LIVEUS targets Iranian military sites threatening commercial shipping in Strait of HormuzLast updated: July 16, 2026 | 09:15Gulf News ReportUS-Israel-Iran warEarlier this morning, American forces struck coastal defense and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb Island during a 90-minute wave.X / US CENTCOMUS Central Command (CENTCOM) said it has carried out a fresh wave of precision strikes on Iranian military targets, saying the operation was aimed at further reducing Tehran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Explosions and air defence activity were reported across parts of Tehran, while Bahrain sounded sirens, Kuwait responded to what it described as hostile drone threats, and Jordan said it intercepted eight Iranian missiles headed towards its territory. Follow this live blog for the latest developments from the Strait of Hormuz and across the Middle East.Highlights08:45 AM, 16 July 2026Iran army says struck US targets in Kuwait, Bahrain with dronesIran's army said on Thursday it carried out drone attacks against US bases and facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, state TV reported, after the United States carried out strikes on the Islamic republic.Iran's military said it targeted "radar systems, a Patriot air defense system, and fuel storage facilities at Ali Al Salem Air Base" in Kuwait and US military facilities at the Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, IRIB reported.08:41 AM, 16 July 2026Video: US launches latest wave of strikes on Iran07:36 AM, 16 July 2026Jordanian military intercepts 8 Iranian missilesJordan's Armed Forces said they intercepted and destroyed eight Iranian missiles that were headed towards the kingdom's territory.The announcement came after the Iranian military said it had targeted US military facilities in Jordan.06:40 AM, 16 July 2026Iran army says targeted US military facilities in JordanThe Iranian army said on Thursday that it targeted US military facilities in Jordan with drones, state media reported, after the United States carried out another wave of strikes on Iran."The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran announced that... in response to the enemy aggression, it targeted the communication systems and fuel storage facilities of the U.S. military in Jordan using suicide (kamikaze) drones," state television IRIB said.Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.07:02 AM, 16 July 2026US approves nearly $2b in weapons sales to Saudi ArabiaThe US State Department said Wednesday it has approved the sale of an estimated $1.96 billion in weapons to Saudi Arabia, as the war ramps up in the Middle East."This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a Major non-NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region," the State Department said in a release.06:05 AM, 16 July 2026Air defences activated in Tehran, explosions heardAir defences were heard in parts of Tehran on Thursday morning, state media said, and explosions rang out in northern and western parts of the country."So far, no casualties have been reported in Tehran by official authorities," state news agency IRNA reported. Explosions were heard in parts of the western Lorestan province, and Semnan in the north, IRNA and the Mehr news agency reported.06:01 AM, 16 July 2026CENTCOM says latest strikes targeted Iranian military sitesThe U.S. military has completed another wave of strikes on Iranian military targets, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).CENTCOM said the operation concluded at 9pm ET on July 15, targeting Iranian command centres, air defence systems, missile and drone capabilities, and coastal surveillance facilities. The strikes, including those in Bandar Abbas, were carried out using precision-guided munitions and were aimed at further reducing Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping transiting the Strait of Hormuz.05:30 AM, 16 July 2026Trump says Iran has freed a detained US citizenUS President Donald Trump said Wednesday that arch foe Iran has freed an American citizen detained since December 2024 and allowed her to leave the country."She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, adding: "The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!"Trump - who in recent days has ordered a resumption of strikes against Iran and reimposed a naval blockade of its ports - did not name the woman or describe why she had been held, other than to say she had been "wrongfully detained."04:49 AM, 16 July 2026Blockade: US military disables non-compliant vessel in Arabian Gulf US forces confirmed that they have enforced naval blockade measures against Iran from midnight on July 15, 2026 by disabling an unladen oil tanker attempting to sail toward an Iranian port in the Arabian Gulf.US Central Command (CentCom) forces observed Curacao-flagged M/T Belma transiting international waters toward Kharg Island. The commercial vessel ignored multiple warnings as it attempted to violate the US blockade, according to the command.A US aircraft disabled the vessel after firing hellfire missiles into the ship’s smokestack. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran. 04:08 AM, 16 July 2026Bombs hit Iran's Rask, Chabahar garrison — 7 killed: report Projectiles reportedly struck the southeastern Iranian cities of Rask and Chabahar in Sistan and Baluchestan province late on Wednesday, with Iranian media reporting explosions. Few immediate details were provided on the damage or casualties.Subsequent reporting by Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency indicates that the Chabahar Port's maritime traffic control centre was hit in a renewed US strike, while Iranian authorities also reported attacks elsewhere in the province, including the Bampur Army garrison.Tasnim said at least seven Iranian military personnel were killed in the Bampur strike.03:30 AM, 16 July 2026Kuwait intercepts drones from Iran, Bahrain sounds sirensKuwait said on Thursday it was intercepting Iranian drones, while air raid sirens rang out in Bahrain, following another night of American strikes on Iranian territory.In a statement on X, the Kuwaiti army said they were "engaging hostile drone attacks following the nefarious Iranian aggression". Bahrain's interior ministry urged citizens and residents to "remain calm and head to the nearest safe place".02:47 AM, 16 July 2026Trump threatens Pickaxe Mountain, Kharg Island