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."

Shafaq News- Ankara

US President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that he intends to remove Syria from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, describing the country as "very stable" under transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Speaking after meeting Al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Ankara, Trump noted that Syria could help Washington address issues related to Hezbollah and Lebanon, adding that he expected Israel to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon as US-backed efforts to consolidate the ceasefire continue.

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

Al-Sharaa, in turn, thanked Trump for easing US sanctions and shifting Washington's policy toward Damascus, saying the Syrian people were “grateful for the move.”

Although most US sanctions imposed after the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have been lifted, Syria has remained on Washington's list of state sponsors of terrorism since 1979.

Shafaq News- Washington/ Tehran

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned that the US army could strike Iran again overnight, accusing Tehran of violating the memorandum of understanding (MoU) after attacks on commercial ships and US military sites in the Gulf.

“We’re going to hit them hard tonight,” Trump told reporters at the NATO summit in Ankara, adding that the MoU was “over,” though he would allow negotiations to continue.

He also raised the possibility of seizing Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, and striking Iran’s water and energy installations.

The US army earlier claimed striking Iranian air-defense systems, radars, and more than 60 boats used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), after Washington accused Tehran of attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran then targeted US military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Shafaq News- London

Around 6,000 seafarers remain stranded on hundreds of ships in the Gulf after renewed attacks on vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) said on Wednesday.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez warned that the attacks “further intensify the fear, uncertainty and psychological strain already being endured by the seafarers,” urging restraint and de-escalation, while advising stakeholders to avoid sending ships through the strait.

Ship-tracking data showed earlier today that four oil and gas tankers turned back from the Strait of Hormuz after renewed attacks damaged Qatar’s LNG tanker Al-Rekayyat and the Saudi-flagged crude tanker Wadiyan near the waterway. According to Initial reports, Al-Rekayyat was hit on its port side while transiting Hormuz, triggering a fire near the engine room and raising fears of an explosion, while Wadiyan was damaged off Oman’s coast.

Shafaq News- Ankara

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday declared the end of theMemorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed with Tehran, describingIran’s leadership as a “gang” and “madmen.”

Addressing the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump stressed that Washingtonwould not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, defending the US strikescarried out earlier today.

“The United States had spent too much time dealing with Iran,” he added,praising his administration for having “great negotiators” and indicating thattalks with Tehran could resume in the future, although he saw no reason fornegotiations at the current stage.

Trump warned Iran against targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz,stating that any such action would trigger a US response “20 times stronger.”He also accused Tehran of attempting to target American officials, includinghimself.

United States Central Command (CENTCOM) reported on Wednesday a seriesof "powerful" strikes against 80 targets in Iran in response to"attacks on three commercial vessels transiting Hormuz."

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) retaliated by targetingUS military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain with ballistic missiles anddrones, while also downing a US MQ-9 drone over Bushehr Province. The IRGCstated that the operation targeted 85 military facilities at Ali Al Salem AirBase in Kuwait and the US United States Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.

Shafaq News- Middle East

Four oil and gas tankers turned back from the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after renewed attacks damaged Qatari and Saudi vessels near the strategic waterway, ship-tracking data showed.

The tankers reversed course after Qatar’s liquefied natural gas tanker Al-Rekayyat and the Saudi-flagged crude oil tanker Wadiyan were damaged near the strait on Tuesday by alleged Iranian missiles. Initial local reports detailed that Al-Rekayyat was hit on its port side while transiting Hormuz, triggering a fire near the engine room, while Wadiyan was damaged off Oman’s coast.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia held Iran responsible for the attacks, while Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated that ships using uncoordinated routes or tampering with tracking systems expose themselves to risk and obstruct Tehran’s efforts to facilitate safe passage through the strait.

In response, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed that American forces struck more than 80 targets in Iran. The escalation pushed oil prices up by more than 5% amid fears of disruption in the strait, which remains a key route for Gulf oil and gas exports to global markets.

Shafaq News- Ankara

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Wednesday defended thelatest US strikes on Iran as "very necessary," stressing that theStrait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments, must remain fullyopen.

Speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, Rutte accused Tehranof violating the recently signed US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding and backedWashington’s position on Iran’s nuclear file, reiterating that Tehran"should never get its hands on a nuclear capability."

Addressing US concerns over the positions taken by someNATO allies, including the refusal of some countries to join the Iran war,Rutte noted that Washington’s disappointment was limited to "individualcases."

United States Central Command (CENTCOM) reported earlier onWednesday a series of "powerful" strikes against 80 targets in Iranin response to "attacks on three commercial vessels transitingHormuz."

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) retaliatedby targeting US military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain with ballisticmissiles and drones, while also downing a US MQ-9 drone over Bushehr Province.The IRGC stated that the operation targeted 85 military facilities at Ali AlSalem Air Base in Kuwait and the US United States Fifth Fleet headquarters inBahrain.

Shafaq News-Tehran (Updated at 8:45)

Iran'sRevolutionary Guards said their forces destroyed American militaryinstallations in Kuwait and Bahrain on Wednesday using ballistic missiles anddrones, while also downing a US MQ-9 drone over Bushehr province in southernIran on Wednesday morning.

The IRGC saidthe operation targeted 85 military facilities at Ali al-Salem Air Base inKuwait and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain “in retaliation forterrorist American army airstrikes on coastal positions and civilian sites inHormozgan and Mahshahr provinces.”

Kuwait's military said that its air defense systems repelled attacksinvolving “missiles and hostile drones.” The Bahraini Ministry of Interior called on all citizens to comply withsecurity and safety instructions issued by competent authorities as sirens sound.

تتصدى حالياً الدفاعات الجوية الكويتية لهجمات صاروخية وطائرات مسيرة معادية.تنوه رئاسة الأركان العامة للجيش أن أصوات الانفجارات إن سمعت فهي نتيجة اعتراض منظومات الدفاع الجوي للهجمات المعادية.يرجى من الجميع التقيد بتعليمات الأمن والسلامة الصادرة عن الجهات المختصة.… pic.twitter.com/nhXrpThL4T

— KUWAIT ARMY - الجيش الكويتي (@KuwaitArmyGHQ) July 8, 2026

The siren has been sounded .Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.

— Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) July 8, 2026

The US MQ-9 drone wasshot down over Khormuj in Bushehr province, “following an American militaryoperation,” the IRGC said, pointing out that its air defense units targeted theaircraft as it approached the area of confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's IRGC downed a US MQ-9 drone over the skies of Khormoj early this morning. The aircraft was struck and destroyed by a new domestically-developed air defense system after 'aerial aggression' by American forces over Bushehr province.Follow https://t.co/B3zXG73Jym pic.twitter.com/CXOUx9y9eL

— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) July 8, 2026

Khatamal-Anbiya Headquarters, the IRGC strategic command center, warned that thearmed forces will deliver “a crushing response to further American aggression,placing full responsibility on the United States for violating the agreement”with Tehran. “Only shipping routes approved by Tehran are safe for vessels andoil tankers transiting the waterway.”

The Iranian army also warned, “all US bases in the region would be legitimatetargets for our drones.”

The US CentralCommand (CENTCOM) announced the completion of the offensive strikes, hittingover 80 targets.

https://t.co/7YDsfu5x84

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 8, 2026

Shafaq News- Washington

The US will revoke ageneral license that had allowed the sale of Iranian oil, reuters reported onTuesday, citing a US Official.

Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz are "completelyunacceptable" and will carry "serious consequences", theofficial warned, while oil prices roseby more than 5% following his remarks.

Earlier, the US Treasury Department said it would allow awind-down period until July 17 for transactions involving Iranian oil that hadbeen authorized under the now-revoked license. The official said US negotiatorscontinue to work in good faith to reach a final agreement with Iran despite thelatest escalation.

Earlier, Qatar's Foreign Ministry called on Iran toimmediately end any actions that threaten regional security or endangerinternational shipping and global energy supplies. Doha also requested anurgent explanation for the incident and called for immediate measures toprevent a recurrence, saying it reserves the right to take any action it deemsappropriate under international law to protect its interests and nationalassets.

Statement | Qatar Strongly Condemns Targeting of Saudi Oil Tanker 'Wedyan'Doha | July 7, 2026The State of Qatar strongly condemns the targeting of the Saudi tanker 'Wedyan' as it transited the Strait of Hormuz, calling the incident a grave violation of international maritime… pic.twitter.com/Apc4AaICwT

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) July 7, 2026

Saudi Arabia demanded an immediate halt to any actions thatthreaten regional security, maritime navigation, and global energy supplies,holding Tehran fully responsible for the attacks and all their consequences.

#Statement | The Foreign Ministry expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s condemnation in the strongest terms of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s targeting the Saudi tanker “Wedyan” as it transited the Strait of Hormuz and targeting the Qatari tanker “Al-Rekayyat.” The Kingdom… pic.twitter.com/ufGGvbKUp8

— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) July 7, 2026

Iran's Foreign Ministry, accused Washington of attempting tojustify “violations” of the memorandum of understanding through various pretexts,noting that Tehran “acted in good faith and devoted all our capabilities tofulfilling our commitments under the MoU since it was signed."

Shafaq News- Baghdad

US forces launched a series of "powerful" strikesagainst targets in Iran in response to “attacks on three commercial vesselstransiting the Strait of Hormuz,” the US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated onTuesday.

The strikes were intended to impose heavy costs onIran for targeting commercial shipping "crewed by innocent civilians in an internationalwaterway," CENTCOM said, adding that the Iranian attacks were "unwarranted,dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire."

U.S. Central Command forces have begun launching a series of powerful strikes against Iran to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway. The U.S. strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three…

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 7, 2026

Iran's Fars News Agency reported that 14 explosions wereheard in different parts of the country.

According to the agency, 10 explosions were reported in thecity of Sirik, while four others were heard in the village of Meysin on QeshmIsland in southern Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry, accused Washington ofattempting to justify “violations” of the memorandum of understanding throughvarious pretexts, noting that Tehran “acted in good faith and devoted all ourcapabilities to fulfilling our commitments under the MoU since it was signed."

Shafaq News- Damascus

France and Syria agreed on Tuesday to deepen economic cooperation and support the country's reconstruction, with French President Emmanuel Macron announcing joint economic committees to coordinate rebuilding efforts alongside Gulf partners.

Speaking during a Syrian-French business roundtable at the presidential palace in Damascus, Macron said France would help rehabilitate Syria's banking sector and expand cooperation in energy, infrastructure and other key economic sectors, reaffirming Paris' long-term “commitment to Syria's recovery.”

The roundtable preceded the signing of several investment agreements and memorandums of understanding between French and Syrian entities.

Addressing business leaders, Syrian transitional President Ahmad Al-Sharaa said Damascus was working to establish a modern investment environment based on institutions and the rule of law, arguing that investors were seeking stable markets integrated into the global economy.

Al-Sharaa noted that the proposed projects include renewing Syria's civil aviation fleet, operating airports, upgrading air navigation systems, exploring offshore energy resources, and modernizing electricity, water, digital infrastructure and civil registry systems.

French shipping and logistics company CMA CGM had signed a 230-million-euro ($270 million) agreement 14 months ago to develop the Port of Latakia before committing an additional 200 million euros ($234 million) to expand its capacity, according to al-Sharaa.

Macron arrived in Damascus earlier today, becoming the first French president to visit Syria since 2009.

Shafaq News-London /Washington /Tehran

Iran's militaryfired at least two missiles at commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuzovernight Monday, striking at least one vessel, two US officials told Axios.

The UnitedKingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that a tanker travelingsouthbound was struck by an unknown projectile approximately 8 nautical mileseast of Limah, Oman, causing a fire on the port side. No casualties werereported. One of the targeted vessels appears to be Al Rekayyat, a liquefiednatural gas tanker owned by Nakilat, the shipping arm of Qatar's LNG industry,the Wall Street Journal reported.

Iranian statetelevision said a gas tanker came under attack after ignoring warnings issuedby Iranian naval forces but stopped short of directly claiming the assault.

The incidentoccurred after a one-week agreement between Washington and Tehran to haltstrikes in the Strait of Hormuz expired. A 60-day memorandum of understandingsigned in late June, with August 17 as the deadline, includes provisions onattacks in the waterway.

Iranian ForeignMinister Abbas Araghchi responded hours after the incident: "Negotiationson final deal will not commence if threats continue. Honor yoursignature."

Shafaq News- Rabat

Moroccan counterterrorism authorities arrested 10suspects accused of pledging allegiance to ISIS and plotting attacks onsensitive targets, the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) statedon Monday.

The cell operated under an alleged “emir” who assignedmembers specific roles, including selecting targets and procuring equipment.The suspects, among them a minor, were detained during coordinated raids acrossseven cities, which comprised Agadir, Taroudant, Casablanca, Hajeb, Tetouan,Fqih Ben Salah, and Safi.

According to the agency, the operation uncoveredbomb-making materials, chemicals, military uniforms, extremist literature, anda four-wheel-drive vehicle with a modified fuel tank believed to have beenintended for a suicide bombing or vehicle-ramming attack, while also seizingbutane gas cylinders, pressure cookers packed with nails, electricalcomponents, and chemical substances used to assemble improvised explosivedevices.

Authorities are investigating the cell's suspectedlinks to ISIS's Sahel branch and examining possible domestic and internationalconnections. Official BCIJ figures indicate that the group’s African affiliateshave recruited more than 130 Moroccan fighters in recent years.

Since its establishment in 2015, the BCIJ hasdismantled dozens of militant cells and detained more than 1,000 suspected ISISmembers. Morocco’s most recent ISIS-linked attack occurred in 2023, when threemilitants killed a police officer in Casablanca.