LiveLive Updates July 23, 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 23, 2026UpdatesIranian media: Explosions heard in Jordan and IranIranian media reported Thursday that explosions were heard in Jordan after air defense systems were activated in an attempt to intercept Iranian missiles.At the same time, reports emerged of explosions heard in Iran. Rubio: Iran is 'begging' for a deal, but will pay higher price every nightU.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that Iran was "begging" for a deal with Washington but was not prepared to reach one it would honor."Iran is begging us, OK, both directly and indirectly. Let's do a deal. Let's talk. Let's talk. Iran is begging every day," Rubio told reporters on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations foreign ministers' meeting in Manila."The problem with Iran is every time they make a deal, the people that are in charge there, they either break it or they want to change it," he said. "So it looks like they're not ready to make a deal. So they're going to continue to pay a price, and every night the price gets higher and higher and higher."U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers Meeting, in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, Thursday. Credit: Brendan Smialowski/AP U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the press on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers Meeting, in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, Thursday. Credit: Brendan Smialowski/AP Rubio said Iran could still change its position in the coming days, adding, "We kept our end of the deal with Iran. Maybe they will change their mind in the next few days."Responding to a question about President Donald Trump's threat to target Iranian bridges and power plants, Rubio said Iran would "pay a very heavy price" for its actions. He said Iran's defense industry had been damaged, claiming the country was losing launchers and radars and suffering billions of dollars in economic losses.Rubio also said he hoped Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis would stop their attacks in the Red Sea, saying they had been "snookered by Iran." "We're not going to abandon allies," he added.On the International Criminal Court, Rubio said, "We have lunatics, crazies in the ICC," adding that the United States would not be part of the court and that its jurisdiction could not be applied to Americans.RECAP: Police let over 1,000 Jews to pray across Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa on Tisha B'AvHere are Thursday's latest updates from the U.S.-Iran war and Israel's strikes in Gaza, Lebanon and the Middle East:■ U.S. forces completed their 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, targeting missile and drone storage facilities, air defense systems, maritime capabilities and coastal surveillance sites, U.S. Central Command said.■ Iran said it targeted U.S. military bases in Kuwait and Jordan, including Al-Adiri camp and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, according to Iranian state media. Kuwait has not confirmed the reported attacks.■ Iran-aligned Houthi militants claimed attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, identifying them as the Encelia and the Layla. A Saudi official said the Encelia was struck and a fire broke out at the front of the vessel, but all crew members were safe.■ Lebanon's Health Ministry said 4,328 people have been killed and 12,232 wounded in Israeli attacks since March 2. The ministry's figures do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.■ The U.S. military used a B-1 long-range bomber to strike Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps targets, for the first time since fighting with Iran resumed, U.S. officials said, according to a report by Axios.■ The U.S. and Saudi Arabia reached an agreement on civil nuclear cooperation that would allow Riyadh to build nuclear reactors using American technology and enrich uranium.■ Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa compound during Tisha B'Av, saying Jews visiting the site "feel like the owners" and praising what he called "tremendous progress" there. More than 1,000 Jews visited the site, according to Temple Mount activists.Far-right National Security Minister Ben-Gvir says Jews 'feel like owners' of Temple Mount/Al Aqsa compound during Tisha B'Av visitFar-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Thursday that Jews visiting the Temple Mount during Tisha B'Av "feel like the owners" of the site, as he praised what he described as "tremendous progress" there."On Tisha B'Av we commemorate the destruction. But we are also seeing tremendous progress on the Temple Mount," Ben-Gvir said. "Look at what is happening here – Jews praying, feeling like they are the owners here. This never happened here before."Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir speaks at the Temple Mount/Al Aqsa compound in Jerusalem, Thursday.Har Habait org "This is happening in more and more places," he added. "We have reduced attacks by 85 percent. Everywhere, people understand that the State of Israel is in charge. There is still more to do, and with God's help, we will move forward."Ben-Gvir, who heads the Otzma Yehudit party, visited the site along with Minister for the Negev, Galilee and National Resilience Yitzhak Wasserlauf, as thousands of Jews gathered at the site for Tisha B'Av.Israeli flags raised by Likud MK Amit Halevi and Temple Mount Administration head Rabbi Shimshon Elboim, Thursday.Har Habait OrgIsraeli flags were raised and the national anthem "Hatikva" was sung during the visit of Likud lawmaker Amit Halevi and Temple Mount Administration head Rabbi Shimshon Elboim, according to Temple Mount activists.2 hours agoPolice let over 1,000 Jews to pray across Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa on Tisha B'AvMore than 1,000 Jews have visited the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa compound on Thursday morning for Tisha B'Av, the Jewish day of mourning commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples, according to Israeli Temple Mount activists, with hundreds more expected to arrive in the coming hours.The compound in Jerusalem's walled Old City is one of the most sensitive sites in the Middle East. Known to Jews as Temple Mount, it is the most sacred site in Judaism and is Islam's third-holiest site.Hundreds of Jews visit Temple Mount for Tisha B'Av prayersHar Habait orgThe activists said Israel Police allowed Jewish visitors to pray, sing and prostrate themselves across the compound, in contrast with the status quo in place since 1967. In several cases, visitors were also able to put on tefillin at the site, despite existing procedures.For years, the status quo at the Temple Mount held that the site was a place of Muslim worship only, with Jews permitted to visit but not conduct religious rituals there. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stated that the site is a place of worship for Muslims and a place of visitation for non-Muslims.In recent years, however, police have gradually allowed greater flexibility for Jewish groups, including prayer in parts of the compound. Under far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir – currently at the Temple Mount, according to footage from the scene – the status quo has increasingly eroded, with Jewish groups receiving greater freedom of action. Jewish visitors pray near an entrance of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the holy day Tisha B'Av, in Jerusalem's Old City, Thursday. Credit: mmar Awad/REUTERSJewish visitors pray near an entrance of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound during the holy day Tisha B'Av, in Jerusalem's Old City, Thursday. Credit: mmar Awad/REUTERSUntil now, most Jewish prayers and singing took place in one area in the southeastern part of the compound, away from Palestinian worshippers. On Thursday, police allowed visitors to stop, pray, sing and prostrate themselves throughout the site, including north and west of the Dome of the Rock, areas where many Muslims are present. Israeli NGO Peace Now said in response: "A direct line connects the rampant settler terrorism, which the prime minister himself described as cancer, and the group of arsonists trying to ignite a religious war."Overnight, tens of thousands of people arrived at the Western Wall and participated in marches around the Temple Mount. Police arrested 16 Jewish suspects over alleged damage to a Muslim cemetery near the Lions' Gate, as well as suspects in incidents involving violence and attacks on Palestinian passersby.Iran says it targeted U.S. base in JordanIran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps said Thursday that it targeted a U.S. military base in Jordan, claiming to have destroyed military equipment including air defense systems, an aircraft hangar and fuel tanks.The statement, published by Iranian state media, did not identify the base or provide further details on the reported attack.The IRGC said the strike was part of its ongoing attacks on U.S. military targets in the region amid continued American strikes against Iran.We found Israel's U.S. influence-op accounts. No one actually follows themU.S. Vice President JD Vance responded last week to criticism of the cease-fire agreement with Iran by saying that Israel was "losing the battle" for American public opinion. He described the criticism as part of "a funded foreign influence campaign," adding that those taking part could, as far as he was concerned, "go to hell."A Haaretz examination of the campaign Vance was referring to – a network of pro-Israel websites and American social media accounts run by the firm of Brad Parscale, Donald Trump's former digital strategist, and revealed in filings with the U.S. Justice Department – found an operation lavishly funded by Israeli taxpayers.But unlike what Vance and others have suggested, it does not appear to involve paid influencers, at least not openly – and it is reaching almost no one.Since October 7, Israel has committed roughly $100 million to influence campaigns abroad, ranging from social media projects and email outreach to physical events.Read the full articleU.S., Iran exchange fire for 12th night in a row; Houthis target Saudi tankersIran's Revolutionary Guard said Thursday that it attacked U.S. forces at bases in Kuwait, while Iran-aligned Houthi militants claimed strikes on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, widening the regional fallout from the war as Washington continued its campaign of strikes against Tehran for the 12th day in a row.Scattered debris and smoke, at an unknown location, during what the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says are strikes on Iran, in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on Wednesday. Credit: U.S. Central Command/ REUTERSScattered debris and smoke, at an unknown location, during what the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says are strikes on Iran, in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on Wednesday. Credit: U.S. Central Command/ REUTERSKuwait had not immediately confirmed the reported attacks. The claims came as Iran continued targeting countries hosting U.S. forces and as the Houthis threatened a new disruption to global energy routes alongside Iran's efforts to restrict traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.The Revolutionary Guard said it struck U.S. forces at Kuwait's Al-Adiri camp and Ali Al Salem Air Base, according to Iranian state media. Iranian state media also quoted Iran's army as saying it had targeted U.S. bases in Kuwait, including the Arifjan and Doha camps.The reports came as Iran continued retaliatory strikes across the region amid ongoing American attacks. Tehran has targeted U.S. military assets in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan, according to reports, while also striking energy and water infrastructure in Kuwait.The U.S. military said Thursday American forces struck military infrastructure including missile and drone storage facilities, air defense systems, maritime capabilities and coastal surveillance sites.Read the full articleIran says it targeted U.S. bases in KuwaitIran's Revolutionary Guard said it attacked U.S. forces at Kuwait's Al-Adiri camp and Ali Al Salem Air Base, according to Iranian state media.Iranian state media also quoted the country's army as saying it had targeted U.S. bases in Kuwait, including the Arifjan and Doha camps.The reports come as Iran continues to strike at regional countries hosting U.S. forces amid ongoing American attacks on Iran.Kuwait has not immediately confirmed the reported attacks.Read the full articleLebanon Health Ministry: 4,328 killed by Israeli fire since March 2Lebanon's Health Ministry said Thursday that 4,328 people have been killed and 12,232 wounded in Israeli attacks since March 2, as reported by the Lebanese National News Agency.UNIFIL armoured vehicles driving past destroyed buildings in southern Lebanon, seen from a position in northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon, Wednesday. Credit: AFP/JALAA MAREYUNIFIL armoured vehicles driving past destroyed buildings in southern Lebanon, seen from a position in northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon, Wednesday. Credit: AFP/JALAA MAREYThe figures were released by the ministry's Emergency Operations Center, which said the toll covers the period through July 22. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its casualty reports.Saudi-owned tanker targeted in Red Sea, fire breaks out on vessel; crew safeA Saudi-owned oil tanker was targeted while sailing in the Red Sea, causing a fire at the front of the vessel, Saudi state news agency SPA reported Thursday, citing an official source. All crew members were safe, the report said.The vessel, the Encelia, was struck near the Saudi port of Jizan late Wednesday, according to a maritime security source. The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations said a tanker was hit by an "unknown projectile" about 70 nautical miles southwest of the Saudi town of Al Shuqaiq, causing a fire onboard.Iran-aligned Houthi militants said earlier Thursday that they had attacked two Saudi oil tankers, identifying them as the Encelia and the Layla. The attack on the Layla has not been independently confirmed.Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, Tuesday. Credit: Stringer/REUTERSVessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, Tuesday. Credit: Stringer/REUTERSThe Houthis announced this week that they would prevent ships from loading or unloading at Saudi ports as part of a naval blockade against the kingdom, potentially threatening a key route for Saudi oil exports.Several tankers changed course in the Red Sea after the warning, with two ships signaling they would head toward the Suez Canal instead, according to ship-tracking data.Saudi Arabia, which hosts U.S. forces, has not requested military assistance from Washington, but President Donald Trump said Tuesday that any Houthi effort to obstruct shipping would be met with a U.S. response."If something like that happens, we'll take care of it. We've done that with the Houthis before," Trump told reporters.In the NewsU.S., Iran Exchange Fire for 12th Night in a Row; Houthis Target Saudi Tankers'Liars, Poison': Shin Bet Chief Shared His Anti-media Manifesto With Top AgentsTrump Wants a Lebanon Triumph. 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