July 21, 2026
Mariamne Everett and Christine Maguire
Mariamne Everett and Christine Maguire
- A desalination facility and power plants caught on fire and suffered serious damage in Kuwait after new Iranian strikes targeted the crucial facilities, along with areas of Bahrain and Jordan, following a 10th-consecutive night of US bombing.
- “Massive fires” broke out on two tankers that “took an unsafe route” in the Strait of Hormuz, says Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
- Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen declare a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia threatening to further disrupt the fragile global energy supply.
- US President Donald Trump warns Iran it will pay “many times over” for the deaths of American soldiers after a week in which at least three US personnel were killed.
- Lebanon’s army says its soldiers have begun deploying in the southern town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh after the withdrawal of Israeli forces as part of a US-mediated agreement.
Ongoing regional
attacks ‘a clear message’ from Iran to US
Zein Basravi
While some diplomacy is taking place with Iran’s interior minister in Pakistan and the US and Iran confirming closed door negotiations are taking place, the reality is attacks are taking place on all sides.
Sirens are again being heard in Bahrain while Kuwait is warning citizens to seek shelter as soon as possible.
While there have been interceptions of Iranian projectiles, there has also been ground impacts with severe damage inflicted over the last four days on Kuwait’s infrastructure – water desalination plants and power plants.
All of this is a clear message from Iran that while it will maintain pathways to dialogue, it will also maintain military pressure on what it sees as US assets in the region, even if it means attacking the sovereign territory of Arab neighbours.
So is this a strategy to have favourable terms at the negotiating table? Or does it suggest Iran doesn’t really believe a negotiated settlement is possible at the moment? What we are seeing practically is the consequences of the US-Israel war on Iran being faced by the GCC countries and Arab nations in the region.
US identifies soldier killed disarming a drone in Iraq
The US military identified a soldier who was killed while trying to disarm an Iranian drone in Iraq as a 30-year-old from North Carolina state.
It said it’s investigating the death of Sargeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton of Fayetteville during a controlled detonation on Sunday at an air base in Irbil in northern Iraq.
Swinton will get a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Action Badge, and be promoted to staff sergeant, the military said in a statement.
Swinton’s wife, Mia Gonzalez-Swinton, posted on social media that she was informed of his death on Sunday. The couple have a young daughter.
“I will never recover from this, you should be home. We had so many plans for when you got back, I’m sick to my stomach,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
Two US soldiers were killed in Jordan while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks on Friday. They were the first US troop deaths from direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the war.
Revolutionary Guard vows ‘not a drop of oil’ to pass through Hormuz
Resul Serdar Atas
The IRGC says two ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz suffered “massive fires” following explosions.
In a statement it is not clear whether the Revolutionary Guard directly hit these ships or whether they were hit by sea mines that were laid by the IRGC.
But the statement ends with a warnings and the Guard says it is clear as long as long as the US aggression in the region continues, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed – not a single drop of oil or gas nor a single package of chemical fertilizer will be exported.
Iran says it is determined to assert its control over Hormuz and the United States insists the situation must return to the pre-war conditions. Neither side is showing flexibility and that huge gap between the positions of Tehran and Washington remains the main block to diplomacy.
Inflation fears grow as US Treasury yields hit year-high
Megha Bahree
The US-Israel war on Iran is escalating again and oil prices are on the rise but experts say the real clues to the state of the economy lie beyond indices and those price points.
“The markets have been somewhat quiescent in the last month or two but have changed since the war in Iran began,” said Michael Klein, professor of international economic affairs at Tufts’ Fletcher School.
Yields on the 10-year United States Treasury bills, for instance, are up nearly 60 basis points since the start of the war on Iran in late February to 4.6 percent on Monday. That is the highest level the yields, a bellwether for inflation, have reached in the past year, Klein said, making it more expensive for businesses to borrow money and slowing the economy.
“Interest rates on bonds will incorporate the inflation rate because lenders, when they get paid back, they want to be covered for erosion of their money, which happens through inflation,” Klein said.
Lebanon’s prime minister condemns Iranian attacks on Bahrain
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam spoke with Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to voice his condemnation of “ongoing Iranian aggressions” against Bahrain.
He also affirmed “Lebanon’s permanent stance in support of it in preserving its security and sovereignty”, a statement from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers said.
Email shows Houthis’ warning to shipping companies to avoid Saudi ports
Shipping companies should not load or discharge cargo at Saudi Arabian ports, as such activity may result in being targeted “in any location” by Yemen’s Houthi movement, according to an email sent to companies by the Houthis.
“Vessels are banned from loading or discharging cargo at or from any Saudi ports,” the July 20 email said, which was received by multiple shipping companies.
“We strongly recommend that your company exercise due diligence and the utmost care in all its dealings,” according to the email, which was sent to multiple companies in the industry and seen by Reuters.
“Any such activity would expose the violating vessels to sanctions. Furthermore, they may be subject to targeting in any location within the operational reach of the Yemeni Armed Forces,” according to the email, which was sent by the Houthis’ Sanaa-based Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center.
The Iranian-backed Houthis announced on Sunday they began implementing a “naval blockade” against Saudi Arabia.
The Riyadh government condemned the Houthis’ decision to impose a naval blockade and announced it would take all necessary measures to protect its ships within the framework of international law.
In Yemen, the Houthis have controlled the capital Sanaa and some other areas of the country since September 2014.
France summons Iran envoy over embassy ‘security’ incident
Iran’s charge d’affaires has been summoned two days after French embassy staff were detained and physically intimidated by Iranian security forces in Tehran.
“He was informed of our strongest condemnation of this premeditated and deliberate attack. This is a flagrant violation of international law and the Vienna Conventions to which Iran is a party, which guarantee the safety of diplomatic personnel and constitute the basis of relations between states,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“France expects the Iranian authorities to shed light on this incident, punish the perpetrators, and ensure the security of its premises and personnel in accordance with their international obligations.”
Bahrain and Kuwait under Iranian attack
Kuwait’s army says its “air defences are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks as part of the heinous Iranian aggression”.
It said “if explosion sounds are heard, they are the result of the air defence systems intercepting the hostile attacks”.
In Bahrain, air siren alerts have also been sounded again. The Interior Ministry urged citizens and residents to remain calm and “head to the nearest safe place”.
Two tankers carrying Saudi crude make U-turns in Red Sea
Two oil tankers which loaded Saudi crude for China and India made U-turns in the Red Sea and headed toward the Suez following a warning from Yemen’s Houthi militia.
The Houthis control northern Yemen, including the coast of the Bab al-Mandeb, the strait at the mouth of the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port on the Red Sea has been the main bypass route for millions of barrels per day of Middle East oil to avoid the blockaded Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf.
At least 2 killed in Israeli attack on central Gaza
An Israeli air strike on a civilian vehicle has killed two people and wounded others in al-Zahra in central Gaza.
The bodies of those killed were taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Civil defence crews put out a fire that started in the targeted vehicle.
At least 1,168 Palestinians have been killed and 3,798 wounded since the “ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas was announced in October 2025.
Explosions heard in southern Lebanon while Israeli forces maintain occupation
Zeina Khodr
At one of the entrances to Qaqaiyat Al Jisr in southern Lebanon, you can see the Lebanese army as some units have already entered the town. They’re trying to clear it from unexploded ordinances because there are mines everywhere, this is what one soldier told me.
We’re also seeing family members waiting to be able to enter their town, but nobody is under the illusion that they’re going to stay there because there’s been so much destruction, and there are no services in the village, no water, no electricity.
Over the past few hours, I counted at least 10 explosions. I heard the sound of explosions not very far from here. What the Israeli army is doing is detonating and blowing up more homes in nearby areas where it occupies.
So while the US State Department may call this ‘pilot zone’ project a milestone, for the reality of people in southern Lebanon, this is the beginning of what is going to be a very long process.
You have all these issues while we’re reporting an Israeli withdrawal from one small village, that people will not be able to return to, simply because the Israeli army is also surrounding the village.
We have to remember Israel controls six per cent of Lebanese territory, and we’ve heard Israeli officials say they’re not leaving.
Behind the scenes, a ceasefire proposal might be on the cards
Kamal Hyder
Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan
Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has arrived in Pakistan.
Although he says this is a visit to discuss relations between Iran and Pakistan, people here say that there is more to it than meets the eye, given the fact that he is also carrying a letter from Iranian President Pezeshkian to Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif.
He has already had a meeting with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the army chief of staff, who was instrumental in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the US.
So, there is a likelihood that, behind the scenes, a ceasefire proposal might be on the cards.
The escalation in the Gulf region has been severely affecting Pakistan, and the government has been announcing new price hikes on petroleum products on a daily basis.
Relationship between Iran, Qatar to be ‘very different’ after war
Zein Basravi
Incredibly strong language by a country that has suffered greatly during this war as part of Iran’s retaliatory strategy but is currently one of two primary mediators to try to bring the war to a close, and has long been a close ally of Iran in many respects.
A close political ally with strong diplomatic channels for generations.
What it looks like after this war, what the relationship between Iran and Qatar looks like, looking at the strong language in this letter to the UN and the ones that came before it, it’s likely to be very different.
So what Iran is doing is effectively pushing past any red lines, sacrificing any diplomatic channels in this region with regional partners, with traditional trading partners and allies, to maintain its current military posture in the Strait of Hormuz.
Ten days of US attacks on Iran yield little progress
Alan Fisher
The United States is trying to make sure that the Iranian Republican Guard and military doesn’t have the ability to target international shipping. So that is why a lot of the targets are concentrated on military and strategic places.
However, we’re stuck in limbo. Ten days of attacks and the situation hasn’t changed.
And many on Capitol Hill are beginning to question if US President Donald Trump is being given accurate information by the Pentagon, given that he has so often said that Iran is no longer a military threat, but we’re now ten days in to trying to quash that military threat.
And the difficulty they have now is that this is an ongoing war, and Trump is being dragged into something that he campaigned against: the ‘forever wars’ in the Middle East.
As the Americans discuss plans for what happens next and increasing the level of military attacks, and perhaps even the US military presence – perhaps even on the ground – which I’m being told has effectively been ruled out by Trump
We’ve heard nothing from the US to give us any indication there’s hope for optimism, or that there won’t be an 11th night of attacks in Iran.
Iran president says every day he has ‘increasing communication’ with supreme leader
Iranian President Pezeshkian says “the level of communication” with the supreme leader has been increasing every day.
“Now, with increased communication and greater access to our beloved leader, all measures have been organised based on his instructions,” he said, speaking at the National Industry and Mining Day ceremony.
He said the Iranians “need the support of the supreme leader,” adding: “We will continue the path with strength.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says the US has violated its commitments in the memorandum of understanding after Tehran’s achievements in the talks “exceeded expectations”.
“In these negotiations, we moved forward step by step, and our main position was to open the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports and other vital issues, but the other side violated [the deal],” he said, speaking at a National Industry and Mining Day ceremony.
“The achievements of the Islamic Republic in this direction far exceeded expectations, and we were able to manage various issues well in a short time,” the president added.
Pezeshkian also said Iran’s supreme leader expressed to him in private meetings the necessity of ending the “neither war nor peace” situation in the country.
If you’re just joining
Let’s bring you up to speed:
Zein Basravi
While some diplomacy is taking place with Iran’s interior minister in Pakistan and the US and Iran confirming closed door negotiations are taking place, the reality is attacks are taking place on all sides.
Sirens are again being heard in Bahrain while Kuwait is warning citizens to seek shelter as soon as possible.
While there have been interceptions of Iranian projectiles, there has also been ground impacts with severe damage inflicted over the last four days on Kuwait’s infrastructure – water desalination plants and power plants.
All of this is a clear message from Iran that while it will maintain pathways to dialogue, it will also maintain military pressure on what it sees as US assets in the region, even if it means attacking the sovereign territory of Arab neighbours.
So is this a strategy to have favourable terms at the negotiating table? Or does it suggest Iran doesn’t really believe a negotiated settlement is possible at the moment? What we are seeing practically is the consequences of the US-Israel war on Iran being faced by the GCC countries and Arab nations in the region.
US identifies soldier killed disarming a drone in Iraq
The US military identified a soldier who was killed while trying to disarm an Iranian drone in Iraq as a 30-year-old from North Carolina state.
It said it’s investigating the death of Sargeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton of Fayetteville during a controlled detonation on Sunday at an air base in Irbil in northern Iraq.
Swinton will get a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Action Badge, and be promoted to staff sergeant, the military said in a statement.
Swinton’s wife, Mia Gonzalez-Swinton, posted on social media that she was informed of his death on Sunday. The couple have a young daughter.
“I will never recover from this, you should be home. We had so many plans for when you got back, I’m sick to my stomach,” she wrote in a Facebook post.
Two US soldiers were killed in Jordan while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks on Friday. They were the first US troop deaths from direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the war.
Revolutionary Guard vows ‘not a drop of oil’ to pass through Hormuz
Resul Serdar Atas
The IRGC says two ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz suffered “massive fires” following explosions.
In a statement it is not clear whether the Revolutionary Guard directly hit these ships or whether they were hit by sea mines that were laid by the IRGC.
But the statement ends with a warnings and the Guard says it is clear as long as long as the US aggression in the region continues, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed – not a single drop of oil or gas nor a single package of chemical fertilizer will be exported.
Iran says it is determined to assert its control over Hormuz and the United States insists the situation must return to the pre-war conditions. Neither side is showing flexibility and that huge gap between the positions of Tehran and Washington remains the main block to diplomacy.
Inflation fears grow as US Treasury yields hit year-high
Megha Bahree
The US-Israel war on Iran is escalating again and oil prices are on the rise but experts say the real clues to the state of the economy lie beyond indices and those price points.
“The markets have been somewhat quiescent in the last month or two but have changed since the war in Iran began,” said Michael Klein, professor of international economic affairs at Tufts’ Fletcher School.
Yields on the 10-year United States Treasury bills, for instance, are up nearly 60 basis points since the start of the war on Iran in late February to 4.6 percent on Monday. That is the highest level the yields, a bellwether for inflation, have reached in the past year, Klein said, making it more expensive for businesses to borrow money and slowing the economy.
“Interest rates on bonds will incorporate the inflation rate because lenders, when they get paid back, they want to be covered for erosion of their money, which happens through inflation,” Klein said.
Lebanon’s prime minister condemns Iranian attacks on Bahrain
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam spoke with Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to voice his condemnation of “ongoing Iranian aggressions” against Bahrain.
He also affirmed “Lebanon’s permanent stance in support of it in preserving its security and sovereignty”, a statement from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers said.
Email shows Houthis’ warning to shipping companies to avoid Saudi ports
Shipping companies should not load or discharge cargo at Saudi Arabian ports, as such activity may result in being targeted “in any location” by Yemen’s Houthi movement, according to an email sent to companies by the Houthis.
“Vessels are banned from loading or discharging cargo at or from any Saudi ports,” the July 20 email said, which was received by multiple shipping companies.
“We strongly recommend that your company exercise due diligence and the utmost care in all its dealings,” according to the email, which was sent to multiple companies in the industry and seen by Reuters.
“Any such activity would expose the violating vessels to sanctions. Furthermore, they may be subject to targeting in any location within the operational reach of the Yemeni Armed Forces,” according to the email, which was sent by the Houthis’ Sanaa-based Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center.
The Iranian-backed Houthis announced on Sunday they began implementing a “naval blockade” against Saudi Arabia.
The Riyadh government condemned the Houthis’ decision to impose a naval blockade and announced it would take all necessary measures to protect its ships within the framework of international law.
In Yemen, the Houthis have controlled the capital Sanaa and some other areas of the country since September 2014.
France summons Iran envoy over embassy ‘security’ incident
Iran’s charge d’affaires has been summoned two days after French embassy staff were detained and physically intimidated by Iranian security forces in Tehran.
“He was informed of our strongest condemnation of this premeditated and deliberate attack. This is a flagrant violation of international law and the Vienna Conventions to which Iran is a party, which guarantee the safety of diplomatic personnel and constitute the basis of relations between states,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“France expects the Iranian authorities to shed light on this incident, punish the perpetrators, and ensure the security of its premises and personnel in accordance with their international obligations.”
Bahrain and Kuwait under Iranian attack
Kuwait’s army says its “air defences are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks as part of the heinous Iranian aggression”.
It said “if explosion sounds are heard, they are the result of the air defence systems intercepting the hostile attacks”.
In Bahrain, air siren alerts have also been sounded again. The Interior Ministry urged citizens and residents to remain calm and “head to the nearest safe place”.
Two tankers carrying Saudi crude make U-turns in Red Sea
Two oil tankers which loaded Saudi crude for China and India made U-turns in the Red Sea and headed toward the Suez following a warning from Yemen’s Houthi militia.
The Houthis control northern Yemen, including the coast of the Bab al-Mandeb, the strait at the mouth of the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port on the Red Sea has been the main bypass route for millions of barrels per day of Middle East oil to avoid the blockaded Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf.
At least 2 killed in Israeli attack on central Gaza
An Israeli air strike on a civilian vehicle has killed two people and wounded others in al-Zahra in central Gaza.
The bodies of those killed were taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Civil defence crews put out a fire that started in the targeted vehicle.
At least 1,168 Palestinians have been killed and 3,798 wounded since the “ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas was announced in October 2025.
Explosions heard in southern Lebanon while Israeli forces maintain occupation
Zeina Khodr
At one of the entrances to Qaqaiyat Al Jisr in southern Lebanon, you can see the Lebanese army as some units have already entered the town. They’re trying to clear it from unexploded ordinances because there are mines everywhere, this is what one soldier told me.
We’re also seeing family members waiting to be able to enter their town, but nobody is under the illusion that they’re going to stay there because there’s been so much destruction, and there are no services in the village, no water, no electricity.
Over the past few hours, I counted at least 10 explosions. I heard the sound of explosions not very far from here. What the Israeli army is doing is detonating and blowing up more homes in nearby areas where it occupies.
So while the US State Department may call this ‘pilot zone’ project a milestone, for the reality of people in southern Lebanon, this is the beginning of what is going to be a very long process.
You have all these issues while we’re reporting an Israeli withdrawal from one small village, that people will not be able to return to, simply because the Israeli army is also surrounding the village.
We have to remember Israel controls six per cent of Lebanese territory, and we’ve heard Israeli officials say they’re not leaving.
Behind the scenes, a ceasefire proposal might be on the cards
Kamal Hyder
Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan
Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni has arrived in Pakistan.
Although he says this is a visit to discuss relations between Iran and Pakistan, people here say that there is more to it than meets the eye, given the fact that he is also carrying a letter from Iranian President Pezeshkian to Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif.
He has already had a meeting with Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the army chief of staff, who was instrumental in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the US.
So, there is a likelihood that, behind the scenes, a ceasefire proposal might be on the cards.
The escalation in the Gulf region has been severely affecting Pakistan, and the government has been announcing new price hikes on petroleum products on a daily basis.
Relationship between Iran, Qatar to be ‘very different’ after war
Zein Basravi
Incredibly strong language by a country that has suffered greatly during this war as part of Iran’s retaliatory strategy but is currently one of two primary mediators to try to bring the war to a close, and has long been a close ally of Iran in many respects.
A close political ally with strong diplomatic channels for generations.
What it looks like after this war, what the relationship between Iran and Qatar looks like, looking at the strong language in this letter to the UN and the ones that came before it, it’s likely to be very different.
So what Iran is doing is effectively pushing past any red lines, sacrificing any diplomatic channels in this region with regional partners, with traditional trading partners and allies, to maintain its current military posture in the Strait of Hormuz.
Ten days of US attacks on Iran yield little progress
Alan Fisher
The United States is trying to make sure that the Iranian Republican Guard and military doesn’t have the ability to target international shipping. So that is why a lot of the targets are concentrated on military and strategic places.
However, we’re stuck in limbo. Ten days of attacks and the situation hasn’t changed.
And many on Capitol Hill are beginning to question if US President Donald Trump is being given accurate information by the Pentagon, given that he has so often said that Iran is no longer a military threat, but we’re now ten days in to trying to quash that military threat.
And the difficulty they have now is that this is an ongoing war, and Trump is being dragged into something that he campaigned against: the ‘forever wars’ in the Middle East.
As the Americans discuss plans for what happens next and increasing the level of military attacks, and perhaps even the US military presence – perhaps even on the ground – which I’m being told has effectively been ruled out by Trump
We’ve heard nothing from the US to give us any indication there’s hope for optimism, or that there won’t be an 11th night of attacks in Iran.
Iran president says every day he has ‘increasing communication’ with supreme leader
Iranian President Pezeshkian says “the level of communication” with the supreme leader has been increasing every day.
“Now, with increased communication and greater access to our beloved leader, all measures have been organised based on his instructions,” he said, speaking at the National Industry and Mining Day ceremony.
He said the Iranians “need the support of the supreme leader,” adding: “We will continue the path with strength.”
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says the US has violated its commitments in the memorandum of understanding after Tehran’s achievements in the talks “exceeded expectations”.
“In these negotiations, we moved forward step by step, and our main position was to open the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports and other vital issues, but the other side violated [the deal],” he said, speaking at a National Industry and Mining Day ceremony.
“The achievements of the Islamic Republic in this direction far exceeded expectations, and we were able to manage various issues well in a short time,” the president added.
Pezeshkian also said Iran’s supreme leader expressed to him in private meetings the necessity of ending the “neither war nor peace” situation in the country.
If you’re just joining
Let’s bring you up to speed:
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says the US violated its commitments in the memorandum of understanding after Tehran’s achievements in the talks “exceeded expectations”.
- Kuwait says Iran has again attacked its power and desalination plants with fires causing damage to the crucial facilities.
- The UAE says Iranian attacks on its neighbours are a “flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the brotherly nations and a threat to their security and stability”.
- The Israeli military claims to have killed Osama Kamal Shadah Abu Tim who it says was a Hamas commander who participated in the October 2023 attack.
- Gaza’s Health Ministry says Israel has killed at least 73,293 Palestinians since its genocidal war began on October 7, 2023.
- At least three people have been wounded in a settler attack on the town of Raba, east of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reports.
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