Iran-US war LIVE updates: ‘Massive fires’ on 2 tankers in Hormuz, says Iran; Ajit Doval meets Saudi FM over energy security

Commercial movement through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed significantly, with only nine vessels passing through in the past 24 hours compared with an average of around 130 ships a day before the conflict intensified.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a commercial tanker was hit by a projectile near Limah, Oman, while two other vessels were struck off the coasts of Oman and the UAE a day earlier, highlighting growing risks to global shipping.

Iranian authorities say at least 50 people have been killed since last month’s ceasefire broke down, as both sides continue daily military exchanges.

Iran confirmed that mediators have proposed de-escalation measures, but no breakthrough has been announced. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations remain possible only if Iran changes its behaviour.

Washington is deploying additional fighter aircraft and support assets to the region as concerns grow that the conflict could escalate further despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Iran launched fresh attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, both of which host US military bases. Kuwait said its air defence systems intercepted missiles and drones, while Jordan also reported shooting down Iranian missiles.

The Pentagon said almost 100 American service members have suffered injuries during the conflict, with the vast majority diagnosed with mild concussions. Officials said 96% have already returned to active duty.

US President Donald Trump vowed that Iran would “pay many times over” for every American soldier killed, after at least three US service members died in attacks over the past few days.

The United States carried out another round of strikes on Iranian military targets overnight, marking the 10th consecutive night of attacks. Iranian state media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Chabahar, Konarak and areas around Shiraz.

According to shipping data firm Kpler, Saudi Arabia has been exporting more than 3.6 million barrels of crude and refined fuels daily through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Analysts warn any disruption could hit Asian buyers, including India, China, Japan and South Korea.

Saudi Arabia has been using the Red Sea route to bypass disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. A blockade at Bab al-Mandab would threaten one of the kingdom’s last major export corridors, potentially tightening global crude supplies even further.

Saudi Arabia condemned the Houthi announcement and said it would take “all necessary measures” to safeguard its commercial shipping under international law. Riyadh also warned that any attacks on vessels would be met with a firm response.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said Saudi vessels would no longer be allowed to transit the Bab al-Mandab Strait, accusing Riyadh of maintaining a “continued siege” on Yemen. Analysts say the move is closely aligned with Iran’s regional strategy despite the group’s stated justification.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have declared a maritime blockade on Saudi vessels passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, threatening to expand the ongoing US-Iran conflict beyond the Strait of Hormuz. The move could further tighten global oil supplies and increase pressure on already volatile energy markets.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “will not be arrested, in any way, shape, or form” while in the United States. Trump’s remarks came after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was consulting city authorities about the possibility of arresting Netanyahu if he attends the U.N. General Assembly in September.

US President Donald Trump warned that Iran would “pay for that killing many times over” whenever an American soldier is killed. In a social media post, he said he had passed the directive to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine, and US military leaders, signaling a tougher US response to future attacks on American forces.

Iran’s Fars news agency reported that an Iranian military officer was killed in a U.S. strike on the northwestern city of Tabriz. Fars identified the officer as Mahdad Pashae and said the attack took place on Monday in East Azerbaijan province. There was no immediate confirmation from Iranian authorities beyond the Fars report or comment from the United States.

Iran’s Press TV reported that a U.S. attack targeted an industrial facility in the central Iranian city of Khomein. The state broadcaster did not immediately provide details on casualties or the extent of the damage. There was no immediate comment from the U.S. military on the reported strike.

The crew of a Greek-owned tanker abandoned ship after a fire broke out following a reported projectile strike in the Strait of Hormuz. The Maltese-flagged Kavomaleas, owned by Greece’s Dynacom Tankers, was evacuated and the crew rescued by a tugboat. The incident follows UKMTO’s earlier report of a fire aboard the vessel north of Khasab, Oman, amid heightened tensions in the Gulf.

Gold held steady as investors weighed heightened U.S.-Iran tensions against expectations that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates higher for longer. Rising oil prices fueled inflation concerns, while stronger Treasury yields and a firmer dollar limited gains in the non-yielding metal. Spot gold edged down 0.1% to $4,014.39 an ounce, while U.S. gold futures were little changed at $4,019.00.

Iran said the United States carried out an airstrike on an area in the southern city of Shiraz, according to the deputy governor of Fars province. State media IRIB quoted the official as saying the attack caused no casualties and that the situation was under control. There was no immediate comment from the United States.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said two officials from France’s embassy in Iran were “seriously intimidated” by Iranian security services on Sunday. Barrot did not immediately provide further details about the incident. The comments add to growing diplomatic tensions between Tehran and Western governments amid the escalating regional conflict.

Iranian Interior Minister Esmail Mokhtarian is leading a high-level delegation to Pakistan for talks on border security, trade and agriculture. The visit comes as mediators continue exchanging proposals to revive Iran-U.S. peace talks following nearly two weeks of hostilities. Iranian officials also said the two neighbours aim to boost bilateral trade from $3 billion to $10 billion.

Israeli forces will withdraw from the pilot zones in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, according to an Axios report. The move comes as implementation of the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire framework gathers pace after pilot operations began in several southern Lebanese villages. There was no immediate official confirmation from Israel.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed their navy carried out three simultaneous attacks on U.S. military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, including sites at Al-Sakhir Airport, Salman Port and the Arifjan base. The IRGC said the strikes caused heavy damage and destroyed U.S. military infrastructure, though the claims could not be independently verified. The group also asserted Iran has enough missiles and drones to sustain a prolonged conflict despite President Donald Trump’s remarks.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said their navy carried out three simultaneous attacks on U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait, claiming to have destroyed drone facilities at Al-Sakhir Airport, damaged infrastructure at Salman Port and hit the Arifjan base in Kuwait. The claims could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate response from U.S., Bahraini or Kuwaiti authorities. The IRGC also said Iran has sufficient missiles and drones to sustain a prolonged conflict.

Warning sirens sounded again across Bahrain as Iran’s attacks on Gulf states hosting U.S. military bases continued. Bahrain’s Interior Ministry urged residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place. The renewed alert comes amid escalating exchanges between Iran and the United States across the region.

The United States said operations have begun in the first “pilot zones” in southern Lebanon as part of efforts to implement the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire framework. The initial operations cover the villages of Froun, Srifa and Zawtar al-Gharbiya under the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon. Washington said the move follows discussions between Israeli and Lebanese officials in Rome last week.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted Al-Sakhir Air Base and Bin Salman Port in Bahrain, along with Arifjan Base in Kuwait, according to Iran’s Fars news agency. The claims could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate confirmation from Bahrain, Kuwait or the United States. The announcement follows another round of U.S. strikes on Iran and escalating regional retaliation.

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said they were imposing an immediate naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, opening a new front in the Iran-US conflict and raising fresh concerns over global energy supplies. The announcement came as mediators pushed a proposed 10-day ceasefire to revive the Iran-US interim agreement. Oil prices pared earlier gains after signs that diplomatic contacts between Tehran and Washington remain active.