Wednesday of escalation in the conflict between the United States and Iran: Washington carried out a new wave of attacks on Iranian military targets and strengthened its blockade of the Persian country’s ports, while Tehran replied with strikes against U.S. allies in the Gulf and reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed “until the United States ends its aggression.”
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that its forces struck dozens of military targets in Iran during a seven-hour operation, with fighter jets, drones and ships delivering precision munitions against missile and drone sites, naval capabilities and coastal defense systems. According to the U.S. force, the aim 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, while a bombing of a barracks near Iranshahr in southeastern Iran left seven service members dead, according to Iran’s military.
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 aerial attack, an Indian sailor who had been missing after the attack on the ship GFS Galaxy off Oman’s coast was confirmed dead, and Iran’s judiciary executed a protester convicted of participating in anti-government demonstrations earlier this year.
Below is the minute-by-minute coverage:
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A drone hit Iraq’s Grand Faw port during the prime minister’s visit to the U.S.
An unmanned aerial vehicle of unknown origin struck the Grand Faw port in southern Iraq on Wednesday without causing casualties or material damage, Iraqi official sources said, while Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi was visiting the United States to negotiate an economic and investment partnership with Washington.
The General Company of Iraqi Ports said in a statement that the device crashed in an open area of the port’s container yard without affecting workers, equipment or facilities, and operations continued normally. Iraqi security authorities launched an investigation to determine the circumstances, although the statement did not specify whether the drone was launched from Iraqi territory—where Iran-aligned militias operate—or from Iran, amid reciprocal attacks with the United States in the Persian Gulf.
This is the first incident of its kind at Grand Faw since the start of the war in late February. The deepwater port, able to receive large commercial vessels 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 attack coincided with al-Zaidi’s first visit to Washington, where he seeks backing to stabilize Iraq, disarm Shiite militias and attract U.S. investment.
U.S. completed a new wave of strikes on Iran from Great Tunb island
The U.S. military reported on Wednesday that it completed its latest wave of strikes on Iranian targets, which “further degraded Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.”
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on the social network X that it “launched precision munitions against coastal defense systems and cruise missile storage and launch sites on Great Tunb island during the 90-minute wave.”
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European equities fall as oil prices rise
European markets fell on Wednesday despite a rise in oil prices, with investors watching 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 reimposition of a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
In Asia, technology stocks drove a strong rebound: Seoul closed up 6.2%—having reached a 7% intraday gain—led by an 8.8% jump in SK hynix, while a softer-than-expected U.S. inflation reading eased rate-hike fears. Tokyo, Hong Kong and other bourses also posted gains, though 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 a shift in the U.S. stance on tariffs for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz also bolstered Asian optimism, although 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 launched a new wave of strikes against Iran at 1000 GMT on Wednesday.
“The strikes aim to further weaken 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
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Iran executed a man arrested during January protests
Iran’s regime executed on Wednesday a man accused of setting fire to government and police facilities during anti-government protests in January in Isfahan province, according to Mizan News, a media outlet linked to the judiciary.
The report says Mohammad Amini Dehaghani was hanged after the Supreme Court upheld the sentence. Judicial authorities claim that on January 9 he threw Molotov cocktails at the governor’s office in Dehaghan and at the central police station, and incited others to attack officers.
Official reports cite surveillance footage and the accused’s confessions, and also allege that Amini Dehaghani tried to use a rifle seized 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% and hit a one-month high, driven by strikes that worsened supply concerns in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Brent and WTI have ticked up in line with the escalation of attacks, but the size of the move will likely moderate now as the market awaits any shift in posture from the U.S. and Iran,” said June Goh, senior oil market analyst at Sparta Commodities, in comments to Reuters.
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U.S. killed seven service members in strikes in southeastern Iran
Iran’s military 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 wounding several others. The army said “passive defense measures” limited the number of casualties.
The statement asserted that the U.S. strikes “intended to cause as many casualties as possible,” targeting a guesthouse, guard posts and accommodation areas at the base.
Death of an Indian sailor missing after attack off Oman confirmed
An Indian national who had been missing following the attack on the merchant ship GFS Galaxy off Oman’s coast 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 taking hostages to transport 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 address regional security issues, including “the ongoing attacks by Iran on vessels and countries in the region.”
UN Security Council approved continued monitoring of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea
The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution extending the U.N. monitoring of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea for six months.
The measure, backed by 13 votes in favor with China and Russia abstaining, requires the U.N. secretary-general to present 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 targeted ships linked to Israel in response to the conflict in Gaza.
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Vessels linked to Iran left the Strait of Hormuz before the U.S. blockade
On Tuesday the number of ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz increased, mostly vessels linked to Iranian trade, ahead of a U.S. blockade set to take effect Wednesday, according to maritime transport data. Kpler records show that nine of the eleven ships that passed through the route that day used the Iranian corridor.
Among vessels entering the strait were three empty tankers: one Aframax and two large tankers. On departures, data indicate that one VLCC carried 2 million barrels of crude oil, a medium tanker transported refined products and two other ships moved liquefied petroleum gas.
Commerce also included a methanol tanker and a bulk carrier carrying iron ore, both departing the Gulf on Tuesday.
Jordanian Army says it shot down three missiles launched by Iran
Jordan’s military said its air defenses intercepted and shot down three ballistic missiles that entered Jordanian airspace from Iranian territory. In an official statement, authorities said Royal Engineer Corps teams handled missile debris found at different locations, following technical and safety protocols, and secured the 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 maintains the highest level of aerial vigilance.
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The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked Gulf countries after CENTCOM operation
Iran’s military announced early Wednesday new drone strikes on U.S. military installations in the Middle East amid the latest escalation between Tehran and Washington. In a statement carried by Tasnim, an IRGC-linked agency, the IRGC said drone strikes hit Al Azraq air base in Jordan, where F‐18 fighters, billets and U.S. equipment depots were located.
The military defended the operation, dubbed “Lightning,” saying “the era of slap-in-the-face strikes is over” and that any action against the land, waters or air of this historic country will not go unanswered or without a proportional cost.
The IRGC also reported that its Navy and Aerospace Force struck a U.S. storage facility at Sheik Isa base in Bahrain and targeted U.S. drones at Ali al Salem base in Kuwait. According to the statement, “in a simultaneous missile and drone operation, IRGC Navy and Aerospace Force fighters destroyed several weapons and spare parts depots for enemy ships and aircraft at Sheik Isa base in Bahrain a few hours ago.”
The military bulletin 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. harms end”
The IRGC announced that the strategic waterway will remain closed until U.S. actions cease, the military group said in a statement on Tuesday. The IRGC claimed the U.S. attacked Iranian bases “under the pretext of targeting violating vessels” attempting to transit the strait, “to mask its defeat and incapacity.”
The IRGC statement emphasized that “no ship dared to violate [the Iranian blockade] or to accompany the United States,” and added that, as a consequence, “there were naturally no impacts” during the operation.
White House: “Divisions in Iran demonstrate 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 currently faces “huge fissures the size of cannons” after decades of unity. Miller reiterated that the United States urges Iran to support a peace program and abandon its nuclear ambitions.
Pezeshkian vowed to defend “every inch” of Iran amid new 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 most of Iran’s military capabilities. “We will defend every inch of our homeland through our actions,” Pezeshkian told state television.
The president’s comments came in a context of escalating hostilities, after the United States carried out strikes in southern Iran following Tehran’s attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran launched missiles and drones at U.S. targets in the region.
“His rhetoric continues, but the question is: have they accomplished their objectives on the battlefield?” Pezeshkian challenged, referring to Trump’s statements and U.S. military actions.
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