Wednesday marked a further escalation in the confrontation between the United States and Iran: Washington carried out a new wave of strikes on Iranian military targets and tightened its blockade of the country’s ports, while Tehran struck U.S. allies in the Gulf and reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz would 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 deliver precision munitions against missile and drone sites, naval assets 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 at three points, and a bombardment of a barracks near Iranshahr in southeastern Iran killed seven service members, Iranian forces said.
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 spread to other regional oil and gas export routes. Meanwhile, Bahrain said it intercepted another Iranian aerial attack, authorities confirmed the death of an Indian sailor who had been missing after an attack on the ship GFS Galaxy off Oman’s coast, and Iran’s judiciary executed a protester convicted for participating in anti-government demonstrations in January.
Below is minute-by-minute coverage:
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European stocks fall as oil prices rise
European markets were lower on Wednesday despite a rise in oil, as investors monitored the Middle East conflict. At 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 following new U.S. strikes on Iran and the reimposition of a U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports.
In Asia, technology shares drove a strong rebound: Seoul closed up 6.2% — after trading as much as 7% higher intraday — led by an 8.8% jump in SK hynix, and a softer-than-expected U.S. inflation reading eased rate-hike concerns. Tokyo, Hong Kong and other markets also posted gains, although Shanghai fell 0.3% after China reported weaker-than-expected economic growth.
Positive momentum on Wall Street — supported by solid quarterly results from major banks — and President Trump’s shift on tariffs for vessels in the Strait of Hormuz also bolstered Asian optimism, though IBM plunged more than 25% after disappointing results.
U.S. military says it resumed daytime strikes on Iran as part of escalation
The U.S. military said it began a new wave of strikes against Iran at 10:00 GMT on Wednesday.
“The strikes are intended to further degrade the 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
Iran’s authorities executed a man on Wednesday who was accused of setting fire to government and police facilities during anti-government protests in January in Isfahan province, state-linked Mizan News reported.
The report named Mohammad Amini Dehaghani and said he was hanged after the Supreme Court upheld the sentence. Judicial authorities allege that on January 9 he threw Molotov cocktails at the office of the governor of Dehaghan and at the central police station, and incited others to attack officers.
Official accounts cite surveillance footage and the accused’s confessions, and say 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 a barrel, while Brent, the international benchmark, gained $1.15 to $85.88 a barrel.
On Tuesday, oil closed up 2% and hit a one-month high, driven by strikes that exacerbated supply concerns in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Brent and WTI have retraced 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 change course,” said June Goh, senior oil market analyst at Sparta Commodities, in remarks to Reuters.
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U.S. strikes killed seven service members in southeastern Iran
The Iranian Army said it will respond to the strike on the Bambour barracks in Iranshahr, calling it “a cowardly aggression.” “A decisive response will be delivered for this crime at the appropriate time,” the statement cited by Tasnim agency said.
The military said 13 U.S. missiles struck facilities in the Bambour barracks, killing seven members of the 388th Brigade and wounding several others. The Army said “passive defense measures” limited the number of casualties.
The statement claimed the U.S. strikes “aimed to cause as many casualties as possible,” targeting a guesthouse, guard posts and accommodation areas on the base.
Death of Indian sailor missing after attack off Oman confirmed
An Indian national who had been missing after the attack on the merchant ship 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 called for 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 the capture of hostages to be taken 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 “Iran’s ongoing attacks on vessels and countries in the region.”
UN Security Council votes 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 thirteen votes in favor and abstentions from China and Russia, and it requires the U.N. secretary-general to provide monthly reports to the Council on the situation.
The Yemeni Houthi rebel group began attacking 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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Vessels linked to Iran left the Strait of Hormuz ahead of U.S. blockade
Data from maritime trackers showed an increase in the number of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, most linked to Iranian trade, ahead of a U.S. blockade set to take effect Wednesday. Kpler records indicate nine of the eleven ships that crossed that day used the Iranian route.
Among vessels entering the strait were three empty tankers: one Aframax and two larger tankers. On the departures side, data showed a VLCC carried 2 million barrels of crude oil, a medium-sized tanker transported refined products, and two other ships moved liquefied petroleum gas.
Commercial flow also included a tanker loaded with methanol and a bulk carrier carrying iron ore, both departing the Gulf on Tuesday.
Jordanian Army says it shot down three missiles launched by Iran
The Jordanian Armed Forces reported that its air defenses intercepted and shot down three ballistic missiles that entered Jordanian airspace from Iranian territory. In an official statement, authorities said Royal Engineers teams managed the missile debris at multiple locations, followed technical and safety protocols, and secured affected areas to protect people 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 is maintaining air surveillance at the highest level of readiness.
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The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck Gulf countries after CENTCOM operation
Iran’s military announced in the early hours of Wednesday that it carried out new drone strikes against U.S. facilities in the Middle East amid the latest military escalation with Washington. In a statement distributed by Tasnim, linked to the IRGC, it said Al Azraq Air Base in Jordan — where F-18s, housing and U.S. equipment depots were located — was attacked with drones.
The military defended the operation, called “Lightning,” saying “the era of slap-in-the-face strikes is over” and that any action against Iran’s land, waters or airspace “will not go unanswered or without a proportional cost.”
The IRGC also reported naval and aerospace strikes on a U.S. storage facility at Bahrain’s Shaikh Isa base and on U.S. drones at Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem base. According to the statement, “in a simultaneous missile and drone operation, naval and aerospace forces of the IRGC destroyed several weapons and spare parts depots for enemy ships and aircraft at the Shaikh Isa base in Bahrain a few hours ago.”
The military communique also said that “they attacked 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. harms end”
The IRGC announced that the strategic waterway would remain closed until U.S. actions cease, according to a Tuesday statement. The military organization said the U.S. attacked Iranian bases “under the pretext of striking offending vessels” attempting to transit the strait, “to conceal its defeat and incapacity.”
The IRGC 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 success of Trump policy”
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said internal divisions among Iranian leaders demonstrate the success of President Donald Trump’s policy toward Tehran. Miller made the remarks in an interview with Fox News.
The official said Iran’s leadership is now facing “huge fissures the size of cannons” after decades of unity. Miller reiterated that the United States is urging Iran to support a peace program and abandon its nuclear ambitions.
Pezeshkian vows to defend “every inch” of Iran amid renewed tensions with the U.S.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country would defend “every inch” of its territory amid rising tensions with the United States, after U.S. President Donald Trump said much 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 comments came amid growing hostilities, following U.S. strikes in southern Iran after Tehran’s attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with missile and drone strikes against U.S. targets in the region.
“His rhetoric continues, but the question is: have they achieved their objectives on the battlefield?” Pezeshkian asked in response to Trump’s statements and U.S. military actions.
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