Iran says Strait of Hormuz will stay shut until US 'hostile actions' end

The Jordanian military said on Tuesday that it had intercepted two Iranian attacks, the latest by the Islamic republic on countries in the region following the resumption of West Asia war, AFP reported.

The military’s “air defence systems intercepted and shot down three Iranian missiles targeting the kingdom at midday today”, the army said in a statement.

Bahrain’s Defence Forces said on Tuesday that they intercepted and destroyed several incoming Iranian missiles, adding that the country’s air defence systems successfully responded to the attack.

Authorities urged residents to remain alert and avoid approaching any suspicious objects or debris left behind, asking them to report such items immediately to the relevant authorities.

In a statement, the General Command of the Bahrain Defence Force condemned the attack, saying the use of missiles and drones against civilians and private property amounted to a “blatant violation” of international humanitarian law.

Jordan intercepts Iranian drones: The Jordanian military said on Tuesday it had intercepted five Iranian drones, with Iran’s IRGC confirming the attack that they said targeted a “complex housing US terrorist forces in the region of Rukban”.

US caution alert: The US State Department issued an alert urging American citizens around the world to “exercise increased caution” because of the war with Iran.

Iran launches fresh strikes in Bahrain, Kuwait: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they struck two air defence systems and a radar installation at two different US outposts in Bahrain, as well as missile defence systems and radars and satellite reception systems in Kuwait.

Iran stops tankers in Hormuz: Iran on Tuesday said that they stopped two “non-compliant oil tankers” attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, after “explosions caused extensive fires aboard them,” state news agency IRNA reported.

Jordan said on Tuesday that it intercepted and neutralised five drones launched from Iran, according to an Al Jazeera report.

The interceptions came hours after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had carried out strikes on US military targets in Jordan, including a missile defence radar system and an F-15 fighter jet.

Qatar has voiced its support for Saudi Arabia after the Houthis declared a naval blockade against the kingdom and accused Riyadh of blockading Yemen and obstructing maritime navigation. In a statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to uphold relevant UN Security Council resolutions, saying, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on the international community to assume its responsibilities in implementing relevant UN Security Council resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 2216 on Yemen and Resolution 2722 on the rights and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.”

The ministry also reaffirmed that freedom of navigation through international waterways is a fundamental principle of international law and expressed Doha’s “full solidarity” with Saudi Arabia “for measures taken to protect its security and sovereignty”.

Jordan said on Tuesday that its forces had neutralised five drones launched from Iran, according to the country’s state news agency. The announcement came after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had carried out several strikes on US military targets in Jordan, including a missile defence radar system and an F-15 fighter jet.

The Israeli military on Tuesday said it had killed Adham Ibrahim Shaban Nasman, the head of the operations department of Hamas’s Gaza City Brigade, during a joint operation carried out with the Shin Bet intelligence agency on Saturday. According to the military, Nasman took part in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and was involved in taking numerous captives. It also said he had previously served as the commander of Hamas’s Nukhba special forces.

Iran will keep the Strait of Hormuz closed for as long as it considers US actions to be hostile, according to a military source cited by the country’s semi-official Fars news agency. The source said Tehran would not allow any vessels to transit the strategically important waterway under the current circumstances.

“The Strait of Hormuz is in full control of the Iranian armed forces,” the source was quoted as saying. “Any decision to reopen or continue restrictions on this passageway will be made solely based on security considerations and national interests, and this situation will not change as long as US threats and hostile actions continue.”

The US is expected to press the new UK government to continue allowing access to key British military bases as its conflict with Iran continues, according to a report by The Telegraph. The newspaper said President Donald Trump is “pressing the new prime minister to maintain access to RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia”. The issue was reportedly discussed during a phone call between Trump and newly appointed UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham shortly after Burnham took office on Monday.

Under the previous government led by Keir Starmer, the UK initially declined to let the US use the Diego Garcia base on Chagos Island to launch B2 bombers but later revised its position, permitting the base to be used for defensive operations, including attacks aimed at “degrading Iran’s military capability”.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday claimed responsibility for a missile strike targeting Amazon’s central data infrastructure in Bahrain, describing it as a US commercial target. In a statement carried by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, the IRGC said its aerospace force used cruise missiles in the attack. It added that the strike was carried out in retaliation for recent US attacks on civilian infrastructure in Darkhovin. The IRGC’s claims could not be independently verified.

The US State Department advised American citizens across the world to remain on heightened alert as the conflict with Iran continues to fuel security concerns. In a travel alert, the department said, “Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation.” It also urged that “Americans outside the Middle East should reconsider travel to and through the region” while warning of an increased risk of attacks targeting US diplomatic facilities “or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world.”

A tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz was evacuated after being hit by an unidentified projectile, prompting its crew to abandon the vessel, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said. According to UKMTO, the incident occurred off the coast of Limah, Oman, with the ship’s company security officer (CSO) informing the agency that all crew members had left the tanker and boarded a lifeboat.

The development came shortly after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that “massive fires” had erupted on two oil tankers attempting to navigate what it described as the “unsafe southern route in the Strait of Hormuz” following an explosion.

Dozens of displaced residents have started returning to villages in southern Lebanon after Israel, Lebanon and the United States announced on Monday the launch of the “pilot zone” project. The US said Froun is among the first three villages included in the initial phase of the plan, while the neighbouring village of Ghandouriyeh is expected to be part of the second phase. However, some residents have questioned why their communities were included, arguing that Israeli forces never occupied those villages. They contend that the arrangement allows Israel to retain control over areas it continues to occupy rather than making meaningful concessions under the framework agreement. Lebanese security sources also supported that assessment, according to Al Jazeera.

The US Central Command (Centcom) has released footage of what it said were another round of strikes against Iran, marking the tenth consecutive night of operations. According to Centcom, the strikes concluded at 9:00 pm ET on July 20 and targeted military command centres, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defence systems with the stated aim of degrading Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its Aerospace Force targeted multiple US radar and air defence systems in Bahrain and Kuwait during the 24th wave of Operation Nasr-2. In a statement, the IRGC claimed the attacks were aimed at military infrastructure used by US forces across the Gulf, though it did not provide details on the extent of the damage or whether there were any casualties.

The Iranian Army’s Public Relations Department has released footage it says shows the nineteenth phase of Operation “Thunderbolt”, during which “suicide drones” targeted three major US military installations in Kuwait.

Iran’s army has claimed responsibility for launching “kamikaze drones” at three major US military installations in Kuwait. In a statement carried by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, the military said the attacks targeted administrative buildings and direction-finding antennas at Camp Arifjan, a helicopter parking area at Camp Al-Adiri, and troop housing facilities at Ahmed Al-Jaber Air Base.

Residents of Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa, have voiced opposition to any escalation with Saudi Arabia, as regional tensions rise following the Houthis’ declaration of a naval blockade on the kingdom.

The Houthis said the blockade was imposed in response to what they described as Riyadh’s “unjust and oppressive siege” on Yemen.

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has vowed to respond to the threat “firmly”.

Speaking about the latest developments, one resident of Sanaa told Al Jazeera, “All Yemeni people want to end the Saudi blockade on Yemen in all its forms, to import food items and medicine, and to allow airports to operate again for sick people and other travellers.”

Iran’s army has claimed it targeted US HIMARS missile systems at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, describing the strike as part of its latest military operation carried out in response to recent US attacks on Iran.

In a statement carried by IRIB, the army said the missile attack formed part of the 18th phase of its “Thunder” operation and was launched in retaliation for US strikes on Iranian territory.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed it destroyed US air defence assets in Bahrain’s Muharraq area during its latest military operation.

In a statement carried by the IRIB broadcaster, the IRGC said a US Patriot air defence system located in Bahrain’s Al-Riffa was also destroyed in what it described as a coordinated missile and drone attack.