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People watch as smoke rises on the skyline after an explosion in Tehran, Iran. (AP File Photo)Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei on Monday said Tehran “doesn’t need foreign workers to protect the strait” in response to US President Donald Trump’s assertion that the US will be the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz.
Latest Developments:
- Trump says US will guard Strait of Hormuz, seeks reimbursement for security role
- Iran says it fired ‘warning shots’ at two ships in Hormuz
- At least two killed in US missile strikes on Iran’s Abadan city: Report
- Explosions heard near Iran’s Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, says report
- Washington launched several new waves of strikes on Iran overnight, following an earlier large-scale assault that hit dozens of Iranian military sites.
- IRGC hit back at US-linked targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman, and declared the Strait of Hormuz “closed until further notice.”
Follow The Indian Express Global Desk live coverage for the latest updates from the Middle East, the diplomatic corridors of Europe, and the evolving legal battles in Washington.
Live Updates
Air raid sirens sound again in Bahrain
Air raid sirens have sounded in Bahrain for the third time this morning, with the Interior Ministry telling residents to take immediate shelter.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards say two supertankers hit, disabled in Strait of Hormuz, local media reports
Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Tuesday said two "offending supertankers" have been hit and disabled in the Strait of Hormuz after the ships ignored warnings, turned off navigation systems and attempted to pass through "a mined route", Iranian media reported citing a statement from the Guards.
The Guards, in its statement to Iranian media, said the US was "inciting vessels to use an illegal route" and that cooperation with the "aggressor enemy" would result in damage, delays in reopening the strait and a global energy crisis.
Oil prices jump to highest level in a month
Oil prices have risen 2% to their highest in four weeks as the renewed US-Iran hostilities heighten uncertainty about energy flows through the strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude futures climbed $1.68, or 2%, to $84.98 a barrel by 0051 GMT on Tuesday, while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.65, or 2.1%, to $79.79 a barrel.
Brent crude surged 9.6% in the previous session, its biggest daily gain since May 2020, Reuters reports.
Iran claims attacks on two super oil tankers
The Tasnim news agency says the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has hit two “offending” super oil tankers.
It cited a statement by the IRGC.
The report comes hours after the UAE said Iran targeted two of its oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz in Omani waters, killing at least one Indian crew member.
Trump defends US strikes on Iran, says another ‘major attack’ is coming
US President Donald Trump on Monday defended US strikes on Iran, saying Tehran’s military capabilities have been badly weakened and warning that another “major attack” is coming tonight.
"We were in Vietnam for 19 years. We're here for four months, so I think we've done a lot," Trump told reporters when asked whether months of US strikes on Iran have become the “new normal” for Americans.
Trump said US forces have “knocked out” Iran’s navy, air force, missile capabilities and drone manufacturing. He argued the strikes were necessary to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Bahrain’s air defences ‘intercept and destroy Iranian aerial attacks’
Nabeel Alhamer, the media adviser to Bahrain’s king, says the kingdom’s air defence systems have intercepted and destroyed multiple Iranian aerial attacks in recent hours.
He made the announcement on X.
منظومات الدفاع الجوي تعترض وتدمر اعتداءات جوية إيرانية في سماء مملكة البحرين https://t.co/dHu6SpBEI6
— NABEEL ALHAMER (@nalhamer) July 14, 2026
Explosions have been heard again in southern Iran’s Bushehr city
Iran’s Mehr news agency said that several explosions had been heard in the Jam governate of Bushehr province.
The agency was earlier quoted as saying US projectiles had hit several areas in Omidiyeh in Khuzestan province.
The US has been carrying out a third day of strikes that Donald Trump says is targeting Iran’s attack capabilities over the strait of Hormuz as both sides assert they control the vital energy route.
Air raid sirens activated in Bahrain
Warning sirens are blaring in Bahrain and prompting authorities to urge residents to seek shelter immediately.
The Ministry of Interior instructed the public to “remain calm and head to the nearest safe place” as the latest alarms went off.
US missions in UAE suspend consular appointments over ‘security situation’
The US embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US consulate in Dubai have cancelled consular appointments through Wednesday due to the regional “security situation”.
People with appointments scheduled for the next two days “should not come to the embassy or consulate”, the US mission said.
Security Alert: U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (July 13, 2026) ⁰⁰Location: United Arab Emirates ⁰⁰Event: Cancellation of Consular Appointments ⁰⁰The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and U.S. Consulate General in Dubai have canceled consular appointments from July… pic.twitter.com/owDUo8cNQU
— US Mission to UAE (@USAinUAE) July 13, 2026
Trump says Iran wanted further negotiations after deal reached
The US president has claimed that Washington had a “deal with [Iran] two days ago” but that Tehran wanted “to negotiate it further”.
Asked by a reporter if he has decided that a negotiated settlement with Iran is no longer possible, Trump said: “I never reached that conclusion.”
He added that he believed the “most effective” way to put pressure on Iran was through a combination of a blockade and “hitting them”.
UAE says Iran hit two tankers in Hormuz strait with missiles
The UAE's Ministry of Defense says two of its national tankers, the Mombasa and the Bahia, were struck by Iranian cruise missiles in the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz while in Omani territorial waters, killing one Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa and injuring eight others six Indian nationals and two Ukrainians, four of them seriously while sparking fires on both vessels that have since been extinguished, with the ministry condemning the strike as a brazen violation of international law that threatens regional security and stability.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced that the UAE today was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles, noting that UAE air defence systems dealt with the missiles with high efficiency and successfully intercepted a number of missiles.
— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) February 28, 2026
Authorities in… pic.twitter.com/myoRbsa5VY
UAE says two tankers targeted by Iran, Indian crew member killed
The UAE’s Defence Ministry says two of its oil tankers have been targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles in Omani waters in the Strait of Hormuz.
An Indian national crew member was killed in the attack on the Mombasa tanker, with eight people wounded, it added.
Attack on UAE tankers caused ‘material damage’
UAE’s Defence Ministry added that the attack on its oil tankers, which it blamed on Iran, “also caused material damage… as a result of fires breaking out on board”.
“The fires have been brought under control on both tankers,” it added.
UAE condemns ‘brazen’ attack on its oil tankers
The UAE’s Defence Ministry says the attack that killed a crew member and injured eight others is a “serious violation and a clear breach of international law”.
The UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territories, people, and residents, the ministry said in a statement.
Donald Trump says he will address the nation on Thursday evening
US President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Monday that he would make a speech to the nation on Thursday at 9 pm EDT (Friday, 6:30 am IST).
Iran has 'always been' and 'will remain' guardian of Hormuz, Tehran's foreign minister says
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, while taking a swipe at US President Donald Trump's earlier comments, said that the Islamic Republic has "always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER."
POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) July 13, 2026
Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER.
20% is of course too much. We will be fair
US to begin enforcing maritime blockade on Iran from Tuesday onwards
The United States military will begin enforcing a maritime blockade on Iran from Tuesday onwards, the US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Centre said on Monday, Reuters reported.
Iran won't allow US interference in Strait of Hormuz 'management', Tehran military says
Iran's military headquarters, Khatam al-Anbiya, stated that it won't allow the United States to "interfere in the management" of the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement on Monday, the Iranian military said "frequent misadventures" from the US in the strait have "seriously jeopardised the security of the region," Tasnim news agency reported.
Iran says 'We don't need foreign workers to protect Hormuz' in response to Trump's 'guardian' claim
Iran's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission spokesperson Ebrahim Rezaei on Monday said Tehran "doesn't need foreign workers to protect the strait" in response to US President Donald Trump's assertion that the US will be the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz.
US stock market falls after Trump reinstates Iranian naval blockade
US stock market fell in the early trading session on Monday as investors reacted to the escalating situation in the West Asia. All three main indices of America, namely Dow Jones, Nasdaq and S&P 500, have plunged as oil prices jumped more than 4 per cent to reach around $79, BBC reported.
US forces struck submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran, CENTCOM says
US military on Sunday struck a submarine and a ship maintenance facility in Iran. Informing about the development, the US military stated, "Three Corsair unmanned surface vessels hit the port at Bandar Abbas Naval Base, marking the first time American forces have employed sea drones in combat operations. Last night’s strikes degraded Iran’s ability to continue attacking commercial shipping."
Yesterday, using multiple one-way attack surface drones, CENTCOM forces successfully struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran. Three Corsair unmanned surface vessels hit the port at Bandar Abbas Naval Base, marking the first time American forces have employed sea… pic.twitter.com/bOM2kmgRxz
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 13, 2026
Oil jumps as US-Iran tensions weigh on global markets
Global markets were mixed on Monday as oil prices surged following renewed fighting between the United States and Iran, while artificial intelligence-linked stocks dragged Wall Street lower.
Brent crude climbed 4.7% to about $79.60 a barrel after both Washington and Tehran claimed authority over the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting oil tanker traffic through the critical shipping lane. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 slipped 0.2%, the Nasdaq fell 0.8% and the Dow Jones edged slightly higher. Chipmakers led the declines, with Micron Technology dropping more than 4% and Nvidia also trading lower as investors reassessed lofty valuations tied to the AI boom. Markets are also awaiting a wave of major US bank earnings this week, including results from JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo.
(With inputs from AP)
Trump says US will keep Hormuz Strait open, seeks 20% reimbursement on cargo
US President Donald Trump declared that the Strait of Hormuz is "open, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran", announcing that the United States would assume responsibility for securing the strategic shipping route.
In a statement posted on his official social media handle Truth Social, Trump said the US was reinstating what he called the "Iranian blockade", claiming it would only prevent Iranian ships or customers from entering or leaving the Strait while allowing all other countries unrestricted passage. He also said the US would be known as the "Guardian of the Hormuz Strait" and proposed that it be reimbursed at a rate of 20% on all cargo shipped to cover the costs of providing security. Trump said the process of implementing the plan would begin immediately.
Iran accuses US of threatening global energy supplies
Iran's military accused the United States of "seriously jeopardising" global oil and gas supplies by interfering in the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions over the strategic waterway continued to escalate.
Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said Tehran would continue to assert its authority and control over the Strait of Hormuz. He also warned that cooperation by some regional countries with the United States had increased the risk of the conflict spreading across the Middle East.
(With inputs from Al Jazeera)
Trump claims Iran backed away from deal after 11-hour talks
US President Donald Trump claimed Iran held an "11-hour meeting" with US representatives on Sunday in which "everything was agreed to", before later returning to seek changes to the proposed deal, according to the BBC.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said Iran later called back saying it "had to make a couple of changes", adding, "Everything is 11 hours with these guys. It should be one minute." He accused Tehran of being "professional negotiators" who had "got nothing from me" and alleged Iran had strung along successive US presidents, including Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, over the past 47 years.
(With inputs from BBC)
Yemen closes all airports until further notice after Sanaa airport bombing
Yemen’s civil aviation authority has ordered the closure of all airports to air traffic until further notice following a strike on Sanaa International Airport.
In a statement, the government said, “The Houthi terrorist militia, supported by the Iranian regime, prevented Yemeni national aircraft from landing at the capital’s airport, Sanaa, and insisted that the Iranian aircraft violate Yemeni airspace. Therefore, the airport runway was targeted,”
The move comes after Yemen’s internationally recognised government said its forces targeted the runway at Sanaa airport to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing.
(With inputs from Al Jazeera)
IRGC says Iran will continue to assert control over Strait of Hormuz
A spokesperson for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Tehran will continue to assert its authority over the Strait of Hormuz despite growing tensions with the United States.
"We continue to assert our authority and control over the Strait of Hormuz," the spokesperson said, reinforcing Iran's stance that it oversees navigation through the strategic waterway. The statement follows a series of warnings from Iranian military officials against US involvement in the strait and comes amid heightened military exchanges across the Gulf.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Iran warns US not to interfere in Strait of Hormuz, threatens action against allies
Iran's unified armed forces command has warned the United States not to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran will not allow Washington to influence navigation through the strategic waterway.
Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said Iranian forces would "deal severely with any disruption and insecurity" outside Iran's designated shipping route. He also warned that any cooperation with the US or logistical support for its military would be considered "a war against Iran's sovereignty and national security", adding that a wider conflict could "engulf all the countries in the region".
(With inputs from Al Jazeera)
Iran military warns wider war would engulf region, blames US and allies
Iran's top joint military command warned that any further escalation of the conflict would extend across West Asia, saying responsibility would lie with the United States and its allies.
In a statement, the military command said that if the war widens, it "will reach all the countries of the region", accusing Washington and its partners of being responsible for any resulting consequences. The warning comes amid intensifying exchanges between Iran and the US and rising tensions across the Gulf.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Germany, France and UK condemn Iran's Gulf attacks
The foreign ministers of Germany, France and the United Kingdom have condemned Iran's attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and on countries across the Gulf region.
In a joint statement, the three nations, known as the E3, denounced what they described as Iran's "heinous attacks" on merchant vessels as well as strikes targeting Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan. They also called for the restoration of the ceasefire and urged all parties to resume negotiations to de-escalate the conflict.
(With inputs from Al Jazeera)
Iran says Strait of Hormuz passage remains suspended after US attacks
Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Administration (PGSA) said transit through the Strait of Hormuz remains suspended due to what it described as recent "hostile actions" by US forces, adding that shipping will resume only after stability returns.
In two posts on X, the authority said passage through the strategic waterway is "currently unfeasible" and that all pending applications will be reviewed once calm is restored. It also instructed shipping operators that the only way to obtain a passage permit is through its official website, PGSA.ir, urging vessels to rely on the portal and its official X account for updates. The statements come as Iran continues to assert control over navigation through the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions with the United States.
1/
— PGSA | نهاد مدیریت آبراه خلیج فارس (@PGSA_IRAN) July 13, 2026
Due to recent hostile actions by the US forces, passage through the #strait_of_hormuz is currently unfeasible. As soon as stability and calm are restored, all applications will be reviewed in accordance with the scheduled timeline, and the permitting process will resume.
2/
— PGSA | نهاد مدیریت آبراه خلیج فارس (@PGSA_IRAN) July 13, 2026
Remember that the sole means of obtaining a passage permit is via our website: https://t.co/7SPYB6INvI. For the latest news and updates, follow our account on X. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
'We're going to hit them very hard,' says Trump on Iran
US President Donald Trump on Monday said that American forces are "going to hit Iran very hard" as he criticised Tehran for failing to agree to a deal to end the conflict.
"We hit them very hard last night. Every time they send a drone, we hit them very hard. But we had a deal. What nobody knows, we had a deal. It was a done deal, and then they broke it. They always break it. We’ve had 10 deals with these people, and so we’re just going to hit them very hard," Trump told Fox News in an interview.
UK summons Iranian ambassador after announcing to designate IRGC as foreign power threat
The United Kingdom has summoned the Iranian ambassador as relations with Tehran continue to deteriorate.
The move follows Britain's announcement that it will designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a foreign power threat under new national security legislation. The designation will make it a criminal offence to support, assist or receive material benefit from the IRGC, while British authorities have also accused Iran-linked groups of involvement in attacks targeting Jewish and Israeli communities in the UK. No further details on the reason for the ambassador's summons were immediately provided.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Tanker fires warning shots after approach by boats off Yemen: UKMTO
A tanker transiting the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) about 50 nautical miles south of Aden, Yemen, fired warning shots after being approached by six small boats, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The UKMTO said one of the boats closed to within five cables of the vessel, prompting the armed security team on board to fire warning shots. The remaining five boats stayed about one nautical mile away.
Authorities are investigating the incident, while UKMTO has advised vessels transiting the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity.
UKMTO WARNING 084-26 - SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY
— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) July 13, 2026
Click here to view the full warning.⤵️ https://t.co/Hs6gavtF0Q#maritimesecurity #marsec pic.twitter.com/GacgsI8xLQ
Trump says US will guard Strait of Hormuz, seeks reimbursement for security role
US President Donald Trump said the United States would assume responsibility for guarding the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that Washington should be paid for securing the strategically important waterway.
Speaking amid escalating tensions with Iran, Trump claimed the US had previously reached an agreement with Tehran that was later broken. "We had a deal and they broke it," he said, adding that the US would become the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also said the United States should be reimbursed for protecting the shipping route, declaring: "We're going to get paid for guarding the Strait" and "We're taking over the Strait." He further described Iran as "a bad group of people."
(With inputs from Reuters)
UK to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) as foreign power threat
The United Kingdom has announced plans to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a foreign power threat under new national security legislation.
The designation will make it a criminal offence to support, assist or receive material benefit from the organisation, with members potentially facing severe penalties, including life imprisonment. British authorities also said another Iran-linked group, the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right, has claimed responsibility for seven attacks connected to Jewish and Israeli communities. The new law grants the home secretary powers similar to proscription measures to target organisations acting on behalf of foreign states.
(With inputs from Al Jazeera)
Dollar wavers amid renewed Iran attacks, yen slides on Japan pension fund report
The US dollar pared earlier gains on Monday as investors assessed renewed military exchanges between the United States and Iran, while the Japanese yen weakened following a Reuters report that Japan has no immediate plans to change the asset allocations of its state pension funds.
The euro rose 0.15% against the dollar, while sterling and the Australian dollar were little changed. Brent crude climbed about 3.5% as hostilities in the Gulf and Iran's reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz raised concerns over global energy supplies and inflation. Meanwhile, the dollar strengthened against the yen after Reuters reported that Tokyo was not preparing an immediate overhaul of the Government Pension Investment Fund's investment strategy, leaving traders alert for possible intervention by Japanese authorities as the currency remained near multi-decade lows.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Yemen accuses Iran, Houthis of violating its airspace
Yemen's internationally recognised government has accused Iran and the Iran-aligned Houthi movement of repeatedly violating the country's sovereignty by attempting to receive an Iranian flight outside official civil aviation procedures, reporrted Al Jazeera.
In a statement, the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) said the move ignored mediation efforts and amounted to a deliberate challenge to Yemen's state institutions. Defence Minister Taher al-Aqili warned the government would "respond appropriately" to what he described as a breach of Yemeni airspace. PLC Chairman Rashad Muhammad al-Alimi blamed the Houthis for the escalation and said the group would bear responsibility for any consequences affecting Yemen's security and stability.
(With inputs from Al Jazeera)
Yemen says it struck Sanaa airport runway to stop Iranian plane
Yemen's defence ministry said on Monday that its armed forces struck the runway at Sanaa International Airport to prevent an Iranian aircraft from landing.
Sanaa is controlled by the Iran-aligned Houthi movement, while Yemen's internationally recognised government operates from Aden with backing from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. The reported strike comes amid escalating regional tensions involving Iran and its allies. No immediate details on casualties or damage beyond the runway were provided.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Iran says it fired 'warning shots' at two ships in Hormuz
Iran's state television says the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired warning shots at two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, claiming the vessels were trying to transit the strategic waterway illegally.
“This morning, two ships that were attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz illegally were targeted and stopped by warning shots fired by the navy of the Revolutionary Guards,” Al Jazeera reported citing a State TV correspondent based near the strait.
The incident comes as tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas supplies pass.
Traffic in Strait of Hormuz declines as hostilities continue between US and Iran
Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz declined between July 10 and 12 after hostilities between the US and Iran continued in the region, a report stated.
According to the ship tracking service Kpler, the shipping traffic plunged 52 per cent week on week.
"Traffic also shifted back toward more defensive routing patterns. Use of the Iranian and Dark routes increased, while activity on the IMO and Omani corridors fell to minimal levels, indicating that operators continue to prioritise perceived security over more direct transit options," Kpler stated in a post on X.
Strait of Hormuz traffic turns defensive
— MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) July 13, 2026
Vessel activity through the Strait of Hormuz declined sharply over 10–12 July, with confirmed crossings down by around 52% week on week, according to #marinetraffic data.
Traffic also shifted back toward more defensive routing patterns.… pic.twitter.com/PZjbCt4Uf1
At least two killed in US missile strikes on Iran's Abadan city: Report
At least two people were killed and three others injured after US missiles struck three locations in Iran’s Abadan city in Khuzestan province, Al Jazeera reported citing Iran’s Mehr news agency.
Quoting the deputy governor, Mehr said the strikes took place at around 1:45 pm local time. The identities of those killed were not immediately known. The reported attack comes amid escalating hostilities between the United States and Iran, with no immediate comment from US authorities on the reported strikes.
(With inputs from Al Jazeera)
Israeli artillery shelling reported in southern Lebanon
Intermittent Israeli artillery shelling has been reported between the towns of Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Kfar Tebnit in southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported citing Lebanon's National News Agency.
The shelling comes despite an existing ceasefire and ongoing negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, with the two sides scheduled to hold another round of talks in Rome on Tuesday. Lebanon's Health Ministry says more than 4,300 people have been killed and over 12,200 wounded since Israel launched its military offensive in southern Lebanon on March 2, while Israeli forces continue to maintain positions in parts of the south.
(With inputs from Al Jazeera)
Bahrain says it intercepted Iranian missile and drone attacks
Bahrain says its air defence systems intercepted Iranian missile and drone attacks, claiming the strikes targeted civilians and private property in the Gulf kingdom, according to Al Jazeera.
In a statement, Bahrain's military said all armed forces units had been placed on high alert and urged the public to avoid suspicious debris and report any findings to the authorities. The military condemned what it described as "several treacherous Iranian aerial attacks" and said its forces remain at an advanced level of combat readiness to defend the country.
(With inputs from Al Jazeera)
Rupee hits one-month low as oil prices surge on Gulf tensions
The Indian Rupee (INR) weakened to its lowest level in more than a month on Monday as higher crude oil prices and escalating tensions between the US and Iran weighed on investor sentiment, according to Reuters.
The rupee closed at 95.62 against the US dollar after touching an intraday low of 95.85, with traders saying likely intervention by the Reserve Bank of India limited further losses. Brent crude climbed about 3% after the latest military exchanges between Washington and Tehran and Iran's announcement that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz. Investors are also awaiting India's latest inflation data after official figures showed the country's merchandise trade deficit widened to $30.43 billion in June, adding to concerns over the economic impact of higher energy costs.
Explosions heard near Iran's Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, says report
Explosions have been heard around Iran's southern port city of Bandar Abbas and nearby Qeshm Island, reported Al Jazeera citing Iran's Mehr news agency.
The report said there were no immediate reports of civilian casualties or damage to residential or commercial infrastructure. Mehr also alleged that US forces had carried out attacks along Iran's southern coastline over recent nights, claiming the strikes killed several fishermen and members of Iran's security forces. The claims have not been independently verified.
Iran says US pressure on Oman hampering efforts to reach Hormuz deal with Oman
Iran said that it is seeking to establish a joint mechanism with Oman for the Strait of Hormuz but claimed that the US pressure on Muscat hampered those efforts, a spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said, according to Reuters.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards warn US interference 'could lead to greater incidents in the global oil and gas sector'
Iran's Revolutionary Guards released a statement saying that "continued interference could lead to greater incidents in the global oil and gas sector."
They further said that the regular shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would resume only if US military interventions come to an end.
European shares fall as US-Iran tensions escalate
European shares opened lower amid escalating US-Iran hostilities as Tehran's move to close the Strait of Hormuz weighed on investor sentiment after last week's sharp losses.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 0.3% to 639.29 by 0702 GMT, after it registered its sharpest weekly loss since late April on Friday.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claim strikes against Bahrain and Oman
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards released a statement claiming strikes against Bahrain and Oman, stating that they he long-range airborne FPS radar and the ship-detection radar in Oman.
“In addition to targeting US military facilities and infrastructure in Juffair, Bahrain, where fires are raging, the navy of the Revolutionary Guards has… targeted and destroyed the long-range airborne FPS radar and the ship-detection radar in the Sultanate of Oman,” said a statement from the Guards carried by their Sepah news outlet.
Oil prices jump and Asian shares slip as US and Iran carry out airstrikes
Key market developments:
Iran says US drone shot down in Bandar Abbas
The Tasnim news agency is reporting that the drone was a US-manufactured “Lucas” suicide drone, and it was “accurately hit and shot down”.
Sirens activated in Bahrain again
The Ministry of Interior in Bahrain says the air raid alarm siren has been activated.
“Citizens and residents are requested to remain calm, head to the nearest safe location, and follow updates through official channels,” it said.
Bahrain has issued several alerts in the past few hours amid Iranian attacks on the country.
Hormuz traffic slows to multi-week low as renewed US, Iran strikes raise safety risk
The number of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz fell to multi-week lows on Sunday, shipping data showed, as renewed strikes between the US and Iran and attacks on ships in the Middle East heightened safety concerns.
Six vessels transited the strait on Sunday, ship-tracking data from Kpler showed, the lowest number in five weeks.
Tankers that exited the strait included the Very Large Crude Carrier Humanity, laden with 2 million barrels of Iranian oil and another tanker, Capetan Andreas, carrying about 500,000 barrels of Kuwaiti oil products, the data showed, while three empty tankers entered the Gulf to load oil. Most of the tankers switched off their transponders when crossing the strait.
There were no liquefied natural gas tankers that entered the strait over the weekend that were visible on ship-tracking data.
Iran claims attacks on HIMARS launchers in Kuwait
The IRGC says it has launched attacks on Kuwait in the fourth phase of its retaliatory operations this morning.
It said it targeted a US surface-to-surface missile base in Kuwait, “setting fire to two HIMARS missile launchers and missile-packed warehouses, completely destroying them”
Iran's IRGC says it hit US military facilities in Bahrain, destroyed radar systems in Oman in latest retaliation
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its aerospace and naval forces targeted US military facilities in Bahrain and destroyed radar systems in Oman in the latest phase of its retaliatory operation, describing the strikes as a continued response to US military action against Iran.
Iran persecutes its Baha’i minority fiercely in a year of protests and war, rights groups say
Peyvand Naimi has spent more than six months in an Iranian prison, accused of killing state security agents during nationwide protests, although his family says no formal charges or evidence have been presented. “The Baha'is will not be released,” the family says it was told by the prosecutor.
Ever since the Baha’i faith was founded in Persia now Iran in the 19th century, its followers there have been persecuted, usually more harshly during times of crisis.
Gulf nations wake up to fresh attacks after second night of US strikes on Iran
The United States launched an hourslong wave of strikes against Iran on Sunday night.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it hit dozens of Iranian military targets in its latest strikes.
As sunrise approached over the Gulf, Iran responded to the attack by targeting regional US bases, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said.
Jordan claims intercepting four missiles fired from Iran
Jordan’s militar says it has intercepted and downed “four misisles that entered Jordanian airspace” and came from Iranian territories.
Earlier, the IRGC said it targeted Jordan’s Prince Hassan airbase with missiles and drones, and set fire to several fuel depots and ammunition storage facilities.
Recap: Latest developments in the US-Iran conflict
Oil jumps 4% as new military strikes threaten Hormuz shipments
Oil prices surged over 4% on Monday as energy shipments via the Strait of Hormuz remained under threat, with the US and Iran announcing renewed military strikes.
Brent crude futures climbed $3.10, or 4.08%, to $79.11 by 0325 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose $2.95, or 4.11%, to $74.36 a barrel.
US forces completed another wave of strikes against Iran on Sunday, hitting dozens of targets at multiple locations with precision munitions, the Central Command said. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Monday they attacked US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.
The US launches more strikes on Iran as the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz escalates
The United States launched several waves of strikes on Iran into Monday morning, in response to an Iranian attack over the weekend that set a container ship ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz and left a crew member missing a strike that triggered Iranian retaliation against multiple countries across the Middle East.
Missile alert sirens sounded at dawn Monday in Bahrain, home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet, though there was no immediate word of damage, while Iranian state media confirmed fresh attacks on Iranian soil early Monday, reporting explosions in several locations and at least one death. Sunday's Iranian strikes had already reached Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman whose waters along the strait make the narrow Gulf passage, once carrying a fifth of the world's oil and gas trade, the central flashpoint threatening the interim US-Iran deal.
Kuwait says air defences engaging ‘hostile aerial targets’
Kuwait's Army General Staff said its air defence systems are engaging "hostile aerial targets" within the country's airspace. It said any explosions heard were the result of these systems intercepting incoming attacks, and urged the public to follow safety and security instructions.
Indian shares open lower as fresh Mideast tensions lift oil prices
Indian shares opened lower on Monday, as renewed fighting in the Middle East and Iran's claim to have closed the vital Strait of Hormuz pushed crude oil prices higher. The benchmark Nifty 50 fell 0.69% to 24,039.4, while the BSE Sensex lost 0.78% to 76,963.35, as of 9:15 a.m. IST.
Iran’s army says ‘drone attacks continue against US bases in the region’
The statement, carried by IRNA, said drone attacks on US bases in the region were continuing, with the army launching "destructive drone" assaults on US forces in Kuwait that targeted defence and missile systems, bunkers and support shelters.
The army condemned what it called repeated US attacks on military sites, civilian infrastructure and civilians in Iran, describing them as a "blatant violation" of the core principles of the UN Charter. It added that Iran's armed forces would use their full capabilities to defend the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and population against any further aggression.
Iran’s army says drone attacks continuing on US bases
The statement, carried by IRNA, said drone attacks on US bases in the region were continuing, with the army launching "destructive drone" assaults on US forces in Kuwait that targeted defence and missile systems, bunkers and support shelters.
The army went on to condemn what it called repeated US attacks on military sites, civilian infrastructure and civilians in Iran, describing them as a "blatant violation" of the core principles of the UN Charter. It said Iran's armed forces would use their full capabilities to defend the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and population against any further aggression.
As previously reported, Iran's IRGC had earlier claimed attacks on Kuwait's Ali Al-Salem and Ahmad Al-Jaber bases.
Sirens sound again in Bahrain
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 13, 2026
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry has said sirens have been sounded again, warning people to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.
Iran claims attacks on Kuwait airbases
The IRGC said it had "completely destroyed" fuel tanks and Patriot air defence systems at Ali Al-Salem Air Base, along with a key FPS radar system at Ahmed Al-Jaber Air Base.
The strikes, carried out by its aerospace forces, formed the third phase of what it dubbed its "eye-for-an-eye" operation against US military action, the IRGC said in a statement, adding that the operation was still ongoing. It also cautioned against further US involvement in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that Iran would not tolerate continued foreign military interference in the waterway.
Explosions heard in Iran’s Bandar Abbas
Iran's IRNA news agency reported at least two powerful explosions in Bandar Abbas, in the southern Hormozgan province, within the past hour the report emerging just moments before US Central Command announced that its latest wave of strikes on Iran had come to an end.
US forces complete another wave of strikes against Iran
US forces completed another wave of strikes against Iran on Sunday, hitting dozens of targets at multiple locations with precision munitions, the Central Command said.
US.Central Command said it struck Iranian military air-defense systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and small boats using US fighter aircraft, naval vessels, one-way attack aerial drones, and one-way attack sea drones.
Iran claims attack on Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Air Base
The IRGC says it targeted several facilities at Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain during the second phase of its retaliatory operation.
In a statement, the IRGC said its aerospace forces struck helicopter maintenance facilities, a hangar housing a P-8 aircraft and a US military drone command-and-control centre.
The IRGC said the attacks were carried out in response to continued US military action against Iran. It added that its retaliatory attacks were continuing.
CENTCOM says US forces are ready to keep shipping lanes open
US Central Command said American forces remain postured and prepared to ensure freedom of navigation stays available to commercial shipping, amid heightened tensions in the Gulf following Iran's moves to disable vessels and disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM says it has completed another wave of strikes on Iran
US Central Command said it has carried out and completed a fresh wave of strikes against targets in Iran, marking the latest round in an intensifying exchange between Washington and Tehran.
Iran's IRGC says retaliatory strikes on US-linked bases are ongoing, targets Jordan base
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its retaliatory operation against the United States is continuing, describing the latest strike as only the first phase of its response to US attacks on Iran's coastal bases. The IRGC said it fired missiles and drones at Prince Hassan air base in Jordan, setting fuel tanks and ammunition depots there ablaze.
Iran launches missile, drone attacks on ‘enemy bases’, state media report
Iran's Nour News Agency has reported that the Iranian Army and the IRGC launched what they called "large-scale missile and drone attacks" on "enemy bases in the region."
An Iranian military official cited by the agency said the operation was carried out in response to continuing US attacks on Iran, and struck sites identified after tracking "enemy movements" over the previous 48 hours.
Sirens sound in Bahrain, residents urged to shelter
Bahrain's Ministry of Interior said air raid sirens had been triggered, and urged residents to steer clear of main roads and avoid blocking them unless absolutely necessary. The ministry added that further safety guidance would be issued shortly.
US strikes hit eight towns across Iran’s Khuzestan province, official says
Iranian officials said US forces struck at least eight sites across Khuzestan province in a series of waves between 1:35am and 2:20am local time. Valiollah Hayati, the province's deputy governor for security and law enforcement, told the semi-official ISNA news agency that authorities were still assessing the damage at each location.
He denied reports that Ahvaz airport had been hit, saying the two impact points near the city were actually on its outskirts. Hayati had earlier said one person was killed and four others wounded when a projectile struck an agricultural water pumping station in Mahshahr.
US strikes hit eight towns across Iran’s Khuzestan province, official says
Iranian officials said US forces struck at least eight sites across Khuzestan province in a series of waves between 1:35am and 2:20am local time. Valiollah Hayati, the province's deputy governor for security and law enforcement, told the semi-official ISNA news agency that authorities were still assessing the damage at each location.
He denied reports that Ahvaz airport had been hit, saying the two impact points near the city were actually on its outskirts. Hayati had earlier said one person was killed and four others wounded when a projectile struck an agricultural water pumping station in Mahshahr.
Iran claims it destroyed US HIMARS launchers in retaliatory Kuwait strike
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed Sunday that its retaliatory attack on Kuwait targeted US High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers, according to Iran's state-affiliated Fars News Agency.
🔴ایران سکوهای آمادۀ شلیک هایمارس را در کویت منهدم کرد
— خبرگزاری فارس (@FarsNews_Agency) July 12, 2026
در ادامه عملیاتهای تأثیرمحور نیروهای مسلح جمهوری اسلامی ایران، سپاه پاسداران سکوهای موشکهای زمینبهزمین آمریکایی «هایمارس» در کویت را در یک عملیات دقیق پهپادی هدف قرار داد. https://t.co/wmZjqGrkkJ
CENTCOM rejects Iran's claims US troops were killed in Kuwait strikes
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday pushed back on what it called “Iranian propaganda claims” that American service members were killed during strikes in Kuwait.
“Iranian propaganda claimed today that three American service members were killed in Kuwait by strikes from Iran,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.
“There are zero reports of US service member deaths or injuries in the region,” the agency added.
🚫 CLAIM: Iranian propaganda claimed today that three American service members were killed in Kuwait by strikes from Iran. FALSE.
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 12, 2026
✅ TRUTH: There are zero reports of U.S. service member deaths or injuries in the region. All personnel are accounted for. pic.twitter.com/9RZCN7puWT
US launches new strikes against Iran targeting threats to ships in the Strait of Hormuz
At 5 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching more strikes against Iran to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The Commander in Chief has directed the strikes to hold Iranian…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 12, 2026
The US military began launching additional strikes against Iranian targets early Sunday evening, according to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
US shoots down Iranian missile, drone after shipping attack
IRGC forces fired at commercial shipping transiting the Strait of Hormuz within the past hour, according to CNN, citing US military officials.
US aircraft subsequently shot down an Iranian cruise missile and a one-way attack drone, the report said.
The reported engagement came as US forces carried out another round of strikes against Iran aimed at degrading Tehran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the strategic waterway.
Oil jumps 3% after US, Iran escalate strikes in Mideast
Oil prices jumped on Monday as Iran expanded strikes on Gulf states following attacks by the United States, threatening energy shipments via the Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude futures climbed $2.34, or 3.08%, to $78.35 by 2311 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude rose $2.21, or 3.09%, to $73.62 a barrel.
Over the weekend, Tehran extended strikes on Qatar and the United Arab Emirates while the US launched further strikes on Iran, the latest in a cycle of attacks and counter-attacks over shipping through the strait.
Iran's airport burns in US strikes
Iran's airport burns in US strikes pic.twitter.com/qhTvjesYnZ
— RT (@RT_com) July 13, 2026
Iran's airport burns in US strikes.
One killed, four wounded In US strike on water pumping station in Iran's Mahshahr
One person was killed and four wounded in a US strike on a water pumping station in Iran's Mahshahr, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported, Reuters said.
US strikes are ongoing after more than three hours, US official says
US strikes against Iran are ongoing, more than three hours after they began, according to a US official, a relatively long time compared with recent strikes.
US Central Command said earlier that forces began launching strikes against Iran at 5 p.m. ET Sunday “to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”
Central Command said President Donald Trump “directed the strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable.”
What happened so far
The US launched fresh strikes on Iran, hours after a major air assault that hit dozens of Iranian military targets. Iran retaliated by attacking US bases in the Gulf and firing at a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Several Gulf nations, including Kuwait and Qatar, reported coming under Iranian fire over the weekend.
5 Key Points:
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