Wednesday escalation in the United States–Iran conflict: Washington carried out a new round of strikes against Iranian military targets and tightened a blockade of the country’s ports, while Tehran responded with attacks on U.S. allies in the Gulf and reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed “until the United States ends its aggression.”
The 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 to launch precision munitions against missile and drone sites, naval capabilities and coastal defense systems. According to the U.S. military, the aim is to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Among the strikes, the port city of Bushehr, home to the country’s only civilian nuclear plant, was hit in three locations, and a bombardment of a barracks near Iranshahr in southeastern Iran left seven service members dead, according to Iran’s military.
Iran, in turn, attacked U.S. bases and positions in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could be extended to other regional oil and gas export routes. Meanwhile, Bahrain said it intercepted a new Iranian air attack, an Indian sailor missing after an attack on the GFS Galaxy off Oman was confirmed dead, and Iran’s judiciary executed a protester convicted of involvement in the nationwide demonstrations earlier this year.
Below is minute-by-minute coverage:
U.S. military says it resumed daytime strikes on Iran as part of its escalation
The U.S. military said it began a new wave of strikes against Iran at 1000 GMT on Wednesday.
“The strikes are intended to further weaken the military capabilities that Iranian forces have used to attack commercial 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
Iran executed a man arrested during January protests
Iran’s authorities executed a man on Wednesday who was accused of setting fire to government and police facilities during the January protests in Isfahan province, Mizan News — a news 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.
The official account cites surveillance footage and the accused’s confessions. It also states that Amini Dehaghani tried to use a rifle taken from police during the protests.
Oil rises again amid military escalation in the Middle East
U.S. benchmark crude (WTI) rose $0.86 to $80.20 per barrel, while Brent, the international benchmark, gained $1.15 to $85.88 per barrel.
On Tuesday, oil closed up 2% and reached a one-month high, driven by attacks that worsened supply concerns in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Brent and WTI have moved higher in line with the escalation of attacks, but the size of the move will likely moderate now as the market waits to see whether the U.S. or Iran changes course,” said June Goh, senior oil market analyst at Sparta Commodities, in an interview with Reuters.
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U.S. killed seven service members in strikes in southeastern Iran
Iran’s military said it would respond to the strike 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 said.
The military said 13 U.S. missiles struck facilities at the Bambour barracks, killing seven members of the 388th Brigade and wounding several others. It added that passive defense measures limited the number of casualties.
The statement alleged the U.S. attacks were “aimed at causing as many casualties as possible,” targeting a guesthouse, guard posts and living quarters at the base.
Death of an Indian sailor missing after attack off the coast of Oman confirmed
An Indian citizen who had been missing after an attack on the merchant vessel GFS Galaxy off Oman has died, his father-in-law confirmed on Wednesday, Reuters reported. Of the 11 Indian crew members aboard, 10 were rescued, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said on Sunday.
Former Iranian foreign minister urged a ground attack on a U.S. base and taking hostages
Former Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki proposed a ground offensive against a U.S. military base in the Middle East and suggested taking hostages to bring them to Iran.
“My proposal is to carry out 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.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Jordan’s foreign minister discussed Iranian attacks on ships
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he met with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi to discuss regional security issues, including “the ongoing Iranian attacks on vessels and countries in the region.”
UN Security Council voted to continue monitoring Houthi attacks in the Red Sea
The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution extending U.N. monitoring of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea for six months.
The measure passed with 13 votes in favor and abstentions from China and Russia. It requires the U.N. secretary-general to report to the Council monthly on the situation.
The Houthi rebel group in Yemen began attacking vessels in the Red Sea in late 2023, saying it targeted ships linked to Israel in response to the Gaza conflict.
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Iran-linked ships left the Strait of Hormuz ahead of the U.S. blockade
Shipping data showed an increase on Tuesday in the number of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, most linked to Iranian trade, ahead of a U.S. blockade scheduled to take effect Wednesday. Kpler records indicate nine of the eleven ships that crossed that day used the Iranian route.
Among incoming vessels were three empty tankers: one Aframax and two larger tankers. Departures included a VLCC carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil, a medium tanker transporting refined products, and two additional ships carrying liquefied petroleum gas.
Commercial traffic also included a tanker loaded with methanol and a bulk carrier carrying iron ore, both departing the Gulf on Tuesday.
Jordan’s army said it shot down three missiles launched by Iran
Jordan’s military said 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 the missile debris found in different locations, followed technical and safety protocols, and secured the affected areas to protect civilians 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 the highest level of aerial vigilance.
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Iran’s Revolutionary Guard struck Gulf countries after CENTCOM operation
The Iranian military announced early Wednesday that it carried out new drone strikes against U.S. military facilities in the Middle East amid the latest escalation between Tehran and Washington. In a statement distributed by Tasnim, an outlet linked to the Revolutionary Guard, Iran said the Al Azraq airbase in Jordan — which hosted F-18s, housing and U.S. equipment depots — was struck by drones.
The military defended the operation, named “Lightning,” and said “the era of slap-in-the-face strikes is over” and that any action against Iranian land, waters or airspace “will not go unanswered or without a proportional cost.”
The Revolutionary Guard also reported coordinated attacks by its Navy and Aerospace Force on a U.S. storage facility at Sheikh Isa base in Bahrain and on U.S. drones at Ali Al Salem base in Kuwait. The statement said, “In a simultaneous missile and drone operation, Navy and Aerospace Force fighters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps destroyed several depots of weapons and spare parts for enemy ships and aircraft at Sheikh Isa base in Bahrain a few hours ago.”
The military statement added that “they also struck the ramp used to deploy enemy MQ-9 drones at Ali Al Salem base in Kuwait, destroying or damaging several of them.”
Iran: the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until “U.S. abuses end”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that the strategic waterway will remain closed until U.S. actions cease, in a statement released Tuesday. The military group accused the U.S. of attacking Iranian bases “under the pretext of targeting violating ships” to hide its defeat and inability.
The Revolutionary Guard added that “no ship dared to violate [the Iranian blockade] or to accompany the United States,” and therefore “there were naturally no impacts” during the operation.
White House: “Divisions in Iran show the success of Trump’s policy”
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller said internal divisions among Iran’s leaders reflect the success of President Donald Trump’s policy toward Tehran. Miller made the remarks in an interview with Fox News.
The U.S. official said Iran’s leadership is facing “huge fissures the size of canyons” after decades of unity. Miller reiterated 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 tensions with the U.S.
Iran’s 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 claimed most of Iran’s military capabilities had been eliminated. “We will defend every inch of our homeland with our actions,” Pezeshkian told state television.
The president’s remarks came as hostilities intensified following U.S. strikes in southern Iran after Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes against U.S. targets in the region.
“Their 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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