This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.
Catch up Monday's top development's here
- US military launches third night of strikes on Iran
- Oil prices jump almost 9 percent
- Four blasts heard east of Iran's Bandar Abbas: state media
- Trump says US will be 'paid' for guarding Strait of Hormuz
- EU countries push for trade ban with Israeli settlements
Trump warns of strikes on Iran power plants next week if 'no deal'
Published: July 14, 2026 | 21:17 GMT | by AFP
US President Donald Trump told Fox News on Tuesday he would expand US strikes on Iran next week to target power plants and bridges if Tehran does not make a deal.
"Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges," Trump said in an interview with the US broadcaster.
"We're going to knock out all their power plants. We're going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate."
Kuwait says four crew hurt in Iran strike on navy vessel
Published: July 14, 2026 | 21:17 GMT | by AFP
Kuwait's military said Tuesday that one of its naval vessels was hit during an Iranian missile and drone barrage, wounding four crew.
"The heinous Iranian aggression resulted in the targeting of a number of vital and civilian facilities, and the fall of shrapnel in several locations across the country, leading to material damage," defence ministry spokesman Colonel Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan said.
"One of the naval vessels belonging to the Kuwaiti Naval Force was also targeted, resulting in the injury of four members of the armed forces."
US forces launch new round of strikes on Iran: US military
Published: July 14, 2026 | 19:40 GMT | by AFP
The United States launched strikes against Iran for the fourth day in a row Tuesday as Washington prepared to reimpose a naval blockade on Iranian ports, the US military said.
The strikes are aimed at "degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," US Central Command said on X, adding that they came as "American forces prepare to resume the naval blockade against Iranian ports and coastal areas."
Death toll in latest Hormuz vessel strikes rises to two: maritime group
Published: July 14, 2026 | 19:40 GMT | by AFP
The death toll from strikes on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday rose to two, according to the International Maritime Organization.
"We are gravely concerned by the latest attacks on shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz reported since last night, which have claimed the lives of at least two seafarers and injured several others," the IMO said.
Air raid sirens sound in Bahrain: interior ministry
Published: July 14, 2026 | 18:32 GMT | by AFP
Air raid sirens were sounded in Bahrain on Tuesday, the interior ministry said, after Manama announced it had intercepted several Iranian attacks earlier in the day.
"The siren has been sounded ... Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place," the interior ministry said in a statement posted on social media.
Trump says Iran ‘shot first’, calls it ‘big mistake’
Published: July 14, 2026 | 17:37 GMT | by Web Desk
US President Donlad Trump while speaking to reporters outside of the White House said that he wanted to "give them [Iran] a chance at making a deal,” as Washington strikes Iran.
“And they shot first, and that was a big mistake that they shot first because we have been knocking the hell out of them. They’re very difficult people,” Trump said.
India summons Iranian diplomat to protest after ships attacked
Published: July 14, 2026 | 15:15 GMT | by AFP
India summoned Iran's senior diplomat in New Delhi on Tuesday to protest against attacks on two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz that killed an Indian seafarer and wounded several others.
The Indian foreign ministry said it had summoned the deputy chief of mission of the Iranian embassy to register "a strong protest" against the attacks reported early on Tuesday.
The two vessels had a total of 46 crew members aboard, including 30 Indians, one of whom has "tragically lost his life", it said in a statement.
Netanyahu tells Iran's leaders Israel will hit back if attacked
Published: July 14, 2026 | 13:15 GMT | by AFP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Tuesday to strike powerfully against Iran if Tehran carried out a new attack on his country.
"I will say it to the leaders of Iran: Do not count on things remaining quiet if you attack us," Netanyahu said at a conference, according to a video released by his office. "The days are over when someone strikes us, and we don't hit back with a decisive blow."
Gaza health officials say Israeli airstrike on police station kills 8
Published: July 14, 2026 | 12:30 GMT | by AFP
Gaza's civil defense agency and a hospital said an Israeli airstrike on a police station in northern Gaza killed eight people on Tuesday, including a woman officer.
"Eight martyrs were transferred to Al-Shifa hospital following an Israeli airstrike on a police station" in the western part of Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, said the agency, which operates as a rescue force under Hamas.
Gaza City's Al-Shifa hospital, in the Palestinian territory's north, confirmed to AFP it had received the eight bodies.
In a statement condemning the air strike, Hamas said that the police station chief was among those killed in the airstrike.
Israel's military confirmed to AFP it had carried out one strike in the area and stated it had aimed at "terrorists", without providing more details.
Norwegian tanker attacked off coast of Oman: company
Published: July 14, 2026 | 12:05 GMT | by AFP
A Norwegian tanker was hit by an explosion caused by an unidentified device off the Omani coast early Tuesday, a crisis response company said.
MTI Network said in a statement that shipping company Stolt Tankers reported that at approximately 00:40 am local time (2000 GMT Monday) "its tanker vessel Stolt Magnesium while on passage in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Oman suffered from an explosion of an unidentified external device".
The explosion triggered a fire in the ship's engine room, but an MTI Network spokesman added that the crew "fortunately are all safe and accounted for".
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency also reported that a tanker had reported "being hit by an unknown projectile on the starboard side engine room" 40 nautical miles northeast of Qalhat, Oman.
Earlier on Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates said that Iran attacked two ships in the Strait of Hormuz with missiles, killing one crew member and wounding eight.
Israel says ready to 'move forward' on 2 Lebanon 'pilot zones' in Rome talks
Published: July 14, 2026 | 12:02 GMT | by AFP
Israel's foreign minister said Tuesday he expected ongoing talks in Rome with Lebanon to help implement an agreement on two "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon, referring to the withdrawal of Israeli troops from those areas.
"We are ready to move forward implementing these two pilot zones. I hope and tend to believe that this round of discussions in Rome will promote it," Gideon Saar told journalists at a press conference in Jerusalem.
Iran reports US strikes at border area near Iraq, Kuwait
Published: July 14, 2026 | 11:22 GMT | by AFP
US strikes hit in an Iranian border area near Iraq and Kuwait on Tuesday, local authorities said, as fighting between the two foes raged.
The city of Abadan, which hosts the oldest oil refinery in the Middle East, as well as the port city of Mahshahr were targeted, deputy governor of Khuzestan province Valiollah Hayati said, according to state news agency IRNA.
Pakistan condemns attacks on Saudi Arabia, expresses solidarity
Published: July 14, 2026 | 11:00 GMT | by Web Desk
Pakistan on Tuesday strongly condemned the "blatant attacks" carried out against Saudi Arabia overnight, calling them a violation of the Kingdom's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In a statement on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, "Such reprehensible actions constitute a violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and have the potential to further undermine regional peace and stability".
"Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering support for the Kingdom’s security and stands in complete solidarity with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at this critical time", he added.
Yemen's Houthis targeted Saudi Arabia on Monday, hours after the rebels accused the kingdom of attacking Sanaa airport -- the biggest flare-up in years between the two sides that threatens to upend a frozen conflict.
The Yemeni government claimed responsibility for the attack on the airport, saying it wanted to prevent an Iranian plane from landing.
Iran authorities say US struck port city of Bushehr
Published: July 14, 2026 | 10:18 GMT | by AFP
US strikes on Tuesday hit the port city of Bushehr, which hosts Iran's only civilian nuclear power plant, local authorities said, as fighting between Tehran and Washington escalates.
"Four points in the city of Bushehr were hit by enemy projectiles at noon (0830 GMT)", deputy provincial governor Ehsan Jahanian was quoted by official news agency IRNA as saying, blaming the attacks on the United States.
China calls for Hormuz strait safe passage
Published: July 14, 2026 | 09:01 GMT | by AFP
China called on the United States and Iran on Tuesday to restore safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. "Restoring normal and safe passage through the strait as soon as possible is a shared aspiration of the international community," foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a news briefing, adding that Beijing would "make unremitting efforts to help de-escalate" the crisis.
Tanker struck off Oman coast, says UK maritime agency
Published: July 14, 2026 | 08:55 GMT | by AFP
A tanker was struck by a missile off the coast of Oman, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Tuesday, as Iran and the United States exchanged fire over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
"UKMTO has received a report of an incident 13NM southeast of Limah, Oman. A tanker has reported being hit by a missile while transiting outbound on the southern route. Authorities are investigating," the British organization said in a statement.
Iran MPs present bill on Hormuz control: Security committee chief
Published: July 14, 2026 | 07:36 GMT | by AFP
Iran's parliament has begun work on a bill on the Strait of Hormuz, the head of the security committee said on Tuesday, as fighting flared between Washington and Tehran over the strategic waterway.
"Last night, coinciding with the downing of US drones, the 'Strategic Action for the Security and Sustainable Progress of the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf' bill was formally introduced in Iran's Parliament," Ebrahim Azizi wrote on X.
"We remain steadfast in defending our red lines, particularly regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz," he added. "This is the first step; subsequent measures are forthcoming."
US-Iran fighting reignited last week over disagreements on how the vital strait would be managed, throwing into question a framework deal signed last month seeking to end the Middle East war.
Iran says rescued bulk carrier crew after collision in Strait of Hormuz
Published: July 14, 2026 | 05:36 GMT | by Web Desk
Iran rescued 23 foreign crew members after a bulk carrier collided with another vessel north of Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.
The bulk carrier suffered serious damage to its hull and began taking on water, prompting the captain to order an emergency evacuation, Fars said, adding that all crew members were safely transferred to Qeshm Island.
Jordan says shot down four missiles from Iran
Published: July 14, 2026 | 04:45 GMT | by AFP
Jordan's army said Tuesday it had shot down four missiles from Iran, as Tehran pressed attacks on US allies in response to American strikes.
"Four missiles intercepted and shot down after entering Jordanian airspace from Iranian territory," the army said.
Iran's Guards say carried out strikes on Bahrain
Published: July 14, 2026 | 02:45 GMT | by AFP
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Tuesday they had carried out missile and drone strikes on Bahrain, after the Gulf country urged citizens to take shelter as a siren sounded.
"Several weapons support warehouses, a satellite communications center and the residential building for US forces in Bahrain were targeted," Iranian state television IRIB quoted the Guards as saying.
UAE says Iran attacked two ships in Hormuz
Published: July 14, 2026 | 01:07 GMT | by AFP
The United Arab Emirates said Tuesday that Iran attacked two ships in the Strait of Hormuz with missiles, killing one crew member and wounding eight others.
The strikes came after the United States launched a fresh salvo of strikes against Tehran, marking a new escalation in the resumption of hostilities in the Middle East war.
"The Ministry of Defence announces that the national tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters," the Emirati defense ministry wrote on X.
The attack killed one crew member, an Indian national, and wounded eight others, including four who "sustained serious injuries", it said
Brazil's Lula calls US plan for Hormuz fee 'piracy'
Published: July 14, 2026 | 01:07 GMT | by AFP
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Monday that plans by President Donald Trump to impose hefty fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz would turn the United States into a "pirate" state.
Trump vowed earlier to reinstate a blockade of Iran's ports on the strait and slap a levy of 20 percent on all cargo shipped through Hormuz in order to pay for keeping the narrow waterway open.
Speaking at a public event in Sao Paulo state, Lula said: "President Trump tweeted that he will unblock the Strait of Hormuz. But for every ship unblocked, every ship removed from the strait, the oil owner must pay him 20%.
Blasts heard in Kyiv after missile alert
Published: July 14, 2026 | 00:21 GMT | by AFP
A series of explosions was heard in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, shortly after midnight on Tuesday, an AFP journalist said, after the air force warned that several missiles were approaching.
"Air defence systems are operating in the capital," the city's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said on Telegram. "The enemy is attacking Kyiv with ballistic missiles."
Fires broke out in the Holosiivsky district in southern Kyiv, he added.
Air-raid sirens began to sound in the capital before half a dozen explosions were heard.
Trump says deal with Iran still 'possible'
Published: July 13, 2026 | 22:18 GMT | by AFP
US President Donald Trump said Monday that a deal with Tehran to end the Middle East war was still possible, despite launching fresh strikes on Iran and reimposing a blockade of Iranian ports.
"Yeah, I think a deal is possible. Sure, I do," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "We had a deal with them two days ago and then they said 'Oh we can't make that deal. We have to negotiate it further.'"
For earlier developments, read our July 13 live blog here