Iran said two vessels were involved in what it described as “accidents” in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, July 19, as the US-Iran war entered its 141st day and military tensions continued to escalate across the Gulf.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the incidents occurred after four vessels allegedly switched off their navigation systems and attempted to pass through what it called an “unsafe route”. The force claimed two vessels were disabled while two others turned back, warning that ships using unauthorised routes could face similar incidents.
The developments came as the United States launched fresh strikes on Iranian military targets, Tehran claimed attacks on US military facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain activated air raid sirens, and Jordan evacuated Aqaba International Airport and the city’s seaport following a security threat.
Below are the latest developments.
Jordan says no security threats detected
Jordanian authorities said no potential threats had been detected by the relevant security agencies over the past several hours.
The statement came amid heightened regional tensions, with officials continuing to monitor developments and assess any potential security risks.
Jordan evacuates Aqaba airport and seaport
The US Embassy in Amman said Jordanian authorities had evacuated Aqaba International Airport and the city’s seaport on Sunday due to a “specific and credible threat”.
In a security alert, the embassy urged American citizens to avoid travelling to the airport, seaport and military bases in Jordan, and to follow all security instructions issued by Jordanian authorities.
Iran says US struck Darkhovin nuclear plant site
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation said on Sunday that the United States had attacked the under-construction Darkhovin nuclear power plant.
In a statement, the organisation described the strike as “a blatant crime against international law”, saying the facility was under international safeguards. It added that the attack would strengthen the resolve of Iran’s nuclear industry to continue its work.
Iranian Parliament Speaker urges unity behind Mojtaba Khamenei
h Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called for national unity on Sunday, saying solidarity was essential to confront the country’s enemies.
In a post on X, Ghalibaf urged Iranians to follow the guidance of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, describing obedience to the Leader’s directives as vital for national resistance. His remarks came after messages attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei sparked criticism from hardline supporters following the temporary understanding between Iran and the United States.
Khamenei calls US the “Great Satan”
Iran’s Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, described the United States as the “Great Satan”, saying its “trouble-free, domineering presence” in the Middle East was “nothing but a naive fantasy”.
“The Great Satan – the criminal US – has now realised that the continuation of its trouble-free, domineering presence in the region is nothing but a naive fantasy,” he wrote on X.
Trump says Iran’s MoU no longer matters
US President Donald Trump said Iran’s commitment to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) no longer mattered and reiterated that Washington would not allow Tehran to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Kuwait PM visits victims injured in Iranian attacks
Kuwait’s Prime Minister visited victims injured in the Iranian attacks who are receiving treatment at Al-Adan Hospital on Sunday. The injured were hospitalised following attacks targeting civilians and vital facilities across the country.
Bahrain says air defences intercepted Iranian aerial attacks
Bahrain’s Defence Force said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed several Iranian aerial attacks on Sunday. The military urged residents to avoid suspicious objects and report any debris to the authorities, adding that specialist teams were handling the remnants safely.
Air raid sirens sound in Bahrain
Air raid sirens sounded across Bahrain on Sunday as Iran and the United States exchanged fresh strikes over the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement, Bahrain’s Interior Ministry urged residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place. An AFP journalist confirmed that sirens were heard in the capital, Manama.
Kuwait says air defences intercept Iranian missiles and drones
Kuwait’s armed forces said the country’s air defence systems were responding to hostile missile and drone attacks following what it described as Iranian aggression.
In a statement posted on X, the General Staff of the Kuwait Army said explosions heard across parts of the country were the result of air defence systems intercepting incoming targets.
“Kuwaiti air defences are currently responding to hostile missile and drone threats,” the statement said.
The military urged residents to remain calm and follow safety and security instructions issued by the relevant authorities while interception operations continued.
Trump dismisses Iran’s MoU commitment
US President Donald Trump said Iran’s refusal to honour the memorandum of understanding no longer mattered, adding that the United States remained committed to preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon, according to Iranian state media.
Ben-Gvir says campaign against Iran will continue
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said Israel’s campaign against Iran was far from over.
Speaking to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, Ben Gvir said Israel had eliminated what he described as the “human threat” but insisted further military action would be needed against the “axis of evil”. He also expressed hope that Washington would adopt a tougher approach towards Tehran.
Trump mourns US service members killed in Jordan
Speaking to NewsNation, Trump described the deaths of two American service members at Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan as “a very sad thing”.
He extended condolences to their families and again said Iran must never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon.
Iran claims attacks on US military bases in Kuwait
Iranian state television, citing the Iranian Army, reported that Iranian forces launched drone attacks on Camp Udairi and Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.
The report said the operation targeted ammunition depots as well as Patriot radar and air surveillance systems. US and Kuwaiti authorities had not confirmed the claims at the time of publication.
Former Iranian foreign minister warns of broader retaliation
Former Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Tehran had the capability to seize a US military base in Iraq, Kuwait or Bahrain if necessary.
Speaking on Iranian state television, he claimed capturing a base and American personnel could force Washington to halt its military campaign.
Trump defends US military operation
Speaking to the New York Post, Trump defended the US military campaign after Democrats criticised his handling of the war following the deaths of the two American service members.
He compared the incident with casualties suffered in previous US wars and argued the latest attack demonstrated the threat posed by Iran.
US issues worldwide travel advisory
The US Department of State said in a statement that it had issued a global travel advisory because of escalating tensions across the Middle East.
The department urged American citizens to remain vigilant, monitor developments closely and follow guidance issued by US embassies and consulates. It also warned that airspace closures and flight disruptions could continue.
Fresh US strikes reported in southern Iran
Tasnim News Agency reported that US fighter jets carried out fresh strikes on Qeshm Island, where multiple explosions were heard.
Emergency and security teams were deployed to assess the affected areas, while the agency later reported that six missiles struck locations on the island’s outskirts.
Mehr News Agency, citing a local official, separately reported a strike near Qeshm Island but said there were no casualties or significant damage. Iranian media also reported explosions near Bandar Abbas and Shadegan.
CENTCOM announces new round of strikes
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement that American forces carried out another round of attacks targeting Iranian coastal surveillance systems, air defence sites, maritime capabilities and missile and drone storage facilities.
CENTCOM said the operation was intended to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and was launched in response to the Iranian attack that killed two US service members in Jordan.
The command added that more than 50,000 US military personnel remained deployed across the Middle East.
Iran warns of decisive and devastating response
According to Iranian state media, Major-General Ali Abdullahi, commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, warned that any further US military action would receive a “decisive and devastating response”.
He accused Washington of attempting to undermine Iran’s unity and vowed that Tehran would impose heavier costs on the United States if the war continued.
Earthquake strikes Khuzestan province
IRIB, citing the Iranian Red Crescent Society, reported that a magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck the Saland area of Khuzestan province at a depth of about 12 kilometres.
Rescue teams were deployed to assess the affected villages. There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage.
Kuwait reports renewed attack concerns
Kuwait accused Iran of targeting a power and water facility for the second time on Saturday, raising concerns over the regional impact of the war.
Residents told AFP that demand for bottled water, canned food and other essential supplies had increased amid fears of further disruption, while many public spaces remained unusually quiet because of the worsening security situation.
