Fresh US strikes on Iran have deepened the regional crisis, with Iran responding by targeting US military bases in the region. The renewed hostilities have heightened uncertainty over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route, sending oil prices higher and keeping Gulf nations on alert. As diplomatic efforts come under increasing strain, governments across the region continue to monitor developments amid growing fears of a broader conflict. Follow all the updates here: 05:35 AM, 14 July 2026We are closing this coverage now. For the latest updates, click here.05:19 AM, 14 July 2026'Guardian' of Hormuz: US to impose 20% charge of cargoThe United States and Iran have traded competing claims over who should safeguard the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions over one of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints even as President Donald Trump insisted diplomacy remains possible.Trump announced that the US would impose a 20% charge on cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz as part of a renewed blockade targeting Iranian shipping. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared the US would become the "Guardian of the Hormuz Strait," arguing the fee would reimburse Washington for providing security along the vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.Iran quickly pushed back. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded on X by turning Trump's own language against him, saying Iran "has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER," while adding that a 20% transit fee was "excessive".03:13 AM, 14 July 2026UAE denounces Iran attack on 2 tankers, mourns Indian crew memberThe UAE has strongly condemned and denounced Iran’s aggressive attacks targeting the national oil tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, after the vessels were struck by two cruise missiles while transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz within Omani territorial waters.In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attack killed one Indian national and injured eight others, including four who were critically wounded.The injured comprise six Indian nationals and two Ukrainian nationals. The UAE extended its sincere condolences to the victim’s family and to the Republic of India and its people, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.The ministry said the attack constituted a flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which emphasises freedom of navigation and rejects attacks on commercial shipping or the disruption of international maritime routes.02:52 AM, 14 July 2026Trump: Deal with Iran still possiblePresident Donald Trump said late on Monday he still believes a negotiated agreement with Iran is possible, even as the United States launched a fresh wave of military strikes against Iranian targets and tightened pressure on Tehran by reinstating a blockade on Iranian ports.Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump expressed optimism that diplomacy could still prevail despite the renewed fighting."Yeah, I think a deal is possible. Sure, I do," Trump said. "We had a deal with them two days ago and then they said, 'Oh we can't make that deal. We have to negotiate it further.'"Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here02:50 AM, 14 July 2026UAE Ministry of Defence: 2 national tankers 'Mombasa' and 'Al Bahiyah' targeted by Iranian missiles in Hormuz, 1 killedThe UAE Ministry of Defence announced that the two national tankers, Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles in the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters.The attack resulted in the death of one crew member aboard the Mombasa, an Indian national, and injuries to eight others, including four who sustained serious injuries. The injured comprise six Indian nationals and two Ukrainian nationals.The attack also caused material damage to both tankers due to fires that broke out on board. The fires have since been brought under control.The Ministry of Defence strongly condemned this blatant attack, describing it as a serious violation and a clear breach of international law that threatens the security and stability of the region. The Ministry emphasised that the State reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, its people, and its residents, in a manner that safeguards its sovereignty, security, stability, national interests, and strategic assets.11:29 PM, 13 July 2026Four blasts heard east of Iran's Bandar Abbas: Iranian state mediaAt least four explosions were heard Monday east of Iran's Bandar Abbas, which sits on the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media reported, citing a reporter in the port city's province."An IRNA reporter in Hormozgan province reported hearing four explosions east of Bandar Abbas. According to him, the nature of these explosions has not yet been determined by official authorities," news agency IRNA reported.11:07 PM, 13 July 2026Trump to address the nation on ThursdayUS President Donald Trump said he would make a primetime address to the nation on Thursday, in an announcement that comes amid a major flare-up of hostilities with Iran."President Trump will be making a Speech to the Nation on Thursday evening, at 9 P.M. Eastern (0100 GMT Friday). Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump said Monday on his Truth Social network.Trump did not reveal the subject of the speech, and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for details.But the announcement comes hours after he declared that he would reimpose a US naval blockade on Iran, and that Washington will institute a 20 percent fee on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.Trump's last major televised address to the nation was on April 1, when he gave his first full public justification of the Iran war more than a month after the US-Israeli military campaign began.In that speech from the White House, he laid out his case for a conflict that had sent oil prices soaring and his approval ratings tumbling.10:57 PM, 13 July 2026Houthis claim missile and drone attack on Abha airport in Saudi ArabiaYemen's Iran-backed Houthis said they targeted Saudi Arabia's Abha airport on Monday in retaliation for strikes on Sanaa airport that they blame on the kingdom - though the Riyadh-backed government claimed those attacks."In response to this criminal Saudi aggression, the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a military operation targeting Abha International Airport, using a number of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a video statement.He also warned "all airlines against overflying the airspace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and stress that these warnings should be taken seriously until the blockade on Sanaa International Airport is lifted".10:44 PM, 13 July 2026US to resume Iran port blockade Tuesday at 2000 GMT: US militaryThe United States will begin enforcing its renewed blockade of Iran's ports on Tuesday at 2000 GMT, the US military said.US forces "will resume blockading maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on July 14 at 4pm ET," US Central Command said in a statement on Monday. 10:41 PM, 13 July 2026Oil prices jump 9% on worsening US-Iran conflictOil prices shot up around nine percent Monday as President Donald Trump announced the reimposition of a US naval blockade on Iranian ports while the two sides traded attacks.Near 1820 GMT, Brent oil futures jumped 9.1 percent to $82.90 a barrel while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate also climbed by 9.1 percent, to $77.87 a barrel. The surge came as the two countries clashed over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for petroleum shipments.10:19 PM, 13 July 2026Iran FM mocks Trump over tolls for Hormuz strait passageIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday mocked US President Donald Trump over his vow to impose hefty charges on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran would charge a lower rate."POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service. Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER. 20% is of course too much. We will be fair," Tehran's top diplomat wrote, in a social media post.10:04 PM, 13 July 2026Iran condemns attack on Yemen's Sanaa airportIran on Monday condemned an attack on the airport in Yemeni capital Sanaa, after Yemen's internationally-recognised government said it struck the facility following a dispute over an Iranian plane carrying a Houthi delegation.Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the attack "as a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, as well as an affront to Yemen's national sovereignty and territorial integrity," state news agency IRNA reported.09:27 PM, 13 July 2026Saudi-led coalition says intercepted Houthi missilesThe Saudi-led coalition for Yemen said Monday it had intercepted ballistic missiles launched by Iran-backed Houthis towards the southern region of the kingdom, as tensions rose after Sanaa airport was attacked."Air defences intercepted a ballistic missile threat launched by the terrorist Houthi militia towards the southern region," coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said, in a social media post.08:48 PM, 13 July 2026Oil climbs, gold slips as US-Iran conflict escalatesOil prices climbed while gold prices declined as investors assessed the impact of escalating US-Iran hostilities on global markets.Brent crude rose more than 3%, trading just below $78 a barrel after US President Donald Trump announced the resumption of a blockade on Iran.Gold prices fell nearly 3% to $4,005.59 per ounce by 15:00 GMT, as traders reacted to changing geopolitical risks and market uncertainty.Oil prices rise, gold falls as US-Iran fighting continues, 08:47 PM, 13 July 2026 UN chief warns over US strikes on Iran targeting shippingUnited Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised the alarm Monday over US strikes on Iran as well as Tehran's attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and its neighbors.Guterres expressed "deep concern at the serious escalation of renewed military confrontation in the Gulf region, including Iranian attacks on ships on the Strait of Hormuz, attacks by the United States on the Islamic Republic of Iran, and attacks by Iran on targets in neighboring countries," his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.08:17 PM, 13 July 2026Some ships still crossing Hormuz despite security threat