Trump vows fresh blockade on Iranian ships through Strait of Hormuz

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The United States and Iran have traded competing claims over who should safeguard the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions over one of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints even as President Donald Trump insisted diplomacy remains possible.

Trump announced that the US would impose a 20% charge on cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz as part of a renewed blockade targeting Iranian shipping.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared the US would become the "Guardian of the Hormuz Strait," arguing the fee would reimburse Washington for providing security along the vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.

Iran quickly pushed back. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded on X by turning Trump's own language against him, saying Iran "has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER," while adding that a 20% transit fee was "excessive".

The UAE has strongly condemned and denounced Iran’s aggressive attacks targeting the national oil tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, after the vessels were struck by two cruise missiles while transiting the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz within Omani territorial waters.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attack killed one Indian national and injured eight others, including four who were critically wounded.

The injured comprise six Indian nationals and two Ukrainian nationals. The UAE extended its sincere condolences to the victim’s family and to the Republic of India and its people, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

The ministry said the attack constituted a flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which emphasises freedom of navigation and rejects attacks on commercial shipping or the disruption of international maritime routes.

President Donald Trump said late on Monday he still believes a negotiated agreement with Iran is possible, even as the United States launched a fresh wave of military strikes against Iranian targets and tightened pressure on Tehran by reinstating a blockade on Iranian ports.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump expressed optimism that diplomacy could still prevail despite the renewed fighting.

"Yeah, I think a deal is possible. Sure, I do," Trump said. "We had a deal with them two days ago and then they said, 'Oh we can't make that deal. We have to negotiate it further.'"

The UAE Ministry of Defence announced that the two national tankers, Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles in the southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz, within Omani territorial waters.

The attack resulted in the death of one crew member aboard the Mombasa, an Indian national, and injuries to eight others, including four who sustained serious injuries.

The injured comprise six Indian nationals and two Ukrainian nationals.

The attack also caused material damage to both tankers due to fires that broke out on board. The fires have since been brought under control.

The Ministry of Defence strongly condemned this blatant attack, describing it as a serious violation and a clear breach of international law that threatens the security and stability of the region.

The Ministry emphasised that the State reserves its full right to respond to this escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, its people, and its residents, in a manner that safeguards its sovereignty, security, stability, national interests, and strategic assets.

At least four explosions were heard Monday east of Iran's Bandar Abbas, which sits on the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media reported, citing a reporter in the port city's province.

"An IRNA reporter in Hormozgan province reported hearing four explosions east of Bandar Abbas. According to him, the nature of these explosions has not yet been determined by official authorities," news agency IRNA reported.

US President Donald Trump said he would make a primetime address to the nation on Thursday, in an announcement that comes amid a major flare-up of hostilities with Iran.

"President Trump will be making a Speech to the Nation on Thursday evening, at 9 P.M. Eastern (0100 GMT Friday). Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump said Monday on his Truth Social network.

Trump did not reveal the subject of the speech, and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for details.

But the announcement comes hours after he declared that he would reimpose a US naval blockade on Iran, and that Washington will institute a 20 percent fee on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump's last major televised address to the nation was on April 1, when he gave his first full public justification of the Iran war more than a month after the US-Israeli military campaign began.

In that speech from the White House, he laid out his case for a conflict that had sent oil prices soaring and his approval ratings tumbling.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis said they targeted Saudi Arabia's Abha airport on Monday in retaliation for strikes on Sanaa airport that they blame on the kingdom - though the Riyadh-backed government claimed those attacks.

"In response to this criminal Saudi aggression, the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a military operation targeting Abha International Airport, using a number of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles," Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a video statement.

He also warned "all airlines against overflying the airspace of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and stress that these warnings should be taken seriously until the blockade on Sanaa International Airport is lifted".

The United States will begin enforcing its renewed blockade of Iran's ports on Tuesday at 2000 GMT, the US military said.

US forces "will resume blockading maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on July 14 at 4pm ET," US Central Command said in a statement on Monday.

Oil prices shot up around nine percent Monday as President Donald Trump announced the reimposition of a US naval blockade on Iranian ports while the two sides traded attacks.

Near 1820 GMT, Brent oil futures jumped 9.1 percent to $82.90 a barrel while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate also climbed by 9.1 percent, to $77.87 a barrel. The surge came as the two countries clashed over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for petroleum shipments.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday mocked US President Donald Trump over his vow to impose hefty charges on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran would charge a lower rate.

"POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service. Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER. 20% is of course too much. We will be fair," Tehran's top diplomat wrote, in a social media post.

Iran on Monday condemned an attack on the airport in Yemeni capital Sanaa, after Yemen's internationally-recognised government said it struck the facility following a dispute over an Iranian plane carrying a Houthi delegation.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the attack "as a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, as well as an affront to Yemen's national sovereignty and territorial integrity," state news agency IRNA reported.

The Saudi-led coalition for Yemen said Monday it had intercepted ballistic missiles launched by Iran-backed Houthis towards the southern region of the kingdom, as tensions rose after Sanaa airport was attacked.

"Air defences intercepted a ballistic missile threat launched by the terrorist Houthi militia towards the southern region," coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said, in a social media post.

Oil prices climbed while gold prices declined as investors assessed the impact of escalating US-Iran hostilities on global markets.

Brent crude rose more than 3%, trading just below $78 a barrel after US President Donald Trump announced the resumption of a blockade on Iran.

Gold prices fell nearly 3% to $4,005.59 per ounce by 15:00 GMT, as traders reacted to changing geopolitical risks and market uncertainty.

Oil prices rise, gold falls as US-Iran fighting continues,

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised the alarm Monday over US strikes on Iran as well as Tehran's attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and its neighbors.

Guterres expressed "deep concern at the serious escalation of renewed military confrontation in the Gulf region, including Iranian attacks on ships on the Strait of Hormuz, attacks by the United States on the Islamic Republic of Iran, and attacks by Iran on targets in neighboring countries," his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

A small number of vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz, despite the heightened security threats as Tehran and Washington battle for control of the strategic waterway.

Just 14 vessels - half of which were commercial ships - crossed on Sunday, according to data from maritime tracker Kpler, suggesting the waterway is not completely closed as Iran had announced.

Traffic has fallen sharply following recent attacks on ships and continued US-Iran exchanges near the strait. Sunday marked the lowest daily number of crossings since June 13.

Maritime analysts said some vessels are still using the US-supported southern route, despite ongoing security risks. The International Maritime Organization has warned that the traditional shipping corridor remains unsafe due to the threat of sea mines.

Iran said it fired "warning shots" at two ships on Monday, while the IMO says four vessels have been attacked so far this month.

The United States used one-way attack sea drones in combat for the first time to strike the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, the US military said on Monday.

Three US Corsair drones targeted "a submarine and ship maintenance facility" at the port on Sunday, marking "the first time American forces have employed sea drones in combat operations," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on X.

The strikes - which highlight the growing role of drones in US combat operations - "degraded Iran's ability to continue attacking commercial shipping," CENTCOM said.

The military command's post included a video of sea drones exploding near two piers, sparking fires and sending smoke pouring into the air over the port.

Last month, the US military used a Corsair drone to assist with the rescue of two US Army aviators whose Apache attack helicopter was shot down by Iran.

The Corsair is made by Texas-based Saronic Technologies, which says the 24-foot, diesel-powered "autonomous surface vessel" can be launched at sea, allowing larger ships to deploy and retrieve it without returning to port.

US President Donald Trump on Monday vowed to charge all cargo shipped through Hormuz to pay for keeping the strait open, and to reinstate a blockade on Iranian ships.

"The Hormuz Strait is OPEN," he posted. "We are reinstating THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran's ships or customers from entering or leaving."

He added the United States "will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security" through the vital waterway.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps accused the United States on Monday of jeopardising global oil and gas supplies by interfering in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, as renewed hostilities flared.

IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebi said Washington had "seriously endangered the security of the world's oil and gas supply and must be held accountable", adding in a post on X that Tehran "will continue to exercise sovereignty over and management of the Strait of Hormuz".

Iran's military warned on Monday that it would not allow the United States to "interfere" in the management of the Strait of Hormuz as hostilities with Washington resumed.

The spokesman of Khatam Al Anbiya military command said in a video message that Tehran "under no circumstances will allow... the United States to interfere in the management" of the strategic waterway, while warning Gulf countries that any cooperation with the US would be considered "an act of war".

The Untied Nations Special Envoy for Yemen on Monday urged the Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Yemen's internationally recognised government to turn to diplomacy after the government claimed responsibility for attacks on Sanaa's airport.

"I am actively engaging with all actors and my Office has contacted military representatives from all sides. We are urging them to de-escalate and refrain from any actions that would risk a new cycle of violence in Yemen," said Hans Grundberg in a post on his office's X account.

The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the renewed hostile missile and drone attacks by Iran targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirmed that these hostile attacks constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the brotherly nations and a threat to their security and stability.

The Ministry reiterated the UAE's full solidarity with the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and its support for all measures aimed at safeguarding their security and stability.

President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States would be paid for guarding the Strait of Hormuz after declaring that it would be "taking over" the strategic waterway.

"We'll become the guardian of the Strait," Trump told "Fox and Friends," adding that the US had been guarding it for "nothing" but now would be reimbursed by wealthy nations.

"We're going to get paid for guarding it. A lot of money, but we just want to be reimbursed for doing all of this, for putting our people in danger."

In his Monday interview, Trump complained about the tactics of Iranian negotiators seeking changes in what was agreed during hours of talks at the weekend.

"We're taking over the Strait. They have nothing. They've got nothing," Trump said. "Yesterday, they had an 11-hour meeting ... And everything was agreed to yesterday. And they leave the room, and they call back, and they say we had to make a couple of changes," he added, without elaborating on what changes were sought.

President Donald Trump said Monday the United States was "taking over" the Strait of Hormuz as fighting over the strategic waterway threatened to derail efforts to permanently end the war in the Middle East.

"We're taking over the Strait. They have nothing. They've got nothing," Trump said in an interview with "Fox and Friends," where he also complained about the tactics of Iranian negotiators seeking changes on what was agreed during hours of talks "yesterday."

The UK government announced plans on Monday to ban Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a foreign-backed threat to national security, in a "proscription-like" designation.

"Anyone found supporting or assisting these groups will now face up to 14 years in prison," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said of a proposed law to be presented to parliament this week. The banned groups would also include Russia's GRU Volunteer Corps, part of Moscow's military intelligence agency, and an Iran-linked group behind attacks on Jewish properties in London.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis on Monday said they would respond to an attack on Sanaa airport which they blamed on Saudi Arabia, but was claimed by the Riyadh-backed Yemeni government.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree accused Saudi Arabia of "ending the de-escalation phase and bearing full responsibility for the consequences of its aggression. We affirm that this aggression will not go unanswered or unpunished."

US strikes killed two people on Monday in southwestern Iran in an oil-producing region near Kuwait and Iraq, the Iranian Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported.

"At this time, two people have been reported dead and three wounded," the agencies said, citing a Khuzestan province official, who mentioned strikes in "three different locations" on the outskirts of the city of Abadan.

Iran on Monday fired "warning shots" at two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, state television reported, as Tehran and Washington battle for control of the strategic waterway.

"This morning, two ships that were attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz illegally were targeted and stopped by warning shots fired by the navy of the Revolutionary Guards," said a correspondent on national television based near the strait.

Bahrain's military on Monday accused Iran of targeting civilians with its latest attacks on the kingdom, after Tehran said it had struck US military facilities and infrastructure there.

"Iran continues its systematic hostile approach through its heinous attacks with missiles and drones that target civilians in the Kingdom of Bahrain," the general command of Bahrain's military said in a statement, adding that air defences "intercepted and destroyed a number of Iranian aerial attacks" on Monday morning.

The General Command of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) said Iran continues to carry out hostile actions through missile and drone attacks targeting civilians in Bahrain.

The BDF said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed several Iranian aerial threats on Monday morning, July 13, while maintaining a high level of combat readiness.

It confirmed that all units remain fully prepared to protect the Kingdom and urged the public to avoid touching any suspicious objects or debris from the attacks and report them immediately.

The Royal Field Engineering Unit remains on standby to safely deal with and neutralise any remnants, the BDF said, adding that deliberately targeting civilians and private property with missiles and drones is a violation of international humanitarian law.

The command praised its personnel for their readiness and vigilance in carrying out their duty to defend Bahrain.

Iran said US pressure prevented progress in talks with Oman on ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, according to CNN.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said discussions focused on creating a mechanism to protect shipping through the key waterway but were disrupted by “overt and covert pressures” from Washington.

The comments came after US strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks on US military facilities in the Gulf. Iran said it has the right to take measures to protect its security interests, while the US has called for freedom of navigation through the strait.

New explosions were reported near Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, according to local reports.

The cause of the blasts was not immediately clear, and there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said no one can accuse Tehran of breaching its commitments under the memorandum of understanding with the United States.

Baghaei said Iran has fulfilled its pledges, while accusing the other party of violating parts of the agreement “under various pretexts”.

He added that the obligations of both sides are clearly defined and can be verified through documented evidence.

Iran described US Senator Lindsey Graham, known for his hostile stance towards Tehran and his support for the war, as "malicious", a day after his sudden death at 71.

"Our people will not mourn a man whose philosophy on life was aggression and intimidation," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei. "His entire being was malicious," he added, after several state television anchors welcomed Graham's death in broadcasts aired Sunday.

Iran on Monday said it would no longer abide by the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States if Washington failed to uphold its commitments to end the war.

"Each time that the other party has failed to meet its obligations, we did not uphold ours... We will continue to act in this manner," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told a press conference in Tehran, following the latest bout of hostilities between the foes.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped to its lowest level in five weeks as renewed US and Iranian strikes, along with attacks on vessels in the Middle East, heightened security concerns, according to a Reuters report citing Kpler.

Ship-tracking data from Kpler showed only six vessels transited the strategic waterway on Sunday. The data showed two laden tankers exited the strait, including the Humanity and Capetan Andreas, carrying about 2 million barrels of Iranian oil, transporting roughly 500,000 barrels of Kuwaiti oil products. Three empty tankers entered the Gulf to load cargo, while most vessels switched off their transponders while crossing the strait.

Bahrain has activated alarm sirens and urged citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe location.

In an official alert, authorities called on the public to follow updates through official channels and comply with any instructions issued.

The General Staff of the Kuwait Army said the air defence systems engaged with hostile objects upon intruding into the country's airspace on Monday morning.

In a statement carried by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the General Staff said that the blasts heard in some parts of the country were caused by mid-air interceptions. It urged the public to abide by the safety instructions issued by the competent authorities.

The Jordanian military said on Monday it had shot down four Iranian missiles over the country, which Tehran said were intended as retaliation for US strikes.

"At dawn today, air defence systems intercepted and shot down four missiles that had entered Jordanian airspace from Iranian territory," an official source from the Jordanian General Staff said, adding that there were no reports of injuries or damage to property.

Kuwait’s General Staff of the Armed Forces said air defence systems are currently intercepting hostile aerial targets inside Kuwaiti airspace.

Authorities said any explosion sounds heard are the result of air defence systems responding to and intercepting incoming threats.

The Armed Forces urged citizens and residents to follow security and safety instructions issued by the relevant authorities.

Read more here.

Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior has activated the alarm siren again, urging citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe location.

Authorities advised the public to follow updates only through official channels as regional tensions continue to escalate.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed it targeted two military airbases in Kuwait, saying it destroyed fuel tanks, Patriot air defence systems and a strategic radar system.

In a statement, the IRGC said its aerospace forces carried out the attacks during the third phase of what it described as an “eye-for-an-eye” operation in response to US military actions against Iran.

The IRGC said the operation was ongoing and warned against further US involvement in the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran would not allow continued foreign military presence in the key waterway.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed it targeted facilities at Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Air Base as part of the second phase of its retaliatory operation.

In a statement, the IRGC said its aerospace forces struck helicopter maintenance facilities, a hangar housing a P-8 aircraft and a US military drone command-and-control centre at the base.

The IRGC said the strikes were carried out in response to ongoing US military operations against Iran, adding that its retaliatory attacks would continue.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it carried out another wave of strikes against Iran on July 12, targeting dozens of locations with precision weapons.

CENTCOM said the strikes hit Iranian air defence systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and small boats, using US fighter aircraft, naval vessels, and aerial and sea drones.

The command said the operation was aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to target international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global trade route.

CENTCOM added that US forces remain prepared to support freedom of navigation for commercial vessels, accusing Iran of continued “aggression, harassment and threats” in the region.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for attacks targeting Jordan’s Prince Hassan Air Base, saying it used missiles and drones in the operation.

The IRGC said the strikes caused fires at several fuel depots and ammunition storage facilities, describing them as the first phase of its response to US attacks on Iranian coastal military bases.

According to the statement, the US strikes came after an IRGC Navy operation to stop two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran accused of disabling tracking systems, travelling illegally and threatening maritime navigation.

The IRGC said its retaliatory operations are ongoing and that further details will be released in future statements.

US airstrikes have reportedly hit the Aghajari Airport in Omidiyeh, Iran. Targets in almost all cities in Khuzestan Province have been struck in the past three hours after a US official told the New York Times to expect a "bigger wave" of US attacks against Iran overnight on Sunday (Monday in the Gulf) than previous days.

Central Command strikes across Iran have been continuous for hours now, primarily focused on Khuzestan Province, Iran's main oil region. Aghajari Airport serves the oil and gas industry in the capital of Central District, in Omidiyeh County, Khuzestan Province, Iran.

Bahrain's Ministry of Interior has activated the national alarm siren, urging citizens and residents to remain calm and immediately head to the nearest safe location.

In a statement posted on X, the ministry advised the public to follow updates only through official channels and comply with instructions issued by the authorities.

US strikes killed one person and wounded four in southwestern Iran, state media reported on Monday.

"Following the attack of the American enemy on Monday morning... one person was martyred and four others were injured," official news agency IRNA reported, citing Khuzestan province's deputy governor for security and law enforcement, Valiollah Hayati.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that US President Donald Trump wanted to "exhaust the possibility" of reaching a diplomatic agreement with Iran before pursuing other options on the nuclear issue.

Speaking in an interview with NBC's Meet the Press, Netanyahu asserted that the US leader would not hesitate to use force if Tehran violated its commitments.

"I think President Trump wants to exhaust the possibility of achieving an agreement, especially on the nuclear issue, through negotiations. But he is obviously not shy about using force when the Iranians break every commitment they make--and usually a few hours or a few minutes after they make it. So, I think we should let the President have his opportunity," Netanyahu said.

Recent US military operations have targeted Iranian air defenses, missile and drone launch sites, coastal radar systems, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval assets and logistics infrastructure along Iran's southern coast to reduce Tehran's capability to threaten international shipping.

The renewed exchanges have further undermined efforts by regional mediators to revive US-Iran negotiations. Iran continues to insist it controls access to the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington rejects that claim and says commercial navigation remains open under US protection, although shipping traffic has fallen sharply because of the security risks.

US Central Command (CentCom) said its forces carried out a fresh series of attacks beginning Sunday 5pm ET (2am Gulf on Monday), targeting Iranian military assets involved in threats to commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump said the strikes were intended to "hold Iranian forces accountable" and further degrade Tehran's ability to attack civilian vessels.

Iranian attacks have expanded beyond the strait. Tehran has responded with missile and drone attacks against US interests and partner countries across the Gulf, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman, marking one of the broadest regional escalations since the conflict began.

The latest US strikes followed an Iranian attack on the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy, which reportedly left one civilian crew member missing and the vessel disabled by fire. CentCom said the attack prompted the latest military response.

Day 135: US military launches another round of Iran strikes

Day 134: Strait of Hormuz tensions flare after ship attack

Day 133: US swaps strikes with Iran while keeping nuclear talks alive

Day 132: Israel vows stronger military action against Iran

Day 131: Trump tempers fury to end NATO summit on high note

Day 130: Iran reports explosions on sites around Hormuz Strait

Day 129: Body of Khamenei arrives in Qom ahead of procession

Day 128: Massive turnout at Khamenei funeral