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

Air raid sirens sounded again across Bahrain, the country’s interior ministry said on Monday. The ministry did not immediately provide further details on the cause of the alert or report any casualties or damage. The development comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf as hostilities between the United States and Iran continue.

Iran expects to restore around 100 million cubic metres per day of natural gas production capacity within the coming months, a senior government official said. The country has lost about 230 million cubic metres per day of output since the war began in late February, worsening existing supply shortages. Tehran said restoring production would help stabilise energy supplies as summer power demand continues to strain the electricity grid.

Oil prices steadied on Monday after earlier climbing to more than one-month highs, as hopes of renewed US-Iran negotiations offset concerns over disruptions to Gulf shipping. Brent crude traded up 0.2% at $88.28 a barrel, while WTI slipped 0.4% to $82.15. Markets continued to monitor thinning tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the Houthis’ declaration of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, which kept supply concerns elevated.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States largely favours Tehran and does not compromise the country’s core interests. He said none of the agreement’s 14 clauses required Iran to back down from its rights, principles or national interests. His remarks come after hostilities between the US and Iran resumed in the Gulf this month despite the agreement signed in June.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the country is engaged in a “full-scale war” with the United States and must accept the consequences of the conflict. “The reality is that today the Islamic Republic of Iran is engaged in a full-scale war. We must be realistic and accept the natural consequences of this resistance,” he said, according to a statement from the presidency.

Dozens of US military personnel were wounded and helicopters were damaged in three Iranian strikes on American forces in Jordan last week, The New York Times reported, citing anonymous US officials. The report said the Pentagon did not disclose the casualties or damage from the attacks. The strikes occurred before Iran’s attack on Friday that killed two US soldiers and left one missing in Jordan.

A senior Iranian source told Reuters that mediators have proposed a 10-day cessation of strikes to create space for efforts to revive the interim Iran-US agreement. The proposed pause is aimed at restarting negotiations after renewed fighting threatened the fragile deal. There has been no immediate confirmation from Washington or the mediators.

Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Authority said Iran attacked the country’s civil air navigation systems, but operations were not affected. The authority said flights and air traffic transiting through Bahrain continue to operate normally. No disruption to civil aviation services has been reported, according to the state news agency.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said its ground forces are at the “highest level of readiness” to counter any potential US infiltration. The IRGC said its forces rely on updated equipment, continuous training and improved operational capacity to ensure national security. Deputy Ground Forces Commander Brigadier-General Ruhollah Nouri said Iranian troops are prepared to “neutralize any enemy incursion immediately.”

Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs said Iran attacked the country’s civil air navigation systems, according to the state news agency. Authorities said air navigation operations were not affected despite the attack. Bahrain did not immediately provide further details on the incident or the extent of the damage.

Analysts had warned the US-Iran war could push crude oil prices to $150–$200 a barrel if the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted. Instead, Brent crude peaked at about $126 before easing, due to weaker Chinese demand, record US oil production, Trump’s diplomatic signals, alternative export routes and ample physical crude supplies, reported Reuters. These factors have helped keep global oil markets relatively stable despite the ongoing conflict.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remains open to diplomacy with Iran despite intensifying its military campaign. “I think we’re always open to diplomacy. It has to be real. It has to be a deal that they’re willing to live by,” Rubio said, reiterating that any future agreement must be credible and enforceable.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei warned the United States would face the “consequences of any adventure” to seize Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub. He also said Iran’s leadership was prepared for any US ground invasion. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to seize the strategic island during the conflict.

Iran has urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to condemn the US air strike on the under-construction Darkhovin nuclear power plant. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran expects the IAEA’s Board of Governors and Director General to clearly denounce what he called a US “crime.” He maintained that the Darkhovin facility was intended for peaceful purposes and criticised the UN nuclear watchdog’s previous stance on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the US has recently sent messages to Tehran through third-party mediators despite ongoing hostilities. He confirmed the backchannel contacts but gave no details, while accusing Washington of driving the conflict. Baghaei also warned neighbouring countries not to allow US forces to use their territory for attacks on Iran and said Tehran would continue retaliatory strikes as long as US operations persist.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran pursues both diplomacy and defence to safeguard its national interests, rejecting the notion that the country must choose between war and negotiations.

Responding to questions on whether the door to talks with the US has closed, Baghaei said diplomacy remains a key tool for protecting Iran’s interests, just as its armed forces are committed to national defence. He added that Iranian diplomats will continue to defend the country’s rights despite what he described as the enemy’s pressure and deception.

Oil prices on Monday rose to their highest in more than a month, with Brent crude climbing above $90 a barrel as escalating hostilities between the US and Iran restricted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures were up $1.03, or 1.17%, at $89.13 a barrel by 0751 GMT, touching their highest since June 11 and extending last week’s hefty 15.9% ⁠gains. ​That was Brent’s biggest weekly gain since April.

Iran has warned the United States against launching a ground invasion or attempting to seize Kharg Island, saying Washington would face the “consequences of any adventure.” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also said that some members of Iran’s leadership were “counting down the minutes” to welcome US forces if they entered the country, suggesting Iran was prepared for such a scenario.

Security warnings were issued across the Gulf after reports of Iranian attacks in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait. While Iran claimed it targeted US-linked military facilities, Kuwaiti authorities said civilian infrastructure, including a desalination plant, was hit, raising concerns over the growing risk to critical services.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Middle East analyst Sina Azodi said Iran appears willing to risk worsening relations with Gulf countries because it sees the conflict as a fight for national survival. He added that ties with Gulf states could recover once the war ends and diplomacy resumes.

Authorities in Bahrain activated warning sirens and urged residents to remain calm, move to the nearest safe location and follow official instructions as regional tensions continued to rise.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed a drone attack hit US military facilities at Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem Air Base. The IRGC said it damaged an early-warning radar system, an aviation equipment warehouse and a hangar housing MQ-9 drones. Kuwait has not confirmed the claims.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran will consider ending the conflict only after achieving a decisive military advantage. He said negotiations should begin only when Iran secures meaningful gains on the battlefield and can negotiate from a position of strength.

Washington has intensified its military campaign after another US service member was killed in Iraq and remains were recovered in Jordan. US officials say the latest attacks are aimed at weakening Iran’s military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz, with negotiations appearing increasingly unlikely.

A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck Iran’s Kermanshah province early Monday at a depth of 8 kilometres. The epicentre was located near Kuzaran, about 65 kilometres from the provincial capital, according to Iranian authorities.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman assured Lebanese President Joseph Aoun of Riyadh’s continued support during a phone call. He also renewed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to helping Lebanon’s economy and invited Aoun to visit the kingdom for further talks.

Kuwait’s military said it is responding to Iranian drone attacks after air defence systems intercepted multiple aerial threats. Authorities said the loud explosions heard across the country were caused by interception operations, with more details expected.

The US Embassy in Bahrain warned Americans of a possible Iranian threat targeting central Manama. Citizens were advised to stay alert, follow official instructions and seek shelter if warning sirens sound.

Iranian media reported that the IRGC’s air defence forces intercepted and shot down a US MQ-9 drone over Kermanshah province in western Iran. There has been no confirmation from Washington.

Fresh US airstrikes targeted strategic locations including Chabahar, Bushehr, Bandar Imam, Mahshahr, Jask and Sirik. Iranian media also reported explosions in Tabriz as Washington widened its campaign.

US Central Command said it targeted Iranian command centres, air defence systems, missile and drone launch sites, coastal surveillance facilities and communications networks to weaken Tehran’s military capabilities.