The United States carried out a fresh wave of overnight airstrikes on Iran while tightening its naval blockade of Iranian ports, further escalating tensions in the Middle East. In response, Iran targeted US allies in the region and reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed ‘until the US ends its aggression.’
According to reports, explosions were heard across several Iranian cities, including Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Chabahar, Konarak, Rask City, Khondab and Khorramabad. Air defence systems were also activated in Tehran to counter what state media described as hostile threats.
Hospital hit, casualties reported
Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that US strikes hit near Shahid Baghaei Hospital in Ahvaz, damaging its children’s cancer treatment department and forcing the evacuation of patients.
The attacks also struck an Iranian army barracks, with Iranian officials saying at least seven soldiers were killed. Tehran claimed that the latest American strikes have so far left at least 35 people dead and more than 300 injured across the country.
The United States also targeted military sites near Bushehr, home to Iran’s only civilian nuclear power plant.
US targets military assets
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes were aimed at Iranian military capabilities allegedly being used to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Read More: US President Trump’s 20% Hormuz toll plan collapsed within 24 hours after Gulf pressure, here’s what happened
The US military also said it disabled the Curacao-flagged oil tanker M/T Belma after it allegedly attempted to breach the blockade on Iranian ports. CENTCOM said the vessel was stopped after Hellfire missiles struck its smokestack, adding, ‘The ship is no longer transiting to Iran.’
Iran retaliates
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it targeted the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, while Jordan said it intercepted three Iranian missiles. Iran also claimed to have shot down an MQ-9 drone over Andimeshk using a newly deployed air defence system.
In Iraq, Kurdish authorities said the US-led coalition intercepted eight explosive drones over Erbil. No casualties were reported.
Trump signals more action
Speaking at the US Army War College, President Donald Trump said Iran was willing to negotiate, stating, ‘They don’t like what we’re doing, and they do want to settle. We’ll find out whether or not we settle with them or we just finish it off.’
Read More: Donald Trump warns Iran to ‘behave’, says Tehran wants talks with US
Later, in an interview with Fox News, Trump warned Tehran of further attacks, saying, ‘Next week it gets really bad for them.’
Despite the ongoing conflict, indirect talks between Washington and Tehran have not officially ended, although Iranian officials warned that future agreements would depend on whether previous commitments were honoured.
First published on: Jul 16, 2026 10:37 AM IST
Get Breaking News First and Latest Updates from India and around the world on News24. Follow News24 on Facebook, Twitter.
End of Article
Related Story
