From 41m agoIran attacks Gulf countries after fresh US strikesIran launched missiles and drones at its Gulf neighbours this morning in retaliation to a number of US strikes and announced the closure of the strategic strait of Hormuz until further notice.Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the UAE all reportedly came under attack, in the latest escalation that undermines the US-Iran memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war.The US said it had struck Iran early on Sunday after the country’s ⁠Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired on a Cyprus-registered container ship they claimed was sailing an “unauthorised route” through the strait of Hormuz.According to state media, the IRGC then said they had hit a second vessel, accusing it of “violating regulations”.“A vessel that had jeopardised maritime security by switching off its systems was struck and ⁠brought to a halt,” the navy of the IRGC said.Vessels at the strait of Hormuz, as seen from Oman on 12 July 2026. Photograph: ReutersA short time later, US Central Command said its forces had carried out a round of strikes against Iran, attacking at least 140 targets.“The United States is imposing a heavy cost by continuing to degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the strait,” the military said.The targets included missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, ammunition depots, communication networks and surveillance locations, it added.The IRGC said that in response to American attacks it closed the strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil supplies usually flow, until further notice as it warned of a severe response to US “aggression”.Key events29m agoLindsey Graham, key Trump ally, has died after sudden illness, his office says39m agoIran has taken control of the strait of Hormuz with 'power', official says41m agoIran attacks Gulf countries after fresh US strikesLindsey Graham, key Trump ally, has died after sudden illness, his office saysDavid SmithLindsey Graham, a longtime US senator and key ally of Donald Trump, has died from a sudden illness, his office said in the early hours of Sunday. He had just turned 71.Graham’s abrupt death will send shockwaves through Washington and the Republican party. He had served in the Senate since 2003, representing South Carolina, and was running for re-election in November.Lindsey Graham gestures as Donald Trump speaks with reporters while in flight on Air Force One in January 2026. Photograph: Alex Brandon/APGraham, a retired air force reserve colonel who specialised as a military lawyer, was known as a hawk who supported the Iraq war and had long urged military action in Iran.He opposed the nuclear agreement negotiated by President Barack Obama and has been one of Trump’s most outspoken defenders in the current conflict.Several leaders in Israel expressed condolences. Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister, posted on X: “Today, Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. Senator Lindsey Graham stood with Israel not because it was easy, but because he believed it was right. His unwavering support, courage, and moral clarity earned him the admiration of millions of Israelis.”India’s foreign ministry has condemned an attack on the commercial vessel – GFS Galaxy – off the coast of Oman earlier today.It said 10 of the 11 Indian nationals on board have been rescued, while one remains missing.India’s embassy in Oman is closely ​monitoring the situation, and coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ⁠ongoing search and rescue operation, the ​ministry ​said.The statement added: