Conflict & Security
Iran says it hit US Gulf targets as regional conflict widens
Iran targeted US radar and air defence installations in the Gulf on Tuesday and warned Washington of more attacks, while the conflict also threatened to widen after Yemen's Houthi rebels announced a maritime embargo of Saudi Arabia.
Jordan's military said Tuesday that it had intercepted five Iranian drones. Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the attack and said they had targeted a complex in the Rukban region that they described as housing US terrorist forces.
The US State Department issued an alert Monday urging American citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution because of the war with Iran. It said Americans outside the Middle East should reconsider travel to and through the region. The alert also warned of a heightened possibility of attacks on US diplomatic facilities or places linked to the United States and Americans around the world.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had struck two air defence systems and a radar installation at two US outposts in Bahrain. They also said they hit missile defence systems, radars and satellite reception systems in Kuwait. Earlier, Iran's army said it had targeted the US base at Arifjan in Kuwait, which it said housed HIMARS missile systems.
The Revolutionary Guards also said Tuesday that they stopped two non-compliant oil tankers attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after explosions caused extensive fires aboard them, according to Iran's state news agency IRNA.
The US military said Monday that it had completed a new round of strikes against Iran. US Central Command said US forces hit Iranian military command centres, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defence systems. CENTCOM said the strikes were intended to reduce Iran's ability to attack commercial vessels moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK maritime agency said it had received multiple reports that a tanker had been struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, eight nautical miles, or 15 kilometres, northeast of Limah, Oman.
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced a maritime embargo of Saudi Arabia after the two sides exchanged fire last week for the first time in years. The source said that, if enforced, the blockade could further strain Saudi Arabia's economy by cutting off access to Red Sea ports that have been important for oil exports redirected from the Strait of Hormuz.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric warned that the Houthi threat against Saudi Arabia risked wider regional escalation. Saudi Arabia condemned the Houthi announcement. Its foreign ministry said Riyadh continued to support the Yemeni people and Yemen's legitimate government.
Update
Jordan's military said it intercepted five Iranian drones, and Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed an attack targeting what they described as a complex housing US forces in Rukban.
The US State Department issued a worldwide caution alert urging US citizens to exercise increased caution because of the war with Iran.
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, according to IRNA.
The UK maritime agency said it received multiple reports that a tanker had been struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz near Limah, Oman.
The US military said it completed a new round of strikes against Iran targeting command centres, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defence systems.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric warned that the Houthi threat against Saudi Arabia risked wider regional escalation.
Saudi Arabia condemned the Houthi announcement and said it continued to support Yemen's legitimate government.
Source note: AFP news report published on 21 July 2026 at 08:42:31 UTC.
Update
Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned of more drone and missile attacks after the reported strikes on US assets.
The United States said it launched new strikes late Monday to degrade Iranian military capabilities used against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Revolutionary Guards said two non-compliant oil tankers attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz were hit by explosions and stopped.
UKMTO reported projectile strikes on tankers off Oman.
The Houthis threatened to blockade Saudi ports, and Saudi Arabia condemned the threat.
The Pentagon said nearly 100 US servicemembers had been wounded since July 7, most with minor concussions.
Oil prices briefly rose to a one-month high Monday before easing early Tuesday.
Iran said diplomatic exchanges with Washington through mediators were continuing.
Source note: AFP news report published on 21 July 2026 at 04:28:06 UTC.
Update
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they struck two air defence systems and a radar installation at two US outposts in Bahrain.
The Guards said they struck missile defence systems, radars and satellite reception systems in Kuwait.
The Guards warned in a statement carried by IRNA of more drone and missile attack waves.
The United States said it had struck Iranian military command centres, air defence systems and missile launch sites in overnight attacks.
Iran's army said it targeted three major US bases in Kuwait with kamikaze drones, including specific sites at Camp Arifjan, Camp Al Udairi and Ahmad Al Jaber Air Base.
Source note: AFP news report published on 21 July 2026 at 03:09:21 UTC.
Update
Iran's Revolutionary Guards were identified as saying the strikes hit two air defence systems and a radar installation at two different US outposts in Bahrain.
The Guards said they also struck missile defence systems, radars and satellite reception systems in Kuwait.
The Guards said in a statement carried by IRNA that the enemy should prepare for more decisive and powerful waves of drone and missile attacks.
Source note: AFP news report published on 21 July 2026 at 02:12:56 UTC.
Update
Iran's Guards said they hit US military targets in Bahrain and Kuwait, according to state media.
Source note: AFP news report published on 21 July 2026 at 01:54:19 UTC.
Update
Iran's army said its ground forces targeted HIMARS missile systems at the Arifjan base in Kuwait.
IRNA reported the army statement, citing army public relations officials.
The army said surface-to-surface missiles were used.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said the conflict had become a full-scale war.
Source note: AFP news report published on 20 July 2026 at 22:56:15 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The UK maritime agency report said the tanker was struck by an unknown projectile.
The Houthi blockade's effects are uncertain because the source says they depend on whether it is enforced.
Source
AFP news report published on .