This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.
Catch up: Yesterday’s top developments
- Gharibabadi calls US export control move an 'Abu Dhabi scandal document'
- Egypt, Qatar call for restart of US-Iran talks: Cairo
- Qatar delegation in Iran for talks after Hormuz attacks: local media
- Trump says US agrees to more Iran talks but ceasefire 'over'
- Six Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes in Gaza
US launches third round of strikes against Iran, CENTCOM says
Published: July 11, 2026 | 23:39 GMT | by Web Desk
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces began launching the third round of strikes this week against Iran at 7:15 p.m. ET after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces “attacked the M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz.”
According to the statement, a civilian crew member is missing and the vessel is “unable to continue” its journey due to an onboard fire and significant engine room damage.
CENTCOM said Iran "was provided yet another opportunity to demonstrate adherence to the Memorandum of Understanding" after being held accountable for earlier attacks on commercial vessels but "has again failed."
The statement added that the United States is imposing "a heavy cost" by continuing to degrade Iran's ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and that the strikes are being carried out at the direction of the Commander in Chief.
IRGC Navy says Strait of Hormuz temporarily closed until further notice
Published: July 11, 2026 | 22:30 GMT | by Web Desk
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy says it has temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz “until further notice”, according to IRIB, Iran’s state broadcaster.
In a statement reported by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, the IRGC Navy said foreign interference and attempts to set what it called an “illegal route” for shipping through the strait would be met with a firm response.
It said several vessels had ignored warnings to correct their course and move within the approved route. One vessel, which it said had turned off its systems and endangered maritime security, was stopped after warning shots were fired.
The IRGC Navy said no vessels would be allowed to pass through the strait until US interference in the area ends.
It also warned that any new attack or violation would be met with a forceful response, including strikes on what it called new enemy bases in the region.
Qatar, UAE stress dialogue, diplomacy and implementation of US-Iran MoU
Published: July 11, 2026 | 19:38 GMT | by Web Desk
Qatar Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani received a telephone call from his United Arab Emirates counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said.
The statement said Sheikh Mohammed underlined the importance of all parties adhering to dialogue and diplomacy and implementing what had been agreed within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran, including ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz to safeguard regional security, preserve the gains that have been achieved, and enhance regional stability.
The statement added that he reaffirmed that Qatar fully supports all endeavors to de-escalate tensions and reach a comprehensive agreement that achieves lasting peace in the region.
Iran, Oman to continue technical talks on Hormuz Strait
Published: July 11, 2026 | 19:29 GMT | by Web Desk
The foreign ministers of Iran and Oman agreed to continue the technical talks on the navigation in the Strait of Hormuz after their meeting in Muscat Saturday, reported IRNA.
It added that the two sides agreed to continue political and technical talks to ensure safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The two foreign ministers met in Muscat “in light of the developments and repercussions arising from recent events”, the Oman News Agency reports.
“The two sides agreed to continue discussions at both the technical and political levels in order to reach the requisite understandings in accordance with international law,” it adds.
US lawmaker 'detained' by Israeli settlers in West Bank
Published: July 11, 2026 | 16:40 GMT | by AFP
A prominent Democratic US lawmaker from California, Ro Khanna, said Saturday he was "detained" by armed Israeli settlers along with other Americans during a visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank -- and said the military was complicit in the incident.
"Israeli settlers, brandishing American-made M4s, detained me & other Americans on my trip to Palestine," Khanna said in a post on X.
When the Israeli military arrived at the scene, he added, "they sided with the settlers & continued our detention. They made a huge mistake."
Footage and accounts provided to The New York Times by Khanna and his team shows a group of armed men blocking the road outside a small village in the southern West Bank and swearing at them in Hebrew and Arabic.
US delegation in Lebanon to discuss Israel 'pilot zone' withdrawal: official
Published: July 11, 2026 | 14:20 GMT | by AFP
A US military delegation met with Lebanon's army in Beirut to discuss the implementation of Israel's withdrawal from a "pilot zone" in occupied territory, a Lebanese military official told AFP on Saturday.
Under a framework agreement reached on June 26, Israel will gradually withdraw from areas of southern Lebanon where it has deployed troops to fight Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Shia movement.
As part of the agreement, the long-disempowered Lebanese military will take full control of two small areas dubbed pilot zones.
"The American military delegation arrived and began meetings with the Lebanese army command to discuss the mechanisms for implementing the first pilot zone from which the Israelis will withdraw, allowing the Lebanese army to deploy," the official said, requesting anonymity.
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia express deep concern over recent escalations
Published: July 11, 2026 | 13:00 GMT | by Web Desk
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephonic conversation with his counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud from Saudi Arabia, according to a statement from the foreign office.
The two sides discussed the recent developments and expressed “deep concern over the escalations despite the signing of the Islamabad MoU.” Both sides agreed that the conflict served no one’s interests and undermined regional stability.
FM Dar reaffirmed Islamabad’s call on all parties to exercise “maximum restraint and allow mediation efforts the time and space,” the statement said.
Iran supreme leader says vengeance for predecessor's killing 'inevitable'
Published: July 11, 2026 | 12:00 GMT | by AFP
Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei said in a written message released on Saturday that vengeance for the killing of his father and predecessor in US-Israeli strikes was "inevitable", in his first statement since his father's funeral.
"This vengeance is the will of our nation and must inevitably be carried out," he said in a letter signed Friday. "This matter depends neither on my personal existence nor on that of other officials. Whether we are present or not, it will come to pass."
Mediators try to salvage diplomacy after US-Iran strikes
Published: July 11, 2026 | 10:21 GMT | by AFP
Mediators were trying to salvage diplomacy aimed at ending the Middle East war after US President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire over, with a Qatari delegation in Iran and Tehran's top diplomat travelling to Oman.
An exchange of fire this week rocked an already fragile agreement that was supposed to help pave the way for a permanent end to the conflict, which broke out in late February with massive US-Israeli strikes on Iran.
While there have been no direct talks between Tehran and Washington since last month, Iranian media reported that a delegation from mediator Qatar travelled to Iran on Friday.
The visit follows Trump saying talks would continue, despite previously labelling them "a waste of time".
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue 'talks'. We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
In a later post he ramped up the rhetoric, threatening to "completely decimate" Iran if it attempted to assassinate him.
Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Oman, which mediated US-Iran negotiations before the war broke out, on Saturday for talks on the critical Strait of Hormuz.
The strait has been a key sticking point in negotiations with Washington, and Araghchi insisted Iran had stuck to its end of the bargain.
Iran files complaint with global rail body over US strikes on railway infrastructure
Published: July 11, 2026 | 09:47 GMT | by Web Desk
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva has submitted an official complaint to the International Intergovernmental Organization for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF), calling for immediate measures in response to US strikes on Iran’s railway infrastructure, including an attack on a railway bridge in Golestan province, according to state-run Press TV.
In a letter addressed to OTIF Secretary-General, Ambassador Ali Bahreini, Iran’s Permanent Representative to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva, stated that the strike on the railway bridge in Golestan province was not a one-time event.
He described it as part of a “persistent pattern” of attacks targeting Iran’s rail network and other civilian transportation facilities.
Explosion heard in eastern Tehran was from disposal operation
Published: July 11, 2026 | 08:25 GMT | by Web Desk
A loud explosion heard in eastern Tehran was caused by a controlled ammunition disposal carried out by authorities, Al Jazeera reported, quoting Iranian state media.
An official said that the operation did not pose any risk to nearby residents, after people in the Pakdasht and Qiyamdasht districts reported hearing a loud blast on Saturday morning, Al Jazeera reported, quoting Fars News Agency.
Iranian FM Araghchi arrives in Oman
Published: July 11, 2026 | 07:57 GMT | by Web Desk
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in the Omani capital Muscat, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.
Pakistan urges restraint, calls for full implementation of Islamabad MoU at UN
Published: July 11, 2026 | 04:57 GMT | by Web Desk
Pakistan expressed deep concern over the escalation in regional tensions, calling for restraint and a return to negotiations during a UN Security Council briefing, said a statement by Pakistan Permanent Mission to UN.
Speaking at the meeting, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said the cycle of violence and instability "must end" and that all efforts should be made to restore normalcy and bring the parties back to the negotiating table.
He called on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could further undermine regional peace and stability, adding that "there is no alternative to continued engagement, dialogue and diplomacy" to achieve peace and stability.
Referring to the Iran nuclear issue, Ahmad reiterated Pakistan's support for resolving all outstanding issues through peaceful means, diplomatic engagement and sustained dialogue.
He said the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, signed last month, offers "a viable roadmap" to address all outstanding issues through diplomatic means and urged all sides to uphold their respective commitments under the agreement.
Ahmad said Pakistan, along with partners, has been engaged in supporting de-escalation, ceasefire efforts and regional stability, welcoming the expert-level talks held so far and the positive progress made on issues related to the Islamabad MoU.
He added that Pakistan will continue its efforts to realize the objectives of the Islamabad MoU, achieve a comprehensive final deal, and advance peace and security for the benefit of the region and beyond.
Iran FM to visit Oman for talks on Strait of Hormuz: State media
Published: July 11, 2026 | 04:55 GMT | by AFP
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Oman on Saturday for talks on the Strait of Hormuz, state media said.
The visit "will be focused on the Strait of Hormuz and shipping safety" and is "a continuation of the consultations that we started with Oman over the past one or two months," Iran's official IRNA news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei as saying.
The strait is a major source of contention between Washington and Tehran, which effectively closed the strategic waterway in response to the war launched by the United States and Israel in late February.
The conflict was subsequently halted by a ceasefire agreement on April 8, but there have been sporadic outbursts of violence ever since, most sparked by disagreements over the strait.
Lebanese state media says Israeli strike on south kills one
Published: July 11, 2026 | 04:51 GMT | by AFP
An Israeli strike on southern Lebanon killed a young motorcyclist on Friday, Lebanese state media reported.
"A young man from the city of Nabatieh was martyred in a raid by an enemy drone that targeted him this afternoon, when he was riding a motorcycle" in Kfar Rumman near the city of Nabatieh, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said.
It also reported other strikes in the area, wounding at least one person.
The Israeli military meanwhile said it targeted "a Hezbollah terrorist operating near an access shaft of the underground terror infrastructure at the Ali al-Taher Ridge, within the Security Zone where (Israeli) soldiers are operating", referring to a hill that overlooks the area of Nabatieh.
"In an additional strike, the (Israeli army) eliminated a suspect traveling in a vehicle who posed a threat to (Israeli) soldiers operating within the Security Zone."
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson highlights surveillance of 'enemy's movements'
Published: July 11, 2026 | 04:31 GMT | by Web Desk
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, highlighted the continuous surveillance of enemy movements by the country’s armed forces.
In a post on X, he said: “The valiant defenders of the noble homeland in the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the coasts, islands, borders, and other sensitive points of the country, with vigilant and watchful eyes, keep the enemy’s movements under surveillance.”
The foreign ministry spokesperson said that these forces “safeguard the security and tranquility of dear Iran” through their actions.
Trump says US will 'completely decimate' Iran if assassinated
Published: July 11, 2026 | 03:48 GMT | by AFP
President Donald Trump said Friday the United States would "completely decimate" Iran if it attempted or succeeded in assassinating the sitting president.
"1000 Missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the Globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
"Orders have already been given, and the U.S. Military is ready, willing, and able, for a one year period of time, subject to extension, to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran," he said.
Araghchi defends Tehran's compliance
Published: July 11, 2026 | 02:11 GMT | by Web Desk
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday said Tehran "has so far kept its word" under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, while accusing the United States of repeatedly failing to meet its commitments.
In a post on X, Araghchi alleged that the "so-called U.S. Treasury Secretary" was violating Paragraph 9 of the memorandum, adding that the alleged breach followed "other violations and missteps by the United States."
"Iran has so far kept its word, unlike the so-called U.S. Treasury Secretary who is violating Para 9 of the MoU," Araghchi wrote.
"There can only be mutual compliance," he added, arguing that implementation of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding depends on both sides honoring their respective commitments.
Saudi, US discuss region
Published: July 11, 2026 | 01:41 GMT | by Wed Desk
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday, during which the two sides reviewed the latest developments in the Middle East and discussed efforts to maintain regional stability, according to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a statement, the ministry said the call focused on "the latest regional developments" and emphasized "the importance of continuing coordination and consultations" between Saudi Arabia and the United States.
The two officials also stressed the need to continue working together "to achieve security and stability in the region," the statement added.
Washington seeks shipping guarantees: Report
Published: July 11, 2026 | 01:31 GMT | by Wed Desk
The Trump administration is demanding that Iran publicly acknowledge the Strait of Hormuz is open and commit to ending attacks on commercial shipping, Axios reported on Friday.
According to the report, Washington also wants Tehran to publicly pledge that it will stop firing on commercial vessels transiting the strategic waterway.
Axios said the administration believes Iran "violated the memorandum of understanding" signed with the United States three weeks ago by repeatedly "firing" on commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
Friday developments at-a-glance
Published: July 11, 2026 | 00:00 GMT | by Web Desk
Diplomatic engagement gathered pace on Friday despite continuing regional tensions, with Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt stepping up efforts to preserve dialogue as the United States confirmed it would continue negotiations with Iran following this week's military escalation.
Pakistan remained at the center of regional diplomacy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held separate telephone conversations with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, stressing restraint, dialogue and the need to preserve the gains achieved under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Pezeshkian thanked Pakistan's leadership for attending the funeral of Iran's assassinated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and praised Islamabad's constructive role in supporting regional peace.
President Donald Trump said Washington had agreed to continue talks with Tehran, while insisting the ceasefire between the two countries was "over." A US official also confirmed that technical-level negotiations on a nuclear agreement remained underway even as the United States imposed fresh sanctions on an Iranian financial facilitator and several exchange houses.
Regional diplomacy also intensified beyond Islamabad. Qatar dispatched a delegation to Tehran for talks aimed at reinforcing its mediation role, while Egypt and Qatar jointly urged Washington and Tehran to return to negotiations. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump reviewed the latest US-Iran talks and discussed maritime security and broader regional stability during a telephone conversation.
Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency said global oil demand was beginning to recover as supplies gradually resumed through the Strait of Hormuz, although production remained below pre-war levels.
The day also brought the final chapter of Iran's national mourning, with Iranian media reporting that an estimated 41 to 43 million people attended six days of funeral ceremonies for assassinated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was laid to rest in Mashhad after being killed in a US-Israeli strike on Feb. 28.
For earlier developments, read our July 10 live blog here