The conflict between the United States and Iran continues to widen, with Iran' President declaring it is in a 'full-scale war' as regional tensions spill across the Gulf. Warning sirens sounded across Kuwait after the military intercepted Iranian missile and drone attacks, while Bahrain accused Iran of targeting its air navigation systems with drones. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis announced a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia, raising fresh concerns over regional shipping, and Iran's interior minister is due in Pakistan for talks as diplomatic efforts continue. Follow all the latest developments here:06:47 AM, 21 July 2026We are closing this coverage now. For the latest updates, click here.06:45 AM, 21 July 2026US escorted 900 oil tankers through Hormuz as CentCom warns Iran: 'We will hold you accountable' The US military has escorted nearly 900 commercial vessels carrying about 450 million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz since early May, marking a sharp increase in protected maritime traffic as Washington intensifies efforts to keep one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints open amid its conflict with Iran.The updated figures, released by US Central Command (CentCom), represent an increase from the approximately 800 vessels reported just one week earlier, underscoring the pace of commercial shipping continuing under US naval protection despite persistent threats from Iranian missile, drone and naval attacks.The escorted vessels account for hundreds of millions of barrels of crude oil bound for global markets, highlighting the strategic importance of the US-led maritime security mission as tensions in the Gulf continue to escalate.CentCom said its forces remain committed to safeguarding freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil consumption and about a third of global seaborne crude trade normally passes.The latest escort figures come as U.S. forces completed a 10th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets, expanding operations aimed at degrading Tehran's missile, drone and naval capabilities while reopening secure shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz.The growing number of escorted ships suggests that, despite heightened military tensions, global energy flows have largely continued under heavy military protection. Analysts say maintaining uninterrupted passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains a key objective for Washington, as any prolonged disruption could send oil prices sharply higher and threaten energy supplies to Asia, Europe and other major importing regions.06:37 AM, 21 July 2026US military completes 10th round of Iran strikesThe US Central Command (CentCom) has completed the 10th round of strikes on Iran at 9pm ET on Monday (5am Gulf Standard Time, July 21, 2026), the US military has announced on Tuesday. The round extends the longest sustained bombing campaign of the war, running consecutively since July 11. The latest strikes targeted military command centres, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defence systems. 06:02 AM, 21 July 2026UK maritime agency says tanker struck off Oman coast