US strikes kill 3, wound 8 in southern Iran: Iranian state media

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 Friday's top developments here:

• Five blasts heard in Yazd, in center of Iran: state news agency
• Iran Guards say struck US aircraft in Jordan with missiles, drones
• Overnight US attacks killed eight Iranians, injured 20: State media
• Iran says 38 killed, more than 400 injured in US strikes since June 22
• US strikes in Iran hit bridges and an airport: Iranian state media

US military says struck military, maritime sites in Iran

Published: July 18, 2026 | 02:03 GMT | by AFP

The US military said it had concluded strikes on Iran for the seventh consecutive night Friday, adding that it had hit several targets aimed at degrading Iranian military capabilities.

"US Central Command (CENTCOM) hit surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities," the military said in a post on X.

Iranian army says struck US targets in Kuwait, Jordan: State TV

Published: July 18, 2026 | 01:21 GMT | by AFP

Iran's army said it struck US military targets in Kuwait and Jordan in response to American attacks, according to a statement carried by the Iranian state broadcaster on Saturday.

In Kuwait, Iranian forces targeted an ammunition depot in the Al-Adiri camp, the headquarters buildings and ammunition depots in the Ali Al-Salem base and several communication bridges.

In Jordan, fuel tanks at the Al-Azraq base were also targeted, the state broadcaster said on Telegram.

Iran's Guards say two oil tankers explode after hitting mines in Hormuz

Published: July 18, 2026 | 00:36 GMT | by AFP

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Saturday that two oil tankers transiting through the Strait of Hormuz hit mines and exploded, a claim disputed by the US military.

"An hour ago, two oil tankers, which were trying to pass through the minefield south of the Strait of Hormuz by deceptive American intelligence agencies, exploded and caught fire," the Guards said in a statement published by state news agency IRNA, without identifying the tankers.

"To protect their capital and, more importantly, their lives, the sailors should not be deceived and enter the minefield," they said.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a brief denial, saying on X, "Like most IRGC claims, this is false."

US strikes kill 3, wound 8 in southern Iran: Iranian state media

Published: July 18, 2026 | 00:36 GMT | by AFP

US attacks killed three people and wounded eight in the southern Iranian province of Hormozgan, state news agency IRNA reported on Saturday.

"The deputy political, security and social affairs governor of Hormozgan announced the martyrdom of three people and the injury of eight people following enemy attacks on some parts of Hormozgan province this morning," IRNA said on Telegram.

Iran's Guards say 'stopped' 4 ships trying to transit Hormuz: state TV

Published: July 17, 2026 | 23:36 GMT | by AFP

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Saturday they had "stopped" four ships trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

"In the past hours, four violating ships with the support of the terrorist US army were trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and all four ships were stopped in place during a combined missile and drone operation," the Guards said in a statement carried by the state broadcaster.

Five blasts heard in Yazd, in center of Iran: state news agency

Published: July 17, 2026 | 23:05 GMT | by AFP 

Five explosions were heard in the early hours of Saturday in Yazd, in central Iran, the state news agency IRNA reported, after the US military announced a seventh night of strikes against the country.

Another Iranian news agency, Mehr, reported that explosions were heard "in several provinces in the south" of Iran.

For earlier developments, read our July 17 live blog here.