LiveLive Updates July 15, 2026Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeJuly 15, 2026Updates2 hours agoTrump says Iran allows wrongfully detained U.S. citizen to leave countryU.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media on Wednesday, saying that Iranian authorities have allowed an American citizen who was "wrongfully detained [...] under the 'presidency' of Sleepy Joe Biden," in 2024 to leave the country."She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition. The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social.U.S. military disables tanker headed toward Iranian port, CENTCOM saysThe U.S. military disabled an unladen oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port, the U.S. Central Command said in a post on X on Wednesday."The commercial vessel ignored multiple warnings as it attempted to violate the U.S. blockade. A U.S. aircraft disabled the vessel after firing hellfire missiles into the ship's smokestack. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran," it added.Airlines suspend Middle East flights amid U.S.-Iran escalationSeveral international airlines have suspended or canceled flights to destinations across the Middle East amid the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran.Air Canada has canceled flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai until October 24. Greece's largest carrier, Aegean Airlines, has suspended flights to Dubai until August 31 and to Erbil and Baghdad until September 30.U.S. aerial refueling aircraft parked at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport, April. Credit: Tomer AppelbaumU.S. aerial refueling aircraft parked at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport, April. Credit: Tomer AppelbaumAir France has suspended flights to Beirut until August 2, while KLM has halted flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Dubai until July 15.Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific said it plans to resume flights to Dubai and Riyadh from September 1.5 hours agoExplosions heard in Iran as U.S. launches second wave of strikes; Trump: Iran wants to settleThe U.S. military launched a second wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday, targeting what U.S. Central Command said were Iranian military capabilities used to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz."The strikes are targeting Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels freely transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, an international waterway vital to global commerce," CENTCOM said.At 3 p.m. ET, U.S. forces launched operations for a second wave of strikes today against Iran. The strikes are targeting Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels freely transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, an international waterway vital to global commerce. TheShow moreU.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran wants "to settle so badly," adding that "we'll find out whether or not we settle with them or we just finish them off."Several explosions were heard in parts of the southwestern city of Ahvaz on Wednesday night, according to Iran's official IRNA news agency, shortly after CENTCOM announced the new wave of strikes. There was no immediate information on the cause or any damage. Ahvaz, the capital of oil-rich Khuzestan Province near the Iraqi border, is a major center of Iran's energy industry.Explosions were also reported in Bandar Abbas, with Iran's Mehr news agency saying U.S. projectiles struck a location near the city.Iran's Mehr news agency also reported explosions in the city of Chabahar. Iranian media reported earlier that U.S. missiles struck a naval watchtower in Chabahar, describing it as a civilian facility used for maritime security and search-and-rescue operations for fishermen.Strikes on Iran strengthen Trump's options for new escalation, officials sayRecent U.S. strikes on Iran are targeting military capabilities that could be needed to be neutralized before any more complex operations against Tehran, three U.S. officials told Reuters.The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military matters, said the strikes expand President Donald Trump's military options as he weighs his next steps after notifying Congress last weekend of a formal resumption of hostilities with Iran.The U.S. military has said its latest strikes targeted Iranian air defense systems, coastal radar, missile and drone sites, as well as small boats and other maritime assets.One U.S. official described the strikes as "shaping operations" aimed at degrading Iranian defenses in case the U.S. military is ordered to conduct more intensive operations in the future. "This is helping set the stage, if needed," the official said.Despite significant damage to Iran's military capabilities since the start of the U.S.-Israeli campaign on February 28, Tehran retains substantial drone and missile capabilities and has attacked commercial vessels and Gulf states, according to U.S. officials.The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Critics of Trump's war with Iran have argued that while the campaign has achieved tactical successes, it has failed to secure strategic concessions from Tehran.Knesset approves law guaranteeing treatment for combat trauma victimsThe Knesset on Wednesday approved a law guaranteeing tailored treatment for combat trauma victims and establishing a committee to assist them. Seventy lawmakers voted in favor of the bill, with no opposition votes.The legislation is intended to enshrine the rights of combat trauma victims in the Disabled Persons Law, allowing them to receive treatment through the Defense Ministry's Rehabilitation Department.Israel's Knesset debates the bill guaranteeing treatment for combat trauma victims, on Wednesday. Credit: Olivier FitoussiIsrael's Knesset debates the bill guaranteeing treatment for combat trauma victims, on Wednesday. Credit: Olivier FitoussiThe law also formalizes the work of a committee within the Rehabilitation Department that provides assistance beyond what is required by law in exceptional cases. The committee will be able to offer additional support to disabled veterans and, in certain cases, their family members.Vance says Israel is 'losing the battle' for U.S. public opinionU.S. Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that Israel is "losing the battle" for public opinion in the United States, while discussing reports of an Israeli influence campaign targeting conservative Americans and the Trump administration's Iran policy.In an interview on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Vance said he had been unfairly accused of antisemitism for calling for a more candid relationship between Washington and Jerusalem when their interests do not fully align.NEW: Vice President @JDVance and Joe Rogan discuss a TIME article detailing an alleged Israeli funded “influencer” and digital media campaign aimed at undermining U.S. negotiations with Iran.