14.07.2026 23:10
US President Donald Trump, who stated that the Strait of Hormuz would be open to the passage of all ships except those of Iran, reversed his decision to claim a 20% share from the passages. Trump said, "We will not take money from Hormuz; the Gulf will invest in the US." Immediately after Trump's statement, tensions in the Middle East escalated once again. The US military, which launched a new wave of attacks against Iran, announced that a naval blockade had been put into effect, while Tehran struck US targets in Bahrain and Kuwait with missiles.
U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned his earlier decision to claim a 20% share from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Stating that the Strait of Hormuz is open to international maritime traffic, but saying that Iran-linked ships will not be allowed, Trump's statement immediately escalated tensions in the Middle East.
EXPLOSIONS HEARD IN IRAN
The U.S. has been reported to have launched attacks on Bandar Abbas city and Qeshm Island in Hormozgan province, located in southern Iran's Strait of Hormuz, as well as Ahvaz city in Khuzestan province.
According to reports in Iranian media, several explosions were heard on Qeshm Island. The Hormozgan Governor's office stated in a related announcement that Qeshm Island was struck by the U.S. at 19:00 local time. It was also noted that three explosions occurred east of Bandar Abbas city.
Khuzestan Deputy Governor Valiollah Hayati said the U.S. carried out attacks on several points in Ahvaz city. No information has yet been shared regarding injuries or casualties resulting from the attacks.
IRAN RETALIATES AGAINST U.S. TARGETS IN BAHRAIN AND KUWAIT
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that it has carried out attacks on U.S. targets in Bahrain and Kuwait in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Iran's coasts.
The Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement regarding the attacks on U.S. bases in the region. The statement indicated that at Sheikh Isa Base in Bahrain, some warehouses containing aircraft parts and weapons, as well as MQ9 drone launchers at Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait, were targeted with drones. It was stated that these attacks were carried out in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Iran's coasts.
The Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened that as long as U.S. attacks continue, no oil and gas exports from the region will be permitted.
U.S. MILITARY: NAVAL BLOCKADE AGAINST IRAN BEGUN
Following Iran's retaliation, the U.S. military announced that it has carried out additional airstrikes against Iran today and that a naval blockade against Iran came into effect at 23:00 TSİ.
In a post on its social media account, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated, "CENTCOM today launched an additional airstrike against Iran at 15:00 Eastern Standard Time to continue degrading Iran's capabilities used to attack commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz."
The statement noted that the strikes come as American forces prepare to re-impose a naval blockade against Iranian ports and coastal areas, stating that the blockade will take effect at 23:00 TSİ (16:00 EST).
KUWAITI ARMY: 4 SOLDIERS INJURED IN IRANIAN ATTACKS
The Kuwaiti army announced that in Iran's attacks on the country, 4 soldiers were injured when a naval asset was targeted, and their health condition is stable.
Kuwait Defense Ministry Spokesman Colonel Saud Abdulaziz al-Atwan stated in a written statement that starting from the evening hours, 1 ballistic missile, 5 cruise missiles, and 33 drones were detected in the country's airspace.
Atwan noted that the said missiles and drones were intercepted and neutralized, and that the Iranian attacks targeted some critical and civilian facilities in the country.
Atwan stated that damage occurred as shrapnel fell in various areas.
Atwan also noted that a Kuwaiti naval asset was targeted, resulting in 4 soldiers being injured in the attack. Atwan stated that the injured soldiers received necessary medical treatment and their health conditions are stable.