Military tensions between the United States and Iran intensified on Sunday, July 12, as both sides exchanged fresh attacks across the Gulf, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. The latest escalation comes on the 25th day since Washington and Tehran signed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and 134 days after the outbreak of the war.
The US military launched another wave of strikes on Iranian military targets after accusing Tehran of attacking a Cyprus-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by claiming missile and drone attacks on US military facilities across the Gulf, while several neighbouring countries activated their air defence systems as aerial threats spread across the region.
Stay with us for the latest developments.
Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran would no longer accept what he described as unequal agreements with Washington.
In a post on X, Ghalibaf wrote that the era of “one-sided deals” was over and warned the United States to honour its commitments or face consequences. His post highlighted Article 5 of the Memorandum of Understanding, which outlines arrangements for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key point of disagreement between the two sides.
Kuwait’s General Staff said its armed forces intercepted hostile aerial targets over the country’s airspace.
Authorities said explosion sounds heard in parts of the country were caused by air defence systems responding to the threats and urged residents to follow official safety instructions.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had stopped a second vessel in the Strait of Hormuz that it described as an “offending” ship.
The force warned that any further military action by the United States or Israel would be met with a stronger response.
The IRGC said it had targeted logistics support centres and refuelling facilities used by US aircraft carriers at the Port of Duqm in Oman.
Iranian state broadcaster IRIB quoted the force as saying the operation formed the third phase of its response to recent US strikes on Iranian territory.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had completed a third round of strikes against Iranian military infrastructure.
According to CENTCOM, about 140 targets were struck, including missile and drone sites, naval assets, ammunition storage facilities, communications networks and coastal surveillance positions.
The command said more than 300 military targets had been hit over three nights to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM also said US forces have assisted more than 800 commercial vessels carrying around 400 million barrels of oil through the strategic waterway since early May.
Iran’s military said it launched waves of drone attacks against US military installations in Kuwait and Bahrain.
State media reported that the targets included a Patriot air defence system, an ammunition depot, radar facilities and communications infrastructure used by US forces.
Tehran said the attacks were carried out in response to continued US strikes on southern Iran.
The IRGC claimed it fired ballistic missiles at Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan.
It said the attack destroyed a command-and-control centre and hangars housing MQ-9 drones.
Qatar’s Ministry of Defence said its armed forces intercepted a missile targeting the country. No further details were immediately released.
The United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems were engaging incoming Iranian missiles and drones.
The Ministry of Defence said explosions heard across parts of the country were the result of interception operations.
Qatar raises security alert
Qatar’s Ministry of Interior urged residents to remain indoors or move to safe locations after raising the country’s security threat level.
Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior said air raid sirens had been activated and advised residents to seek shelter until further notice.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the crew of the Cyprus-flagged container ship attacked in the Strait of Hormuz had evacuated after a fire broke out onboard.
CENTCOM said the vessel sustained severe engine room damage and that one civilian crew member remained missing.
UKMTO also reported an incident about nine nautical miles east of the Omani coast involving a damaged container ship that caught fire.
Commercial vessels transiting the area were advised to exercise heightened caution.
Iranian media reported multiple explosions in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, Chabahar, Bandar-e Deyr, Asaluyeh and Jask as US strikes continued.
CENTCOM said the latest operation was launched after the IRGC allegedly attacked the Cyprus-flagged container ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military said the strikes were intended to further weaken Iran’s ability to target commercial shipping passing through one of the world’s busiest maritime routes.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed “until further notice” after its forces fired warning shots at a vessel accused of taking an unauthorised route.
According to Iran’s official IRNA news agency, the ship was stopped after being hit by the warning fire. The IRGC said the closure was being imposed because of what it described as security threats arising from “illegal intervention by foreigners”, adding that maritime traffic through the strategic waterway would not resume until US military intervention in the region had ended.
