Recap The US blockade of Iran is in effect. US Central Command has announced a new round of strikes against Iran.Iran's deputy FM confirmed the MoU was "effectively" dismantled.Kuwait says four military personnel have been injured and one navy vessel has been damaged by an Iranian strike.US President Donald Trump has dropped his plan to impose a 20 per cent toll on Strait of Hormuz traffic. Collapse all postsFilter PostsAll23Key Events5Key EventWed 15 Jul 2026 at 8:21amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 8:21amTrump says strikes will continue until 'I say that is enough'By Hanan DervisevicUS President Donald Trump has just spoken with Fox News's chief foreign correspondent, Trey Yingst.When asked whether the war with Iran had resumed, Trump circled around the question."We are beating them up badly. We are hitting everything they have along the shore and waterfront," he said."The only way to negotiate with these people is through military strength and that's what we have done."These strikes will continue until I say that is enough. They have been degraded to a very low level. They have some fight left but not much."Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 8:16amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 8:16amMore US refuelling tankers deployed to Middle EastBy Andrew ThorpeThe Times of Israel is reporting that four additional US refuelling tankers arrived in Tel Aviv overnight, bringing the number of tankers currently stationed at Ben Gurion Airport to 33.Airborne refuelling is a key element of the US and Israel's Middle East campaign, with tankers supporting short-range bombers and fighters as they strike targets in Iran.US tanker planes parked at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport in May. (Reuters: Dedi Hayun)However, the sheer number of the massive planes currently stationed at Ben Gurion — a civilian airport that serves as the main gateway into Israel for international visitors — has prompted tensions between the US military and Israel's transport minister, who yesterday tried to ban any further tanker landings due to the disruption to civilian flights.The US had been intending to fly 18 of the tankers out of Ben Gurion later this month due to the ceasefire with Iran, however that operation was halted after the most recent outbreak of violence.Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 8:05amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 8:05amUS Senate Democrats block $US1.15t defence bill over Iran war objectionsBy Fergus GreggUS Senate Democrats have blocked a $US1.15 trillion ($US1.64 trillion) annual defence policy bill, citing frustration with the Iran war and President Donald Trump's failure to consult with Congress about his decision to send US forces into the conflict."Trump started this war without authorisation, without a strategy, and without an exit," the Democrats Senate leader Chuck Schumer said.The vote on the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) failed on Tuesday even though the Yes votes outnumbered No votes by 50-46. The bill fell short of the 60 votes needed to move ahead in the 100-member Senate.This year's NDAA authorises an unprecedented $US1.15 trillion for defence, determining everything from how many ships, aircraft and missile systems are bought to pay raises for the troops and how to address geopolitical threats.Democrats are concerned that authorising a huge Pentagon budget would be seen as approval of the war on Iran.They also object to the Trump administration's push to increase military spending to a total of $US1.5 trillion this year, including several hundred million dollars he has requested in a separate spending bill, even as social programs for Americans are being cut.Reporting with ReutersWed 15 Jul 2026 at 7:55amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 7:55amIranian army says it targeted base in Jordan, Iranian media reportsBy Fergus GreggIranian media is reporting the Iranian army has launched drone strikes at US positions at Azraq base in Jordan.The Iranian army also said it would continue drone operations against US bases in the region until its "final victory".This morning, Iranian strikes hit a Kuwaiti naval vessel and yesterday Iran said it struck a US base in Bahrain.Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 7:46amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 7:46amWATCH: IRGC launches drone strikes at Gulf statesBy Fergus GreggThe Islamic Republic News Agency has shared footage released by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said to show the launch of missiles and drone strikes at bases in Bahrain and Kuwait.Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 7:37amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 7:37amAir defences activated around Bushehr nuclear power plantBy Hanan DervisevicIran's semi-official Mehr news agency has reported that air defences around the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran have been activated.The news agency said there had been no official comment so far.Bushehr is Iran's only operating nuclear power plant. It sits on the Gulf coast and uses Russian fuel.Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 7:33amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 7:33am'Iran will never request negotiations with the US': Iran's deputy FM saysBy Fergus GreggIran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said "Iran will never request negotiations with the United States", according to state news agency IRIB.Negotiations between the US and Iran have appeared to fall apart completely following the resumption of hostilities between the two.Earlier Gharibabadi said America had dismantled the Memorandum of Understanding."The failure to implement one of the clauses was enough to collapse the entire memorandum of understanding, and now America has violated all of its obligations."Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 7:26amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 7:26amHow did the US naval blockade work last time?By Hanan DervisevicThe US has once again enforced a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most vital shipping routes.But what happened last time in April and how did the blockade work?Well, the blockade was for all vessels looking to enter or leave Iranian ports and coastal areas. The US military enforced the blockade by hailing ships to turn around and conducting vessel seizure operations if they did not comply.But despite the blockade, data showed several ships likely linked to Iran made it through the strait. Satellite analysis by marine intelligence firm TankerTrackers.com appeared to show at one point that up to 4 million barrels of Iranian crude oil made it through America's blockadeof Iranian ports.Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 7:15amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 7:15amUS strike hits Qeshm Island, state news reportsBy Fergus GreggQeshm Island (Reuters)The Islamic Republic News Agency is reporting more US strikes have hit the island of Qeshm.UNESCO-listed Qeshm Island is situated in the Persian Gulf, but sits very near the Strait of Hormuz.It's home to the Namakdan Salt Cave, one of the longest salt caves in the world, as well as an underground missile base.Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 7:03amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 7:03amUS to reportedly help construct pipeline avoiding Strait of HormuzBy Hanan DervisevicThe ⁠US is supporting efforts ⁠by ⁠Iraq and ​Syria to reconstruct a crude ⁠oil pipeline between the two ⁠countries, according to a US State Department ‌official.In comments reported by Reuters, the official said the US ‌expected American companies to play a role in advancing the ‌reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, which could help oil producers avoid ⁠the Strait of ​Hormuz off the ​coast ​of Iran.The pipeline has been mostly out of service since suffering damage during the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.It is one of several efforts by oil producers in the Middle East to lessen dependence on the strait, through which 20 per cent of the world's oil and gas flowed before the US-Israeli war on Iran began on February 28.Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 6:52amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 6:52amWATCH: Trump backs down on Strait of Hormuz tollBy Hanan DervisevicIn case you missed the news from overnight, US President Donald Trump has dropped his plan to charge a 20 per cent fee on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.Listen to what he had to say below:Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 6:42amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 6:42amSouthern Iran hit by US strikes, Iranian state news reportsBy Fergus GreggThe Islamic Republic News Agency has reported US strikes hit locations near Bandar Abbas and Sirik in southern Iran.Earlier we reported three large explosions had been heard in Bandar Abbas, a port city on the Strait of Hormuz.The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting also reported targets in Qeshm and Ahvaz.This is part of the latest round of strikes launched by the US military as its blockade takes effect.Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 6:28amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 6:28amUN agency says second person dies after Iranian strikes on shippingBy Andrew ThorpeThe International Maritime Organization — the UN agency responsible for the safety and security of global shipping — says a second sailor onboard one of the Emirati tankers struck by Iran yesterday has died.The Al Bahyah, a UAE-flagged crude oil carrier, was hit by an Iranian cruise missile in the Strait of Hormuz about 13 nautical miles from the Omani coast.Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for the attack, saying Al Bahyah and another tanker, the Mombasa B, had "ignored repeated warnings" to discontinue their voyage.Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 6:14amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 6:14am📷: Fire at Iran's Kish Island port after yesterday's strikesBy Fergus Gregg(Reuters)Key EventWed 15 Jul 2026 at 6:09amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 6:09amUS blockade of Iran goes into effectBy Fergus Gregg(X: US CENTCOM)The deadline given by US President Donald Trump and reaffirmed by US Central Command this morning has passed, meaning the blockade of Iran is, once again, in effect.What this means is that any ships leaving or bound for Iranian ports can be boarded and seized by US military forces.CENTCOM confirmed the blockade in another post to X."There are currently more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft operating across the Middle East," it said."American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready."Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 6:00amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 6:00amIran confirms MoU with United States is effectively 'dismantled'By Andrew ThorpeIran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has confirmed Tehran considers the Memorandum of Understanding signed last month by Iran and the US to be null and void, after the latest round of strikes and the renewed blockade."America not only violated the Memorandum of Understanding, but also dismantled it," Mr Gharibabadi told state broadcaster IRIB."The failure to implement one of the clauses was enough to collapse the entire memorandum of understanding, and now America has violated all of its obligations."Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 5:59amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 5:59amTrump says he dropped 20 per cent toll after being 'called by different people'By Fergus GreggUS President Donald Trump meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (Reuters: Evan Vucci)US President Donald Trump has revealed he dropped the 20 per cent toll on the Strait of Hormuz after he was called by "different people, different countries, kings and emirs and all of the people that we all know and we all love".Speaking to reporters in the White House, Mr Trump said he thought his toll was "good" when he announced it yesterday, but the leaders of some of the Gulf states contacted him and said, instead of a toll, "we'd love to invest in the United States with billions and billions of dollars".Mr Trump then said he didn't think anybody should be able to charge a toll on the strait, and he didn't "like the concept of a fee"."But it's unfair that we're not somehow compensated," he said.Reporting with ReutersWed 15 Jul 2026 at 5:50amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 5:50amUS strikes Bandar Abbas ahead of naval blockade deadlineBy Andrew ThorpeIran's state news agency, IRNA, is reporting three large explosions in Bandar Abbas, a port city bordering the Strait of Hormuz that has come under heavy attack from the United States over the past few days.Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 5:48amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 5:48amStrait of Hormuz part of Iran's national security, says deputy foreign ministerBy Fergus GreggIran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi says the Strait of Hormuz is part of Iran's national security, and it will exercise its sovereignty over it, whatever that costs, in an interview on State TV.The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman.Reporting with ReutersKey EventWed 15 Jul 2026 at 5:42amWed 15 Jul 2026 at 5:42amFour injured in Iranian attack on Kuwaiti Navy vessel, says Kuwait's militaryBy Fergus GreggA Kuwaiti Navy vessel was targeted in an Iranian attack, injuring four armed forces personnel, Kuwait's army has said in a statement.The injured personnel received medical treatment and were in stable condition, the statement added.Kuwait's armed forces had detected and intercepted one ballistic missile, five cruise missiles and 33 drones in recent attacks, which targeted several vital and civilian facilities, with debris falling causing material damage.Kuwait hosts US bases and has come under fire from Iran in recent days, and earlier in the week, the Gulf State claimed Iranian attacks had hit border posts and an offshore drilling platform.Reporting with Reuters