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US completes ninth night of strikes on Iran as troop deaths raise fear of wider war. (Screengrab/X/@CENTCOM)A vessel caught fire after being hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. The crew safely abandoned the ship and were rescued by a tug boat, while the vessel remains adrift with the fire yet to be extinguished. UKMTO advised ships transiting the area to exercise caution as authorities investigate the incident.
Latest developments:
- Kuwait’s infrastructure hit again: A power generation and water desalination plant in Kuwait was struck for the second consecutive day, officials said.
- Air defenses activated across the Gulf: Air defense systems intercepted incoming attacks over the weekend in both Jordan and Bahrain.
- Iran claims a nuclear site was hit: Tehran says the US also struck an under-construction nuclear power plant, though this has not been independently verified.
- Iran threatens a “devastating response”: A senior Iranian military commander warned that any further US “aggression or barbarism” would be met with a decisive and devastating response from the country’s armed forces.
- US death toll rises to 17: CENTCOM confirmed the service member killed in Iraq on Saturday brings the total number of US military deaths since the war began to 17.
Follow The Indian Express Global Desk live coverage for the latest updates on the conflict from West Asia and the US.
Live Updates
Saudi condemns Houthi maritime blockade threat; group warns of escalation
Saudi Arabia on Monday condemned what it described as allegations by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis that the kingdom was besieging the Yemeni people, after the group announced it would impose a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis said on Monday they would impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, opening a potential new front against the United States in its war with Iran and raising the threat to global energy supplies and trade beyond the Gulf.
Tanker reports being struck in Strait of Hormuz
A tanker has reported being struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency.
UKMTO said the incident occurred about 8 nautical miles northeast of Limah in Oman.
Iranian army claims strike on ‘US HIMARS systems’ in Kuwait
Iran’s army says it targeted “US HIMARS missile systems” stationed at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait with ground-to-ground missiles.
In a statement carried by IRIB, the army said the attack was part of the 18th phase of its “Thunder” operation and was launched in response to US strikes on Iran.
Trump says Netanyahu won't be arrested in US as Mamdani weighs legal options
US President Donald Trump has announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested while visiting the United States. This comes as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani had said that he was still considering arresting the Israeli prime minister when he visits America.
UK's military says a second ship attacked in Strait of Hormuz
The British military's UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre said Monday evening that a second ship had been attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, this one off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, AP reported.
US military has redirected 7 commercial vessels and disabled 1 from leaving or entering Iranian ports
The United States military has redirected 7 commercial vessels and disabled 1 from leaving or entering Iranian ports, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X.
"US service members aboard amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) support flight operations day and night from the Arabian Sea as CENTCOM enforces the naval blockade against Iran. As of July 20, the US military has redirected 7 commercial vessels and disabled 1 to prevent the ships from leaving or entering Iranian ports," CENTCOM added.
U.S. service members aboard amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) support flight operations day and night from the Arabian Sea as CENTCOM enforces the naval blockade against Iran. As of July 20, the U.S. military has redirected 7 commercial vessels and disabled 1 to prevent… pic.twitter.com/a1gtwipPUf
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 20, 2026
Industrial facility in Iran's Khomein city attacked by US
The Iranian administration has said that an industrial facility in Iran's Khomein city was attacked by the United States on Monday, Tehran's Press TV reported.
Sirens sounded in Bahrain for fifth time, interior ministry says
Bahrain's interior ministry on Monday said that sirens were sounded in the country for the fifth time amid Iran's continued hostilities at the US bases in the Gulf region.
Explosion heard in Iran's Shiraz, Tehran's media reports
An explosion was heard in Iran's Shiraz, Tehran's Fars news agency reported on Monday.
Sirens sound off in Bahrain amid fresh round of Iranian strikes
Warning sirens have been blared off in Bahrain as Iran continued to strike US military bases in the Gulf region.
Kuwait's interior ministry, in a statement on Monday, said, "The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place."
The siren has been sounded, Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place
— Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) July 20, 2026
Military targets Bahrain's Al-Sakhir air base and Bin Salman port, says Iran's IRGC
Iran's Revolutionary Guard on Monday said that the country's military targeted Bahrain's Al-Sakhir air base and Bin Salman port, along with Arifjan base in Kuwait, Reuters reported.
Who were the two US soldiers killed in Iranian strike in Jordan?
The US Department of Defence on Monday identified the two US soldiers who were killed in an Iranian military attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
The soldiers have been identified as 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas.
Yemen's Houthi rebels announce a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia
Yemen's Houthi rebels have announced they are imposing a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia in response to a recent attack on Sanaa Airport, AP reported.
Iran to restore 100 million cubic metres of lost gas output in coming months, official says
Iran expects to restore around 100 million cubic metres per day of natural gas production capacity within the coming months, a senior government official said on Monday, according to the oil ministry's Shana news outlet.
Attacks on Iran's energy infrastructure removed about 230 million cubic metres from output since the war started with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. Recent US strikes on southern Iran, however, have not hit major energy sites.
- Reuters
US identifies two soldiers killed in Iranian attack on Jordan
The US Department of Defence has identified the two American soldiers who were killed in the Iranian strikes on Jordan.
(AP)
IRGC says forces ready to counter any potential US infiltration
The IRGC said its ground forces are undergoing continuous training and are preparing to overcome any potential US infiltration. "The constant vigilance of the armed forces and their continuous readiness guarantee the country's sustainable security, and this readiness is pursued with seriousness in all operational sectors," stated an IRGC statement as cited by Al Jazeera.
Iran says diplomacy, defence both key to safeguarding national interests
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei rejected the notion that Tehran must choose between war and diplomacy, saying both are tools to protect the country's national interests. Responding to questions on future talks with the US, Baghaei said Iranian diplomats, like the armed forces, remain committed to defending the country's rights despite what he described as external pressure and hostility.
Iran denies releasing US citizen cited by Trump, says he 'was neither a prisoner nor had a case"
Iran's Foreign Ministry has denied releasing any US citizen, rejecting President Donald Trump's claim that an American had been freed as a goodwill gesture. Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the individual mentioned by Trump "was neither a prisoner nor had a case" in Iran, contradicting the US president's statement.
Iran warns US against ground invasion
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei warned the United States against any attempt to launch a ground invasion or seize Kharg Island, saying Washington would face the "consequences of any adventure". Baghaei added that some in Iran's leadership were "counting down the minutes" to welcome US forces in the event of a ground incursion.
Iran says US has 'no excuse' to violate memorandum
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said there was "no ambiguity" in the 14-clause Memorandum of Understanding signed with the United States and insisted Washington had "no excuse" to violate it.
“The text is completely clear, and there is no excuse for America to break the treaty,” he told reporters in Tehran.
Ship set ablaze in Strait of Hormuz after attack; crew rescued
A vessel caught fire after being hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. The crew safely abandoned the ship and were rescued by a tug boat, while the vessel remains adrift with the fire yet to be extinguished. UKMTO advised ships transiting the area to exercise caution as authorities investigate the incident.
“The fire has not been extinguished and the vessel is currently adrift,” it said in a statement.
US strike on Iran's Tabriz kills one, injures several: Iran's state news agency
At least one person was killed and several others injured after a US strike targeted a military area on the outskirts of Tabriz in northwestern Iran, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported. Quoting East Azerbaijan province crisis management chief Majid Farshi, the report said rescue and security teams were deployed to the site. The strike marks the first reported US attack on northern Iran since the latest escalation began around 10 days ago.
Satellite images show damage to US military facility in Bahrain
Newly released satellite images appear to show damage to a power station in Bahrain used as a US military command-and-control centre and an artificial intelligence data centre following Iran's recent attack. The images provide one of the first visual assessments of the damage after the strike.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsSatellite Images Show Damage to US Military Center in Bahrain
— Tasnim News Agency (@Tasnimnews_EN) July 20, 2026
Newly released satellite images show damage to a power station in Bahrain that was used as a command and control center for the US army as well as an artificial intelligence data center following the Iranian attack. pic.twitter.com/T4undE6ONw
Egypt, Jordan discuss regional de-escalation after Iranian attack
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi discussed efforts to restore regional security and de-escalate tensions during a phone call, according to the statement released by Egypt's Foreign Ministry.
Abdelatty condemned the recent Iranian attacks on Jordan, reaffirmed Egypt's full solidarity with Amman, and stressed the need for an immediate halt to hostilities to prevent the conflict from widening.
US bombing of Iran expands as American troops killed and Tehran retaliates against the Gulf states
The United States conducted a new round of airstrikes early Monday targeting Iran after announcing the death of another American service member, hitting around a northwestern city believed to be home to underground missile bases. Iran responded by launching an attack targeting Bahrain, the home of the US Navy's 5th Fleet, and Kuwait.
The latest attacks again showed how, step by step, the US and Iran have inched closer to all-out war as last month’s interim deal meant to permanently end the fighting has crumbled and shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has largely stalled.
Iran war, Myanmar crisis and South China Sea rifts under the spotlight in ASEAN ministerial talks
outheast Asia’s top diplomats will express alarm over renewed hostilities in the Middle East when they gather in the Philippine capital Tuesday for talks to be joined by Western and Asian counterparts, including from the United States, China, Russia and the European Union.
Some of the world’s most intractable conflicts, including the latest fighting in Iran, will be high in the agenda of the annual talks held by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The Philippines holds the 11-nation regional bloc’s chairmanship this year and is hosting the three-day talks in Manila.
Multiple locations struck in Bushehr; scale under investigation: Iran media
The governor of the southwestern province of Bushehr says several locations in its capital, also named Bushehr, have been hit in an attack, according to Iran’s Mehr News Agency.
The official added that the scope and extent of the strikes are under investigation.
IRNA: US strikes in Northwestern Iran kill at least one, wound several
Iran's state news agency IRNA reported that US strikes in northwestern Iran killed at least one person and wounded several others on Monday, according to AFP. The attack struck an area southwest of Tabriz, said Majid Farshi, head of crisis management for East Azerbaijan province.
Warning sirens activated in Bahrain
The Ministry of Interior has told people to “remain calm and head to the nearest safe place”.
The siren has been sounded, Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place .
— Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) July 20, 2026
Earthquake strikes Iran’s Kermanshah province
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake has struck near Kuzaran in the western Kermanshah province at a depth of 8km (5 miles), Iran’s Irna news agency reported, citing the Iranian Seismological Center at the University of Tehran.
Are oil tankers being destroyed in Hormuz? Iran claims ‘explosions’ as US strikes hit 9th night
The US struck Iran for a ninth straight night early Monday, hours after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said two oil tankers had exploded and been left unable to move after attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz.
American deaths in the renewed fighting have now reached 17, and oil prices have jumped as fears grow over the fate of one of the world’s most important shipping routes. Read more
Kuwait says responding to Iranian drone attacks
The Kuwaiti army says it is responding to Iranian drone attacks adding that loud sounds heard across the country were due to interceptions.
تتصدى حالياً الدفاعات الجوية الكويتية لهجمات طائرات مسيّرة معادية، إثر العدوان الإيراني الاثم.
— KUWAIT ARMY - الجيش الكويتي (@KuwaitArmyGHQ) July 20, 2026
تنوه رئاسة الأركان العامة للجيش بأن أصوات الانفجارات، إن سُمعت، فهي نتيجة اعتراض منظومات الدفاع الجوي للهجمات المعادية.
ويرجى من الجميع التقيد بتعليمات الأمن والسلامة الصادرة عن… pic.twitter.com/xDoiin4fIt
Vessel on fire in strait of Hormuz, maritime agency says
A vessel is on fire in the Hormuz strait off Oman, the UK’s Maritime Trade Operations agency is saying, citing military authorities.
It said it received a report of an incident eight nautical miles north-west of Kumzar in Oman’s far north – on the southern edge of the strait.
The cause of the fire had not yet been verified, the agency posted on X advising vessels to “transit with caution”.
UKMTO WARNING 092-26
— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) July 19, 2026
Click here to view the full product.⤵️https://t.co/JZo2iz2Fau#maritimesecurity #marsec pic.twitter.com/udoONPF2ce
India urges citizens to avoid travel to Iran, leave if there
India has advised its citizens to cancel travel plans to Iran and consider leaving if they’re already there, as instability and military activity intensify across the country — particularly along its southern coast.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran issued a revised advisory on Sunday, saying “recent days have seen an increase in levels of instability and conflict in Iran,” as reported by PTI. It said anyone planning to travel to Iran “for any purpose should postpone travel for the time being, until the security environment improves”.
Air raid sirens sound in Bahrain
Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior says warning sirens have been activated and urged citizens and residents to remain calm, move to the nearest safe location and follow updates through official channels.
'Nothing the military does is safe': Rubio comments on recent deaths of US service members
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that the death of a US service member in northern Iraq Saturday was an accident, occurring while the American was decommissioning a downed Iranian drone, adding that "nothing the military does is safe" and expressing gratitude for those serving.
On the separate Iranian attack that killed two US troops in Jordan on Friday, Rubio said US defenses shot down nearly all incoming missiles but that one got through, calling it heartbreaking and saying he was praying for the victims' families. The war has now claimed 17 American service members' lives over nearly five months.
US military completes ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iran
The US military has completed its ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iran, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).
The command said that CENTCOM assets targeted “Iranian military command centres, air defence and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and communications networks”.
CENTCOM noted that the strikes concluded on July 19 at 10 p.m. ET and were conducted “to further diminish Iran’s ability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz”.
“The US military is holding Iran accountable at the Commander in Chief’s direction,” the statement added, noting that “CENTCOM forces remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready”.
MQ-9 drone reportedly shot down over western Iran
An MQ-9 drone has reportedly been intercepted and shot down over Eslamabad-e Gharb in Iran’s western Kermanshah province, according to Mehr News Agency.
Mehr said the drone was targeted by an advanced air defence system operated by the IRGC Aerospace Force and linked to Iran’s integrated air defence network.
IRGC claims US aircrafts targeted at Jordan’s Aqaba airport
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it launched ballistic missiles at US C-17 transport planes and P-8 aircraft at Aqaba airport in Jordan, claiming several were heavily damaged.
In a statement carried by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, the IRGC also claimed that 20 hangars housing US forces in the Muwaffaq Salti/Al-Azraq air base were destroyed.
Iran's Guards say two oil tankers 'exploded' in southern Strait of Hormuz
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Monday that two oil tankers had exploded and been immobilised after attempting to transit what it described as an unsafe southern route through the Strait of Hormuz, alleging they had been encouraged by the US military to use the passage.
Reuters could not immediately verify the incident. The statement gave no details on the vessels' names, flags, crews or any casualties.
IRGC: Not a 'single drop of oil and gas' will safely transit Hormuz while US actions continue
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the Strait of Hormuz will remain unsafe for petrochemical products and won't allow even a single drop of oil and gas to transit as long as US actions in the region continue.
US launches more airstrikes against Iran after announcing another death of a service member
The United States began a new round of airstrikes early Monday targeting Iran after announcing the death of another American service member, and Iran fired missiles toward Jordan that risked widening the conflict into neighboring Israel.
Step by step, the US and Iran have inched closer to all-out war as last month's interim deal meant to permanently end the fighting has crumbled and shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has largely stalled. Both sides have targeted civilian infrastructure relied on by millions of people.
Vessel reported on fire off Oman’s Kumzar: UKMTO
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations says a vessel has been reported on fire about eight nautical miles northwest of Kumzar, Oman.
UKMTO said the cause of the fire had not been verified and advised vessels in the area to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity while authorities investigate.
Trump: US striking Iran 'very hard' to honor fallen troops
US President Donald Trump says that the United States is hitting Iran “very hard” to honour American service members who have been killed.
“We hit them very hard again tonight, and we did that in honour of the, probably three, it’s probably three great patriots,” Trump told reporters as he returned to Washington following the World Cup final.
“We feel very badly,” when asked about the military fatalities, adding that those who died were fighting so that “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon”.
US embassy in Bahrain says Iran may seek to target sites in central Manama
The US embassy in Manama said on Monday it had information suggesting Iran may seek to target unspecified locations in central Manama and urged Americans in Bahrain to remain vigilant.
Iran launches new wave of missiles, state media reports
Iran has launched a new wave of missiles from the western Lorestan province toward “enemy targets,” Iranian state media IRNA reported.
The US launched a new wave of strikes on Iran at 7 p.m. ET Sunday, and explosions have been heard across the country.
US embassy warns of possible Iranian attacks in central Manama, Bahrain
The US embassy in Bahrain says it has information suggesting Iran may seek to target unspecified locations in central Manama.
It urged Americans to remain vigilant, follow instructions from local authorities and immediately seek shelter if warning sirens sound or explosions are heard.
The U.S. Embassy has information to suggest that Iran may seek to target unspecified locations in central Manama.
— U.S. Embassy Manama (@USEmbassyManama) July 19, 2026
We urge all Americans to remain vigilant, follow local authorities’ instructions, and review the latest guidance from the U.S. Embassy.https://t.co/v0U4MJRhnS pic.twitter.com/3UqGOw5ifs
Several explosions reported in Iran’s Khuzestan province
Several explosions have been reported in the port cities of Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini in Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province, according to the Tasnim news agency, citing local residents.
Oil prices climb 3% as US-Iran strikes continue for eighth straight day
Oil prices rose about 3% Sunday after the United States and Iran exchanged tit-for-tat strikes for more than a week.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose 3% to about $90.78 a barrel, and US crude climbed almost 3% to $84.85 a barrel.
Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of the global oil supply flows, has been on the decline after tensions escalated last week. On Wednesday, the US reimposed its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
US military begins ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iran
The US military has launched a ninth night of strikes against Iran, US Central Command said Sunday evening.
“CENTCOM began conducting a new wave of strikes against Iran at 7 p.m. ET today for the ninth consecutive night,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.
CENTCOM began conducting a new wave of strikes against Iran at 7 p.m. ET today for the ninth consecutive night. The strikes will continue degrading Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 19, 2026
Vessel on fire near Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO says
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it had received a report that a vessel is on fire off the coast of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz.
UKMTO said the incident happened eight nautical miles northwest of Kumzar, in northern Oman.
“The cause of the fire has not been verified as this time,” UKMTO said.
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