Conflict & Security
Trump threatens Iran infrastructure as Tehran warns of matching response
US President Donald Trump said the United States would destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant for every attack on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran warned it would answer attacks on its infrastructure in kind.
The threats came as fighting over the energy waterway collapsed a preliminary deal between Washington and Tehran. Iran reimposed its blockade and fired on vessels seeking to pass through the strait.
Trump wrote on social media that whenever Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz with a missile, rocket, drone or other weapon, the United States would bomb and destroy one bridge or power plant.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X that Iran's defence doctrine was "eye for an eye" and that any aggression against Iran, including infrastructure, would bring a powerful response. Iran's state broadcaster quoted the military as saying US threats would only expand the war.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was still open to a negotiated solution, but said Iran did not appear serious about that. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei had earlier said diplomatic exchanges through mediators were continuing.
Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that a US missile hit Larak island in the strait on Wednesday afternoon and said the extent of the damage was being investigated.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that the conflict had cost the United States $37.5 billion, up from nearly $29 billion in mid-May. Trump rejected polling showing the war was unpopular as he travelled to an airbase for the return of the remains of four US service personnel. Three were killed in an Iranian attack on a military base in Jordan, and one died during a controlled detonation of an unexploded Iranian drone in Iraq.
Trump said Americans did not want high gasoline prices but were not against the war. Brent crude briefly rose above $95 a barrel for the first time in nearly six weeks on Wednesday. It later gave up some gains but remained about three percent higher.
The US military said it had launched an eleventh consecutive night of strikes intended to reduce Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump also said the next US target could be an underground complex near Natanz known as Pickaxe Mountain, or Kolang in Persian, where Western intelligence agencies suspect Iran is building an undeclared nuclear enrichment facility. Iran's Khatam Al-Anbiya military command said it would strike US interests and those of US allies and supporters if such an attack took place, according to state media.
Tehran also pressed attacks on targets in US-allied Gulf states. Kuwait's army said its air defences were engaging drones from Iran. Jordan said it had shot down four missiles and four drones. Air alert sirens sounded in Bahrain, and an explosion was heard in Manama. Iran's military and Revolutionary Guards confirmed targeting US assets in all three countries.
After Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen threatened to blockade Saudi ports, Trump said he would respond to the rebels if they acted on the threat. It was unclear how the Houthis would enforce such a blockade, but the threat could add to the effects of the Hormuz closure by endangering Saudi Arabia's ability to bypass the strait for some oil exports.
The International Chamber of Shipping said the Houthis had not resumed attacks on shipping but had broadcast radio warnings to vessels. Christopher Long of Neptune P2P Group said one message recorded by a vessel in the Bab al-Mandab Strait warned ships they would be targeted if they did not comply with Yemeni armed forces decisions.
During the Gaza war that began in October 2023, the Houthis attacked shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, forcing vessels to make a long detour around Africa and prompting a US bombing campaign. Shipping tracker Kpler said the latest threats appeared to have encouraged several vessels to reverse course before entering waters off Yemen, although nearly 30 ships still crossed the Bab al-Mandab on Tuesday. Maritime data analysed by AFP showed at least nine ships had turned back after the Houthi blockade announcement, including three that had loaded oil at Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Yanbu terminal.
Update
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would respond in kind to any attack on its infrastructure, using an "eye for an eye" formulation.
Iran's state broadcaster quoted the military as saying US threats would expand the war.
Tasnim reported that a US missile hit Larak island and that damage was being assessed.
Pete Hegseth said the war had cost the United States $37.5 billion, up from nearly $29 billion in mid-May.
Brent crude briefly rose above $95 a barrel before easing while remaining about three percent higher.
The US military said it launched an eleventh consecutive night of strikes aimed at reducing Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump said the next US target could be the underground Kolang, or Pickaxe Mountain, complex near Natanz.
Iran's Khatam Al-Anbiya command threatened strikes on US interests and those of allies and supporters if Kolang were attacked.
Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain reported or experienced air defence activity or alerts, and Iranian forces confirmed targeting US assets in those countries.
Yemen's Houthis threatened to blockade Saudi ports and have broadcast radio warnings to vessels, according to shipping sources.
Shipping tracker Kpler and AFP maritime data indicated several vessels turned back before entering waters off Yemen, including at least nine ships after the Houthi blockade announcement.
Source note: AFP news report published on 22 July 2026 at 21:01:30 UTC.
Update
A US missile hit Larak island in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported, with damage still being assessed.
Marco Rubio said Washington remained open to diplomacy but said Iran did not seem serious about it.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei had said diplomatic exchanges through mediators were continuing.
Trump rejected polls showing the war was unpopular and spoke as he travelled for the return of the remains of three US troops killed in recent Iranian attacks.
Brent crude briefly rose above $95 a barrel for the first time in six weeks before easing but remaining about three percent higher.
The US military said it launched an eleventh consecutive night of strikes against Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain reported or experienced air defence incidents, and Iranian forces confirmed targeting US assets in those countries.
The report adds details on Houthi warnings to ships, possible threats to Saudi ports, and shipping movements near the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Source note: AFP news report published on 22 July 2026 at 17:20:49 UTC.
Update
World oil prices rose, with Brent North Sea crude passing $95 for the first time in nearly six weeks before easing while remaining about three percent higher.
The International Chamber of Shipping said Yemen's Houthis were recorded sending radio warnings to ships in the region.
The US military struck Iran's Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran's Tasnim news agency said the damage was being assessed.
Bulgaria's parliament voted to allow up to eight US KC-135 refuelling aircraft and up to 250 US military personnel to deploy at Bezmer Air Base from July 24 to October 1.
Jordan's army said it intercepted four Iranian missiles and that two others fell in remote uninhabited areas without casualties or damage.
Iran again denied there was a secret nuclear complex at Kolang mountain.
Lebanon's prime minister said Lebanon was working toward a complete Israeli withdrawal from areas it occupies.
Dubai announced discounts and deals for residents who bring friends and family to visit, after months of war affected tourism.
Source note: AFP news report published on 22 July 2026 at 16:45:26 UTC.
Update
Trump made the threat shortly before heading to Dover airbase for the return of remains of three US troops.
The US military said the Dover service was for two service members killed in an Iranian attack on a base in Jordan and one service member killed during a controlled detonation of a drone in Iraq.
A third service member remains missing from the Jordan attack.
Trump rejected polls showing the Iran war is unpopular with US voters ahead of November midterm elections, while rising oil prices have contributed to higher living costs.
The war has cost Washington $37.5 billion, according to the report.
The United States has carried out 11 straight days of attacks on Iran since a preliminary ceasefire deal collapsed amid fighting over the Strait of Hormuz.
The total number of US deaths since the start of the war is 18.
Trump also repeated threats to strike what he called a secret Iranian nuclear complex named Pickaxe Mountain, while Iran denies any facility exists at the site it calls Kolang mountain.
Source note: AFP news report published on 22 July 2026 at 14:39:13 UTC.
Update
Trump said the United States was "not finished" with the conflict, which the source says is nearing its five-month mark.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the conflict had cost Washington $37.5 billion while defending a request for further military funding.
The source reports that fighting over the strait led to the collapse of a preliminary US-Iran deal and that Tehran reimposed its blockade of the route.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remained open to a negotiated agreement, while Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei had said diplomatic exchanges through mediators were continuing.
Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that a US missile hit Larak island and that damage was being assessed.
The US military said it carried out an eleventh consecutive night of strikes against Iran, targeting military sites.
Trump had said the next US target could be the Pickaxe Mountain, or Kolang, underground complex near Natanz.
Iran threatened reprisals if Pickaxe Mountain were attacked, and Baqaei denied nuclear activity at Kolang Kouh.
Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain reported or experienced air defence activity or alerts, while Iranian forces claimed attacks on US-linked targets in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan.
The Houthis threatened to blockade Saudi ports, Trump said he would respond if they acted, and maritime intelligence provider Vanguard Tech said two tankers reversed course in the Red Sea.
Brent crude briefly rose above $95 a barrel for the first time in six weeks before giving up some gains.
Source note: AFP news report published on 22 July 2026 at 14:09:54 UTC.
Update
Trump wrote the statement on social media.
Trump said the US response would happen any time Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump referred to attacks by missile, rocket, drone, or any other device or weapon.
The item describes the threatened targets as Iranian civil infrastructure.
Source note: AFP news report published on 22 July 2026 at 13:20:23 UTC.
Update
President Donald Trump said the US would bomb a bridge or power plant when Iran fires on a ship in Hormuz.
Source note: AFP news report published on 22 July 2026 at 13:10:46 UTC.
Update
The source says the US military struck Larak Island after Trump said he was not finished with the war.
Marco Rubio said Washington remained open to a negotiated agreement but said Tehran did not appear serious.
Rubio said the United States was right to strike Iran because it was attacking Hormuz shipping and planned to rebuild missile and drone capabilities.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said the war had cost the United States $37.5 billion and defended a request for further military funding.
The US military said it had launched an eleventh consecutive night of strikes against Iran.
Trump said the next US target could be an underground complex known as Pickaxe Mountain, or Kolang mountain in Persian.
Iranian officials and military bodies threatened reprisals and rejected claims of nuclear activity at Kolang Kouh.
Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain reported or experienced air defence activity or alerts, while Iranian forces claimed attacks on US-linked targets in Gulf states and Jordan.
Trump responded to Houthi threats to blockade Saudi ports, and Brent crude rose 4.4 percent above $95 a barrel.
Source note: AFP news report published on 22 July 2026 at 13:15:22 UTC.
Update
Tasnim was identified as the Iranian news agency reporting the strike.
Tasnim said residents heard a loud explosion on Larak island.
Tasnim said the island was targeted at 2:48 p.m.
Tasnim said authorities were investigating the scale of the reported attack, the impact point and possible damage.
Source note: AFP news report published on 22 July 2026 at 11:59:46 UTC.
Update
Iranian media reported a US strike on Larak island in Hormuz.
Source note: AFP news report published on 22 July 2026 at 11:53:24 UTC.
Update
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned ASEAN foreign ministers that Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz would set a dangerous precedent beyond the Middle East.
Rubio said the United States remains open to diplomacy with Iran but said Tehran is not serious.
US President Donald Trump met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the White House and said he would support Lebanon on disarming Hezbollah and making peace with Israel.
Trump said he would authorize the resumption of direct flights by US airlines to Lebanon, which have been suspended since a 1985 TWA hijacking.
Trump said he would respond if Houthi rebels followed through on a threatened blockade of Saudi ports.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged restraint from all warring sides during a meeting with Iran's interior minister and said Pakistan would continue to act as a mediator.
Kuwait said Iranian attacks hit several power and water desalination plants Monday, causing fires in the fourth such attacks in as many days.
Bahrain said its military intercepted the latest Iranian attacks and sounded sirens urging people to seek safe places.
Source note: AFP news report published on 22 July 2026 at 05:00:46 UTC.
Update
Fresh US strikes triggered air defence activity in Tehran on Wednesday, according to Iranian state TV.
Iranian state media reported strikes around Iran, including Bushehr, which hosts a nuclear power plant.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the war had cost the United States $37.5 billion.
Donald Trump said the next US target could be Pickaxe Mountain near Natanz and said the United States was not leaving the conflict at that point.
Kuwait's army said its air defences were engaging drone attacks from Iran on Wednesday.
Source note: AFP news report published on 22 July 2026 at 03:31:16 UTC.
Update
US Central Command said it had completed an 11th consecutive night of strikes on military targets in Iran.
Donald Trump met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and said he would authorize the resumption of direct flights by US airlines to Lebanon.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth put the US cost of the Iran war at $37.5 billion so far, up from nearly $29 billion in mid-May.
Trump said the United States was not finished with attacks on Iran and warned he would respond if the Houthis carried out a threatened blockade of Saudi ports.
Pakistan's prime minister urged all sides to show restraint and said Pakistan would continue to act as a mediator.
Kuwait said Iran had hit several power and water desalination plants on Monday, causing fires.
Bahrain said its military intercepted the latest Iranian attacks on the Gulf kingdom and sounded sirens.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they stopped two non-compliant oil tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz after explosions caused extensive fires aboard them.
Source note: AFP news report published on 22 July 2026 at 01:15:06 UTC.
Update
President Donald Trump said the United States was not finished attacking Iran and was not leaving immediately.
Trump said Iran could need 20 to 25 years to rebuild from damage in the war.
Trump said the next US target could be Pickaxe Mountain, described as an underground nuclear site near Natanz where Western intelligence suspects Iran is building an undeclared enrichment facility.
The US military said it had completed an eleventh consecutive night of strikes against Iran.
Iran's Khatam Al-Anbiya military command warned that an attack on Pickaxe Mountain would be treated as an expansion of the war and threatened strikes on US interests, allies and supporters.
Bahrain said it intercepted Iranian attacks, while Kuwait and Jordan said they had intercepted drone and missile strikes.
Kuwait's army said Wednesday morning that its air defences were engaging drone attacks from Iran.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed a strike on Jordan and said they targeted a complex housing US forces in Rukban.
Trump said he would respond if Yemen's Houthis acted on a threat to blockade Saudi ports.
Vanguard Tech said two tankers reversed course in the Red Sea after loading crude at Saudi Arabia's Yanbu port.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told US senators the war had cost the United States $37.5 billion so far, up from a previous estimate of nearly $29 billion in mid-May.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for restraint during a meeting with Iran's interior minister.
Source note: AFP news report published on 22 July 2026 at 01:14:34 UTC.
Update
The Houthis threatened to blockade Saudi Arabia's ports.
Donald Trump said he would take care of the Houthis if they carried out the threatened blockade.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they attacked and stopped two non-compliant oil tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Kuwait said it summoned Iran's ambassador over the targeting of the Kuwaiti tanker Kifan, which it said injured several crew members.
Iran confirmed a strike on Jordan and said it targeted a complex housing US forces in the Rukban area.
The Pentagon said nearly 100 US service members had been wounded since the war resumed on July 7, most with minor concussion.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said diplomatic exchanges with Washington through mediators were continuing.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for restraint from all warring sides.
Source note: AFP news report published on 21 July 2026 at 16:02:48 UTC.
Update
Kuwait said Iranian attacks hit power and water desalination facilities for a fourth day in a row.
Bahrain said it intercepted Iranian attacks and sounded sirens.
Jordan said it intercepted five Iranian drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed an attack near Rukban.
The US State Department issued a worldwide caution alert for Americans because of the war with Iran.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they stopped two non-compliant oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz after explosions and fires aboard them.
The UK maritime agency reported a tanker was struck by an unknown projectile northeast of Limah, Oman.
The UN warned that the Houthi threat against Saudi Arabia raised the risk of wider regional escalation, and Saudi Arabia condemned the announcement.
Source note: AFP news report published on 21 July 2026 at 12:57:08 UTC.
Update
CENTCOM said US forces struck missile and drone launch sites and air defense systems, in addition to military command centers and maritime capabilities.
CENTCOM said the strikes were intended to degrade Iran's ability to keep attacking commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military said Monday night that it had completed its latest round of strikes against Iran.
Source note: AFP news report published on 21 July 2026 at 01:43:12 UTC.
Update
The US military said it struck Iranian military command centers.
The US military said it struck Iranian maritime capabilities.
Source note: AFP news report published on 21 July 2026 at 01:31:59 UTC.
Update
The United States launched a tenth consecutive night of strikes against Iran late Monday.
Iran's army said it targeted US assets in Kuwait, while the Revolutionary Guards said they struck sites in Jordan, Bahrain and Syria.
The Houthis threatened to blockade Saudi ports, and Saudi Arabia condemned the threat.
The report added details on recent shipping attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE and Oman.
Iran said diplomatic exchanges with Washington through mediators were continuing, and Iran's interior minister was expected to travel to Pakistan.
Source note: AFP news report published on 21 July 2026 at 01:10:44 UTC.
Update
Trump warned Iran on Truth Social that it would pay "many times over" for every American soldier killed.
Three more US soldiers were reported dead, bringing confirmed American fatalities in the war to 17.
The Pentagon said nearly 100 US servicemembers had been wounded since July 7, mostly with minor concussions.
The Houthi rebels threatened to blockade Saudi ports, raising concern over Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
Saudi Arabia condemned the Houthi threat and said it continued to support Yemen’s legitimate government.
Jordan said its air defences downed three Iranian missiles with no injuries or damage reported.
Kuwait and Bahrain also reported coming under attack from Iran.
Oil prices briefly reached a one-month high on Monday.
UKMTO reported vessel attacks near the Strait of Hormuz, including one vessel set on fire and another struck near the UAE coast.
Iran said diplomatic exchanges with the United States through mediators were continuing, and a Pakistani source said Iran’s interior minister was set to travel to Islamabad.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 21:10:44 UTC.
Update
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran is in a "full-scale war" with the United States.
Jordan's army said its air defences downed three Iranian missiles, with no injuries or damage reported.
Yemen's Houthi rebels announced a maritime embargo of Saudi Arabia.
The UN secretary-general's spokesman warned that the Houthi threat against Saudi Arabia risked wider regional escalation.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said a ship was struck off the UAE coast, 17 nautical miles east of Dibba.
The US State Department said the Lebanese army began security operations in pilot zones in Froun, Srifa and Zawtar al-Gharbiya.
Oil prices closed higher, with September Brent crude at $89.22 a barrel.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 21:01:04 UTC.
Update
US Central Command said US forces launched a new round of strikes against Iran on Monday.
CENTCOM said the strikes began at 4:00 pm, or 2000 GMT.
CENTCOM said the strikes were intended to further degrade Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 20:26:41 UTC.
Update
The Houthis threatened to blockade Saudi ports, raising risks for Saudi oil exports using the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
UK Maritime Trade Operations reported sailors abandoned a vessel set on fire near the Strait of Hormuz and later reported another vessel was struck off the United Arab Emirates, with the crew safe.
CENTCOM said two US service members were killed in Iranian missile and drone attacks on Jordan and another was killed in northern Iraq during disposal of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone.
Iran's health ministry reported 50 people killed and more than 500 wounded in recent fighting.
Iran said diplomatic exchanges with the United States through mediators were continuing, and a Pakistani interior ministry source said Iran's interior minister was due to travel to Islamabad.
Kuwait's military said it was responding to fresh missile and drone attacks, Bahrain reported air raid sirens, and Jordan's army said it intercepted three missiles.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 19:15:00 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The extent of damage from the reported US missile strike on Larak island was still being investigated.
It was unclear how the Houthis would enforce a blockade of Saudi ports.
The source says Western intelligence agencies suspect Iran is building an undeclared nuclear enrichment facility at Kolang; it does not present that as confirmed.
Source
AFP news report published on .