The Middle East conflict continued to intensify on Thursday as the US House voted to require congressional approval for military action against Iran, highlighting growing divisions in Washington over the war. Regional tensions also rose after fresh Iranian missile and drone attacks on Gulf states, Houthi strikes on Red Sea oil tankers sent Brent crude above $100 a barrel, and the UAE condemned attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. Follow our live coverage for the latest developments.12:01 AM, 24 July 2026Iran PM says US politics are undermining diplomacyIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused officials within the US administration of ignoring realities on the ground and prioritising domestic political calculations over diplomacy. In a post on X late Thursday, he said “compromised individuals” in Washington were “burying their heads in the sand” and appeared focused only on the 2028 US elections.He warned that continued support for “mindless aggression” would make it more difficult for US President Donald Trump to secure an agreement with Tehran. “The mindless aggression they advocate will only ensure that POTUS pays heavier price for deal he’s trying to achieve,” Araghchi wrote.11:54 PM, 23 July 2026Kuwait intercepts hostile missiles and drones amid Iranian attacksKuwait’s air defence systems are intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks amid the ongoing Iranian aggression, the General Staff of the Kuwaiti Army said on Thursday.In a statement carried by the Kuwait News Agency, the military said any explosions heard by residents were caused by air defence systems intercepting incoming projectiles.Authorities urged the public to remain calm and follow all security and safety instructions issued by the relevant agencies.11:24 PM, 23 July 2026Kuwait reports new drone attack on its Iraq borderThe Kuwaiti military said on Thursday that a new drone attack had been launched against one of its border crossings with Iraq."Al-Abdali border post was the repeated target this evening of enemy drone attacks that caused material damage but no casualties," army headquarters said in a statement posted on social media.11:13 PM, 23 July 2026CENTCOM says 12 commercial vessels redirectedUS Central Command (CENTCOM) said it has redirected 12 commercial vessels and disabled one ship since resuming its naval blockade against Iran nine days ago.In an update posted on X, CENTCOM said the enforcement actions were aimed at preventing ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas as part of Washington's ongoing blockade.The command has previously said commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains open for vessels not trading with Iran.11:06 PM, 23 July 2026Iran foreign minister heads to Kyrgyzstan for SCO talksIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi left for Kyrgyzstan on Thursday at the head of a political delegation to attend a meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation foreign ministers, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. The two-day gathering is being held in the resort city of Cholpon-Ata on Thursday and Friday.10:42 PM, 23 July 2026Brent oil prices rise 8% on Middle East strikesOil prices surged Thursday as worries about attacks in the Red Sea exacerbated supply concerns in a petroleum market limited by the quasi-shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.Near 1820 GMT, Brent oil futures were up 8.4 percent at $101.93, rising above $100 for the first time since late May.US benchmark West Texas Intermediate rose 7.6 percent to $93.44 a barrel.09:49 PM, 23 July 2026GCC and Jordan back self-defence after Iran attacksThe Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Jordan have condemned Iran's continued attacks, describing them as "a clear act of aggression" that violates the UN Charter and international law.In a joint statement, the seven countries reaffirmed their inherent right to self-defence, individually or collectively, under Article 51 of the UN Charter.They called on the UN Security Council to recognise the right of countries affected by Iran's attacks to defend themselves and to adopt an urgent resolution demanding an immediate end to the attacks.The statement also reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab Al Mandeb, while underscoring the importance of maintaining regional security and stability.09:33 PM, 23 July 2026UN chief warns Middle East is on the brink of the unimaginableUN Secretary-General António Guterres warned the UN Security Council on Thursday that an "alarming disregard for international law" was driving deepening crises across the Middle East, with conflicts becoming "more numerous, more complex, longer and wider in scope" as "impunity continues to spread.""The situation is getting out of control," he said. "It is teetering on the edge of the unimaginable."Guterres also called for the full restoration of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab Al Mandeb, stressing that diplomacy remains the only path to easing tensions and preventing further escalation.08:58 PM, 23 July 2026Former IRGC chief warns of escalating response to attacks on IranMohsen Rezaei, a former commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that Tehran’s response to any attacks on the country’s infrastructure would grow progressively more severe. He said the attack on pilgrims in Shalamcheh and threats targeting Iran’s infrastructure reflected “nothing but desperation and helplessness.08:55 PM, 23 July 2026US warns Americans of Middle East flight disruptionsThe US State Department has urged American citizens across the Middle East to prepare for possible emergency travel disruptions, warning that the ongoing war with Iran could lead to flight cancellations and broader air travel disruptions. In an updated advisory, the department encouraged US nationals to have contingency plans in place and remain alert to developments affecting commercial flights across the region.08:38 PM, 23 July 2026Iran media reports US strike on island in HormuzThe Iranian news outlet Tasnim reported on Thursday that a US missile had hit a site near the town of Suza on Qeshm Island, in the disputed Strait of Hormuz."The relevant authorities are currently assessing the extent of the incident and the possible level of damage," the agency said.08:15 PM, 23 July 2026German military to withdraw two vessels from Red Sea: defence ministryThe German military will move two vessels from the Red Sea region to the Mediterannean "in the coming days", the defence ministry said in a statement Thursday.The "Fulda" minesweeper and the "Mosel" supply ship had been sent to Djibouti for a possible mission in the Strait of Hormuz after the end of the US-Iran war but will be now be moved in part due to "the volatile political situation" in the area, the ministry said.07:46 PM, 23 July 2026UAE condemns Houthi attack on Saudi-flagged ship in Red Sea06:33 PM, 23 July 2026US House again passes resolution seeking to halt military action in Iran as some Republicans defectThe House on Thursday narrowly passed a resolution to halt US military action in Iran, sending a warning to President Donald Trump for the second time as the war has escalated and the future of the conflict is increasingly uncertain.The 214-208 vote requiring congressional approval for the war comes as the Senate is expected to consider a similar resolution later Thursday morning. Though the votes forced by Democrats are largely symbolic, they are meant as a strong signal to the Republican president that his support on Capitol Hill is chipping away as the war drags on and lawmakers in both parties have questioned his administration's endgame.The war has had "no clear mission, no strategy, no end goal," said Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat who led the resolution on the House floor.The resolution narrowly passed after a handful of Republicans voted with Democrats to end the war. But the vast majority of Republicans voted to back the war and cede congressional war powers to Trump.Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.06:30 PM, 23 July 2026Mideast situation on 'edge of the unimaginable': UN chiefOngoing conflict in the Middle East has pushed the region to the "edge of the unimaginable," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Thursday."The situation is getting out of control. It is teetering on the edge of the unimaginable. The region is being pulled into an ever-widening circle of confrontation. One crisis feeds another. One escalation triggers the next," Guterres told a Security Council meeting."As this dynamic spreads, the political objectives are becoming increasingly obscured by the confrontation itself."06:25 PM, 23 July 2026Hezbollah says Lebanon president's US visit 'submission' to foreign powerThe Iran-backed Hezbollah group on Thursday branded Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's recent visit to Washington a failure and said it showed the government's submission to a foreign power.In a statement, the group's lawmakers said the visit revealed "the extent of subservience and submission to foreign tutelage", adding that it "failed to achieve... an American commitment to the withdrawal of the enemy from our land", referring to Israel.06:32 PM, 23 July 2026Saudi nuclear deal is expected to last 30 yearsSaudi nuclear deal is expected to last 30 years and involve US firms in program's development.It could allow for the building of a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia following a joint US-Saudi study, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.The agreement is expected to be submitted to Congress for review, according to the US and Saudi governments.The agreement doesn't include the International Atomic Energy Agency's Additional Protocol, which would allow for more monitoring, inspections and verification, according to a second person familiar with the decision.06:02 PM, 23 July 2026Mideast oil producers step up plans to bypass the Strait of Hormuz