Wednesday saw a new escalation in the conflict between the United States and Iran: Washington carried out another wave of strikes against Iranian military targets and tightened its blockade of the Persian country’s ports, while Tehran struck U.S. allies in the Gulf and reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed “until the United States ends its aggression.”
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that its forces struck dozens of military targets in Iran during a seven-hour operation, using fighter jets, drones and ships that fired precision munitions at missile and drone sites, naval capabilities and coastal defense systems. According to the U.S. force, the objective is to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Among the strikes, the port city of Bushehr — home to the country’s only civilian nuclear plant — was hit at three points, and a bombardment of a barracks near Iranshahr in southeastern Iran killed seven military personnel, according to Iran’s army.
Iran, for its part, attacked U.S. bases and targets in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that the closure of Hormuz could extend to other regional oil and gas export routes. Meanwhile, Bahrain said it intercepted a new Iranian air attack, an Indian sailor who had gone missing after the attack on the GFS Galaxy off Oman was confirmed dead, and Iran’s judiciary executed a protester convicted for participating in antigovernment demonstrations earlier this year.
Below is minute-by-minute coverage:
Lebanon and Israel agree on the structure of “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon after talks in Rome
Lebanon and Israel completed a new round of U.S.-mediated talks in Rome on Wednesday and agreed to implement the “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon that had been negotiated under a recent framework agreement, a U.S. official said.
“The talks concluded after two days of productive and positive discussions,” the official said, adding that participants agreed on the structure and guidelines for the pilot-zone process, which will be finalized and implemented in the coming days.
The U.S.-mediated talks in Italy’s capital followed a framework accord reached last month after five rounds of negotiations in Washington, with Lebanese negotiators seeking progress toward an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. The deal aims to end the war in the country, disarm Hezbollah, deploy Lebanese troops in the south and enable a gradual Israeli pullback starting with two pilot zones. Lebanon and Israel, which have no formal diplomatic relations, began the talks after the Iran-backed Lebanese group drew the country into the regional war by attacking Israel in March.
Wall Street rises after better-than-expected U.S. inflation data
U.S. stocks were higher on Wednesday morning after a better-than-expected inflation reading eased fears of further Federal Reserve rate hikes. The producer price index fell 0.3% month-on-month in June, the first contraction since August 2025, reflecting lower energy prices during the period.
However, oil has resumed its recent climb amid growing U.S.–Iran tensions that have undermined the fragile calm. About 15 minutes before the open, the Dow Jones was up 0.1% at 52,550.46, the S&P 500 rose 0.4% to 7,573.84 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.5% to 26,237.93.
The producer price index release came a day after the consumer price index also showed lower-than-expected inflation on Tuesday.
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U.S. video shows latest strike on Iran
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released a video corresponding to its most recent round of strikes against Iran.
The command said the strikes, which have already been reported, targeted coastal defense systems and missile storage and launch sites on Greater Tunb Island.
U.S. says it has redirected two vessels since restarting the blockade
As previously reported, the United States resumed its naval blockade of Iranian ports at 16:00 Washington time (2000 GMT) on Tuesday.
CENTCOM posted on X that, since then, it has redirected two commercial vessels.
Since restarting the naval blockade against Iranian ports 17 hours ago, U.S. forces have redirected 2 commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade. The U.S. military remains vigilant and prepared to ensure full compliance. pic.twitter.com/E00JAlmBua
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 15, 2026
Iran’s foreign minister attended the funeral of Qatar’s former emir in Doha
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, traveled to Doha to attend the funeral of Qatar’s former emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Iranian agency ISNA reported.
The minister’s visit to Qatar comes after Iran repeatedly struck what it described as U.S. targets in that country — the most recent attack occurred on Sunday, the day the former emir’s death was announced.
Qatar has acted as a mediator between Washington and Tehran during the war.
Indian seafarers suffer highest casualty toll in Gulf maritime crisis
At least 13 Indian nationals have died and three remain missing in attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf since the war began in February, government sources told EFE — the highest number among identified nationalities so far. The most recent case was confirmed Tuesday by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which reported the death of one seafarer and ten injured after an attack on the tankers MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, an attack the United Arab Emirates attributed to Iranian cruise missiles.
The two ships carried 30 Indian seafarers between them, out of a total crew of 46. While there have also been Filipino, Thai and Indonesian victims among attacked crews in the area, no other nationality matches the Indian toll. India is also the world’s second-largest supplier of certified seafarers, with about 300,000 active workers, according to the 2026 Seafarer Workforce Report.
The string of casualties — which includes the deaths of three Indian crew on the MT Settebello in a U.S. strike in June and the disappearance of a sailor after the attack on the GFS Galaxy — prompted the Indian government to launch a special operation to locate and assist every Indian seafarer sailing in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.
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A drone struck Iraq’s Grand Faw port during the prime minister’s U.S. visit
An unmanned drone of unknown origin struck Iraq’s Grand Faw port on Wednesday without causing casualties or material damage, Iraqi officials said, at a time when Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is visiting the United States to negotiate an economic and investment partnership with Washington.
The Iraqi Ports Company said in a statement that the device crashed in an open area of the port’s container yard, located at the country’s southern tip, and did not affect workers, equipment or facilities, so operations continued normally. Iraqi security authorities opened an investigation to determine the circumstances, although the statement did not specify whether the drone was launched from Iraqi territory — where militias aligned with Iran operate — or from Iran, amid reciprocal attacks with the United States in the Persian Gulf.
This is the first such incident against Grand Faw since the war began in late February. The port, a deep-water project able to receive large cargo ships with a draft of more than 19 meters, is central to Iraq’s strategy to diversify its economy and become a regional logistics hub. The strike coincides with Al-Zaidi’s first visit to Washington, where he seeks support to stabilize Iraq, disarm Shia militias and attract U.S. investment.
U.S. completed another wave of strikes on Greater Tunb Island
The U.S. military said on Wednesday it had completed its latest wave of strikes against Iranian targets, which “further degraded Iran’s ability to attack commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.”
CENTCOM said on X that it “fired precision munitions at coastal defense systems and missile storage and launch sites on Greater Tunb Island during the 90-minute wave.”
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European stocks fall as oil prices rise
European markets retreated on Wednesday despite the rise in oil, with investors focused on the Middle East conflict. By midday, the FTSE 100 was down 0.2%, the CAC 40 fell 0.2% and the DAX dropped 0.8%, while Brent rose 1.1% to $85.63 a barrel after new U.S. strikes on Iran and the reinstatement of the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports.
In contrast, Asian shares rallied strongly on the back of technology gains: Seoul closed up 6.2% — after rising as much as 7% intraday — led by an 8.8% surge in SK hynix, while a softer-than-expected U.S. inflation reading eased rate-hike fears. There were also gains in Tokyo, Hong Kong and other markets, although Shanghai fell 0.3% after China reported weaker-than-expected economic growth.
Positive momentum on Wall Street — supported by solid quarterly results from large banks — and former President Trump’s reversal on tariffs for ships in the Strait of Hormuz also bolstered Asian sentiment, although IBM plunged more than 25% after disappointing results.
U.S. military says it resumed daytime strikes on Iran as part of its escalation
The U.S. military said it launched a new wave of strikes against Iran at 1000 GMT on Wednesday.
“The strikes are intended to further weaken military capabilities that Iranian forces have used to attack merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz,” U.S. Central Command said in a post on X.
At 6 a.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching a wave of strikes against Iran. The strikes are designed to further degrade military capabilities Iranian forces have used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 15, 2026
The full report is available at this link.
Iran executed a man arrested during January protests
The Iranian regime executed on Wednesday a man accused of setting fire to government and police facilities during antigovernment protests in January in Isfahan province, Mizan News — a media outlet linked to the judiciary — reported.
The report said Mohammad Amini Dehaghani was hanged after the Supreme Court upheld the sentence. Judicial authorities allege that on January 9 he threw Molotov cocktails at the governor’s office in Dehaghan and the central police station, and incited others to attack officers.
Official reports cite surveillance footage and the accused’s confessions. They also claim Amini Dehaghani attempted to use a rifle taken from police during the protests.
Oil rises again amid Middle East military escalation
U.S. benchmark crude (WTI) rose $0.86 to $80.20 a barrel, while Brent, the international benchmark, advanced $1.15 to $85.88 a barrel.
On Tuesday, oil closed up 2%, reaching a one-month high, driven by strikes that exacerbated supply concerns in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Brent and WTI have moved higher in line with the escalation of strikes, but the scale of the move will likely moderate now as the market awaits any change in posture from the U.S. or Iran,” said June Goh, senior oil market analyst at Sparta Commodities, speaking to Reuters.
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U.S. killed seven military personnel in strikes in southeastern Iran
Iran’s army said it will respond to the attack on the Bambour barracks in Iranshahr, calling it “a cowardly aggression.” “A decisive response will be given to this crime at the appropriate time,” the statement cited by Tasnim agency said.
The military reported that 13 U.S. missiles struck facilities in the Bambour barracks, killing seven members of the 388th Brigade and leaving several wounded. The army said “passive defense measures” limited the number of casualties.
The statement alleged the U.S. strikes “sought to cause as many casualties as possible,” targeting a guesthouse, guard posts and housing areas within the base.
Death of an Indian sailor missing after an attack off Oman confirmed
An Indian national who had been missing after the attack on the merchant vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman has died, his father-in-law confirmed to Reuters on Wednesday. Of the 11 Indian crew aboard, 10 were rescued, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday.
Former Iranian foreign minister urged ground attack on U.S. base and taking hostages
Former Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki proposed launching a ground offensive against a U.S. military base in the Middle East and taking hostages to bring back to Iranian territory.
“My proposal is to launch a ground attack on one of the U.S. bases in the region, capture 100 Americans and take them to Iran,” Mottaki, now a member of parliament, said.
Marco Rubio and Jordan’s foreign minister discussed Iranian attacks on ships in the Middle East
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi to discuss regional security issues, including “the ongoing attacks by Iran against vessels and countries in the region.”
UN Security Council voted to continue monitoring Houthi attacks in the Red Sea
The UN Security Council approved a resolution extending UN monitoring of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea for six months.
The measure was supported by 13 votes in favor, with China and Russia abstaining, and it requires the UN Secretary-General to submit monthly reports to the Council on the situation.
The Houthi rebel group began its attacks on vessels in the Red Sea in late 2023, saying it was targeting ships linked to Israel in response to the conflict in Gaza.
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Iran-linked vessels left the Strait of Hormuz before the U.S. blockade
On Tuesday there was an increase in the number of ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, most linked to Iranian trade, ahead of the U.S. blockade that took effect on Wednesday, according to shipping data. Kpler records show that nine of the eleven vessels that crossed the route that day used the Iranian lane.
Among the vessels that entered the strait were three empty tankers: one Aframax and two very large crude carriers. On departures, data indicate a VLCC carried 2 million barrels of crude, a medium tanker transported refined products and two other vessels carried liquefied petroleum gas.
Commercial traffic also included a tanker loaded with methanol and a bulk carrier with iron ore, both departing the Gulf on Tuesday.
Jordanian army says it shot down three missiles launched from Iran
Jordan’s military reported that its air defense systems intercepted and shot down three ballistic missiles that entered Jordanian airspace from Iranian territory. In an official statement, authorities said Royal Engineer Corps teams managed debris from the downed missiles at various locations, following technical and safety protocols, and secured the affected areas to protect the population and property.
“The Jordanian Armed Forces reject any violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty or the use of its airspace to threaten its security and stability,” the military said, adding that it maintains air surveillance at the highest level of readiness.
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Iran’s Revolutionary Guard struck Gulf states after CENTCOM operation
Iran’s army announced early Wednesday new drone strikes on U.S. military installations in the Middle East amid the latest military escalation between Tehran and Washington. In a statement published by Tasnim agency, linked to the Revolutionary Guard, Iran said Al Azraq airbase in Jordan — where F-18 fighters, accommodations and U.S. equipment storage were located — was struck with drones.
The military defended the operation, called “Lightning,” and declared that “the era of the slap in the face is over,” warning that any action against the soil, waters or sky of this historic country will not go unanswered or without a proportional cost.
The Revolutionary Guard also reported naval and aerospace strikes against a U.S. storage site at Sheij Isa base in Bahrain and against U.S. drones at Ali al Salem base in Kuwait. According to the statement, “in a simultaneous missile-and-drone operation, naval and aerospace fighters of the IRGC destroyed several depots of weapons and spare parts for enemy ships and aircraft at the Sheij Isa base in Bahrain a few hours ago.”
The military communique added that “they also struck the ramp where enemy MQ-9 drones were deployed at Ali al Salem base in Kuwait, destroying or damaging several of them.”
Iran: the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until “U.S. evils end”
The Revolutionary Guard announced that the strategic waterway would remain closed until U.S. actions cease, according to a statement released Tuesday. The military organization claimed the U.S. military attacked Iranian bases “under the pretext of striking violating ships” attempting to transit the strait “to hide its defeat and incapacity.”
In the text, the IRGC stressed that “no ship dared to violate [the Iranian blockade] or accompany the United States,” and added that, as a result, “naturally there were no impacts” during the operation.
White House: “Divisions in Iran demonstrate success of Trump policy”
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said internal divisions among Iran’s leaders demonstrate the success of President Donald Trump’s policy toward Tehran. Miller made the remarks in an interview with Fox News.
According to the U.S. official, Iran’s leadership now faces “enormous fissures the size of cannons” after decades of unity. Miller insisted that the United States urges Iran to back a peace program and abandon its nuclear ambitions.
Pezeshkian vowed to defend “every inch” of Iran amid renewed escalation with the U.S.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country will defend “every inch” of its territory amid rising tensions with the United States, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had eliminated much of Iran’s military capabilities. “We will defend every inch of our homeland with our actions,” Pezeshkian told state television.
The president’s remarks came amid increasing hostilities following U.S. strikes in southern Iran after Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with missile and drone launches against U.S. targets in the region.
“His rhetoric continues, but the question is: have they achieved their objectives on the battlefield?” Pezeshkian challenged, referring to Trump’s statements and U.S. military actions.
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