This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.
Catch up on Monday's top developments here:
- Yemen's Houthis declare maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia voices 'strongest condemnation' of Houthi maritime blockade
- UK maritime agency says vessel struck off UAE coast
- Iran's interior minister lands in Pakistan amid Gulf escalation
- Iran president says country in 'full-scale war' with
Hegseth estimates cost of Iran war at $37.5 billion
Published: July 21, 2026 | 19:45 GMT | by AFP
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Iran war has cost the United States $37.5 billion so far, up from a previous estimate of nearly $29 billion in mid-May.
"The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion," Hegseth testified during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing at which he defended a request for some $67 billion in supplemental funding for the Pentagon.
Trump vows to help Lebanon pursue peace with Israel
Published: July 21, 2026 | 19:45 GMT | by AFP
US President Donald Trump vowed Tuesday to help Lebanon "a lot" as its president, Joseph Aoun, sought Washington's backing for a fragile effort to disarm Hezbollah and forge a path to peace with Israel.
Meeting Aoun at the White House, Trump said Lebanon had been "a very mistreated country" that had been "hit hard" for decades.
"It's probably a dangerous place in a lot of ways," Trump told reporters. "But they love the country... and we're going to help it. We're going to help it a lot."
Aoun, the first Lebanese president invited to Washington since 2009, asked Trump for political support and continued backing for the Lebanese army, which has begun deploying in southern areas under a US-backed framework agreement with Israel.
"We need to support the LAF," Aoun said, referring to the Lebanese Armed Forces. "Without the LAF, everything will collapse."
Kuwait summons Iran envoy over attack on ship transiting Hormuz strait
Published: July 21, 2026 | 14:49 GMT | by AFP
Kuwait's foreign ministry said on Tuesday it had summoned Iran's ambassador over a strike the previous day that targeted a Kuwaiti tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and wounded several people.
The ministry said on X that it delivered "a protest note regarding Iran's targeting of the Kuwaiti tanker 'Kifan' on Monday evening, while it was passing through the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in injuries to several crew members."
Trump says US 'not finished at all' with Iran
Published: July 21, 2026 | 14:30 GMT | by AFP
President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States was far from finished with Iran and warned the next US military target could be an underground nuclear complex known as Pickaxe Mountain.
Pickaxe Mountain is a deeply buried nuclear site near Natanz where Western intelligence suspects Iran is building an undeclared enrichment facility.
"We'll be hitting that area pretty soon, and very heavily," Trump said, adding that he would not normally announce targets but "there's not a thing they can do about it."
Trump estimated it would take Iran more than 20 years to rebuild from current damage, addressing reporters during a White House meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Trump says will 'take care of' Houthis if they blockade Saudi ports
Published: July 21, 2026 | 14:27 GMT | by AFP
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would "take care of" the Houthi if the militant group follows through on its threatened blockade of Saudi ports.
"If something like that happens, we take care of it," Trump told reporters during a White House meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
"You know, we've done that with the Houthis before, and we haven't heard from them in a while since we did what we did originally."
Iranian interior minister appreciates Pakistan's diplomatic role in easing regional tensions
Published: July 21, 2026 | 14:49 GMT | by Web Desk
Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, regional and bilateral security, and effective border management.
According to the statement, the visiting Iranian dignitary appreciated Pakistan's consistent efforts and indispensable diplomatic role in easing regional tensions, encouraging de-escalation, and serving as an anchor for peace.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their resolve to maintain close coordination and cooperative mechanisms to safeguard regional security and mutual prosperity.
Pakistan PM calls for restraint from all warring sides during talks with Iranian minister
Published: July 21, 2026 | 14:28 GMT | by AFP
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for restraint from all warring sides during a meeting with Iran's interior minister on Tuesday.
Sharif "urged all sides to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could further destabilize the region," a statement from the premier's office said, adding that he told Iran's Eskandar Momeni that Pakistan would continue to act as a mediator.
Kuwait says air defenses confronting missile and drone attacks
Published: July 21, 2026 | 12:27 GMT | by Web Desk
Kuwait's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country's air defence systems are currently confronting “hostile missile and drone attacks” following what it described as "the sinful Iranian aggression."
In a statement, the General Staff of the Army said that any explosion sounds heard are the result of the air defense systems intercepting the hostile attacks.
The ministry requested everyone to adhere to the security and safety instructions issued by the competent authorities.
Lebanon army says Israeli troops opened fire near units deploying in 'pilot zone'
Published: July 21, 2026 | 12:54 GMT | by AFP
Lebanon's military said that Israeli troops fired near its soldiers deploying in a so-called "pilot zone" Israel is to withdraw from under a US-backed agreement.
While troops were deploying in Zawtar al-Gharbiya in southern Lebanon, Israeli forces "opened fire in the vicinity of these units," the army said, adding that "the attack will hinder the implementation of deployment in the pilot zones."
Iran’s achievements in MoU talks ‘exceeded expectations’: Pezeshkian
Published: July 21, 2026 | 12:00 GMT | by Web Desk
President Masoud Pezeshkian said the US violated its commitments in the Memorandum of Understanding after Tehran’s achievements in the talks “exceeded expectations”, reported Al-Jazeera.
“In these negotiations, we moved forward step by step, and our main position was to open the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports and other vital issues, but the other side violated [the deal],” he said, speaking at the National Industry and Mining Day ceremony, reported by Al-Jazeera.
“The achievements of the Islamic Republic in this direction far exceeded expectations, and we were able to manage various issues well in a short time,” the president added.
Pezeshkian also said that Iran’s supreme leader expressed to him in private meetings the necessity of ending the “neither war nor peace” situation in the country.
UN condemns intensifying Israeli military attacks in Gaza
Published: July 21, 2026 | 11:19 GMT | by AFP
The United Nations condemned Tuesday intensifying Israeli military attacks in Gaza that it said had killed at least 57 Palestinians, including six children, in the past week.
"Nine months after the announcement of a ceasefire, still, nowhere is safe for Palestinians in Gaza," UN rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan told reporters in Geneva, decrying that "the Israeli military has intensified its attacks in Gaza in recent days, killing and injuring dozens of Palestinians".
Kuwait says Iran hit several power, water plants on Monday
Published: July 21, 2026 | 11:11 GMT | by AFP
Kuwait on Tuesday said Iran had hit several power and water desalination plants a day earlier, causing fires in the fourth such attack in as many days.
"In light of the continued Iranian heinous aggressions on the state of Kuwait, several electricity power plants and water distillation stations were subjected to attacks for the fourth day in a row, resulting in fires in several facilities," the ministry of electricity, water and renewable energy said in a statement on X.
Iran steps up attacks in return to war with US
Published: July 21, 2026 | 11:00 GMT | by AFP
Iran stepped up its attacks in the Middle East on Tuesday, two weeks after its war with the United States resumed, with sirens sounding in Bahrain and Jordan announcing it had intercepted two waves of missiles and drones.
Houthis declared they would blockade Saudi Arabia's ports, in what would throw the world's energy markets into further chaos after the Islamic republic blockaded the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
Sirens sounded in Bahrain: ministry
Published: July 21, 2026 | 10:44 GMT | by AFP
Bahrain on Tuesday sounded sirens after the country's military had said it intercepted Iranian attacks, nearly two weeks into the resumption of US-Iran hostilities that have included daily attacks on the Gulf kingdom.
"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 on X.
Bahrain says intercepted Iranian air attacks
Published: July 21, 2026 | 09:55 GMT | by AFP
Bahrain's military on Tuesday said it had intercepted a number of Iranian attacks, nearly two weeks into the resumption of US-Iran hostilities that have included daily attacks on the Gulf kingdom.
"The air defences of the Bahrain Defence Force intercepted and destroyed a number of Iranian aerial aggressions," the military said in a statement on X.
Jordan army says intercepted five Iranian drones
Published: July 21, 2026 | 09:10 GMT | by AFP
The Jordanian military announced on Tuesday it had intercepted five Iranian drones, the latest attack by the Islamic Republic on countries in the region following the resumption of the Middle East war.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the attack, claiming in a statement that they had targeted a "complex housing US terrorist forces in the region of Rukban".
Lebanon army deploys to 'pilot zones' in south: military source to AFP
Published: July 21, 2026 | 08:20 GMT | by AFP
The Lebanese army deployed on Tuesday to "pilot zones" in part of the country that had been under Israeli control following a deal sponsored by Washington, a military source told AFP.
The source said soldiers "have begun deploying to the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiya" in the Nabatieh region, following Israel's invasion of parts of the south during their war with militant group Hezbollah.
ASEAN calls for 'immediate cessation of hostilities' as Middle East tensions threaten trade, energy security
Published: July 21, 2026 | 07:56 GMT | by Web Desk
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers have expressed "serious concern" over the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, particularly the renewed hostilities involving the United States and Iran, warning that the conflict is undermining diplomatic efforts.
In a joint statement, the bloc called on all parties to exercise "utmost self-restraint," and urged a "complete and immediate cessation of hostilities across all fronts in the Middle East."
The ministers also voiced concern over disruptions to international shipping, calling for "the restoration of the safe, unimpeded, and continuous transit passage of vessels and aircraft in the Strait of Hormuz" in accordance with international law.
ASEAN warned that continued tensions could have wider consequences for "regional trade, energy, and food security," including energy markets, supply chains and agricultural inputs such as fertilizers.
Iran targets US military assets as Houthis threaten to expand Mideast war
Published: July 21, 2026 | 06:56 GMT | by AFP
Iran targeted US radar and air defense installations in the Gulf on Tuesday, warning Washington of "more decisive and powerful" attacks to come as the conflict threatened to widen with a blockade of Saudi ports by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had attacked and stopped two "non-compliant oil tankers" attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, part of an effort to tighten its grip on the vital waterway while the war reignited.
US issues 'worldwide caution' alert for citizens over Mideast tensions
Published: July 21, 2026 | 02:55 GMT | by AFP
The US State Department on Monday issued an alert urging American citizens around the world to "exercise increased caution" over the war with Iran.
The alert said that "due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation."
"Americans outside the Middle East should reconsider travel to and through the region," it said, while warning of the heightened possibility of attacks targeting US diplomatic facilities "or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world."
Iran Guards say stopped two oil tankers in Hormuz
Published: July 21, 2026 | 02:18 GMT | by AFP
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Tuesday they stopped two "non-compliant oil tankers" attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, state news agency IRNA reported.
"Two non-compliant oil tankers attempting to pass through the unsafe southern route of the Strait of Hormuz were stopped after explosions caused extensive fires aboard them," the Guards said in a statement carried by IRNA.
Iran Guards say hit US military targets in Bahrain, Kuwait: State media
Published: July 21, 2026 | 02:08 GMT | by AFP
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday they hit US military targets, including air defence systems in Bahrain and Kuwait, state news agency IRNA reported.
The Guards said they struck two air defense systems and a radar installation at two different US outposts in Bahrain, as well as missile defense systems and radars and satellite reception systems in Kuwait.
"With this radar sweep, the enemy should prepare for even more decisive and powerful waves of drone and missile attacks," the Guards said in a statement carried by IRNA.
US military says struck Iran military command centers, maritime capabilities
Published: July 21, 2026 | 01:50 GMT | by AFP
The US military said Monday night it had completed its latest round of strikes against Iran, targeting various sites to counter Tehran's ability to attack ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
"US forces struck Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems to degrade Iran's ability to continue attacking commercial vessels flowing through the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM said in a post on X.
UK maritime agency says tanker struck off Oman coast
Published: July 20, 2026 | 23:24 GMT | by AFP
An "unknown projectile" struck a tanker off the coast of Oman, a British maritime agency said on Tuesday, as Iran and the United States exchanged fire over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said it "received multiple reports that a tanker... has been struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz," adding that the incident occurred eight nautical miles (15 kilometers) northeast of Limah, Oman.
For earlier developments, read our July 20 live blog here.