Iran-US war LIVE updates: LNG tankers navigate Hormuz despite US-Iran clashes; Tehran warns UAE – ‘You will pay the price’

Three former crew members of the Thai cargo ship Mayuree Naree, which was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz in March, have filed a lawsuit against the vessel's operator. They have accused the company of labour rights violations and unfair dismissal, saying they were knowingly sent through a dangerous conflict zone. The March attack killed three people, while the remaining 20 crew members were rescued about a week later.

Their lawyer, Kunpat Singhathong, said the company put their lives at risk by allowing the ship to sail despite the security threats. UN International Maritime Organization chief Arsenio Dominguez said, "This is not simply a matter of shipping statistics. Behind the figures are seafarers, and in some cases their families, who continue to bear the human cost of this conflict."

People across the Gulf spent an anxious night after emergency alerts were issued in several countries.

Reporting from Doha, journalist Aksel Zaimovic said residents in Qatar received emergency messages on their phones shortly before 4am, asking them to stay indoors, avoid windows and keep away from open areas.

A second message later informed residents that the alerts had been lifted and normal activities could resume.

In Bahrain, air raid sirens sounded twice overnight, and the Interior Ministry advised people to seek shelter.

Officials have not confirmed whether Bahrain itself was attacked.

Iran has repeatedly claimed that some Gulf countries are allowing the US to use their facilities and airspace. Those countries have denied the accusation, saying they are not involved in the conflict and do not want the fighting to spread across the region.

An Iranian lawmaker has warned that the United Arab Emirates will "pay the price" for working with the United States, adding to the sharp exchange of words between Tehran and Washington.

Esmail Kowsari, a member of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, accused the UAE of secretly helping the US during recent attacks on Iranian infrastructure.

According to Iran's IRGC-linked Fars News Agency, Kowsari said the UAE's cooperation with Iran's rivals would come at a "very heavy" cost.

His remarks come at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States remain high, even as both sides continue diplomatic efforts to avoid a wider conflict.

More than three weeks after the US and Iran signed an MoU aimed at ending their conflict and restoring safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the situation has become unstable once again.

Three ships have been attacked in recent days after Iran accused them of trying to pass through the strait without its approval.

The US responded with strikes on Iranian coastal cities and later on Tehran. Iran then launched missiles and drones at several Gulf countries.

The renewed violence has again raised concerns over the safety of one of the world's most important shipping routes and its impact on the global economy.

Russia recorded its first monthly budget surplus of the year, reaching 279 billion rubles, or about $3.7 billion, according to a Bloomberg report.

The increase was largely driven by higher oil and gas income during the US-Israel war with Iran. Revenue from oil and gas rose 38% compared with the same period last year.

However, the gains may not last long. After Iran and the US signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last month, the price of Russian crude dropped from $86.52 a barrel in May to $63.52. Bloomberg expects Russia's budget revenue to weaken in July.

Russia has also been spending heavily on its war in Ukraine. During the first six months of this year, government spending reached about $320 billion, according to The New York Times.

The United States' Strategic Petroleum Reserve has dropped to its lowest level since 1983 as tensions with Iran continue to affect global oil markets. According to the US Department of Energy, reserves fell by 6.2 million barrels in the week ending July 3, leaving 319.5 million barrels in storage, well below its total capacity of 713.5 million barrels. The US has been releasing oil from the reserve during the conflict to prevent shortages and stop prices from rising too sharply. However, experts say letting reserves fall much further could weaken America's ability to respond if the conflict grows worse and could limit Trump's military options.

Iran has criticised NATO's recent meeting in Ankara, saying its focus on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear programme was politically motivated. According to Iranian state media IRNA, Iran's embassy in Türkiye said its nuclear programme is peaceful and insisted Tehran is not trying to build nuclear weapons. The embassy also said Iran is responsible for keeping the Strait of Hormuz secure and blamed other countries for creating instability in the region. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also hit out at NATO chief Mark Rutte, accusing him of supporting what he called an illegal US-Israel war against Iran. Earlier this week, Trump had also criticised NATO, saying European allies refused to help the US deal with what he called the world's "number one state sponsor of terror."

The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel recently shared intelligence with President Donald Trump suggesting Iran was planning to assassinate him. CNN separately reported that the intelligence pointed to a "specific" assassination attempt. Neither the US government nor Iran has responded to the reports. However, Washington has previously claimed it had stopped several Iranian plots targeting Trump. Speaking during the NATO summit in Ankara earlier this week, Trump also said he believed Iran had him on its target list.

Iran said recent US strikes hit several locations, including the Bushehr nuclear power plant, leaving dozens dead and injured. Tehran described the attacks as a violation of international law and its national sovereignty.

The US military said Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting claims made by Iranian state media. CENTCOM added that US forces have helped more than 800 commercial ships safely pass through the strategic waterway since early May.

The US carried out a cruise missile strike on the Ogtay Khan (also reported as Aq Taqeh Khan) railway bridge in Iran's Golestan province on Thursday. According to Iran's Fars News Agency, the bridge is part of a key rail corridor connecting Iran with Turkmenistan, China and Russia, making it an important route for regional trade.

A US official told Reuters that Washington is still committed to finding a diplomatic solution with Iran. Technical-level talks between the two sides are continuing even as military action has intensified this week.