Sirens sound off in Bahrain, security warning sent to phones in Qatar Sirens have been activated in Bahrain, with authorities warning citizens and residents to "remain calm and head to the nearest safe place". Meanwhile, Reuters is reporting that elevated security threat warnings have been sent to mobile phones in Qatar.
Trump says he expects recent military escalation in Iran to be 'over very quickly' US President Donald Trump said he expected the military flare-up with Iran to end very quickly despite earlier statements saying the ceasefire was "over". US President Donald Trump said Wednesday he expected the military flare-up with Iran overnight to end very quickly despite earlier statements saying the ceasefire was "over". pic.
Railway bridge struck in northwestern Iran Iranian state television is reporting that a fresh attack on the country targeted a railway bridge in northwestern Iran.
Firefighter killed in US attack on Iranian airport A US attack on an airport in Iran's southeastern city of Iranshahr killed a firefighter early on Thursday, state media reported.
Oil prices rise after Trump remarks on Iran ceasefire Oil prices rose worldwide after Trump suggested ending the ceasefire with Iran during remarks at the Nato summit in Ankara. Brent crude rose 5. 8 percent to $78.
Iranian media reports attacks on Chabahar and explosions in Iranshahr Iran's Fars news agency, quoting a local official, says attacks on the southeastern port of Chabahar targeted maritime traffic control and a depot. Mehr news agency also reported that explosions were heard in the southeastern city of Iranshahr. Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser to Iran's supreme leader, posted a Quranic verse on X, adding that "the aggressor enemy and its accomplices will be severely punished".
Italian prime minister says Rome will not join attacks on Iran Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says Italy will not take part in military operations against Iran, reiterating Rome's position amid escalating tensions in the region. "We have had a very clear line from the beginning of the conflict in Iran... we will not participate in attacks against Iran," Meloni told reporters at the Nato summit in Ankara.
Trump says Iran strikes were retaliation for ship attacks Trump says the latest US strikes on Iran were carried out in retaliation for what he described as Iran's bombing of ships a day earlier. "This is in retribution for yesterday's bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!
Trump administration moves to rescind Syria terrorism designation The Trump administration has notified the US Congress of its decision to rescind Syria's designation as a "state sponsor of terrorism", an unnamed administration official told Reuters. American lawmakers will now conduct a 45-day review and make a final decision on the administration's advice, according to Reuters.
Eight blasts reported in southern Iran Explosions are being reported from Iran's southwestern Bushehr province, according to the country's Mehr news agency. Iran's state broadcaster IRIB said eight explosions were heard in the southern port city, with air defence systems activated as a result.
'Earth shifting': Trump begins process to remove Syria from state sponsors of terrorism list Submitted by Yasmine El-Sabawi on Wed, 07/08/2026 - 19:30 The announcement follows Trump's meeting with his Syrian counterpart on the sidelines of the Nato summit in Ankara US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the Nato summit at Bestepe Presidential Compound in Ankara, Turkey, on 8 July 2026 (Saul Lobe/AFP) Off In what is arguably the most impactful deliverable from President Donald Trump's trip to Ankara, Turkey, this week, the US on Wednesday formally began the process of removing Syria from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST). There are only four countries on that list: Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria, which was added in 1979. "This is yet another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a chance at greatness," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.
Centcom says US strikes meant to hold Iran 'accountable' US Central Command says its latest wave of strikes on Iran is aimed at holding Tehran "accountable" for what it described as recent "aggression". "The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway," CENTCOM said in a post on X.
Centcom says US forces launching additional strikes on Iran US Central Command says its forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran at Trump's direction. In a post on X, Centcom said the strikes aimed "to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz". The announcement came after Iranian semi-official media reported explosions in southern coastal Iran.
CENTCOM says more than 20 US warships operating across Middle East US Central Command says more than 20 US Navy warships are currently operating "across the Middle East" as part of efforts to maintain regional security. In a post on X, CENTCOM said recent naval movements demonstrated "unmatched American military strength and firepower".
Arab League chief says Israel blocked first foreign trip to Ramallah The Arab League's new secretary-general, Nabil Fahmy, says Israel blocked him from visiting Ramallah, in what would have been his first foreign trip since taking office this month. The regional bloc's secretariat was informed by Palestinian authorities "of the Israeli occupation authorities' rejection of a visit... to the occupied Palestinian territories" to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah, Fahmy's office said in a statement.
Iranian foreign ministry says US violated terms of MoU Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has accused the US of violating the terms of its memorandum of understanding with Iran. In a post on X, Baqaei said the US had "violated the agreement's structure through its unilateral actions and aggressive attacks against Iran" by going against the MoU's fifth clause, which he said "emphasises the Islamic Republic of Iran's responsibility in determining arrangements for the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz". Baqaei said Iran will defend its national interests and exercise sovereignty.
Israeli drone strike kills two men in southern Lebanon Two men were killed after being targeted by an Israeli drone strike in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Lebanon's National News Agency reported. According to NNA, the two were struck while walking near Ghandour Hospital.
Israeli forces heavily bomb southern Lebanon town Lebanon's National News Agency says Israeli forces carried out heavy bombing in the town of Taybeh. No further details on casualties or damage were immediately available.
Iranian deputy foreign minister says Trump remarks show failure of US policy Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi says Trump's latest remarks on Iran reflected the failure of Washington's policy towards Tehran. In a post on X, Gharibabadi said Trump's comments, including threats of further attacks, were "not a sign of strength, but rather an admission of the failure of a policy built on brute force, sanctions, and threats for years". He added that Iran must respond to Trump in "his own language", saying that "apparently, he understands the language of force better".
Not even a single American soldier will return alive, Iranian lawmaker says Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian parliament's Foreign Policy and National Security Committee, has warned US military personnel after Trump threatened to invade Iran's Kharg Island. "Not even a single American soldier will return alive," Rezaei wrote on X, responding to Trump's threat during the Nato summit in Ankara. "Come on, we're waiting for you," he added.
