attack on Erbil sends negative and completely unacceptable political messages, and comes at a critical moment that benefits no one.”

The attack on Erbil occurs within the context of al Zaidi’s campaign to disarm the Iran-aligned Shia militias. In recent years, such groups have targeted oil fields and facilities operated by U.S. companies in the Kurdistan region.

Finally, the strike by a drone of unknown origin on Wednesday at the Grand Faw port, a mega-project at Iraq’s southern tip, adds to the recent series of drone incidents at the country’s strategic facilities.

(more…)

Iran’s regime launched a new wave of missile attacks against Persian Gulf countries that host U.S. military facilities. Jordan, Kuwait and Iraq reported intercepting several projectiles and condemned the Iranian strikes in the early hours of Thursday.

Late Wednesday, the United States completed another round of strikes on Iranian territory intended to reduce Tehran’s ability to “threaten the innocent mariners who crew commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”

The new offensive occurred after Washington confirmed the reinstatement of a naval blockade of Iranian ports and coasts, and after two commercial vessels were diverted for allegedly attempting to evade the restrictions imposed by the United States, according to the Pentagon.

President Donald Trump hardened his stance toward Tehran and warned that the military campaign in the Middle East could expand in the coming days if the Iranian regime does not agree to return to the negotiating table. “Next week the situation will be very bad for them,” he said.

Below is minute-by-minute coverage:

/americas/world/2026/07/16/jd-vance-said-that-the-us-is-moving-in-the-right-direction-with-iran-and-argued-that-a-lasting-solution-requires-a-deal/

/americas/world/2026/07/16/iran-regime-threatened-to-attack-all-regional-infrastructure-if-the-us-acts-on-trump-warning/

Pakistan urged Iran and the U.S. to resume peace talks to curb the war in the Middle East

Pakistan announced Thursday that it will encourage the United States and Iran to halt the violence and resume dialogue under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) it helped mediate last month.

“Although the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding faces challenges, Pakistan will continue to encourage all parties to end the violence and resume technical-level talks in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding,” said Tahir Andrabi, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, to reporters in Islamabad.

“We expressed our hope that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will normalize soon and stressed the importance of ensuring the security and freedom of maritime navigation,” he added.

Oil prices fall

Oil prices fell in the early hours of Thursday, although they remain elevated amid intensified U.S. attacks on Iran and Iranian missile and drone offensives against Kuwait and Bahrain.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, dropped 0.5% to $84.57 per barrel. At the end of February, before the conflict began, it was trading near $72 per barrel. The U.S. benchmark slipped 0.2% to $79.43 per barrel.

/americas/world/2026/07/16/imf-warned-that-oil-supply-will-take-up-to-three-months-to-normalize-once-hormuz-fully-reopens/

Tehran threatened regional infrastructure if the United States attacks Iran

Tehran warned Thursday that it would strike the regional infrastructure of countries allied with the United States if Washington follows through on its threats to attack Iranian facilities.

The spokesperson for Iran’s military headquarters said that if those warnings are carried out, “all the region’s infrastructure would be crushed under the steel blows of the Iranian armed forces.”

Israel informed the Pentagon it will keep troops in “security zones” in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, told his U.S. counterpart, Pete Hegseth, that the Israeli military will keep its forces in the “security zones” established in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip.

According to a statement released Thursday, the two officials spoke overnight and Katz “emphasized Israel’s determination to remain in the security zones in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon to protect its borders and nearby communities from threats posed by jihadist forces.”

Fire and smoke seen in Chabahar, Iran, after reports of an explosion

Jordan intercepted eight Iranian missiles overnight

Jordan’s air defense systems intercepted and destroyed eight Iranian missiles aimed at the country in the early hours of Thursday, the Jordanian military said. No casualties or material damage were reported. Engineering teams secured the areas where debris fell, and the armed forces remain at high alert for possible further threats.

Meanwhile, the Iranian military stated that its drones struck communications systems, fuel depots and a fixed radar station at Al Azraq airbase in Jordan, which it identified as a U.S. military base. The statement, carried by Iranian state media, said the offensive was the ninth phase of “Operation Saeqeh” (Lightning) and was launched in response to recent U.S. attacks on Iran, including a strike on a military barracks in Sistan and Baluchestan province that Tehran says killed seven service members.

/americas/world/2026/07/16/iran-regime-launched-attacks-on-us-bases-and-military-installations-in-jordan-kuwait-and-iraq/

Iraq’s prime minister condemned the “drone attack” on Erbil Thursday

Iraq’s Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, condemned a “drone attack” that violated Erbil’s airspace in the Kurdistan region after several drones were shot down, his office said.

Al-Zaidi said security agencies, in coordination with regional forces, have been ordered to take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such attacks and to protect the safety of Iraqi society.

Iranian media reported explosions in Tehran, the capital

Iranian state media reported that air defense sirens were activated in several areas of Tehran on Thursday morning and that explosions were heard in the north and west of the country.

State news agency IRNA reported that, so far, no casualties have been recorded in Tehran. Additional explosions were reported in Lorestan province in the west and in Semnan in the north, according to IRNA and Mehr news agency.

(more…)

Iran’s regime launched a new wave of missile attacks against Persian Gulf countries that host U.S. military facilities. Jordan, Kuwait and Iraq reported intercepting several projectiles and condemned the Iranian strikes in the early hours of Thursday.

Late Wednesday, the United States carried out another round of strikes on Iranian territory aimed at reducing Tehran’s capacity to “threaten innocent mariners aboard commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”

The new offensive came after Washington confirmed the reinstatement of a naval blockade of Iranian ports and coasts, and after two commercial vessels that, according to the Pentagon, tried to evade U.S.-imposed restrictions were diverted.

President Donald Trump hardened his stance toward Tehran and warned that the military campaign in the Middle East could expand in the coming days if the Iranian regime does not return to the negotiating table. “Next week the situation will be very bad for them,” he said.

Below, minute-by-minute coverage:

/america/mundo/2026/07/16/jd-vance-afirmo-que-eeuu-avanza-en-la-direccion-correcta-con-iran-y-sostuvo-que-una-solucion-duradera-requiere-un-acuerdo/

/america/mundo/2026/07/16/el-regimen-de-iran-amenazo-con-atacar-toda-la-infraestructura-de-la-region-si-estados-unidos-cumple-la-advertencia-de-trump/

Pakistan urged Iran and the U.S. to resume peace talks to halt the war in the Middle East

On Thursday Pakistan said it will encourage the United States and Iran to halt the violence and resume talks under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) that it helped mediate last month.

“While the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding faces challenges, Pakistan will continue to encourage all parties to end the violence and resume technical-level talks in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding,” Tahir Andrabi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters in Islamabad.

“We expressed our hope that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will normalize soon and stressed the importance of ensuring the security and freedom of maritime navigation,” he added.

Oil prices fall

Oil prices fell in the early hours of Thursday, though they remain elevated amid intensifying U.S. strikes on Iran and Iranian missile and drone attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain.

Brent, the international benchmark, dropped 0.5% to $84.57 per barrel. In late February, before the start of the conflict, it traded near $72 per barrel. The U.S. benchmark fell 0.2% to $79.43 per barrel.

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Tehran threatened regional infrastructure if the United States attacks Iran

Tehran warned on Thursday that it would strike the regional infrastructure of countries allied with the United States if Washington follows through on threats to attack Iranian facilities.

The spokesman for Iran’s military headquarters said that if those warnings are carried out, “all infrastructure in the region would be crushed under the steel blows of the Iranian armed forces.”

Israel told the Pentagon it will keep troops in “security zones” in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz informed his U.S. counterpart, Pete Hegseth, that the Israeli military will keep its forces in the “security zones” established in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip.

According to a statement released on Thursday, the two officials spoke overnight and Katz “emphasized Israel’s determination to remain in the security zones in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon to protect its borders and nearby communities from threats posed by jihadist forces.”

Fire and smoke seen in Chabahar, Iran, after reports of an explosion

Jordan intercepted eight Iranian missiles during the night

Jordan’s air defense systems intercepted and destroyed eight Iranian missiles aimed at the country in the early hours of Thursday, the Jordanian military reported. No casualties or material damage were reported. Engineering teams secured the areas where debris fell, and the armed forces remain at high alert for possible further threats.

Meanwhile, the Iranian army said its drones struck communications systems, fuel depots and a fixed radar station at the Al Azraq airbase in Jordan, identified as a U.S. military base. The statement, carried by official Iranian media, said the offensive was the ninth phase of “Operation Saeqeh” (Lightning) and was launched in response to recent U.S. attacks on Iran, including a strike on a military garrison in Sistan and Baluchestan province that Tehran says killed seven service members.

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Iraq’s prime minister condemned the “drone attack” on Erbil this Thursday

Iraq’s prime minister, Ali al-Zaidi, condemned a “drone attack” that violated the airspace of Erbil in the Kurdistan region after several devices were shot down, his office reported.

Al-Zaidi said instructions have been given to security agencies, in coordination with regional forces, to take all necessary measures to prevent similar attacks and to protect the security of Iraqi society.

Iranian media reported explosions in Tehran, Iran’s capital

Iranian state media reported that air defense alerts were triggered in several areas of Tehran on Thursday morning and that explosions were heard in the north and west of the country.

The state news agency IRNA said that, so far, no casualties have been reported in Tehran. Additional explosions were heard in the western province of Lorestan and in Semnan, to the north of the country, according to IRNA and the Mehr agency.

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The Iranian regime launched a new wave of missile attacks against Persian Gulf countries that host U.S. military facilities. Jordan, Kuwait and Iraq reported intercepting several projectiles and condemned the Iranian strikes in the early hours of Thursday.

Late Wednesday, the United States carried out another round of strikes on Iranian territory aimed at reducing Tehran’s ability to “threaten innocent mariners aboard commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”

The new offensive came after Washington confirmed the reinstatement of a naval blockade on Iranian ports and coasts, and after two commercial ships were diverted that, according to the Pentagon, attempted to evade U.S.-imposed restrictions.

President Donald Trump hardened his stance toward Tehran and warned that the military campaign in the Middle East could expand in the coming days if the Iranian regime does not return to the negotiating table. “Next week the situation will be very bad for them,” he said.

Below, minute-by-minute coverage:

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Pakistan urged Iran and the U.S. to resume peace talks to halt the war in the Middle East

Pakistan announced on Thursday that it will encourage the United States and Iran to halt the violence and resume dialogue under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) it helped mediate last month.

“Although the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding faces challenges, Pakistan will continue to encourage all parties to end the violence and resume technical-level talks in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding,” said Tahir Andrabi, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, to reporters in Islamabad.

“We expressed our hope that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will normalize soon and stressed the importance of ensuring the security and freedom of maritime navigation,” he added.

Oil prices fall

Oil prices fell in the early hours of Thursday, though they remain high amid escalating U.S. strikes on Iran and Iranian missile and drone attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell 0.5% to $84.57 per barrel. In late February, before the conflict began, it traded near $72 per barrel. The U.S. benchmark decreased 0.2% to $79.43 per barrel.

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Tehran threatened regional infrastructure if the United States attacks Iran

Tehran warned on Thursday that it would strike regional infrastructure belonging to countries allied with the United States if Washington follows through on its threats to attack Iranian facilities.

The spokesperson for Iran’s military headquarters said that, if such warnings are carried out, “the entire infrastructure of the region would be crushed under the steel blows of Iran’s armed forces.”

Israel informed the Pentagon it will keep troops in “security zones” in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, told his U.S. counterpart, Pete Hegseth, that the Israeli military will maintain forces in the “security zones” established in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip.

According to a statement released on Thursday, the two officials spoke overnight and Katz “emphasized Israel’s determination to remain in the security zones in Syria, Gaza and Lebanon to protect its borders and nearby communities from threats posed by jihadist forces.”

Fire and smoke observed in Chabahar, Iran, after reports of an explosion

Jordan intercepted eight Iranian missiles overnight

Jordan’s air defense systems intercepted and destroyed eight Iranian missiles aimed at the country in the early hours of Thursday, the Jordanian army reported. No casualties or material damage were reported. Engineering teams secured the areas where debris fell, and the armed forces remain on high alert for potential further threats.

For its part, the Iranian army said its drones attacked communications systems, fuel depots and a fixed radar station at Al Azraq Air Base in Jordan, identified as a U.S. military base. The statement, published by Iranian state media, said the offensive was the ninth phase of “Operation Saeqeh” (Lightning) and was launched in response to recent U.S. strikes on Iran, including a bombing of a military barracks in Sistan and Baluchestan province that Tehran says killed seven soldiers.

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Iraq’s prime minister condemned Thursday’s “drone attack” over Erbil

Iraq’s Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi, condemned a “drone attack” that violated Erbil’s airspace in the Kurdistan region after several drones were shot down, his office reported.

Al-Zaidi said security agencies, in coordination with regional forces, have been instructed to take all necessary measures to prevent a repeat of these attacks and to protect the security of Iraqi society.

Iranian media reported explosions in Tehran, the capital of Iran

State media in Iran reported that air-defense alerts were activated in several areas of Tehran on Thursday morning and that explosions were heard in the north and west of the country.

The state news agency IRNA reported that, so far, no casualties have been recorded in Tehran. Additional explosions were heard in the western province of Lorestan and in Semnan, north of the country, according to IRNA and the Mehr news agency.

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El régimen iraní lanzó una nueva serie de ataques con misiles contra países del Golfo Pérsico que alojan instalaciones militares estadounidenses. Jordania, Kuwait e Irak informaron haber interceptado varios proyectiles y denunciaron los bombardeos durante la madrugada de este jueves.

Hacia la noche del miércoles, Estados Unidos ejecutó una nueva tanda de ataques contra territorio iraní con el objetivo de reducir la capacidad de Teherán para “amenazar a los marineros inocentes que tripulan buques comerciales que transitan por el estrecho de Ormuz”.

La ofensiva llegó después de que Washington confirmara el restablecimiento del bloqueo naval sobre puertos y costas iraníes y el desvío de dos buques comerciales que, según el Pentágono, intentaron eludir las restricciones impuestas por Estados Unidos.

El presidente Donald Trump endureció su postura frente a Teherán y advirtió que la campaña militar en Medio Oriente podría ampliarse en los próximos días si el régimen iraní no vuelve a la mesa de negociaciones. “La próxima semana la situación será muy mala para ellos”, afirmó.

A continuación, la cobertura minuto a minuto:

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Pakistán instó a Irán y a EE. UU. a reanudar las conversaciones de paz para frenar la escalada en Medio Oriente

Pakistán anunció este jueves que promoverá entre Estados Unidos e Irán la suspensión de la violencia y la reanudación del diálogo en el marco del memorando de entendimiento (MdE) que ayudó a mediar el mes pasado.

“Aunque la implementación del Memorando de Entendimiento enfrenta desafíos, Pakistán seguirá instando a todas las partes a poner fin a la violencia y a retomar las conversaciones técnicas de conformidad con el acuerdo”, declaró Tahir Andrabi, portavoz del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, en una rueda de prensa en Islamabad.

El portavoz agregó que Islamabad espera que la situación en el estrecho de Ormuz se normalice pronto y subrayó la importancia de garantizar la seguridad y la libertad de la navegación marítima.

Bajan los precios del petróleo

Los precios del petróleo cayeron en las primeras horas del jueves, aunque se mantienen en niveles elevados en un contexto de intensificación de los ataques estadounidenses contra Irán y de ofensivas iraníes con misiles y drones dirigidas a Kuwait y Bahréin.

El crudo Brent, referencia internacional, bajó un 0,5% hasta 84,57 dólares por barril; a finales de febrero, antes del inicio del conflicto, cotizaba cerca de 72 dólares por barril. El crudo de referencia en Estados Unidos descendió un 0,2%, hasta 79,43 dólares por barril.

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Teherán amenazó con atacar la infraestructura regional si Estados Unidos ataca a Irán

El gobierno de Teherán advirtió este jueves que atacará la infraestructura regional de países aliados a Estados Unidos si Washington ejecuta sus amenazas de atacar instalaciones iraníes.

Un portavoz del cuartel general militar iraní sostuvo que, en caso de materializarse esos avisos, “toda la infraestructura de la región sería aplastada bajo los golpes de acero de las fuerzas armadas iraníes”.

Israel informó al Pentágono que mantendrá tropas en “zonas de seguridad” en Líbano, Siria y Gaza

El ministro de Defensa de Israel, Israel Katz, informó a su homólogo estadounidense, Pete Hegseth, que el Ejército israelí mantendrá fuerzas en las “zonas de seguridad” establecidas en Líbano, Siria y la Franja de Gaza.

Según un comunicado difundido este jueves, ambos funcionarios mantuvieron una conversación nocturna en la que Katz enfatizó la determinación de Israel de permanecer en esas zonas para proteger sus fronteras y las comunidades próximas frente a las amenazas de grupos yihadistas.

Se observa fuego y humo en Chabahar, Irán, tras informes de una explosión

Jordania interceptó ocho misiles iraníes durante la noche

Los sistemas de defensa aérea jordanos interceptaron y destruyeron ocho misiles iraníes dirigidos al país en la madrugada del jueves, informó el ejército jordano. No se registraron víctimas ni daños materiales. Equipos de ingenieros aseguraron las áreas donde cayeron los restos y las fuerzas armadas permanecen en alerta máxima ante posibles nuevas amenazas.

En respuesta, el ejército iraní aseguró que sus drones atacaron sistemas de comunicación, depósitos de combustible y una estación de radar fija en la base aérea de Al Azraq, identificada por Teherán como una instalación militar estadounidense. El comunicado, difundido por medios oficiales iraníes, indicó que la operación corresponde a la novena fase de la “Operación Saeqeh” (Relámpago) y fue lanzada en represalia por recientes ataques de Estados Unidos contra Irán, entre ellos un bombardeo en la provincia de Sistán y Baluchistán que, según Teherán, causó la muerte de siete militares.

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El primer ministro de Irak condenó el ataque con drones sobre Erbil

El primer ministro de Irak, Ali al-Zaidi, condenó un ataque con drones que violó el espacio aéreo de Erbil, en la región del Kurdistán, tras la detección y el derribo de varias aeronaves, informó su oficina.

Al-Zaidi indicó que se han dado instrucciones a los organismos de seguridad, en coordinación con las autoridades regionales, para tomar todas las medidas necesarias que eviten la repetición de estos ataques y garanticen la protección de la población iraquí.

Medios estatales iraníes reportaron explosiones en Teherán

Medios oficiales informaron que la mañana del jueves se activaron las alertas de defensa antiaérea en varias zonas de Teherán y que se escucharon explosiones en el norte y el oeste del país.

La agencia estatal IRNA señaló que, por el momento, no se registran víctimas en la capital. Otras explosiones fueron reportadas en la provincia occidental de Lorestán y en Semnán, al norte del país, según informaron IRNA y la agencia Mehr.

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