July 18, 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 18, 2026UpdatesU.S. urges Americans to reconsider travel to Middle East amid regional escalationThe U.S. State Department urged Americans to reconsider travel to and through the Middle East as tensions continue to rise across the region."Due to high tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation," the department said in a post on X. It urged Americans in the region to exercise caution, monitor the news for developments and check with airlines before traveling, noting that flight schedules may be disrupted.Middle East: Due to high tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation. We remind Americans in the region of the continued need for caution and encourage them to monitor the news for breaking developments.Show moreKuwait says it is intercepting Iranian missiles and drones after IRGC claims attacks on U.S. sitesKuwait said it was intercepting missiles and drones launched from Iran Saturday morning.Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they targeted a U.S. naval fuel-support pier at Al Ahmadi Port and a U.S. signals and communications center in Kuwait, according to Iranian state media.The IRGC also said it targeted a site housing U.S. combat aircraft at Sheikh Isa Air Base and an intelligence data center known as Batelco in Bahrain.Report: Israeli strike on funeral in Gaza kills at least seven, hospital saysAn Israeli strike on a funeral in the Gaza Strip killed at least seven people and wounded another 22, according to a Al-Awda Hospital in the Nuseirat refugee camp cited by the Guardian.There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.The hospital confirmed the number of casualties, saying the strike hit the funeral of a Palestinian killed in another Israeli attack earlier on Friday.IRGC warns retaliation against countries hosting U.S. forces if used to attack IranIran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that countries hosting U.S. forces should expect a "corresponding response" if their territory is used for American attacks on Iran, according to Iran's Tasnim news agency.The warning came after the IRGC said it targeted U.S. military installations in Kuwait. Kuwait's military said it intercepted Iranian missiles launched toward the country.U.S. urges citizens to reconsider travel to Middle East amid escalationThe U.S. State Department urged American citizens to reconsider travel to or through the Middle East due to heightened tensions and the risk of unforeseen escalation."Due to high tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation," the department said in a statement. Middle East: Due to high tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation. We remind Americans in the region of the continued need for caution and encourage them to monitor the news for breaking developments.Show moreIt urged Americans in the region to remain cautious, monitor news updates and check with airlines to ensure flights are still operating.Iran reports another U.S. strike in south of countryThe United States carried out another strike in the area of the southern Iranian city of Jask, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported.Jask is a city in the Hormozgan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.Jask is a city in the Hormozgan province, Iran, serving as capital of both the county and the district.Kuwaiti Army: Intercepting Iranian drone attack The Kuwaiti army announced that it is currently working to intercept an Iranian drone attack.تتصدى حالياً الدفاعات الجوية الكويتية لهجمات طائرات مسيّرة معادية، إثر العدوان الإيراني الاثم.