The fragile US-Iran ceasefire is showing fresh signs of collapse as Washington reimposes a naval blockade on Iranian ports and launches a fourth consecutive day of strikes targeting Tehran's military capabilities. The renewed escalation comes amid fresh attacks on oil tankers near Oman, while Israel and Lebanon resume US-backed talks in Rome in a bid to preserve a separate ceasefire. President Donald Trump has also dropped plans for a 20% Strait of Hormuz transit fee, citing discussions with Gulf allies. Follow all the updates here:06:49 AM, 15 July 2026We are closing this coverage now. For the latest updates, click here.06:10 AM, 15 July 2026Kuwaiti air defences intercept Iranian drones amid escalating conflictKuwait’s air defence systems were actively engaging hostile drone threats on Wednesday following what the Kuwaiti military described as part of ongoing Iranian aggression, according to an official statement from the General Staff of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces. In a public advisory issued early Wednesday, July 15, 2026, the Kuwait Army General Headquarters confirmed that its defences were responding to incoming unmanned aerial vehicles. The statement reassured residents that any explosions heard were the result of successful interceptions by air defence systems rather than impacts on the ground.“Kuwaiti Air Defenses are currently responding to hostile drone threats,” the bilingual Arabic-English statement read. “The General Staff of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces confirms that any explosions that may be heard are the result of air defense systems intercepting hostile targets. The public is urged to adhere to safety and security instructions issued by the relevant authorities.” 06:05 AM, 15 July 2026US Central Command commander condemns Iranian attacks on commercial shipping, civilian targets US forces have conducted multiple rounds of strikes against Iranian military targets as tensions escalate in the Persian Gulf region, U.S. Central Command said, following what it described as "Iranian attacks on commercial vessels" and other "aggression". In a statement released late on Tuesday, Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CentCom, said Iran has "intentionally targeted civilians across the region by attacking seven commercial ships resulting in nearly a dozen civilian crew members killed, missing, or injured" over the past seven days. Iranian forces have also launched dozens of missiles and drones toward neighboring Gulf countries, he added. "US forces are holding Iran accountable for unwarranted aggression that continues to endanger innocent lives," Cooper said. The statement accompanies ongoing US military operations. CentCom has reported completing several waves of strikes against Iranian sites, including coastal defense systems, missile and drone facilities, and maritime assets in locations such as Bushehr, Bandar Abbas and others. One recent mission involved precision munitions over a five-hour period.The operations stem from Iran's reported attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil transit, and broader regional hostilities. US officials have framed the response as necessary to protect international maritime traffic and deter further Iranian actions against civilian and commercial targets. Iran has denied or countered such claims, accusing the US of aggression. More than 50,000 US service members are deployed across the Middle East, with CentCom stating its forces "remain vigilant, lethal, and ready." The situation remains fluid, with potential for further escalation in one of the world's most volatile regions.Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here03:59 AM, 15 July 2026Bahrain activates air raid sirens amid rising Iran-US tensionsBahrain activated air raid sirens on Wednesday and urged residents to seek shelter after the United States carried out strikes against Iran and reinstated its naval blockade of Iranian ports, raising fears of further escalation in the Gulf."The siren has been sounded," Bahrain's Interior Ministry said in a post on X. "Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and proceed to the nearest safe place."The warning came as tensions surged across the region following renewed US military action against Iran, prompting Gulf states to heighten security measures amid concerns that the conflict could spill beyond Iran's borders. Bahrain hosts the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, making it a key strategic hub for American military operations in the Middle East.03:19 AM, 15 July 2026Iran's 'dark fleet' gears up as US reimposes naval blockade: shipping trackers Iran appeared to be positioning vessels capable of evading a naval blockade just hours before the United States reinstated its naval blockade of Iranian ports on Wednesday, according to maritime intelligence firms that monitor global shipping.The US blockade took effect at 12:01 am Gulf time (July 15) after Washington declared the collapse of a US-Iran memorandum of understanding that had temporarily eased restrictions on Iranian oil exports.Marine tracker Windward told CNN it had identified 23 Iranian-linked vessels operating in or near the Strait of Hormuz that displayed behaviours commonly associated with so-called "dark vessels" — ships that disable or manipulate their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders or use deceptive identity practices to make tracking more difficult.03:10 AM, 15 July 2026Trump threatens to expand Iran campaign, says US could target bridges and power plants US President Donald Trump has threatened a major escalation in the military campaign against Iran, saying the United States could begin striking the country's bridges, power plants and other critical infrastructure next week — if Iran doesn't return to negotiations. Speaking to reporters, Trump said the US military has so far refrained from attacking some of Iran's most important civilian infrastructure but warned that restraint could end if Iran continues military operations and refuses to negotiate."Next week, it gets REALLY bad for them, because next week comes the POWER PLANTS. Next week comes the bridges. We're going to knock out ALL of their power plants."Trump reinforced the warning, saying the campaign could intensify next week if there is no diplomatic breakthrough."We'll knock out all of their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate." 02:29 AM, 15 July 2026Iran says it is no longer bound by parts of US ceasefire deal 12:17 AM, 15 July 2026US military restores blockade in response to Iran's attacks on ships on the Strait of HormuzThe US military says it has reimposed its blockade of Iranian ports in response to Iran's attacks on commercial ships on the Strait of Hormuz, as the interim ceasefire deal unravels and concerns grow about a return to all-out war.The US first imposed the blockade in mid-April and then lifted it in mid-June, a day after the signing of the interim deal aimed at permanently ending the war. The deal set a 60-day timeline to also negotiate an agreement on Iran's nuclear program, but talks have stalled as fighting over the strait has intensified.When US President Donald Trump announced the return of the blockade Monday, he also said he would impose a 20% fee on ships passing through the strait. But he dropped the plan to collect fees hours before resuming the blockade, citing requests from allies in the Gulf. 12:04 AM, 15 July 2026Kuwait engages 6 hostile missiles, 33 dronesKuwaiti Air Defense forces have successfully intercepted and neutralized a hostile barrage of Iranian aerial targets, including one ballistic missile, five cruise missiles, and 33 weaponized drones, the Ministry of Defense Spokesman Colonel Saud Al-Atwan said. He also disclosed that a Kuwaiti Navy vessel was targeted during the hostilities, resulting in the wounding of four service members.11:59 PM, 14 July 2026Hormuz crossings continue fallingJust 10 verified crossings were recorded through the monitored Strait of Hormuz zone on 13 July, marking a further slowdown in maritime activity as renewed conflict continues to affect regional shipping. Low risk commercial vessels accounted for the sharpest day on day reduction, while nine of the 10 crossings used the Iranian Route. The IMO has now confirmed 53 incidents and 14 seafarer fatalities, with another attack added to its incident tracker.11:56 PM, 14 July 2026US forces launch new round of strikes on Iran: US militaryThe United States launched strikes against Iran for the fourth day in a row Tuesday as Washington prepared to reimpose a naval blockade on Iranian ports, the US military said.The strikes are aimed at "degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," US Central Command said on X, adding that they came as "American forces prepare to resume the naval blockade against Iranian ports and coastal areas."11:34 PM, 14 July 2026Iran deputy FM says renewed US blockade 'dismantles' truce dealIran warned Tuesday that the announced resumption of the US naval blockade of its ports had wrecked a deal struck with Washington to pause the conflict to allow peace talks.Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said US President Donald Trump's decision to renew the blocade "has, in a way, dismantled the Islamabad memorandum".11:26 PM, 14 July 2026Kuwait says four crew hurt in Iran strike on navy vesselKuwait's military said Tuesday that one of its naval vessels was hit during an Iranian missile and drone barrage, wounding four crew."The heinous Iranian aggression resulted in the targeting of a number of vital and civilian facilities, and the fall of shrapnel in several locations across the country, leading to material damage," defence ministry spokesman Colonel Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan said."One of the naval vessels belonging to the Kuwaiti Naval Force was also targeted, resulting in the injury of four members of the armed forces."11:05 PM, 14 July 2026US military launched new strikes on Iran: SourceThe US military has conducted yet another round of strikes on military targets in Iran with just hours left before the blockade of Iranian ports is set to go into effect.That's according to a US official speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive military operation.The official said that the goal was to eliminate emerging threats. The strikes are just the latest volley between the U.S. and Iran that began last week over Iranian attacks on merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.10:48 PM, 14 July 2026Death toll in latest Hormuz vessel strikes rises to two: maritime groupThe death toll from strikes on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday rose to two, according to the International Maritime Organization, after Iran was accused of hitting two ships in Omani waters."We are gravely concerned by the latest attacks on shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz reported since last night, which have claimed the lives of at least two seafarers and injured several others," the IMO said, as New Delhi summoned an Iranian diplomat over the death of an Indian crew member.10:38 PM, 14 July 2026Trump praises Iraq PM, hints at major oil dealsWashington: US President Donald Trump praised new Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi as a "champion" in a meeting at the White House Tuesday, even as Washington presses Baghdad to curb Iranian influence.Trump hinted at making major oil deals with Iraq as he hosted Zaidi, a businessman who came to power this year with US blessing after Trump vetoed another candidate."We have a fantastic champion, a new champion," Trump said as he welcomed the Iraqi premier to the Oval Office. "He's been a great fighter and a great fan of America."10:29 PM, 14 July 2026First day of new Lebanon-Israel talks has endedLebanon and Israel concluded the first day of Washington-mediated talks in Rome on Tuesday, a US official said, as Israel said it was ready to move forward with plans to withdraw from two parts of southern Lebanon.The US-brokered negotiations took place in the Italian capital over a framework agreement sealed last month after five rounds of talks in Washington, with Lebanese negotiators hoping for progress on an Israeli withdrawal."Talks in Rome by Representatives from the United States, Israel, and Lebanon were productive and held in a positive atmosphere," a US state department official said, adding that "both sides are eager to move forward" and that talks will resume on Wednesday.Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said earlier on Tuesday that his country was "ready to move forward implementing these two pilot zones"."I hope and tend to believe that this round of discussions in Rome will promote it."09:37 PM, 14 July 2026Three oil tankers targeted in attacks off Oman coastOman's Maritime Security Centre said three Liberia-flagged oil tankers were targeted in separate maritime attacks off the country's coast on Tuesday, prompting emergency response operations by the Royal Navy of Oman.In a statement, the centre said the tanker AL BAHYA, owned by UAE-based AL BAHYA INC., was attacked about 9.6 nautical miles off the coast of Musandam Governorate. Eighteen crew members were rescued by nearby vessels, while three crew members remain missing.In a separate incident, the Liberia-flagged MOMBASA B came under attack about 8.5 nautical miles off Musandam, causing the vessel to lose engine power. All 21 crew members were evacuated, including six who sustained varying injuries, the centre said.The third vessel, STOLT MAGNESIUM, was targeted about 40 nautical miles off South Al Sharqiyah Governorate, outside Omani territorial waters. The attack triggered a fire in the engine room, but all 23 crew members were safely evacuated by a nearby vessel and are reported to be in good health.Oman's Maritime Security Centre said it is closely monitoring the incidents and coordinating with relevant authorities while providing emergency assistance to the affected vessels.09:22 PM, 14 July 2026Air raid sirens sound in Bahrain: interior ministry