Iran & Middle East
Reporting on Iran, the Iranian regime, IRGC operations, Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah dynamics, the Houthi corridor, GCC alignments, and the wider Middle East security picture.
IRGC Attacks US Forces in Jordan in First Strike Since Trump's Pause
The IRGC fired missiles at US forces in Jordan on Tuesday, the first confirmed Iranian attack since Trump suspended the US strike campaign against Tehran.
Saudi Arabia, US Strike Iran-Backed Groups in Iraq
Riyadh says it carried out coordinated strikes with the US military against Iran-backed groups in Iraq, marking the first publicly disclosed Saudi participation in the current strike cycle.
CENTCOM: Iran Fires Ballistic Missiles at US Base in Jordan
US Central Command says Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles at US forces in Jordan Tuesday in an attempted 'surprise attack,' the first publicly disclosed strike on US troops in the current cycle.
Ukraine FM Warns Tehran as Zelensky Hails White House Summit
Ukrainian foreign minister delivered a direct warning to his Iranian counterpart against escalation and Russia support as Zelensky called the Trump session productive.
Russia Condemns Ukrainian Strike on Iranian Vessel in Caspian Sea
Moscow declared Ukraine's Caspian Sea attack on an Iranian ship a direct assault on Iran as Kremlin spokesman Peskov accused Kyiv of widening 'terrorist attacks.'
Drones Hit Iranian Kurdish Opposition Bases in Iraqi Kurdistan
Drone attacks struck bases of Iranian Kurdish opposition parties in Iraq's Kurdistan region overnight as US-led coalition air defenses intercepted drones over Erbil.
Drones Strike Israel, Jordan, Iraq in Coordinated Wave
Israel and Jordan intercepted drones near the Dead Sea Monday and Iraq reported attacks, widening an Iran-linked drone campaign that also hit Saudi oil facilities.
Ukraine Strikes Iranian Vessel in Caspian; Tehran Threatens Response
Ukraine struck an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea, drawing fury from Tehran, whose foreign minister said the attack 'cannot go unanswered' and a deputy speaker vowed retaliation.
Houthis Launch Drone Strikes on Saudi Oil Infrastructure
Iran-backed Houthi forces launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure Monday, citing Saudi drone incursions. Riyadh's Foreign Ministry says it reserves the right to respond.
Iran Claims Control of Strait of Hormuz After Weekend Pause in Strikes
Iranian state media declared Monday that Tehran controls the Strait of Hormuz, the world's critical oil chokepoint, following a weekend lull in strikes.
Pentagon Separates Iran Ceasefire Deaths From Operation Epic Fury Toll
Four U.S. troops killed during the Iran ceasefire have been designated 'Overseas Operations Casualties,' listed separately from the 14 additional Operation Epic Fury deaths since February 28.
Biden Team Warned Trump: Israel Won't Miss Chance to Strike Iran
A New Yorker report reveals Biden officials told Trump's team that Israel would escalate the Gaza war to Iran, while blaming both Netanyahu and Trump for the resulting conflict spread.
Ukraine Hit Iranian Arms Ship; Russia Passes Satellite Data to Tehran
Ukraine struck an Iranian Caspian Sea vessel carrying drone and missile components, while Zelensky says Moscow is sharing satellite surveillance feeding Iranian strikes on Gulf states.
Tehran Summons Ukrainian Diplomats After Kyiv Bombs Caspian Ship
Iran summoned Ukraine's diplomats after Kyiv struck an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea, killing at least one sailor, as the US separately pauses its own Iran airstrikes.
Iran's IRGC Claims It Stopped Four Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Revolutionary Guard says its naval forces barred four ships from transiting Hormuz in 24 hours, adding maritime pressure to the first pause in U.S.-Iran strikes.
Houthis Fire Missiles, Drones at Saudi Arabia After Strikes on Hodeida
Iran-backed Houthis launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia on Saturday in retaliation for Saudi airstrikes on Yemen's Hodeida port, with air defenses intercepting the barrage.
CENTCOM Announces No New Iran Strikes, Ending 13-Night Streak
US Central Command made no announcement of fresh strikes on Iran overnight, the first pause after 13 consecutive nights of attacks, according to reports from Times of Israel and Jerusalem Post.
US Disables Tanker in Hormuz for Evading Iran Ports Blockade
US military says it disabled a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz that was attempting to evade the American blockade on Iranian ports, as Saudi Arabia and Houthis exchanged fire across the southern Arabian Peninsula.
Bahrain, Kuwait Strike Iran With Warplanes, WSJ Reports
Bahrain and Kuwait sent fighter jets to bomb Iranian military targets in retaliation for prior Iranian strikes on their soil, with UAE support, per WSJ.
Drones Target US-Hosting Base in Northern Iraq After 13th Night Strikes
Explosive-laden drones struck a military base in northern Iraq hosting US forces on Friday, hours after CENTCOM's 13th consecutive night of strikes against Iran, Kurdish security officials said.
Sirens Sound in Bahrain; Iran Strikes Kuwait, US Sites in Jordan
Air-raid sirens sounded in Bahrain as Iran completed a second week of aerial attacks on Gulf states, following overnight strikes on Kuwait and US military infrastructure in Jordan, per Jerusalem Post.
US Strikes Hit Bandar Abbas, Hormuz Islands on 13th Night; 2 Injured
CENTCOM launched a 13th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, hitting the port city of Bandar Abbas and reportedly striking islands in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran state media reports two injured.
Kuwait Says Drone Hits Abdali Border Crossing With Iraq
Kuwait's Defence Ministry confirmed a drone strike on the Abdali border crossing with Iraq, causing damage but no casualties, as the US–Iran conflict widens into Gulf territory.
Iran Airlifted IRGC Commanders, Missile Gear to Houthis, Sources Say
Four sources told Reuters that Iran flew IRGC personnel and missile equipment from Tehran to Yemen on July 13, a previously unreported transfer amid U.S. strikes on Iran.
US Deploys B-1 Bomber in 12th-Night Iran Strikes; 2 Killed at Shalamcheh
US Central Command completed a 12th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, deploying a B-1 bomber from the UK for the first time since the conflict resumed as a border-crossing hit killed two.
Trump Approves Saudi Nuclear Deal Without Enrichment Curbs
The Trump administration approved a civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that omits uranium enrichment restrictions, raising proliferation concerns in an already volatile region.
Houthis Claim Attacks on Two Saudi Oil Tankers in Red Sea
Yemen's Houthis claim missile and drone attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, days after declaring a maritime embargo on the kingdom amid the US war with Iran.
US Launches Fresh Strikes on Iran at Trump's Direction, CENTCOM Says
US Central Command said American forces began a new round of strikes on Iranian military targets at 21:30 GMT Wednesday at President Trump's direction.
Bahrain Air Defenses Intercept Iranian Aerial Attack
Bahrain's Defence Forces say their air defenses confronted, intercepted, and destroyed multiple Iranian aerial threats, marking the second Gulf partner to shoot down Iranian ordnance in as many days.
Trump Threatens Strikes on Iranian Infrastructure Over Hormuz Attacks
President Trump warned Wednesday he will authorize U.S. strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure if Tehran continues targeting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.