The US launched fresh strikes on Iran overnight, hours after US President Donald Trump said Washington was "reinstating" a blockade on the country in the Strait of Hormuz.Mr Trump also said the US would begin charging other ships for safe passage through the strait, up-ending hundreds of years of American policy supporting freedom of navigation across the globe.Iran responded with attacks targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and two tankers associated with the United Arab Emirates travelling through the strait, killing one mariner and wounding eight others.The Emirates threatened to retaliate against Iran, potentially drawing the nation that is home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai back into fighting with Tehran.The attacks come as Iran and the US vie for control of the strait, through which one-fifth of all traded crude oil and natural gas once passed in peacetime.The price of benchmark Brent crude oil rose to a one-month high of more than $US84 in trading early on Tuesday, still well below the nearly $US120 reached at the height of the war but threatening to make costs everywhere higher.Trump insists strait will be openThe US military's Central Command said it struck areas around the cities of Abu Musa, Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, Chabahar, Jask and Konarak, targeting Iranian "coastal defense systems, missile and drone sites and maritime capabilities".Iran acknowledged strikes around those areas, but provided no immediate casualty or damage assessments."These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," the US military said.Moments after the military announced the new strikes, Mr Trump called it "another major attack"."We're hitting them very hard. And it'll continue, and we'll see what happens," he told reporters in the Oval Office."We're knocking out all of their offensive capability and we're controlling the straits. We're putting the blockade back."Mr Trump also provided new details on his suggestion that the US will charge tolls for ships going through the strait, an about-face after previously saying it would not."We're protecting a very rich portion of the world," he said."We're spending money. And so, what we've done is, we are going to be reimbursed for protection."It is a change in US policy that, until now, said the strait should remain open to all without tolls, as it was before the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.Any attempt by the US or Iran to charge fees would violate global norms on freedom of navigation and raise tensions, likely causing further economic disruption far beyond the region.Prior to the US strikes, Mr Trump told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt that the agreement reached last month was "built to test" Iran, adding that "when you're dealing with sleazebags, [agreements] don't mean much.""They didn't honour the test," the president said."We had this deal settled numerous times and they never followed it."The US military said it would resume its blockade of Iranian ports at about 11:30pm Tuesday, Iranian time.Attacks resume across the Middle EastThe United Arab Emirates's defence ministry said Iran had attacked two tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one mariner and wounding eight others.The Emirati Defense Ministry said Iran launched two cruise missiles at the tankers Mombasa and Al Bahyah.The attacks set both tankers ablaze, though the fires were extinguished.The Al Bahyah oil tanker, seen here in 2025, was one of two vessels attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. (Supplied: MarineTraffic/Darwin Nickel)"The UAE reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, its citizens and residents," the Defense Ministry added.Abu Dhabi National Oil Company's shipping arm, ADNOC L&S, later confirmed the very large crude carriers were struck while transiting the strait and had sustained "significant damage".UAE state oil ‌giant ADNOC has been among the most active participants in a US military-led operation to move Gulf crude out to international buyers through ship-to-ship transfers beyond the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported last month.The UAE defence ministry said the tankers were targeted in the southern lane of the strait while in Omani territorial waters. The dead crew member was aboard the ‌Mombasa, it said.Of the eight wounded, four were seriously injured. Six of the wounded were Indian nationals and ‌two were Ukrainian nationals, the ministry said.The Emirates used similar language before launching attacks against Iran during the war. Fighter jets could be heard overhead on Tuesday morning in Dubai.Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed the attack on the tankers, saying the vessels "ignored repeated warnings"."They chose to pass through a minefield and were subsequently targeted and disabled," the IRGC said.Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Tuesday that a tanker had been hit by an unknown projectile while travelling 40 ‌nautical miles (74 kilometres) north-east of Oman's Qalhat.UKMTO said the tanker's master reported that the projectile struck the starboard-side engine room and that all crew were safe.Jordan's military also said it intercepted four missiles from Iran, according to a statement carried by the kingdom's state-run Petra news agency.Jordan hosts US forces and has come under attack by Tehran in recent days.Bahrain also came under renewed attack, as Iran retaliated over the latest round of US air strikes.The island kingdom sounded its missile alert sirens three times, urging the public to seek shelter. There was no word on any damage or casualties from the attack.Iran also said it had carried out successful attacks on US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.Lebanon, Israel hold US-brokered talks in RomeLebanon and Israel resumed talks on Tuesday in Rome, with Beirut hoping for progress towards securing an Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon under a US-brokered deal, although expectations for swift progress were low.US-led diplomacy has emerged since Hezbollah and Israel returned to war on March 2 amid the wider regional conflict, moving forward despite strong objections from the Iran-backed group, which believes only Iranian pressure on Washington can secure an end to the war and Israeli withdrawal.Iran demanded an end to the war in Lebanon as part of its interim deal with Washington signed last month, but the agreement has been shaken over the last week by renewed US–Iranian hostilities in the Gulf.Israel's ​military is occupying what it describes as a "buffer zone" about 10km into Lebanon along the entire length of the Israeli border.Israeli officials say the zone ‌is ⁠necessary to protect northern Israeli communities from attacks launched by Hezbollah.A meeting in Washington on June 26 produced an agreement that called for an end to the Lebanon conflict, the disarmament of militant groups — an apparent reference to Hezbollah — as well as the deployment of Lebanese troops to the south and the progressive withdrawal of Israeli forces.But deadly Israeli strikes have continued and Hezbollah has rejected the agreement as well as efforts to disarm it. Israel, meanwhile, has said its troops would remain in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah remained armed.Lebanese and Israeli officials will meet at the US embassy in Rome on Tuesday and Wednesday to set out how to implement the framework deal, Lebanese officials told Reuters.One of the officials said moving the talks to Rome would make it easier for both countries' delegations to consult their governments for guidance as they negotiated.Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Monday that Italy had offered to host the talks to continue work towards a genuine ceasefire in Lebanon."We are also very pleased that Rome can serve as the venue for these meetings. In this way, our capital becomes a capital of peace," Mr Tajani said ahead of a European Union meeting in Brussels on Monday.Israel's military has forced the local Lebanese population from their homes and carried out controlled explosions of entire villages. It says it is destroying infrastructure, including underground tunnels, used by Hezbollah.More than 4,000 Lebanese have been killed and more than a million displaced by Israel's campaign in Lebanon since March, according to Lebanon's health ministry.The toll does not say how many combatants may be among the dead and Hezbollah has not disclosed figures on its war dead. Reuters reported on May 3 that several thousand Hezbollah fighters had been killed.At least 32 Israeli soldiers ​and four Israeli civilians have ​been killed by Hezbollah, most ⁠of them in southern Lebanon since the latest fighting erupted.AP/ReutersTake a look back at how today's events unfolded with our live blog below.Collapse all postsFilter PostsAll39Key Events8Analysis1Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 3:24pmTue 14 Jul 2026 at 3:24pmWe're going to end our live coverage hereBy Andrew ThorpeWith the United States likely pausing its attacks on Iran until tomorrow evening (local time), we're going to end our live coverage of the war for today.However, the ABC is staying across the situation in the Middle East and will continue to publish stories as more news comes to hand.To make sure you're up to date, you can monitor the Iran section of our website.Thanks for joining us.Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 3:14pmTue 14 Jul 2026 at 3:14pm'We love you', IRGC tells Jordanian people after ballistic missile attackBy Andrew ThorpeIran's Revolutionary Guards have released a statement confirming they targeted a US air base in Jordan with ballistic missiles earlier today.The statement, published by the IRGC-linked Fars News agency, called on the Jordanian people to dismantle American bases in their country, according to Reuters."You know very ​well ‌that not only do we ⁠not ‌have any enmity with ‌your country, but we ‌also love you, the ‌noble ​people, ⁠who understand the pain and oppression of the Palestinian people more than ⁠any other nation," the statement ‌said.Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 3:09pmTue 14 Jul 2026 at 3:09pmIran says it shot down US Predator drone over Strait of HormuzBy Andrew ThorpeIran's Revolutionary Guards say they shot down a US MQ-1 drone — also known as the Predator — over the Strait of Hormuz earlier this morning, according to state-run broadcaster IRIB.Initially intended for aerial reconnaissance, the Predator was modified to carry Hellfire missiles in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, and became a symbol of US air dominance across the Middle East in the years that followed.A US Air Force MQ-1 Predator drone. (US Air Force)It was officially retired in 2018, in favour of the newer MQ-9 Reaper.However, a fleet of Predators seems to have been brought back into service in recent months due to the war with Iran, with another having been shot down in May.At about $US4–$US5 million a pop (as opposed to $US30 million for the Reaper), the loss of a Predator won't make a huge dent in the US military budget — but the fact it had to be brought out of retirement in the first place should tell us something about America's readiness for a prolonged conflict.Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 2:39pmTue 14 Jul 2026 at 2:39pmMore missile alerts sound in BahrainBy Andrew ThorpeBahrain has sounded its missile alert sirens for the third time today, with the island kingdom that houses the US Navy's Fifth Fleet urging members of the public to take shelter.There is still no official word yet on any damage or casualties from the Iranian missile and drone attacks, but Iran's Revolutionary Guards earlier claimed to have inflicted heavy damage on a US base.Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 2:36pmTue 14 Jul 2026 at 2:36pmUS blockade of Iranian ships to begin tomorrow morningBy Andrew ThorpeA statement from CENTCOM says the US will resume blockading traffic in and out of Iranian ports from 4pm Tuesday on the US east coast — that's 11:30pm on Tuesday in Iran (and 6am Wednesday AEST).Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 2:09pmTue 14 Jul 2026 at 2:09pmJordan says it intercepted four missiles fired by IranBy Andrew ThorpeJordan's state news agency says the Jordanian military has intercepted and downed four missiles that entered Jordanian airspace from Iran.It's the second time in 24 hours it's had to make the same statement, with a previous Iranian attack yesterday targeting US military facilities in the country.No word yet on whether Iran launched more than the four missiles reported by Jordan.Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 1:59pmTue 14 Jul 2026 at 1:59pmRevolutionary Guards tout success of strike on US naval base in BahrainBy Andrew ThorpeIran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) say their attack on a US navy base in Juffair, Bahrain, which hosts the US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), destroyed a range of radar systems, including the Fifth Fleet's air control, a C-Ram early warning system, and sensors for Patriot surface-to-air missiles.The IRGC also says the attack set the Fifth Fleet's fuel storage facilities on fire, and blew up a "control and monitoring centre for unmanned guided boats".Iran made similar claims about an attack on US military bases in Kuwait earlier this morning, however a CENTCOM spokesperson, speaking to The New York Times, denied there was any truth behind them.We're awaiting independent confirmation of the damage caused by both attacks.Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 1:43pmTue 14 Jul 2026 at 1:43pmOil spike could spell higher petrol prices for AustraliansBy Andrew ThorpeAustralian drivers are in for another round of anxiety as global oil prices spike on the back of Donald Trump's latest announcement.National Australia Bank senior analyst Jason Wong says a 20 per cent levy on cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz would add about $US16 ($23) to the cost of every barrel of oil passing through the strait on a typical supertanker."It remains to be seen whether the plan will stick — probably not — [or] whether it is merely a negotiating tactic aimed at getting Iran to pause its military strikes on shipping in the area," Mr Wong writes.As ABC business correspondent David Taylor notes, the markets have largely begun to price in chaos in the Middle East.But if this particular brand of chaos continues, drivers can expect to pay the price at the pump — especially with a range of tax concessions on diesel and petrol due to conclude by August.Read the full story from David Taylor below.Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 1:24pmTue 14 Jul 2026 at 1:24pmOil prices jump further on fresh tradingBy Emilia TerzonThere's been fresh trading on oil markets over the past few hours, with Brent crude and West Texas (NYMEX Light Sweet) continuing their rise.Here are the latest jumps in crude and US oil:(Refinitiv)Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 1:13pmTue 14 Jul 2026 at 1:13pmHere's where the US targeted in its strikes on IranBy Andrew ThorpeWith the addition of those listed in CENTCOM's announcement, here's an updated map showing the cities and facilities targeted by the US in its strikes on Iran overnight:Key EventTue 14 Jul 2026 at 12:47pmTue 14 Jul 2026 at 12:47pmUS says it has concluded latest round of strikes on IranBy Eden G ReganThe US Central Command has announced on X that its latest wave of strikes against Iran is over.CENTCOM shared that US forces struck military targets across Iran, including in Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas, during the five-hour attack."More than 50,000 U.S. service members are currently deployed across the Middle East. American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready," CENTCOM said.CENTCOM said the latest waves of strikes were intended to degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping.It also released footage that appeared to show US forces carrying out the latest wave of attacks.Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 12:25pmTue 14 Jul 2026 at 12:25pmToll on Strait of Hormuz would set a 'dangerous precedent': TehanBy Joshua BoscainiSpeaking to ABC Radio National Breakfast today, Shadow Energy Minister Dan Tehan said Washington's threat to levy goods that pass through the Strait of Hormuz was "very alarming".US President Donald Trump has threatened to levy a charge of 20 per cent on goods that pass through the strait in return for security.Tehan said putting tolls on the strait would be "quite a break with tradition" established since World War II.He said that could set a precedent for the South China Sea, where much of Australia's maritime trade passes through."That's why we should be, the government and I'm sure will have the strong support of the opposition, really presenting the case that it's absolutely essential that these waterways remain free from any toll system of any one country dictating the terms of passage because that would set a dangerous precedent right across the world."Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 12:21pmTue 14 Jul 2026 at 12:21pmMore US Air Force refuelling tankers headed overseasBy Andrew ThorpeThree more KC-135 Stratotankers have been spotted taking off from Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington, and heading north-east to cross the Atlantic.The massive refuelling planes, along with KC-46 tankers, are a key part of America's and Israel's campaign against Iran, refuelling in mid-air the bombers and fighters striking Iran from a distance.Three KC-135 tankers have taken off from Fairchild Air Force Base. (Flightradar24)We don't know for sure if these planes are headed to the Middle East, but US President Donald Trump has flagged further attacks on Iran tomorrow, and I reported earlier that another KC-135 sent out a distress signal as it was returning to Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport from the direction of Iran.No word on what caused the signal — it was a Squawk 7700, a general emergency notification that can indicate anything from engine failure to a fire in the toilet — but that plane seems to have landed safely.Key EventTue 14 Jul 2026 at 12:12pmTue 14 Jul 2026 at 12:12pmIran says it has struck US base in BahrainBy Hanan DervisevicIran's Revolutionary Guard says it has targeted weapons warehouses, a satellite communications centre and housing for US forces at Bahrain's Juffair Base.The US maintains a significant military presence in Bahrain, primarily as the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.Air raid sirens have sounded in the country for the second time today, with the Ministry of Interior telling residents to take shelter.Reporting with ReutersTue 14 Jul 2026 at 11:59amTue 14 Jul 2026 at 11:59amUS attacks on Iran continue as dawn approachesBy Andrew ThorpeIt's almost dawn in Iran, but US attacks on the country are continuing.Iran's semi-official Nournews agency has just reported more areas of the south-western Bushehr province are under renewed attack.US President Donald Trump earlier flagged that American attacks would continue throughout the night and most likely resume the following evening.Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 11:56amTue 14 Jul 2026 at 11:56amGovernment concerned about escalation in conflict in Middle East, Butler saysBy Joshua BoscainiHealth Minister Mark Butler says Australia wants to see the conflict in the Middle East de-escalate and for there to be a ceasefire."We want to see the cease fire that was concluded a little while ago to remain in place while the parties, particularly the US and Iran, continue negotiations to bring this conflict to a final end," Butler says.Asked if the government would consider extending the fuel excise cut beyond August 2, Butler says the government will look at it at the "appropriate time".Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 11:36amTue 14 Jul 2026 at 11:36amTrump says MoU with Iran a 'test'By Hanan DervisevicSpeaking to conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt before the latest round of attacks, US President Donald Trump said the memorandum of understanding (MOU) reached last month was "built to test" Iran."The MoU was a test, and they [Iran] weren't there. They didn't honour the test."We had this deal settled numerous times and they never followed it."Trump previously described the MoU as "an agreement with Iran that achieves everything we set out to accomplish … ending the current conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon".But speaking with Hewitt, he said it "didn't mean much"."An MoU when you're dealing with sleazebags don't mean much, and they don't mean much when you're dealing with honorable people too."Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 11:26amTue 14 Jul 2026 at 11:26amIran defends attack on 'offending' super tankersBy Eden G ReganThe United Arab Emirates has threatened to retaliate against Iran after an attack on two tankers claimed the life of an Indian mariner and injured eight others.Iran launched two cruise missiles at the tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah travelling in the southern lane ‌of the strait while in Omani territorial waters.The dead crew member was aboard the Mombasa, the Ministry said.Iran's Revolutionary Guards told Iranian media the two ships ignored ‌warnings, turned off ⁠navigation systems and attempted ‌to ​pass ‌through "a mined route".The ‌Guards, in their statement to ⁠Iocal media, said the ‌US was "inciting vessels to use ‌an illegal route" and ‌that cooperation ​with ⁠the "aggressor enemy" would result in damage, delays in reopening the ⁠strait and a global energy ‌crisis.Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has defended the attack in comments to local media sources. "Two offending super tankers were hit and disabled in the Strait of Hormuz," the IRGC said.Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 11:26amTue 14 Jul 2026 at 11:26amANALYSIS: Trump's double standard and the risk of regional deteriorationBy Middle East correspondent Matthew DoranNearly a month ago, the US president was insistent Iran would not charge ships to transit through the shipping channel.On his 80th birthday — the same day he announced an interim deal with Tehran to end the war and begin negotiations on a lasting peace — he told The New York Times the strait would be "permanently toll-free".It was not the first time Mr Trump had insisted transit the strait should be that way, as it had been prior to the war he launched against Iran alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Mr Trump takes questions from the media in the Oval Office on Monday. (Reuters)Iranian officials had also bristled at questions over whether the regime in Tehran was planning to charge "tolls", including when asked by the ABC. Instead, spokespeople used language like "management costs".Fast-forward to now, and the man who wrote The Art of the Deal has changed the terms of the one he had in place.There is no denying that the players here are very different — one is a democratic, albeit deeply divided country, and the other is an oppressive theocratic regime.But that does not explain or excuse the fact that there seems to be something of a double standard present.Clearly frustrated, Tehran has refused to bend to Mr Trump's demands about how the shipping lane should operate. He is now insisting the US will not only control it, but bring in money by doing so.And, for the record, it's not a "toll", according to Mr Trump — it’s a "reimbursement" of 20 per cent of the value of cargo transiting through, as fair payment for keeping the region safe.Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has slowed again. (Reuters)The president has a habit of making threats against Iran and not totally following through.So the next few hours and days will be crucial, particularly as the world reacts to his new demand for payment in the strait and the US military moves to reinstate its blockade of Iranian ships and ports.The way this situation has spiralled in recent days, this could mark the beginning of an even more severe deterioration.Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 11:17amTue 14 Jul 2026 at 11:17amUN agency opposes Trump's plan to impose toll on Strait of HormuzBy Andrew ThorpeThe International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN agency responsible for the safety and security of global shipping, has issued a rebuke of sorts to Donald Trump, releasing a statement reiterating its support for passage through the Strait of Hormuz to remain "free of any tolls and charges, in accordance with international law".The statement, issued at the conclusion of the IMO council's 137th session, also condemned attacks on civilian commercial ships, and called for the de-escalation of tensions across the Middle East more broadly.