Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Friday, July 24, that it had struck and destroyed a data centre belonging to US technology giant Amazon in Bahrain, alleging the facility played a key role in supporting the US military.
In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the IRGC said the Amazon facility played a role in providing intelligence support to the US military. Tehran has maintained that any military base or facility used by US forces for strikes on Iran is considered a legitimate target for retaliation.
The developments came on the 37th day after the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, and 146 days since the outbreak of the war, as the United States ended its 13th consecutive night of strikes on Iran and tensions continued to spread across the Middle East.
UN urges evacuation of 6,000 stranded sailors
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged countries involved in the Middle East conflict to help evacuate and repatriate around 6,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking in Geneva, UN rights office spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo called on all parties to facilitate the safe passage and disembarkation of stranded seafarers, while ensuring they receive essential supplies.
Seven explosions hit Erbil
At least seven explosions were heard near a military base hosting US-led coalition forces in Iraq’s northern city of Erbil, according to Associated Press (AP) and Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalists.
Air defence systems were activated before the blasts, while drones were seen hovering over the city. Several plumes of black smoke were seen rising near Erbil airport, which hosts US-led coalition troops and is located close to a major US consulate complex.
There was no immediate information on casualties or the cause of the explosions, and neither Iraqi nor US officials immediately commented.
Bahrain sounds emergency sirens
Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior said emergency sirens were activated across the country, urging residents to move immediately to the nearest safe place and follow instructions issued by the authorities.
US strikes IRGC naval base in Gilan
According to Iranian state media, US forces struck a base belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the northern province of Gilan.
Ali Bagheri, deputy governor of Gilan province, said projectiles hit an IRGC naval headquarters in Zibakenar on Friday morning, damaging equipment inside the complex. He did not immediately report any casualties.
Iran claims drone attacks on US bases
Iran’s army said it launched drone strikes targeting Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain and Azraq Air Base in Jordan, both of which host US military personnel.
According to the Iranian military, the operation targeted fuel depots, aircraft shelters, maintenance facilities and accommodation used by American forces. The claims could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate confirmation from the United States or the governments of Bahrain and Jordan.
Four killed in fresh US strikes
Iranian authorities said four people were killed and several others injured after overnight US strikes targeted multiple locations across the country.
Officials said the fatalities were reported near Ahvaz in Khuzestan province. Injuries were also reported in Bandar Abbas, while Iranian media said explosions were heard in Jask, Konarak, Khorramabad and near the Khondab nuclear facility. Air defence systems were activated over Tehran and several other cities during the attacks.
Kuwait intercepts missiles, Bahrain sounds sirens
Kuwait said its air defence systems intercepted incoming missiles and drones during the latest wave of regional attacks.
Military officials said explosions heard across parts of the country were caused by interception operations. Authorities also reported a drone strike near the Al-Abdali border crossing with Iraq that caused material damage but no casualties.
In Bahrain, emergency warning sirens were activated, with residents urged to seek shelter and follow official instructions as authorities monitored the security situation.
Britain also said its armed forces were prepared to respond after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly identified UK military facilities supporting US operations as potential targets
Araghchi rejects frozen assets plan
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticised Trump’s proposal to use frozen Iranian assets, describing it as an “incendiary precedent”.
Writing on X, Araghchi warned that using another country’s assets to settle future claims would undermine confidence in the international financial system. He also accused sections of the US administration of placing domestic political considerations ahead of diplomacy, saying continued military escalation would make future negotiations more difficult.
Fresh Middle East travel advisories
The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia updated travel advisories for the Middle East, warning citizens that the regional security situation remains unpredictable.
Several airlines also adjusted flight schedules across the Gulf, advising passengers to confirm the status of their flights before travelling.
Trump says Iran ‘needs more pain’
US President Donald Trump said frozen Iranian assets held by Washington would be used to compensate owners of ships and cargo allegedly damaged in attacks linked to Iran.
He also said Iran “needs more pain” before abandoning its nuclear ambitions and reiterated that Tehran would never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that Trump currently views continued military operations as the most effective option, although some senior advisers continue to support diplomatic engagement.
Strait of Hormuz shipping slows
Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained under pressure as security concerns intensified.
Shipping data showed tanker traffic through the strategic waterway had fallen to its lowest level in more than two months, while shipping activity increased through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as operators sought alternative routes despite longer transit times. Two Chinese-operated supertankers carrying Saudi crude also completed their transit through the Red Sea.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it has redirected 12 commercial vessels and disabled one ship since resuming its naval blockade against Iran nine days ago. The command said the enforcement measures were intended to prevent ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas, while maintaining that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial vessels not trading with Iran.
Oil prices rise on supply fears
Oil prices extended gains as investors weighed the risk of further disruption to energy supplies passing through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea.
The continued military escalation raised concerns over global crude exports from one of the world’s most important oil transit corridors.
Pentagon revises US casualty figures
The Pentagon revised its publicly available casualty records, reducing the reported number of US military personnel killed in the conflict from 18 to 14 after removing four names from its database.
US defence officials did not immediately explain the revision.
CENTCOM completes 13th night of strikes
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces completed a 13th consecutive night of strikes targeting Iranian military command centres, drone storage facilities, communications infrastructure, coastal surveillance systems and maritime capabilities.
The military said the operation was aimed at reducing threats to commercial shipping and US personnel operating in the region. CENTCOM added that commercial vessels continue to transit the Strait of Hormuz under US security protection despite the ongoing conflict.
