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Iraqi authorities announced a full suspension of crude loading at the country’s southern terminals after a drone struck a tanker at the Basra terminal. Four oil and security sources cited by Reuters said there were no fires or confirmed material damage, but operations were halted as a precaution.

The affected terminals are in southern Iraq. So far, the attacker has not been identified. As a safety measure, the struck tanker was towed out of the port along with another vessel that was anchored nearby.

Drone attacks in strategic areas of Iraq

On Wednesday, another drone reportedly fell at the port of Faw without causing damage, according to the state news agency; port operations there were not affected.

Iraq typically exports about 3.6 million barrels of oil per day. Before tensions with Iran, roughly 3.4 million barrels per day were shipped through the southern terminals, mainly from Basra.

Separately, officials reported that eight drones were intercepted while attempting to attack the U.S. consulate and a coalition base at Erbil airport in the Kurdistan region. The Kurdistan Counter-Terrorism Service said the incidents occurred between Wednesday night and Thursday morning; coalition forces shot the drones down before they reached their targets and there were no casualties.

Official reactions and political context

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi strongly condemned the attempted attacks, which coincided with his first official visit to Washington since taking office in May. During the visit, al-Zaidi aims to present his plan to disarm Iran-aligned Shia militias in Iraq—groups the United States has previously designated as terrorist organizations and which have been blamed for similar incidents.

In a post on X, the prime minister said he had ordered security forces to take “all necessary efforts” to prevent a recurrence of such attacks and to remove those who threaten security, adding that the assaults seek to undermine stability and the state-building process.

Bahaa al-Araji, leader of the Reconstruction and Development parliamentary bloc and a principal political backer of al-Zaidi, said on the same social platform that the attack on Erbil sends “negative” and unacceptable political signals and comes at a sensitive time that benefits no one.

The attempt on Erbil occurs amid the prime minister’s campaign to disarm Iran-aligned Shia militias. In recent years, similar strikes have targeted oil fields and facilities run by U.S. companies in the Kurdistan region.

Additionally, the impact of a drone of unknown origin at the Grand Faw port—a megaproject at Iraq’s southern tip—adds to a recent series of drone incidents at strategic facilities across the country.

(more…)

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.

/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 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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