Middle East live: Tehran and US exchange strikes as blockade of Iranian ports resumes

Lead

The United States and Iran have exchanged strikes for a sixth consecutive day, with the US resuming a naval blockade on Iranian ports amid escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz. Bombings were reported in Bandar Abbas, on Qeshm island, and in Ahvaz, according to reports cited by France 24. Iran retaliated with attacks on Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The developments mark a significant escalation in the conflict that began with Iranian attacks on commercial ships passing through the strategic waterway.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from France 24 outlines a sequence of events beginning with US strikes on Iran, followed by Iranian retaliation on multiple regional targets. The US naval blockade on Iranian ports has been reimposed, preventing ships from sailing to or from Iranian ports. In a related policy shift, US President Donald Trump announced he was reversing his plan to charge a 20% toll on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz, saying he would instead seek investment deals with Gulf states.

In a separate development, the US military launched fresh strikes on Iran after Iran set a container ship ablaze. The defence ministries of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar both said they were intercepting incoming Iranian fire. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, warned that avenging his slain predecessor and father is "the demand of the nation" and "must certainly" take place, according to a written message released on his X account.

Deadly US strikes overnight hit an airport, a railway station in the port city of Bandar Abbas, and two bridges in southern Iran near the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media reported on Friday. The strikes occurred as the foes battled over the vital waterway despite a call from mediator Pakistan to resume talks. The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, said on Thursday that if the US and Iran do not come together to improve flows of oil through the Strait of Hormuz soon, the world should be worried about energy security.

Additionally, Syria said on July 16 that it had foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon by seizing a shipment that included missiles at its border with Iraq.

Key Claims

• The United States launched strikes against Iran, with bombings reported in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, and Ahvaz.
• Iran retaliated with attacks on Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
• The US naval blockade on Iranian ports resumed.
• US President Donald Trump reversed his plan to charge a 20% toll on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
• The US military launched fresh strikes on Iran after a container ship was set ablaze.
• Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei warned that avenging his slain predecessor is "the demand of the nation" and "must certainly" take place.
• Deadly US strikes hit an Iranian airport, a railway station, and two bridges near the Strait of Hormuz.
• The US and Iran traded blows for a sixth day.
• The International Energy Agency warned that if the US and Iran do not improve oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, the world should be worried about energy security.
• Syria foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon.