The Strait of Hormuz crisis continues to escalate as the US carries out strikes on Iranian military targets while diplomatic efforts over Tehran’s nuclear programme remain ongoing. Commercial shipping through the vital waterway has dropped sharply following the collapse of a fragile ceasefire, raising concerns over global energy supplies. As tensions widen, Israel has reportedly shared intelligence with Washington over an alleged Iranian plot targeting Donald Trump. Regional powers are urging urgent diplomacy to prevent further escalation. Follow the latest developments here:06:50 AM, 11 July 2026We are closing this coverage now. For the latest updates, click here.06:10 AM, 11 July 2026Iran appears to restart nuclear sites after US strikes: reportFresh satellite imagery indicates Iran may be moving to restore parts of its nuclear infrastructure damaged during recent US airstrikes, raising new questions about the effectiveness of the military campaign and the prospects for reviving negotiations over Tehran's nuclear program.A visual investigation by CNN, based on commercial satellite images, found signs of renewed activity at several nuclear and missile-related sites across Iran. The images show construction equipment, excavation work, heavy vehicles and newly disturbed earth at facilities that were struck during the conflict, suggesting Tehran has begun recovery efforts despite continuing military pressure.The apparent rebuilding comes as the US and Iran remain locked in a fragile diplomatic standoff following the collapse of a ceasefire and renewed US strikes on Iranian military targets. According to CNN's analysis, satellite images captured in recent days show work underway at several facilities associated with Iran's nuclear and missile programmes, including sites previously targeted during US operations.11:09 PM, 10 July 2026Iran's FM to discuss Hormuz situation in OmanIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Oman on Saturday leading a diplomatic delegation for talks on regional developments, particularly the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, state-run IRNA reported. The report provided no further details about the planned meetings or the officials Araghchi is expected to meet.Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.10:50 PM, 10 July 2026Blaze engulfs petrochemical facility in western IranA fire broke out on Friday at a refinery and petrochemical facility in Iran’s western Lorestan province. Firefighters were working to contain the blaze, while emergency teams responded to the scene. According to Iran's Mehr News Agency, the fire erupted in an industrial area in the city of Pol-e Dokhtar. Tasnim News Agency reported that the intensity of the blaze hampered firefighters' efforts to reach its centre.An official said firefighting and emergency crews were working to contain the fire at the Oxin Palayesh industrial facility in Pol-e Dokhtar county.No deaths or injuries have been reported, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.10:35 PM, 10 July 2026Pakistan urges Iran to protect hard-earned regional peacePrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, which has been mediating in the Middle East conflict, on Friday urged Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian to safeguard the "hard-earned peace" after Tehran and Washington exchanged strikes this week."We discussed the evolving regional situation and underscored the imperative of restraint, dialogue and diplomacy to safeguard the hard-earned peace gains of recent months," Sharif posted on X of his conversation with the Iranian president.Sharif added that Pakistan remained ready to continue "as an honest and sincere mediator for lasting regional peace."09:38 PM, 10 July 2026War with US won't end in 'surrender': GhalibafIran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Friday said the conflict with the United States would not end with Tehran's surrender, after hostilities between the decades-old foes resumed this week with tit-for-tat attacks."Ending the war is a priority for the countries of the world, but everyone must know that this confrontation will never end with Iran's surrender," said Ghalibaf, who also serves as Iran's parliament speaker, ISNA news agency reported."Whenever the Americans betray the understanding (agreement), we are fully prepared to defend ourselves; we will stand firmly against them and secure the rights of the Iranian people," he added, speaking in a meeting with the speaker of Indonesia's People's Consultative Assembly.Ghalibaf said that during negotiations with Washington he made it clear to US Vice President JD Vance that "we have no trust in you"."From my point of view, those who can negotiate with America are those who are prepared for war," he said.08:45 PM, 10 July 2026Egypt, Qatar call for restart of US-Iran talksEgyptian and Qatari foreign ministers on Friday called on the United States and Iran to resume negotiations, Cairo's foreign ministry said, as US President Donald Trump repeated that the ceasefire between the two countries was over.During a phone call, Egypt's Badr Abdelatty and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani "urged all parties to give priority to the language of diplomacy and dialogue and to return to the negotiating table", the ministry said in a statement.They also called for "implementing the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the US and Iranian sides, as a prelude to reaching a final agreement between the two sides, in a manner that contributes to de-escalation and to enhancing regional security and stability", the statement added.In a separate statement, Qatar's foreign ministry said Sheikh Mohammed stressed "the need for all parties to commit to dialogue and diplomacy" and to implement what had been agreed under the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, including "ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz" to preserve regional security and stability.07:18 PM, 10 July 2026US agrees to more Iran talks but ceasefire 'over': TrumpPresident Donald Trump said Friday the United States has agreed to continue negotiations with Iran but reiterated that the ceasefire between the two countries is finished."Iran has asked us to continue 'talks.' We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.Trump said in Ankara earlier this week that the April 8 ceasefire - which ended weeks of all-out war but has been marred by repeated lower-intensity conflict - was done, terming Iranian officials "scum" and "sick people."06:47 PM, 10 July 2026Qatar delegation in Iran for talks after Hormuz attacksA delegation from mediator Qatar arrived in Iran on Friday for talks, local media reported, as hostilities resumed between Washington and Tehran this week following attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz."The main purpose of the visit is reportedly to try to reinforce Qatar's role as a mediator following events on Tuesday," Tasnim news agency reported, after Doha accused Iran of an attack on an LNG carrier, with two other tankers also hit in the strait.06:12 PM, 10 July 2026Strait of Hormuz remains on 'severe' threat alert: UKMTOFollowing the recent military escalation between the US and Iran in the Middle East, which has jeopardised the transition through the Strait of Hormuz, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Friday maintained the maritime security threat level for the strategic waterway at "severe", urging ship owners, operators and mariners to remain vigilant.In an advisory, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said the security threat in the Strait of Hormuz remains severe and reiterated guidance for vessels navigating the strategic waterway."The maritime security threat level in the SoH remains SEVERE. Notwithstanding recent unprovoked attacks on merchant vessels, mariners are reminded that the southern route of the SoH has been expanded and remains available for all traffic," the advisory stated.The advisory strongly encouraged vessels to maintain engagement with the Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) and use established reporting and coordination procedures.However, it clarified that coordination with NCAGS is not mandatory and that ships may transit the southern route without prior coordination. It also noted that additional transit routes remain available but are not protected."There is no controlling authority regulating passage or fee required for any route," the advisory added.The JMIC encouraged vessels to communicate with the US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) NCAGS for information on safe transit routes.Separately, the US Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT) reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.In a statement, USNAVCENT said, "No nation has the authority to close or control the Strait of Hormuz. US forces are fully prepared to deter threats, defend freedom of navigation, and respond decisively to any attempt to disrupt lawful transit through the Strait."Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.05:48 PM, 10 July 2026Thai crew of ship struck in Gulf sues operators Three former crew members of a Thai cargo ship struck by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz filed a lawsuit on Friday against the vessel's operator and captain for labour violations.The Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree was hit on March 11 while travelling through the Gulf waterway early in the US-Israeli war with Iran, leaving three Thai crewmen dead and requiring 20 others to be rescued.Former crew members Panithi Tumkaew, Noppadon Wongsuvan and Suradech Manpuen were dismissed after the incident and suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the attack, their lawyer Kunpat Singhathong said.They filed a lawsuit at the Central Labour Court in Bangkok against the ship's owner, Precious Shipping, two affiliated companies - Precious Flowers and Great Circle Shipping Agency - and the vessel's captain, Sathaporn Hoksee. All of them are Thai.The suit claims the companies acted negligently by ordering the ship to transit the strait during the conflict.In a statement, Precious Shipping said it had complied with applicable laws and fulfilled its obligations to the crew, adding that it had provided medical and psychological support following the attack.The company also said it had not yet been formally served with the lawsuit and could not comment on the allegations.05:08 PM, 10 July 2026Iran vows to strike back over infrastructure attacksIran will respond to any attack against its infrastructure, including by striking Israel, the head of the country's top security body said on Friday, as Tehran and Washington have resumed fighting this week."Any attack on infrastructure will be retaliated against, and the criminal Zionist regime responsible for these atrocities will not be safe from the response of our fighters," Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr said in a statement carried by state TV.The US military carried out heavy strikes overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, saying it targeted 90 military sites.But the Islamic republic accused Washington of also targeting civilian infrastructure in order to detract from the funeral of late supreme leader Ali Khamenei.Bridges and railway links between the capital Tehran and Khamenei's hometown of Mashhad, where he was buried on Thursday, were hit, according to Iran.Iranian authorities say 17 people have been killed in US strikes.05:49 PM, 10 July 2026Qatar backs efforts to contain US-Iran escalationQatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani reaffirmed Doha's support for efforts to contain the regional escalation and reach a comprehensive agreement during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.According to Qatar's Foreign Ministry, the two ministers reviewed the latest developments in the military escalation between the US and Iran over the past two days.Sheikh Mohammed stressed Qatar's support for initiatives aimed at containing the crisis and achieving a comprehensive agreement that would strengthen regional security and stability and pave the way for lasting peace.He also expressed Qatar's condemnation and rejection of attacks targeting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, saying such actions undermine confidence, threaten the security of international maritime navigation and jeopardize efforts to reinforce regional stability.03:07 PM, 10 July 2026IEA says global oil demand picks up despite war fearsThe International Energy Agency said Friday that "a recovery" in global oil demand had started as supplies tentatively start moving through the strategic Strait of Hormuz again and prices ease."A recovery in world oil demand is underway, with consumption set to rise from its May nadir," the IEA's monthly report said.The agency had in June predicted a fall in demand of 1.1 million barrels a day (mbd) through 2026 because of the Middle East war, which strangled traffic through the strait. It now expects a one million barrel a day fall."Global oil supply rebounded by a sharp 4.1 mbd to 98.8 mbd in June, as a resumption of flows through the Strait of Hormuz underpinned a partial recovery in Gulf production. World output was nevertheless some 9.4 mb/d below pre-war levels," it said."Total Gulf oil exports, including volumes bypassing the Strait, surged by 6.5 mbd in June, to 16.1 mbd - a big jump but still well below the 24 mbd average before the war started."According to the IEA, world supply improved to 102.6 mbd in June and would continue to get better if there was "a swift de-escalation of renewed hostilities"."If transit volumes improve, oil supply will expand by 7.5 mbd next year," the agency added.The agency said world oil reserves increased for the first time since the US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28 set off the war.It added that stocks in the richest nations had fallen as their oil imports remained low despite the rise in volumes being transported by sea.While oil prices fell dramatically in June, fresh fighting between US and Iranian forces this week "clouds the outlook", the IEA said."Renewed exchanges of fire in the Gulf this week highlight the risks of not reaching a lasting peace agreement, which is a must for the normalisation in oil markets," it commented.01:20 PM, 10 July 2026EGA restarts Al Taweelah alumina refinery after March suspension