This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.
Catch up Wednesday's top development's here:
- US aircraft fired on ship that tried to break Iran ports blockade: US military
- Iran's Araghchi visits Doha days after Iranian attacks
- US expands sanctions targeting Iran oil, cryptocurrency sectors
- Jordan military says downed 3 ballistic missiles from Iran
- Iran Guards say targeted US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain: state media
US military says 'latest wave' of strikes on Iran completed
Published: July 16, 2026 | 01:56 GMT | by Web Desk
The United States said it completed its "latest wave" of strikes against Iran, targeting military infrastructure to reduce threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
“US forces struck Iranian command centers, air defense sites, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities to further degrade Iran's ability to threaten innocent mariners crewing commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” the US Central Command said in a post on X.
“CENTCOM used precision munitions to hit targets in multiple locations including Bandar Abbas,” it added.
Earlier, US struck coastal defense and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb Island during a 90-minute wave.
Air defenses activated in Tehran, explosions heard in north, west Iran: reports
Published: July 16, 2026 | 01:56 GMT | by AFP
Air defenses were heard in parts of Tehran on Thursday morning, state media said, and explosions rang out in northern and western parts of the country.
"So far, no casualties have been reported in Tehran by official authorities," state news agency IRNA reported. Explosions were heard in parts of the western Lorestan province, and Semnan in the north, IRNA and the Mehr news agency reported.
Asia stocks tumble on tech worries, Mideast war
Published: July 16, 2026 | 01:09 GMT | by AFP
Stocks in Asia fell sharply in early trade Thursday on the back of concerns about overvaluations of technology shares and ongoing violence in the Middle East.
Japan's Nikkei 225 was 3.16 percent lower at 66,579.31 points, while the Kospi in South Korea was down 6.21 percent at 6,831.80. Oil prices inched higher, with WTI up 0.64 percent at $80.11 per barrel and Brent Crude 0.41 percent higher at $85.36.
Kuwait intercepts drones from Iran, Bahrain sounds sirens
Published: July 16, 2026 | 00:28 GMT | by AFP
Kuwait said on Thursday it was intercepting Iranian drones, while air raid sirens rang out in Bahrain, following another night of American strikes on Iranian territory.
In a statement on X, the Kuwaiti army said they were "engaging hostile drone attacks following the nefarious Iranian aggression". Bahrain's interior ministry urged citizens and residents to "remain calm and head to the nearest safe place".
US forces launch new wave of strikes against Iran: US military
Published: July 15, 2026 | 19:46 GMT | by AFP
The United States launched a new wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday in a bid to curb Tehran's ability to threaten the Strait of Hormuz, the US military said.
The strikes -- which started at 1900 GMT -- "are targeting Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels freely transiting through the Strait of Hormuz," US Central Command said in a post on X.
For earlier developments, read our July 15 live blog here
