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 Tuesday's top developments here:
- Iran discusses Hormuz Strait in calls with Oman, Saudi Arabia
- US oil contract WTI falls back below $80 on Mideast hopes
New round of Israel-Lebanon talks set August 4: US official - Iran and Japan foreign ministers hold talks on Hormuz
- Gaza’s temporary schools fail to keep pace with children’s needs, UN mapping finds
US, Saudi forces carried out strikes in Iraq against 'terrorists': US military
Published: July 29, 2026 | 00:47 GMT | by AFP
US and Saudi warplanes carried out strikes on Tuesday against Iran-backed militants in Iraq who launched more than two dozen drone attacks in recent days, the US military said.
The strikes targeted "Iran-aligned terrorists that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directed to attack US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure," US Central Command said in a statement.
It further warned that "the IRGC and its terrorist proxies must cease these attacks to avoid further US military response."
Iran denies any link to projectiles fired at targets in Saudi Arabia
Published: July 29, 2026 | 00:41 GMT | by Web Desk
An Iranian military official has told state broadcaster IRIB that Tehran firmly rejects any connection to projectiles launched from other countries against sites in Saudi Arabia, Al Jazeera reported.
The official said that linking any action targeting US interests in the region to Iran would be a serious miscalculation, reflecting a poor understanding of the current regional dynamics, according to IRIB.
This statement follows Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence reporting fresh drone strikes on its oil facilities in the Eastern Province, with blame directed at Iran-backed militias operating in Iraq.
Oil price up more than 3% after Iran attacks
Published: July 29, 2026 | 00:33 GMT | by AFP
Oil prices jumped more than 3% in early Asian trade on Wednesday after the US military said it had intercepted multiple missiles launched by Iran.
At around 0015 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate was up 3.67% at $82.17 a barrel, while North Sea Brent crude had gained 3.39% to $86.94.
CENTCOM says intercept Iranian missiles targeting bases in Jordan
Published: July 29, 2026 | 00:21 GMT | by Web Desk
CENTCOM said early Wednesday it intercepted a number of missiles more than an hour ago in what it called 'an attempted surprise attack on bases in the Middle East'. Al Jazeera later said the missile targeted US bases in Jordan.
They could be waiting for a message from Trump, who has left the Oval Office for the evening, but no doubt has been informed about what is going on in the Middle East.
For earlier developments, read our July 28 live blog here.
