Shafaq News- Washington/ Tehran

US Central Command (CENTCOM) launched a new wave ofstrikes against Iran on Tuesday, marking the third consecutive night ofattacks, shortly after US President Donald Trump cautioned that Tehran wouldface a "very hard" hit.

CENTCOM stated that the strikes were imposing aheavy cost on Iranian forces, weakening their ability to target civilians andcommercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

At 4:45 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command began launching the third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, at the Commander in Chief's direction. These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and…

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 13, 2026

Tehran, meanwhile, vowed to strike US targetsacross the region if American attacks on Iranian military sites continue,describing its operations as “defensive.”

In a statement, the Khatam al-Anbiya CentralHeadquarters, Iran’s central military command, warned that any future Iranian hits would be carried out in proportion to the level of US hostilities.

On Monday, CENTCOM reported another wave of strikesagainst Iran, hitting multiple sites with precision-guided munitions. Tehranlater responded with attacks on US facilities in Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, andBahrain. 

Shafaq News- Tehran (Updated at 23:41)

Explosions were heard near Iran’s southern port of Bandar Abbas and thecoastal city of Konarak, local media reported on Monday, hours after the UnitedStates reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports and coastal areas.

Tasnim News Agency cited four powerful blasts near Larak Island, while fourmissiles fell near Konarak. A US fighter jet was also seen flying over thearea.

No official explanation has been provided for the source of theexplosions.

PresidentDonald Trump revealed, in a radio interview, that the United States wouldstrike Iran "very hard" this night and the following night, warningTehran there was "not a damn thing they can do about it."

Earlier today, US Central Command (CENTCOM) disclosed another wave ofstrikes against Iran, targeting multiple sites with precision-guided munitions.Iran later responded by targeting US facilities in Kuwait, Oman, Jordan, andBahrain.

Shafaq News-Washington/ Tehran

US CentralCommand (CENTCOM) announced that its forces will impose a blockade on Iranianports and coastal areas at the direction of President Donald Trump, beginningTuesday at 4:00 p.m. ET (20:00 GMT).

Trump posted onTruth Social on Monday that Washington was reinstating the Iranian blockade,adding that the measure targets only Iranian ships and Iranian customersentering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz, and that all other countries wouldretain open use of the waterway. The United States would also be reimbursed 20percent on all cargo shipped, to cover the cost of providing security in thearea.

A previous USblockade of Iranian ports operated from April 13 until June 18, when CENTCOMannounced its removal following a memorandum of understanding signed by Trumpand Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. That agreement provided for a 60-daycessation of hostilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a34-kilometer-wide passage through which roughly one-fifth of the world'sseaborne oil trade moves.

Iranian ForeignMinister Abbas Araghchi said Iran had always been the guardian of the Strait ofHormuz and would remain so. Addressing the proposed levy, Araghchi said thatanyone providing safe and guaranteed passage for commercial vessels through thestrait should receive compensation, adding that Trump was entirely correct onthat point. “A rate of 20 percent was very high, and Iran would be moreequitable.”

Following theannouncements, Brent crude rose by about 8 percent, reaching 81.55 dollars perbarrel.

Iran's ForeignMinistry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei declared Monday that the memorandum ofunderstanding signed with the United States in Islamabad has "practicallyended," warning that all American bases in the region fall within Iran'starget bank.

https://t.co/g4XFtu2T2K

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 13, 2026

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) placedformer President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad under house arrest after authoritiesuncovered part of his alleged contacts with Israel, the New York Times (NYT) reportedon Monday.

According to the NYT, Israel involved a years-longintelligence operation aimed at recruiting Ahmadinejad and later positioninghim as a potential leader of Iran in the event of regime change. The effortincluded attempts to arrange secret meetings between Ahmadinejad and Israeliintelligence officials, including a planned encounter in Budapest in early 2024under the cover of a climate conference.

Quoting former US officials, the NYT noted that Tel Avivoperatives also maintained contacts with Ahmadinejad's spokesman, Ali AkbarJavanfekr, and that former Mossad chief David Barnea personally traveled toBudapest to meet the former Iranian president. Ahmadinejad later disappearedfrom public view before reappearing at the funeral of the late Supreme LeaderAli Khamenei, after which senior Iranian officials said he had been detainedand placed under house arrest.

The report also cited former Ahmadinejad adviser AbdolrezaDavari saying the former president would not have cooperated with Israel formoney but could have been motivated by political power. Another associatequoted by the newspaper claimed Ahmadinejad had previously expressed a desireto return to power with foreign backing and had spoken of normalizing relationswith Israel through the Abraham Accords if he regained office.

To continue reading, click here.

Shafaq News- London

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Mondaydemanded details on US President Donald Trump's statement that he plans toimpose a 20% fee on goods transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The UN maritime agency opposed the imposition of charges onvessels passing through any strait used for international navigation,reaffirming the principle of freedom of navigation under international maritimelaw.

Trump announced that the United States would reinstate an"Iranian blockade" in Hormuz while keeping the waterway open tointernational shipping, and Washington would impose a 20% charge on cargotransiting the strait to cover security costs. Iran's Persian Gulf StraitAuthority stated earlier that passage remained unfeasible because of recent USmilitary actions.

Last week, the IMO Council adopted a non-binding decisioncondemning Iran's creation of an authority to oversee traffic through theStrait of Hormuz and urged member states not to recognize Tehran's sovereigntyclaims or restrictions on international navigation.

Trump’s decision came after the United States and Iransigned a memorandum of understanding guaranteeing free commercial passagethrough the strait for 60 days starting June 19, while requiring vessels tosubmit transit requests through Iran's designated corridor authority.

Shafaq News- Washington

US President Donald Trump reinstated on Monday the "Iranianblockade" in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the United States would enforcethe measure while keeping the strategic waterway open.

Trump said Iranian vessels and their customers would be barred fromentering or leaving the Strait, while all other countries would continue toenjoy “fair” access. He added that Washington would impose a 20% charge on allcargo transiting the waterway to cover “any and all costs necessary to do the job of providingsafety and security to this very volatile section of the World.”

The new arrangements would take effect immediately.

Earlier today, Trump said the United States was "takingover" the Strait of Hormuz from Iran and would become its "guardian.”Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority, however, maintained that passage throughthe maritime route was "currently unfeasible" because of recent"hostile actions" by US forces, affirming that transit requests wouldbe reviewed once "stability and calm" were restored.

Shipping data showed tanker traffic through the strategic passage hadfallen over the past day to its lowest level in two months as renewed US-Iranstrikes and attacks on commercial vessels heightened security concerns.Shipbroker Gibson warned that another prolonged closure of the strait wouldleave the world in "a much tougher spot."

Shafaq News- Washington/ Tehran (Updated at 17:22)

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States was"taking over" the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, as Iranian authoritiesmaintained the strategic waterway remained closed due to recent US militaryaction.

Speaking with Fox News, Trump suggested the United States wouldbecome the "guardian" of the waterway and said the internationalcommunity should reimburse Washington for protecting it. "We're going tokeep the strait, and we'll probably run it... We should be reimbursed forthat," he said. "We're going to guard it. We're going to get paid forguarding it - a lot of money."

“The other nations are verywealthy. They're on our side, and we can't be expected to do that fornothing."

He also asserted that Iranian negotiators had spent 11 hours intalks with US officials and initially agreed to a deal before later seeking amendments."Everything was agreed to yesterday... They leave the room, and they callback, and they say we had to make a couple of changes. We're not going to makechanges.”

Washington, he argued, should have confronted the Iranian threat"47 years ago,” and criticized previous US administrations for allowingTehran to become "more and more powerful."

Meanwhile, Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority announced thatpassage through the Strait of Hormuz was "currently unfeasible"because of recent "hostile actions" by US forces, adding that transitrequests would be reviewed once "stability and calm" were restored.

A spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters stressedthat Iran will not permit the United States to intervene in the management of Hormuz,according to the Iranian Fars news agency, adding that the Iranian forces wouldrespond firmly to any disruption or unsafe conditions for shipping caused bythe US military.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) considered that the USinvolvement in the Strait of Hormuz has placed the security of global oil andgas supplies in severe danger.

“Iran will exercise its sovereignty and administration over the straitwith full force and resolve,” IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi said, addingthat Tehran would now push Washington toward humiliation and despair.

1/Due to recent hostile actions by the US forces, passage through the #Strait_of_Hormuz is currently unfeasible. As soon as stability and calm are restored, all applications will be reviewed in accordance with the scheduled timeline, and the permitting process will resume.

— PGSA | نهاد مدیریت آبراه خلیج فارس (@PGSA_IRAN) July 13, 2026

US forces continued striking Iranian targets on Monday after Trumpdeclared the June 17 Islamabad memorandum of understanding that had endedhostilities between the two sides "over" during the weekend. Iran retaliatedwith attacks on US military bases in Gulf states and declared the agreement"practically ended," with both sides accusing each other of violatingits terms.

Shafaq News-Tehran

Iran's ForeignMinistry declared Monday that the memorandum of understanding signed with theUnited States in Islamabad has "practically ended," warning that allAmerican bases in the region fall within Iran's target bank.

FM spokespersonEsmaeil Baqaei said in a press conference that the Islamabad memorandum, signedon June 17, has entered a state of crisis as Washington is gutting variousprovisions of the agreement's 14 articles from the very first days of itssigning.

On the Straitof Hormuz, Baqaei held Washington directly responsible for the latestincidents, saying the United States was attempting to bypass the safenavigation route coordinated with Iran. The memorandum was drafted in preciseterms specifically because of Iran's "justified suspicion and completedistrust" of the United States, leaving no room for unilateralinterpretation, he said.

"Commitmentfor commitment, as long as the other side persists in violating itscommitments, Iran will likewise refrain from carrying out its obligations,"he warned, adding that Tehran target US bases, facilities, and positions usedto launch attacks against it, including American logistical infrastructure, and "has not attacked, and will not attack, any countryin the region."

Iran will useall available international means to document what Baqaei described as crimescommitted against the Iranian people and pursue justice.

On the nuclearfile, the country will not grant IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi access toits nuclear facilities, Baqaei confirmed.

Shafaq News- Washington/ Tehran (Updated at 9:06 a.m.) 

The United States carried out a newwave of strikes against targets across Iran on Monday, while Iran's IslamicRevolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced attacks on American bases in Kuwait,Bahrain, Oman and Jordan, according to statements issued by both sides.

The American Strikes

US Central Command (CENTCOM) saidits forces completed offensive strikes against dozens of targets at multiplelocations in Iran “to degrade Iran’s ability to continue attackinginternational shipping flowing through the Strait of Hormuz.”

The targets included Iranianmilitary air-defense systems, coastal radar sites, missile and dronecapabilities, and small boats.

https://t.co/V84pTWxDwH

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 13, 2026

A CENTCOM spokesperson alleged thatthe IRGC had opened fire on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuzshortly before the strikes, according to remarks by Axios.

Iranian state-run and semi-officialmedia outlets reported explosions around the village of Tahroui in the southerncity of Sirik where US forces struck a communications tower, explosions in thesouthern port city of Jask, in the southern cities of Bushehr, Kangan, Ahvaz,Mahshahr, Omidiyeh, Behbahan and Dezful in Khuzestan province, and in areasoutside the city of Khondab in Markazi province in central Iran.

The deputy governor of Khuzestanprovince said one person was killed and four wounded in a strike on anagricultural water pumping station in Mahshahr.

The Iranian Response

The IRGC said its naval force hadstopped two vessels that switched off their systems and moved along an unlawfulcourse, endangering navigation in the strategic waterway, and that US forcesthen attacked Iranian coastal bases. “The Strait is Iranian territory, and itwould not permit continued American intervention there.”

The IRGC also announced in separatestatements attacks using missiles and drones on depots and missile storagesites at the Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan. In Bahrain, it targeted USmilitary installations and infrastructure at the Al-Jufair naval base, ahelicopter repair and maintenance center, a facility for P-8 electronicreconnaissance aircraft, and a drone command-and-control center at Sheikh IsaAir Base. The group also struck radar systems in the Sultanate of Oman.

New footage shows Iran's retaliatory strikes on US bases in the region.Follow https://t.co/B3zXG73Jym pic.twitter.com/Ho2hKZOuKQ

— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) July 13, 2026

The group fully destroyed fueldepots and a Patriot air-defense system at the US base at Ali Al-Salem inKuwait, along with an FPS strategic radar system at Ahmad al-Jaber base. Italso struck a US surface-to-surface missile base in Kuwait, burning and destroyingtwo HIMARS launchers and ammunition depots.

IRGC says it has destroyed two US HIMARS launchers along with missile depots in Kuwait.Follow https://t.co/B3zXG73Jym pic.twitter.com/m706fWatdI

— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) July 13, 2026

The Iranian Army said that ittargeted US troop positions, air-defense systems, missiles, shelters, andsupport hangars in Kuwait. It described the American attacks on militarycenters and civilian infrastructure as a violation of the United Nations Charter,stressing that “Iran would continue to defend its sovereignty, territorialintegrity, and independence.”

The Kuwaiti Armed Forces said theywere engaging hostile aerial targets inside Kuwaiti airspace. The JordanianArmed Forces said they intercepted and shot down four missiles that enteredJordanian airspace from Iranian territory.

The IRGC said its reciprocaloperations are continuing and that results would be announced in subsequentstatements.

Read more: Attack on Iran's Farur Island kills communications official

Shafaq News- Washington

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday rejected reports that threeAmerican service members were killed during the recent strikes in Kuwait,describing the claims as false Iranian propaganda.

🚫 CLAIM: Iranian propaganda claimed today that three American service members were killed in Kuwait by strikes from Iran. FALSE.✅ TRUTH: There are zero reports of U.S. service member deaths or injuries in the region. All personnel are accounted for. pic.twitter.com/9RZCN7puWT

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 12, 2026

The United States and Iran have traded attacks in recent days, withWashington striking more than 300 targets inside Iran, while Tehran retaliatedagainst US military bases in Gulf States and Jordan. The two sides have accusedeach other of violating the June 17 memorandum of understanding that endedhostilities between them.

Read more: US, Iran trade strikes after Tehran recloses Strait of Hormuz

Shafaq News- Washington/ Tehran

US President Donald Trump on Sunday declared that theStrait of Hormuz remains open to shipping, rejecting Iran's claim that transitthrough the strategic waterway is currently unavailable, as military tensionsbetween Washington and Tehran continue to rise.

In remarks during NBC's Meet the Press, Trump added thatthe United States had recently hit Iran "pretty hard."

Meanwhile, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated thatmore than 140 vessels had passed through the strategic waterway over theprevious seven days, maintaining that commercial traffic continues withoutinterruption.

Noting that Tehran does not control the maritime gateway,it stressed that US forces are prepared to protect freedom of navigationdespite "Iran's unprovoked aggression."

The Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels seeking to lawfully transit the international waterway. U.S. forces are positioned and prepared to ensure that freedom of navigation remains available despite unwarranted Iranian aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary… pic.twitter.com/FS3TUBOZEj

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 12, 2026

Tehran, however, presented a different account. Iran'sIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) previously disclosed that transitthrough the waterway is currently not possible, blaming "illegal USactions." It added that requests to pass through the Strait would bereviewed and that permits would be issued once stability and calm return.

CENTCOM recently detailed strikes on about 140 Iranianmilitary sites, including missile and drone facilities, naval assets,ammunition depots, communications networks, and coastal surveillance positions.It noted that operations carried out this week had struck more than 300 sites,reducing Tehran's ability to threaten commercial shipping.

The IRGC claimed that it struck the command-and-controlcenter and MQ-9 drone hangars at Jordan's Prince Hassan Air Base, which itidentified as a US-operated facility, using ballistic missiles. Separately, theIranian Army reported drone attacks on US military positions in Kuwait, theUnited Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain.

Both the IRGC and the Iranian Army warned that any furtherUS military action would trigger a stronger response.

Read more: US, Iran trade strikes after Tehran recloses Strait of Hormuz

Shafaq News- Tehran/ Washington

The United States andIran exchanged fresh attacks on Sunday after Tehran decided to reclose theStrait of Hormuz, which carries around 20% of global oil supplies,until further notice.

US forces launched a third round of air and navalstrikes against about 140 Iranian military targets, including missile and dronefacilities, naval assets, ammunition depots, communications networks, andcoastal surveillance positions, US Central Command (CENTCOM) reported, statingthat the operation followed an attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary GuardCorps (IRGC) on the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy while it wastransiting the waterway. One civilian crew member remains missing, and thevessel sustained an onboard fire and severe engine room damage that left itunable to continue its voyage.

https://t.co/PdIteJBLkN

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 12, 2026

CENTCOM indicated that more than 300 Iranian militarytargets have been struck this week as part of a campaign to reduce Tehran’sability to threaten maritime traffic. Since early May, US forces have alsohelped secure the passage of more than 800 commercial vessels carrying over 400million barrels of crude oil through the strait.

At 7:15 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching the third round of strikes this week against Iran after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces blatantly attacked M/V GFS Galaxy, a Cyprus-flagged container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz. A civilian crew…

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 11, 2026

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth argued that Iran had“made a poor choice” and was paying the price now, referring to the attack onthe cargo ship and Tehran’s decision to close the strategic passage.

Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay. https://t.co/8m4fEfgrXv

— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) July 11, 2026

Iranian state media reported US airstrikes acrosssouthern and western Iran, with explosions in Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas,Sirik, Jask, Chabahar, Konarak, and several locations in Bushehr province,including Kangan, Dayyer, and Asaluyeh. Additional strikes also hit Lorestanand Khuzestan provinces, where local officials confirmed projectiles landingnear Hendijan, Mahshahr, and Abadan.

لحظه شلیک موشک‌های آمریکایی هیمارس از خاک بحرینکاربران بحرینی با انتشار این ویدئو نوشته‌اند که دولت بحرین به طور آشکارا خاک خود را برای حمله به ایران در اختیار آمریکا قرار داده و نباید نسبت به حملات ایران معترض باشد. https://t.co/UHfInRnem6 pic.twitter.com/5km1MXs9wu

— خبرگزاری فارس (@FarsNews_Agency) July 12, 2026

No casualties had been reported at the time of writing.

The Iranian response

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded, according toits statement, by destroying the command-and-control center and MQ-9 dronehangars at Prince Hassan Air Base, a US-used facility in Jordan, usingballistic missiles. The Iranian Army separately said it launched drone strikeson US military positions in Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain.

Continued US action, the IRGC and the army said, would be met withharsher retaliation.

The UAE Ministry of Defense said Emirati air defenses were engagingincoming missiles and drones launched from Iran, and the Ministry of Interiorsaid air defense systems were responding to a missile threat. Explosions heardin several parts of the country were the result of air defense interceptions.

Kuwait's military said its armed forces were engaging hostile aerialtargets inside Kuwaiti airspace. Qatar's Ministry of Defense said its armedforces were continuing to intercept ballistic missiles directed at the country.Bahraini state television reported that air defense systems intercepted anddestroyed Iranian aerial attacks over the country, and Bahrain's Ministry ofInterior activated warning sirens and instructed citizens and residents to moveto the nearest safe location.

pic.twitter.com/oe1nQA8iW5

— وزارة الدفاع - دولة قطر (@MOD_Qatar) July 12, 2026

None of the four governments confirmed casualties or damage so far.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian parliament, said theera of one-sided deals had ended. A spokesman for the Iranian Army said USintervention to open what he described as an illegal corridor in the Strait ofHormuz was the cause of the current insecurity.

The era of one-sided deals is OVER. We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking. pic.twitter.com/B97ogCYGaj

— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) July 12, 2026

Shafaq News- Tehran

400 foreign bloggers and social media influencers, includingAmericans, attended the six-day funeral ceremonies for Iran's late SupremeLeader Ali Khamenei, the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO), MohammadMehdi Imanipour, told Iran's Tasnim News on Sunday.

Among the participants was American influencer JacksonHinkle, who appeared in videos leading English-language chants against theUnited States and Zionism during the funeral procession in Tehran.

❤️🇮🇷 DOWN WITH ZIONISTS! Thank you to my brother Hossein Taheri for allowing me to join you in Enqelab Square. pic.twitter.com/VOcIBIvEdG

— Jackson Hinkle 🇺🇸 (@jacksonhinkle) July 7, 2026

According to The Times, Hinkle, who describes himself as asupporter of "MAGA communism," regularly promotes pro-Russia andpro-Iran views on X, where he has about 3.8 million followers. He alsoannounced in 2025 that he had relocated to Moscow.

The presence of American influencers at the funeral sparkedbacklash among Trump allies. Deputy Assistant to the President Sebastian Gorkashared a post referencing the US treason statute, fueling calls to prosecutethose who attended the funeral.

18 U.S. Code § 2381 https://t.co/xGYcFjlpQ9

— Rebeccah Heinrichs (@RLHeinrichs) July 7, 2026

Khamenei, who led Iran from 1989 until his death in US andIsraeli strikes on February 28, was buried earlier this week at the Imam Reza HolyShrine in Mashhad after six days of funeral processions across Iran and Iraq.Iranian state media said the ceremonies drew officials from more than 45countries and millions of mourners, including large crowds in the Iraqi citiesof Najaf and Karbala.

Read more: Analysts: Political messaging in Khamenei's Iraqfuneral

Shafaq News- Caracas

The death toll from Venezuela’stwin earthquakes on June 24 has risen to 4,333, National Assembly PresidentJorge Rodriguez told reporters on Saturday, as the government prepared to beginrehousing thousands of displaced families.

Rodriguez said 315 victimshave yet to be identified, while the number of injured remained at 16,740. Atotal of 6,462 people have been rescued and about 17,000 left homeless.

Acting President DelcyRodriguez is expected to hand over the first 200 homes to affected familiesnext week as part of the government’s reconstruction plan.

The earthquakes damaged 856buildings, including 190 that collapsed or sustained structural failure.Preliminary estimates indicate that about 25,000 homes will be needed, witharound 40 sites covering approximately 584,000 square meters already designatedfor new housing projects in the towns of Osma and Chuspa.

Rescue efforts, Rodriguezaffirmed, would continue as long as there remained hope of finding survivors.

Shafaq News- Muscat

Qatar will join Iran-Oman discussions on the future of theStrait of Hormuz, with talks expected to focus on a possible deal to restorefull maritime passage through the strategic waterway, Axios reported onSaturday.

Citing a diplomat familiar with the discussions, the outletnoted that the talks, scheduled for today in Muscat, will include a potentialstatement on reopening the central islands in the Strait of Hormuz, which liesin international waters, to unrestricted navigation.

Hormuz, a critical shipping route between Iran and Omanthat historically carried around 20% of the world’s oil and fuel shipments, hasremained largely closed since Feb. 28 after Iran restricted maritime traffic inresponse to the US-Israeli war. Washington and Tehran later reached anunderstanding to resume shipping under a memorandum signed in Switzerland onJune 17.

Iran has, however, rejected a return to the pre-wararrangements, when ships could transit the strait without paying fees, arguingthat any future agreement must reflect the conditions that emerged after theconflict, Axios reported.

Tehran has begun implementing a mechanism to collecttransit fees from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a move the UnitedStates has dismissed. US President Donald Trump previously threatened to"blow up" Oman if it attempted to control the maritime corridor incooperation with Tehran, maintaining that the waterway must remain open to alland not fall under the control of any single party.

Read more: No exit but Hormuz: Iraq's economic vulnerability exposed

Shafaq News- Washington

US Representative Ro Khanna revealed on Saturday that armedIsraeli settlers detained him during a recent visit to the occupied West Bank,where he was touring a Palestinian village that has faced repeated settlerattacks.

Speaking from a Palestinian village, the California Democrattold Reuters that settlers carrying US-made M4 rifles surrounded the vantransporting his delegation while they were visiting an area in the southernWest Bank. "We were in a village that Israeli settlers had destroyed. Theydestroyed the school and the village,” Khanna said, adding that “these hoodlumscome in with machine guns and block off the road.”

Cameron Kasky, one of Khanna's aides who was part of thedelegation, said the group was held for more than an hour and appealed to the USEmbassy in Jerusalem for assistance, adding that a group of officers whoappeared to be police eventually intervened, leading to their release.

The Israeli military responded that soldiers and police cameafter receiving reports that Israeli settlers were blocking vehicles nearKhirbet Zanuta, a small Palestinian village whose residents were forciblydisplaced following settler attacks after Hamas' October 2023 attack on Israel.

Khanna is the second Democratic politician considered apotential 2028 presidential candidate to visit the region this week. OnWednesday, former White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said in Tel Aviv thatIsraeli policies toward Palestinians were undermining support for the US-Israelalliance.

Israel's policies toward Palestinians have become anincreasingly divisive issue within the Democratic Party ahead of the US midtermelections in November. Several incumbent Democrats have lost primary electionsto progressive challengers who accused them of supporting Israel's right-winggovernment.

Meanwhile, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found that Democraticsupport for Israel fell from 59% in 2018 to 22% in May.

Shafaq News- Washington

US President Donald Trump warned onSaturday that Washington would “destroy all areas of Iran” if Tehran attemptedto assassinate him.

“1000 Missiles are Locked and Loadedand aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands of more toimmediately follow,” Trump said, adding that orders had already been issued forthe US military to “completely decimate” the country if Tehran carried out thealleged plot.

On Thursday, The Wall Street Journalreported, citing people familiar with the matter, that Israel had sharedintelligence with the United States indicating Iran was preparing a new plot toassassinate Trump. Calls for his assassination reportedly resurfaced during the recentfuneral ceremonies for Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killedin US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.

Iran has yet to comment publicly onthe report or Trump’s warning.

Shafaq News- Washington

Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz and the waterwayremains open to maritime traffic, the US military stated on Friday, adding thatit is working to ensure freedom of navigation.

In press remarks, Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for US CentralCommand (CENTCOM), accused Iran of "violatingthe ceasefire and firing on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz," notingthat "there is no justification for Iran's attacks on commercialships."

He added that US operations had reduced Iran's ability toproject violence beyond its borders, but Tehran still retained some drone andmissile capabilities. “US forces remained prepared for any decisions related toIran.”

Earlier, US President Donald Trump said Washington hadinformed Tehran that the ceasefire was "over."

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz remained high, urgingsailors to exercise maximum caution and remain aware of potential mine hazardswhile transiting the area.

Shafaq News- Washington

The United States imposed sanctions on 14 Iranian individuals andcompanies accused of operating financial networks for senior Iranian figuresand entities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), theTreasury Department said on Friday.

The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) statedthat the measures follow Tehran’s renewed attacks on international shipping in the Strait ofHormuz and target Ali Ansari, “who oversees a sprawling global network ofassets benefiting Iran’s leader—Mojtaba Khamenei—and other regime elites.” Ansariused shell companies and overseas investments to divert public funds into realestate and commercial assets across Europe and the Middle East. OFAC alsoaccused him of embezzling billions of dollars through the now-defunct AyandehBank before Iranian authorities dissolved the lender in 2025.

Sanctions also target three Iranian exchange houses andtheir executives, along with front companies based in Hong Kong and the UnitedArab Emirates, which US authorities said helped sanctioned Iranian banks movebillions of dollars annually through shell companies to conceal illicitfinancial transactions.

Today, following Iran’s resumption of attacks on international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned an Iranian financial facilitator who has effectively institutionalized large‑scale embezzlement within the Iranian…

— Treasury Department (@USTreasury) July 10, 2026

On July 8, Washington revoked a general license allowingIranian oil sales in response to renewed attacks on shipping in the Strait ofHormuz, while granting a wind-down period until July 17. US President DonaldTrump declared the ceasefire with Iran "over" but said Washingtonwould continue talks requested by Tehran.

Shafaq News- Washington

Washington agreed to continue discussions requested byTehran, but made clear that the ceasefire had ended, US President Donald Trumpsaid on Friday.

Trump did not explain how negotiations would proceed underthe new circumstances. Iran has not responded yet to his remarks.

Axios, citing a source, reported that US and Iranianofficials could meet again next week, with Switzerland under consideration asthe venue.

The Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)also adopted a non-binding decision condemning Iran’s move to establish anauthority overseeing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries around20% of global oil supplies. It urged member states not to recognize Tehran’sclaims of sovereignty over the strait or any measures “closing, obstructing,hampering or otherwise interfering with international navigation and the rightof transit passage.”

Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority announced in June thatvessels would require a passage permit to transit the waterway. Tehran rejectedthe IMO Council's accusations as "selective, politically motivated andlegally unfounded," arguing it is not bound by the UN Convention on theLaw of the Sea (UNCLOS). Iranian delegates said the measures are intended tosafeguard maritime safety and national security and do not amount to closingthe strait.

Tensions escalated after attacks on commercial shipping inthe Strait of Hormuz. The United States carried out airstrikes on severalstrategic facilities in Iran overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, while US CentralCommand (CENTCOM) reported striking 90 military sites along Iran's coastline toreduce Tehran's ability to target maritime traffic. Iran later launchedretaliatory attacks on US military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.

Shafaq News- Washington

Israel has shared intelligence with the United States indicating that Iran is preparing a new plot to assassinate US President Donald Trump, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

The report did not specify when or through which channel the intelligence was passed to Washington, nor did it disclose further details about the alleged plot.

According to the newspaper, calls for Trump's assassination resurfaced during funeral ceremonies for Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.

Trump has survived several assassination attempts or alleged plots over the past two years. He was wounded in the ear during a shooting at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024, while another suspected attempt was foiled at his golf club in Florida on Sept. 15, 2024.

Most recently, US Secret Service agents arrested a suspect before an armed attack could target the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on April 25, an event attended by Trump and senior members of his administration.

Shafaq News- Washington/ Beirut

Israel is expected to beginits first pullback from a planned “pilot zone” in southern Lebanon within days,a US official told Axios on Thursday, as Washington moves forward with theUS-mediated security framework between Beirut and Tel Aviv.

The process would proceeddespite Lebanon’s refusal to join another round of talks with Israel in Romenext week before the first redeployment begins, the official indicated, notingthat additional pilot zones are already being prepared, with US Central Commandcoordinating with both sides. Washington also plans to engage internationalpartners to help the Lebanese government restore sovereignty in the pilot zonesand across the country.

🇺🇸🇮🇱🇱🇧A U.S. official says the first "pilot zone" in southern Lebanon that the IDF is supposed to withdraw from "will launch in a matter of days"🇺🇸🇮🇱🇱🇧This statement comes as the Lebanese government refuses to hold another round of negotiations with Israel in Rome next week,…

— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) July 9, 2026

According to the official, theproposed Rome meeting would take place behind closed doors, allowing seniorIsraeli and Lebanese negotiators to hand discussions over to technical teamsresponsible for implementing the arrangement.

The framework, reached on June26, provides for a phased Israeli pullback from southern Lebanon in exchangefor a broader deployment of the Lebanese Army and the disarmament of armedgroups. Hezbollah and several Lebanese political factions oppose the plan,while Israel insists any further redeployment remains contingent on Hezbollah’sdisarmament.

Although Israeli PrimeMinister Benjamin Netanyahu previously identified Zawtar Al-Gharbiya and Frounas the first two locations included in the pilot stage, Froun’s municipalcouncil rejected the designation, arguing that the town is neither underIsraeli occupation nor within the so-called Yellow Line.

Daily Israeli militaryoperations continued across southern Lebanon despite the framework, with troopsburning several homes in Qantara in Marjayoun district, opening machine-gunfire from Bayyada toward Beit Al-Sayyad and from Beit Yahoun toward residentialareas in Baraachit, damaging several houses. Military vehicles and tanks alsoadvanced toward Birkat Al-Hammam near Khiyam, while a drone struck the AliAl-Taher woodland on the outskirts of Nabatieh Al-Fawqa.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry putthe cumulative toll from the war between March 2 and July 9 at 4,321 people killedand 12,204 others wounded, including women and children.

Read more: South Lebanon framework: What we know so far

Shafaq News- Beirut

Amnesty International on Thursday called for an investigation into threeIsraeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon that killed 24 civilians, including 12children, citing possible war crimes and violations of internationalhumanitarian law.

The strikes hit residential buildings in the southern cities of Tyre andNabatiyeh, as well as the town of Irkay near Saida, between March 6 and March13.

Kristine Beckerle, Amnesty International’s deputy regional director for theMiddle East and North Africa, said, “Within just one week, the Israeli militarywiped out entire families in Lebanon, including 12 children,” noting that therewere “reasonable grounds to believe” Israeli forces violated internationalhumanitarian law in each of the three cases.

The report was based on interviews with 15 people, including survivors,relatives of victims, medical workers, journalists who visited the strikesites, and local officials.

Amnesty also called on governments to impose an immediate arms embargo onIsrael and use legal mechanisms, including universal jurisdiction andextraterritorial jurisdiction, to investigate and prosecute those responsiblefor alleged violations.

In response to questions from the organization about nine strikes inLebanon, including the three under investigation, Israeli authorities indicatedthat some of the operations targeted “military objectives belonging toHezbollah,” while other cases had been referred for review.

Amnesty, meanwhile, stressed that Israeli authorities did not provide “anyspecific information regarding the three attacks, particularly concerning thealleged targets,” arguing that Tel Aviv accused Hezbollah of “systematicallyexploiting civilian infrastructure for military purposes.”

According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, the conflict has killed 4,319 peopleand wounded 12,203 others since the war began on March 2.

Read more: US-Iran ceasefire deal leaves Lebanon without guarantees

ShafaqNews- Washington

TheUnited States struck about 90 military sites along Iran's coastline, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) disclosed on Thursday, marking the second consecutivenight of US attacks on the country.

Theoperation was designed to weaken Iran's ability to target commercial shippingand civilian mariners in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiestmaritime trade routes. The strikes targeted air defense systems, coastal surveillanceassets, missile and drone storage facilities, naval capabilities, and militarylogistics infrastructure along Iran's southern coast.

https://t.co/fiKJRI9zmE

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 9, 2026

OnWednesday, US President Donald Trump declared the end of the recently signedmemorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tehran, referring to Iran's leadershipas a "gang" and "madmen."

CENTCOMalso revealed on Tuesday that US forces had carried out a series of"powerful" strikes against 80 targets in Iran in response to"attacks on three commercial vessels transiting Hormuz."

Iran'sIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) retaliated by striking 85 US targetsat Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters inBahrain with ballistic missiles and drones, while also downing a US MQ-9 droneover Bushehr Province.

Shafaq News- Washington

Iran would face further military action if it attempted to close the Strait of Hormuz or continued targeting commercial shipping, US Vice President JD Vance warned on Wednesday.

In a statement, Vance said that President Donald Trump retained "many options" to respond if Iran disrupted the strategic waterway, through which a significant share of global oil and gas supplies passes. Washington had reached an understanding with Tehran under which the United States would ease its blockade if Iran stopped attacking ships, he noted, adding that "If you fire at ships, we will respond, and we will respond more forcefully than ever."

He also claimed Iran's military capabilities had been severely degraded and said some figures within the Iranian leadership were seeking to improve relations with the United States.

Earlier, Trump said the United States could launch another strike on Iran later in the day, accusing Tehran of violating its understanding with Washington. Meanwhile, Iran's Press TV, citing an unnamed source, reported that any new US attack would lead to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and strikes on "hostile targets."