US launches 10th night of Iran strikes as IRGC claims attacks on Bahrain, Kuwait

Air France temporarily halts Dubai, Riyadh flightsAir France has temporarily suspended flights to Dubai and Riyadh and extended its suspension of services to Beirut, citing the ongoing operational situation in the Middle East.The airline said affected passengers are being contacted directly and can cancel or postpone their trips without additional charges, even if their flights have not been cancelled.Read more here.US escorted 900 oil tankers through HormuzThe US military has escorted nearly 900 commercial vessels carrying about 450 million barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz since early May, marking a sharp increase in protected maritime traffic as Washington intensifies efforts to keep one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints open amid its conflict with Iran.The updated figures, released by US Central Command (CentCom), represent an increase from the approximately 800 vessels reported just one week earlier, underscoring the pace of commercial shipping continuing under US naval protection despite persistent threats from Iranian missile, drone and naval attacks.The escorted vessels account for hundreds of millions of barrels of crude oil bound for global markets, highlighting the strategic importance of the US-led maritime security mission as tensions in the Gulf continue to escalate.CentCom said its forces remain committed to safeguarding freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil consumption and about a third of global seaborne crude trade normally passes.Get updated faster and for FREE: Download the Gulf News app now - simply click here.Iran Guards say hit US military targets in Bahrain, KuwaitIran's Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday they hit US military targets including air defence systems in Bahrain and Kuwait, state news agency IRNA reported.The 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."With this radar sweep, the enemy should prepare for even more decisive and powerful waves of drone and missile attacks," the Guards said in a statement carried by IRNA.Iran Guards say stopped two oil tankers in HormuzIran's Revolutionary Guards said Tuesday they stopped two "non-compliant oil tankers" attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, state news agency IRNA reported."Two non-compliant oil tankers attempting to pass through the unsafe southern route of the Strait of Hormuz were stopped after explosions caused extensive fires aboard them," the Guards said in a statement carried by IRNA.UK maritime agency says tanker struck off Oman coast An oil tanker has been reportedly struck off Oman coast, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations. An "unknown projectile" struck the bulk carrier as Iran and the US exchanged fire over control of the Strait of Hormuz. The UKMTO said it "received multiple reports that a tanker... has been struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz," adding that the incident occurred eight nautical miles (15 km) northeast of Limah, Oman.Iran military says targeted US base in Kuwait The IRGC Navy has said it launched a "coordinated three-phase operation" that caused "significant damage" to US military assets in the region. Iran's military announced it launched missile attacks on US facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain, claiming to have hit HIMARS systems at Camp Arifjan and damaged assets at Al‑Sakhir Air Base and Salman Port, escalating the Iran‑US confrontation. The Iranian army said early Tuesday it had targeted a US base in Kuwait with missiles, as President Masoud Pezeshkian said the conflict had morphed into a "full-scale war". Red line for Iran: 'Their behaviour has to change', US keeps 'door open' to diplomacy — Rubio US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington remains willing to pursue a diplomatic solution with Iran, but insisted any path toward de-escalation depends on Tehran ending its attacks on international shipping and complying with its commitments. "Their behaviour has to change in order for ours to change," Rubio said before he boarded for a flight to Manila, in remarks shared by the White House's Rapid Response 47 account. Rubio, who has just landed in Manila to attend the ASEAN Summit, argued that any existing understanding between Washington and Tehran cannot remain valid if Iran continues to violate its obligations. "You can't have an MOU that's alive if they're violating the terms," he said. "The US always remains open to a diplomatic solution. We've tried multiple times with Iran and we'll continue to try... but their behaviour is what we're responding to — and their behaviour is they're launching missiles and drones against ships."US military launches 10th night of strikes against IranThe US military said Monday night it had completed its latest round of strikes against Iran, targeting various sites to counter Tehran's ability to attack ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz."US forces struck Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems to degrade Iran's ability to continue attacking commercial vessels flowing through the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM said in a post on X. US blockade of Iran: 7 commercial vessels redirectedThe US military said it has redirected seven commercial vessels and disabled one since the renewed US naval blockade of Iranian ports came into effect on July 14.In a statement late on Monday, the US Central Command said: "U.S. service members aboard amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) support flight operations day and night from the Arabian Sea as CENTCOM enforces the naval blockade against Iran. As of July 20, the U.S. military has redirected 7 commercial vessels and disabled 1 to prevent the ships from leaving or entering Iranian ports."Drone shot down near Iraq's Al-Harir airbase, which houses US forcesAn explosive-laden drone was shot down near Iraq's Al-Harir airbase, which houses US forces, security sources told Reuters. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the incident, which was reported east of Erbil.Iranian military officer killed in a US strike in Tabriz: Fars News AgencyAn Iranian military officer was killed in a US strike on the northwestern city of Tabriz on Monday, according to Iran's Fars News Agency. The agency said Mahdad Pashae died after a US attack targeting a site in East Azerbaijan province.US-Iran war shows no signs of easingThe fighting between US and Iran showed no signs of easing. After completing its ninth consecutive night of strikes, US forces launched a 10th straight night of operations late on Monday. The US Central Command says its actions form part of continuing efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and suppress Iran's military capabilities as the conflict entered a more dangerous regional phase.Meanwhile, the Iranian army has said it targeted US base in Kuwait. Iran's Fars News Agency reported that Iranian military officer Mahdad Pashae was killed in a US strike on the northwestern city of Tabriz on Monday. The agency said Pashae died after a US attack targeting a site in East Azerbaijan province.Kuwait condemns continued Iranian attacksThe Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry condemned and denounced in the strongest terms the continued heinous Iranian aggression on the country, the latest of which took place earlier in the day.In a press release carried by Kuwait News Agency, the ministry termed this aggression a blatant violation of Kuwait's sovereignty, a direct threat to its security and stability and the safety of its citizens and residents, and a serious breach of international law, the UN Charter and UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2817.It underlined that the continuation of these blatant aggressions while regional and international efforts are being exerted to ensure calm systematically undermines de-escalation efforts and the international will to support this track.It also affirmed that Kuwait's security, sovereignty and territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens and residents cannot be compromised, reiterating that the State of Kuwait reserves its inalienable and legitimate right to take all necessary measures to safeguard its sovereignty and protect its security and stability.Qatar condemns repeated Iranian attacks on Kuwait, BahrainQatar condemned in the strongest terms the renewed attacks launched by Iran on the territories of both the sisterly State of Kuwait and the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain, considering them a flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the two countries.It further stated that it is a blatant breach of international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of good neighbourliness.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement carried by the Qatar News Agency, confirmed that the continuation of these attacks constitutes a dangerous escalation that will complicate efforts to contain tensions and undermine political and diplomatic endeavours aimed at achieving security and stability in the region.The ministry stressed the need for an immediate and complete cessation of all military actions and attacks that threaten the security and stability of the region.The ministry reiterated the State of Qatar's full solidarity with the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Bahrain, and its support for all measures they take to preserve their sovereignty and security.US‑Israel war on Iran: Recent developments Day 141: Iran president says country in 'full-scale war' with USDay 140: US strikes Iran, Gulf states face missile threats as war risks spreadDay 139: Two US troops killed, one missing in JordanDay 138: Gulf faces fresh attacks as Trump signals diplomacyDay 137: Dubai rebuts false explosion reportsDay 137: Iran says it is no longer bound by parts of US ceasefire dealDay 136: 2 UAE tankers hit, US to resume Iran blockadeDay 135: US military launches another round of Iran strikes