Middle East Roundup, July 8: US bombing to 'get much worse' if Iran doesn't halt attacks: Trump

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

• Iran calls Qatar accusations over LNG tanker attack 'unacceptable'
• Riyadh condemns 'Iran's targeting' of Saudi tanker in Hormuz Strait
• Israel demolishes six Palestinian houses in occupied West Bank
• Trump in Ankara says was 'very disappointed' with NATO over Iran

US bombing to 'get much worse' if Iran doesn't halt attacks: Trump

Published: July 8, 2026 | 22:58 GMT | by AFP

President Donald Trump warned Wednesday that US bombing of Iran will increase significantly if Tehran continues to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

"This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!" the US president posted on social media over a picture of an apparent bombing of a site in Iran.

US forces launch new strikes on Iran to curb threat to Hormuz: US military

Published: July 8, 2026 | 20:24 GMT | by AFP

The United States launched new strikes against Iran on Wednesday in a bid to curb Tehran's ability to target shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the US military said.

US forces "have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," US Central Command said on X, adding that Washington is "holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping."

Israeli attacks on Lebanon claim more lives as death toll rises

Published: July 8, 2026 | 18:45 GMT | by Web Desk

Israeli attacks on Lebanon between March 2 and July 8 have killed 4,321 people and wounded 12,203 others,  AL Jazeera reported.

Lebanese state media says Israeli strike on south kills two

Published: July 8, 2026 | 18:45 GMT | by AFP

An Israeli strike on southern Lebanon killed two people on Wednesday, Lebanese state media reported.

"Two young men were martyred after being targeted by an enemy drone... while they were walking in the vicinity of Ghandour Hospital in Nabatieh al-Fawqa," Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said, two days after a strike on the same town killed four civilians including a school principal.

Islamabad urges all sides to uphold commitments

Published: July 8, 2026 | 18:26 GMT | by Web Desk

Pakistan on Wednesday expressed "deep concern" over the renewed escalation in the Middle East, warning that another conflict was "in no one's interest" and urging all parties to exercise restraint.

The Foreign Office called on all sides to refrain from actions that could further undermine regional peace and stability, saying "there is no alternative to continued engagement, dialogue and diplomacy" to achieve lasting peace.

It also urged all parties to uphold their commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, describing the agreement as "an enduring foundation for understanding, mutual respect and shared prosperity for the region and beyond."

The Foreign Office said Pakistan remained ready to continue playing its role in supporting dialogue and diplomatic efforts to ease tensions.

Trump says expects Iran flare-up to be over 'very quickly'

Published: July 8, 2026 | 17:58 GMT | by AFP

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he expected the military flare-up with Iran overnight to end very quickly despite earlier statements saying the ceasefire was "over".

"I think anything that happens is going to be over very quickly and will only make it safer, including for oil... Anything that happens is going to happen very fast. We're not looking for long term," he said at the end of a two-day NATO summit in Ankara.

No US injuries or major damage from Iran's latest attacks: US official

Published: July 8, 2026 | 16:22 GMT | by AFP

The latest attacks launched by Iran did not result in any American casualties or cause major damage to facilities, a US military official said on Wednesday.

"All missiles and drones fired by Iran were intercepted or failed to cause major damage," the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Eight Iran military personnel killed in US strikes: state media

Published: July 8, 2026 | 15:59GMT | by AFP

The latest US strikes on southern Iran killed eight military personnel, Iranian state television said on Wednesday.

"Following the criminal aggression carried out this morning by the US terrorist army against areas in southern Iran, eight courageous members of the air and naval forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran's military in Bandar Abbas (south) and Bushehr (southwest) fell as martyrs," state television said, citing a statement from the military.

Eight Palestinians killed in Gaza

Published: July 8, 2026 | 15:56GMT | by Web Desk

Eight Palestinians were killed and 17 wounded in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours as Israeli forces continued military operations across the enclave, AL Jazeera reported quoting the Palestinian Health Ministry.

In its daily report, the ministry said a number of victims remain trapped under rubble and on roadsides, with emergency and civil defense teams still unable to reach them.

The latest figures bring the total death toll since a ceasefire took effect on October 11, 2025, to 1,084, with 3,491 people wounded and 799 bodies retrieved during that period, according to AL Jazeera.

Trump on Iran: 'We're gonna hit 'em hard tonight'

Published: July 8, 2026 | 13:29 GMT | by AFP

President Donald Trump warned Wednesday that US forces would strike Iran "hard" in the coming night, after earlier declaring Washington's ceasefire with Iran over at a NATO summit in Ankara.

"We're gonna hit 'em hard tonight," he said before holding talks with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky, saying: "They violate the agreement every day."

Pakistan deputy prime minister, Saudi envoy discuss regional developments

Published: July 8, 2026 | 12: 45 GMT | by Web Desk

Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malkiy called on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on Wednesday, with the two sides discussing regional developments following the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the importance of dialogue and diplomacy.

The Saudi envoy appreciated Pakistan’s efforts towards promoting regional peace and security, including its role in R-4 and its contribution to facilitating the Islamabad MoU, the statement said.

"Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations across all areas of mutual interest," the statement said.

Oil prices jump 5% after Trump says Iran ceasefire over

Published: July 8, 2026 | 08:32 GMT | by Web Desk

World oil prices soared more than 5% Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Iran was over, following fresh strikes in the Middle East.

International benchmark Brent North Sea crude jumped 5.3% to $78.09 a barrel, while the main US contract, West Texas Intermediate, advanced 5.4% to $74.23 a barrel.

The US has launched extensive strikes on Iran following attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a wave of reprisals against American bases in the Gulf.

Trump says Iran ceasefire 'is over' 

Published: July 8, 2026 | 08:19 GMT | by Web Desk

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday the ceasefire with Iran was "over" following major exchanges of fire between US forces and the Islamic republic.

Trump blasted Iran after Washington launched strikes on the Islamic Republic overnight, and Iran's Guards said they had targeted US bases in the Gulf.

Oil prices jumped 5% after Trump's remarks.

"I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore," Trump said at a NATO summit in the Turkish capital, Ankara, when asked if the truce with Iran was now finished.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's over."

Trump said he would speak to businessman-turned-negotiator Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who have been dealing with the Iranians, but insisted it was up to Tehran to return to the table.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them. They're liars."

Mediator Qatar calls for de-escalation after Iran attacks on Gulf

Published: July 8, 2026 | 07:42GMT | by AFP

Qatar on Wednesday condemned strikes carried out by Iran against Kuwait and Bahrain and called for diplomacy, as hostilities resumed following attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

Qatar, a key intermediary in talks between Iran and the United States, said it "emphasises the need to spare the region the consequences of these unjustified attacks" in a foreign ministry statement posted on X.

Doha also emphasized the need to "pursue the path of dialogue and diplomacy, to de-escalate tensions, and to build upon the progress achieved under the memorandum of understanding".

China warns US, Iran against 'reigniting' war, urges dialogue

Published: July 8, 2026 | 07:41GMT | by AFP

China denounced a sharp escalation in hostilities in the Middle East after the United States struck dozens of targets in Iran, with Beijing's foreign ministry warning both sides against "reigniting" the war in the Middle East.

"Reigniting the war is not in the interests of either side, and military means cannot solve the fundamental problems," foreign spokesperson Mao Ning told a news conference, when asked about the strikes.

Iran media reports explosions in port city of Bushehr

Published: July 8, 2026 | 06:58 GMT | by AFP

Iranian media reported Wednesday a series of blasts in the port city of Bushehr following a resumption of hostilities with the United States.

"Explosions have been heard in Bushehr and the surrounding area," the Mehr news agency said, without providing details.

Located in Iran's southwest, Bushehr hosts the country's only civilian nuclear power plant and lies near Kharg island, the main oil terminal through which 90 percent of the nation's crude exports transit.

Explosions heard in Bahrain after air raid sirens: AFP correspondent

Published: July 8, 2026 | 05:33 GMT | by AFP

Several explosions rang out across Bahrain on Wednesday, an AFP correspondent said, after authorities sounded air raid sirens to warn of an attack.

"Loud" blasts were heard in the north of the island state, the correspondent said, in the first incident since Bahrain reported intercepting Iranian drones and missiles on June 28.

NATO's Rutte says the US strikes on Iran 'absolutely necessary'

Published: July 8, 2026 | 05:27 GMT | by AFP

The overnight strikes on Iran by US forces were "absolutely necessary", NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Wednesday as the alliance began a key summit in Ankara.

"I think it was absolutely necessary because when you have a ceasefire and Iran is basically violating the ceasefire -- we see what happened yesterday with ships being attacked -- I think it is totally crucial that the US forcefully react," he told journalists.

Iraq's holy cities host funeral processions for Khamenei

Published: July 8, 2026 | 04:56 GMT | by AFP

Crowds thronged the streets of Najaf as the coffin of Iran's assassinated supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, moved through the holy city in a procession devoted to Iraq, home to Shia Islam's most sacred shrines.

Iran began six days of public funeral ceremonies for Khamenei on Saturday, including a dedicated day to neighbouring Iraq, a Shia powerhouse with close ties to Tehran.

The Islamic republic hopes the marathon ceremonies will project strength and unity after the Middle East war, which started with US-Israeli strikes that killed Khamenei and several relatives on February 28.

A heavy security deployment was in place as the crowds swelled, with some people pushing close to touch Khamenei's coffin as it rode in the back of a truck en route to the shrine of Imam Ali, the Prophet Mohammed's son-in-law and the first Shia Imam.

At the shrine, dozens of clerics stood ready to pray over the coffin before it was carried on to the city of Karbala.

Khamenei's final burial will take place on Thursday in his hometown of Mashhad in northeast Iran.

His eldest son, Mostafa Khamenei, was present at the airport on Tuesday, but his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, named supreme leader shortly after his father's killing, has not appeared in public and has only communicated through written statements since his nomination.

US, Iran trade strikes in new threat to ceasefire

Published: July 8, 2026 | 04:50 GMT | by AFP

The United States launched extensive strikes on Iran over attacks on ships in the vital Strait of Hormuz, triggering a wave of reprisals Wednesday that Iran's Guards said targeted US bases in the Gulf.

Both sides reported hitting dozens of targets in renewed hostilities, which have placed fresh strain on an interim deal to end the Middle East war and pushed oil prices to their highest level in two weeks.

Washington revoked sanction waivers on Iranian oil sales and launched the new attacks on military sites in what the US military called retaliation for Iran's strikes on three commercial ships in Hormuz.

Iranian state media reported a wave of explosions around the strait, including six on the island of Qeshm, seven in the city of Sirik and more in the major port city of Bandar Abbas.

Iran's threatened reply came quickly, with the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) saying they had hit dozens of US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, in a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces had struck over 80 targets, including Iranian air defence systems, coastal radar sites and 60 IRGC small boats.

The strikes aimed "to degrade Iran's ability to continue attacking international commerce flowing through the international trade corridor", it said.

Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused the United States of "major" breaches of their memorandum of understanding, including by reinstating oil sanctions and "violating Iranian adjustments in the Strait".

Early on Wednesday, Bahrain's interior ministry and the Kuwaiti army both reported their air defence systems were triggered, but did not offer details of any possible damage.

The US strikes came shortly after Washington revoked a temporary sanctions waiver for Iranian oil, raising pressure on Tehran as it negotiates over a final settlement to the conflict.

The US Treasury Department cancelled a license announced in June that had allowed Iran to produce, sell and deliver crude oil and related products through August 21.

"Iran's actions in the Strait were wholly unacceptable to the United States and will be met with consequences," a US official told AFP.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the US-Iran memorandum of understanding was "entirely performance-based", warning that Tehran would see benefits only if it showed "good behaviour".

But US negotiators were continuing to work "in good faith towards a final deal", the official said.

Iran Guards say hit US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain: state broadcaster

Published: July 8, 2026 | 04:27 GMT | by AFP

Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Wednesday they had hit dozens of US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait in response to American strikes, in a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB.

"In an initial response to this aggression, the IRGC Navy and Aerospace Force carried out a joint missile and drone operation, striking 85 key US military facilities" in the two countries, while also shooting down an MQ-9 drone, the statement said.

Kuwait army says responding to missile, drone attacks

Published: July 8, 2026 | 03:48 GMT | by AFP

The Kuwaiti army said on Wednesday it was responding to missile and drone attacks, after Iran threatened retaliation for a wave of US strikes.

"Kuwaiti air defenses are currently engaging hostile missile and drone attacks," the army said on X, without saying where they were coming from. "The General Staff of the Army notes that any explosions heard are a result of air defense systems intercepting hostile attacks."

Air sirens sounded in Bahrain: interior ministry

Published: July 8, 2026 | 02:48 GMT | by AFP

Air sirens were activated in Bahrain on Wednesday, the interior ministry said, after US strikes on dozens of targets in Iran further shook efforts to end the Middle East war.

"The siren has been sounded," the ministry said on X, without giving details of the apparent threat. "Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place."

US forces say struck over 80 targets, including Iranian air defense systems

Published: July 8, 2026 | 02:20 GMT | by AFP

The United States military hit over 80 targets during its latest strikes on Iran, US Central Command said Tuesday, conducted in response to Tehran's attacks on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

"US forces struck Iranian defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats in and near the strait," the US military said in a statement posted to X.

Iran FM says US attacks violate treaty, warns of 'decisive' action: state media

Published: July 7, 2026 | 22:50 GMT | by AFP

Iran's foreign ministry said Tuesday the United States has repeatedly violated the agreed memorandum of understanding and warned of retaliation following Washington's strikes on targets in the Strait of Hormuz.

"Iran is issuing a serious warning about the consequences of America's breach of the treaty, and will take decisive measures to protect its interests and national security," the ministry said in a statement posted to Telegram by IRIB News.

Iran reports explosions on sites around Strait of Hormuz: state media

Published: July 7, 2026 | 22:46 GMT | by AFP

Iranian state media on Tuesday reported a series of explosions heard in the Strait of Hormuz region, moments after US officials announced "powerful" strikes on Iran.

IRIB news reported six explosions were heard on the Iranian island of Qeshm, seven explosions were heard in the city of Sirik and more were heard in the major port city of Bandar Abbas.

CENTCOM says US launches strikes against Iran after attacks on commercial vessels

Published: July 7, 2026 | 22:15 GMT | by Web Desk

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces have begun launching a series of strikes against Iran, describing them as aimed at imposing high costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway.

According to the statement, the strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. CENTCOM said Iran's actions were unwarranted, dangerous, and constituted a clear violation of the ceasefire.

 For earlier developments, read our July 7 live blog here