US strikes hit Iran for seventh consecutive night

The US military has conducted strikes on Iran for the seventh consecutive night, stating the actions are intended to degrade Iranian military capabilities. These strikes follow President Trump's declaration that a temporary ceasefire agreement is "over." Iran's Revolutionary Guards reported explosions near the Strait of Hormuz, claiming two oil tankers exploded in a mined shipping channel, a claim dismissed as false by the US military's Central Command (Centcom). Iranian media also reported explosions in Yazd, Qeshm island, and Bandar Abbas. Shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which handles a significant portion of global oil and LNG supplies, has largely halted due to these ongoing retaliatory strikes. Earlier, Iran claimed to have attacked US military facilities in several Gulf countries, which the US denied.

The US disabled an unladen oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz by firing Hellfire missiles into its smokestack after it ignored warnings, as part of its blockade on Iranian ports. This action occurred during a fifth day of strikes, which also targeted coastal defenses, missile sites, and cruise missile storage and launch sites on Iran's Greater Tunb Island. Reports indicated strikes in Tehran and other locations in southern Iran. Iran responded with attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait. The escalating tit-for-tat attacks come after the collapse of a ceasefire, with fears of a return to full-scale conflict. The US military stated the strikes targeted Iranian military capabilities threatening vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States launched a new wave of strikes against Iran on Sunday, aimed at degrading Iran's military capabilities to attack commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. These attacks, authorized by President Trump, follow three previous days of tit-for-tat strikes between the two nations. Iran has reportedly responded with counterattacks on US military installations across the Middle East. This escalation is fraying a June ceasefire deal, which aimed for an immediate and permanent halt to hostilities and included provisions for Iran to facilitate commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Despite the ongoing exchanges, the US maintains that traffic is flowing through the strait, while Iran has claimed to have shut it to traffic. The United Nations has urged both sides to exercise restraint and continue negotiations.

President Donald Trump has reversed his earlier proposal to impose a 20 percent transit fee on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This shift comes amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. Instead of the fee, Trump stated that regional countries will make "massive" trade and investment deals with the United States in return for transit protection. He announced this change following "highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership." The article notes that several Gulf countries had already pledged multibillion-dollar investments in the US prior to the recent conflict with Iran. Trump's administration had previously opposed Iran charging fees for passage through the international waterway, citing concerns about international law.

President Trump has rescinded his threat to impose a 20% fee on cargo ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Instead, he announced that Gulf States will pursue trade and investment deals with the United States. This decision comes as the U.S. prepares to reimpose a naval blockade on Iranian ports, which Centcom stated would be in effect from Tuesday. Trump indicated the Strait remains open to all traffic except Iran, asserting that oil is flowing freely due to U.S. military power. He explained his change of plan was influenced by calls from Gulf leaders, who expressed concerns about the fairness of the U.S. protecting the waterway for global use. Shipping data indicates a recent slowdown in Strait traffic and a rise in Brent Crude oil prices.

The United States conducted new strikes against Iran on Wednesday, targeting Iranian military capabilities used to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command stated the strikes began at 1900 GMT. President Donald Trump warned that attacks could expand if Iran does not return to negotiations. Additionally, the US military reported that an aircraft fired on and disabled an empty oil tanker attempting to bypass a naval blockade of Iran's ports. These actions aim to reduce Iran's capacity to disrupt maritime transit in the crucial waterway.

The US military conducted strikes on Iran for a second consecutive day following President Trump's declaration that an interim agreement to end the war was "over." These strikes targeted three locations across Iran, including Bandar Abbas, Sirik, and Bushehr province, in retaliation for Iran's earlier attacks on three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command confirmed the actions were aimed at degrading Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation. The escalation follows an exchange of fire after Iran targeted merchant vessels, and the US also revoked a temporary sanctions waiver for Iranian oil exports. The strikes occurred as Iran was preparing to bury its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The US military conducted strikes against Iranian targets early Wednesday following the reported attacks on three merchant ships off Oman. US Central Command stated the strikes were intended to impose costs for targeting civilian commercial shipping in an international waterway, deeming Iran's actions unwarranted and a violation of a ceasefire. The incidents occurred on Tuesday, with three tankers, including a Qatari LNG vessel and a Saudi crude tanker, being struck in the Strait of Hormuz. Maritime authorities raised the threat level to "severe" for vessels in the area. Initial indications from a US official suggested Iran fired at two commercial vessels, though no immediate claim of responsibility was made.

The US military has launched a second night of strikes against Iran, following President Trump's declaration that a ceasefire is "over." These actions, directed by President Trump, aim to degrade Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The US Central Command stated that Iran is being held accountable for recent aggression against commercial shipping. Iran's Mehr news agency reported its air defenses engaging "hostile targets" near Bandar Abbas and explosions in other coastal areas. Both nations accuse each other of violating a mid-June memorandum of understanding that ended fighting and lifted a US naval blockade. A key dispute centers on the clause regarding safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran asserting sole responsibility for determining passage arrangements.

President Trump expressed frustration with Iranian negotiators, accusing them of dishonesty and cheating, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has emerged as a dominant force in Tehran. Following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, authority in Iran has become dispersed, with the IRGC holding significant power, making it unclear if negotiators can commit to an agreement. Experts suggest Iran's leadership believes escalation is essential for survival, using regional instability to gain leverage and distract from domestic issues. This fractured power structure in Tehran raises concerns for Washington, as different factions may have conflicting interpretations and willingness to implement any deal.

NATO leaders are meeting in Ankara to address US-Europe tensions, defense gaps, and support for Ukraine. The summit is overshadowed by US President Donald Trump's criticism of NATO and threats to withdraw US troops from Europe, citing a lack of reciprocity. While Trump's skepticism is not new, recent conflicts have deepened alliance strains, particularly regarding military spending and responses to international crises. European allies are pushing for greater strategic autonomy and increased defense investment to fill potential capability gaps, though a complete US withdrawal is considered unlikely due to legal and political hurdles. The focus remains on increasing defense spending, expanding Europe's defense industrial base, and ensuring long-term military support for Ukraine.

Arriving at the NATO summit in Ankara, President Trump revived his proposal for the U.S. to acquire Greenland, stating that Denmark's refusal has "hurt" his relationship with the alliance. He also threatened to withdraw U.S. troops from Europe, citing concerns over immigration and energy policies and suggesting European allies do not contribute enough to defense. Trump criticized the UK's stance on the Iran conflict, implying it contributed to the Prime Minister's downfall. He reiterated his belief that NATO allies are not spending enough on defense and are too reliant on the U.S. European allies are attempting to address defense spending concerns through multi-billion-pound collaborations.

The United States conducted new strikes on Iran on Wednesday in response to Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump ordered the retaliation, stating his expectation for the military escalation to conclude swiftly and indicating a willingness for further discussions. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the strikes were aimed at diminishing Iran's capacity to jeopardize freedom of navigation in the strait, a vital waterway for global energy transport. The article does not provide further details on the specific nature or targets of these strikes.

The United States conducted a second night of air attacks on Iran, targeting military sites in Tehran and southern cities. These strikes, which killed at least 14 people, were a response to Iran's earlier attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command stated the aim was to degrade Iran's ability to attack shipping. Despite the escalation, neither side has officially ended an interim peace agreement, though President Trump suggested it was "over." The tit-for-tat strikes have significantly slowed shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, trapping thousands of sailors. The attacks occurred during the funeral of Iran's late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.

Nato chief Mark Rutte stated that comments from Donald Trump regarding the alliance should be viewed as a "family argument," emphasizing that Nato is stronger than ever. Rutte expressed 100% conviction in the US president's commitment to Nato. He highlighted Nato's crucial role in collective security, particularly in monitoring Russian nuclear submarine bases near Nordic countries, which he described as an early warning system for Washington. The recent Nato summit focused on translating European defense spending pledges into tangible actions, aiming to bolster the continent's industrial capacity against Russia's military arsenal. Rutte noted a significant increase in defense spending by Canada and European nations, totaling a quarter of a trillion dollars in two years, and stressed the need to further ramp up defense industrial production and maintain support for Ukraine.

European NATO allies have largely compensated for US asset reductions in war contingency plans for Europe, according to Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe John Stringer. This assurance comes before the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, where allies aim to address recent US signals of a pivot away from the continent. Stringer stated that European allies have "stepped up" to fill the gaps left by adjustments in US forces in Europe. He characterized this as a sign of a "stronger Europe in a stronger Nato."

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended his country's NATO defense spending following renewed criticism from US President Donald Trump. Trump had previously called the spending balance within NATO "ridiculous" and "one-sided," specifically noting Germany's spending as "MUCH LOWER." In response, Merz stated that Germany plans to double its defense budget within four years, calling it the nation's greatest effort to strengthen defense capabilities. This exchange occurs as NATO leaders are scheduled to meet in Ankara next week. The article also mentions that NATO leaders previously agreed to spend 3.5 percent of their GDP on core defense items by 2035, an increase from the prior 2 percent goal.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended Germany's defense spending, responding to US President Donald Trump's criticism. Merz stated that Germany is doubling its defense budget within four years, calling it the greatest effort ever made to strengthen defense capabilities. This statement was made on Friday as NATO leaders prepare to meet in Ankara next week. The upcoming meeting aims for European nations to demonstrate increased commitment to continental defense, potentially setting aside disagreements with Trump on issues like Iran and Greenland. Merz asserted that Germany has no reason to shy away from discussing its defense spending record.

Ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8, Donald Trump has criticized the US relationship with the alliance, calling it "ridiculous" and "one sided." He stated on Truth Social that NATO is "not reciprocal" and that allies "were not there for us," particularly regarding the war in Iran where some countries restricted US base usage. Trump advocates for European nations to lead their own defense and has already reduced US commitments. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted Trump's disappointment with NATO allies' response to US operations in the Middle East, a point expected to be a significant topic at the upcoming summit of 32 member states.

The upcoming NATO summit in Turkey, beginning Tuesday, is anticipated to be a low-key event for European members focused on defense spending goals, with China observing from a distance. However, the presence of U.S. President Donald Trump introduces a significant variable, as it remains uncertain whether he will adopt a cooperative or confrontational stance. Early indications suggest Trump, who has previously criticized NATO's purpose and threatened U.S. withdrawal, will be the more critical version. Trump recently stated the U.S. spends more on NATO than any other country without receiving benefits, calling it "ridiculous." His unpredictable nature and past criticisms have left other NATO members apprehensive about the July 7-8 gathering in Ankara.