News Flash

DUBAI, July 15, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The United States launched a fourth round of strikes on Iran as President Donald Trump reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports but scrapped a proposal to make ships pay to go through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Here are Tuesday's latest developments:
Trump threatens Iranian power plants
US President Donald Trump said in an interview broadcast Tuesday he would expand US strikes on Iran next week to target power plants and bridges if Tehran does not make a deal.
"Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges," Trump said in an interview with the US broadcaster Fox News.
"We're going to knock out all their power plants. We're going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate."
US launches fourth day of strikes on Iran
The United States launched strikes against Iran for the fourth day in a row, with the US military saying the latest round was aimed at "degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz."
US naval blockade comes into effect
A renewed US blockade on Iranian ports came into effect at 2000 GMT Tuesday, preventing vessels from transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas.
"There are currently more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft operating across the Middle East," US Central Command said in a statement. "American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready."
Iran launches drone attack on Jordan
Iranian forces launched a drone attack early Wednesday on a military base in Jordan that hosts American warplanes.
Jordan's army had previously said Tuesday it had shot down four missiles from Iran.
Blasts heard in Kuwait
Explosions were heard in Kuwait City, an AFP journalist reported, as the Gulf nation's army announced it was intercepting "hostile" projectiles.
Trump backs down on Hormuz ship levy
US President Donald Trump scrapped a planned 20-percent levy on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz a day after he announced it, replacing the fee with trade deals with Gulf allies.
Iran says US hit nuclear plant city, border zone, Gulf island
US strikes on Tuesday hit the port city of Bushehr, which hosts Iran's only civilian nuclear power plant, and an area near the border with Kuwait and Iraq, authorities said.
Abadan, which hosts the oldest oil refinery in the Middle East, and the port city of Mahshahr were also targeted, Khuzestan province deputy governor Valiollah Hayati said, according to state news agency IRNA.
Iranian state television reported explosions around the port city of Bandar Abbas and the Gulf island of Qeshm, both near the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel leader vows 'decisive' hit if Iran attacks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Tuesday to strike powerfully against Iran if it staged a new attack on his country.
"I will say it to the leaders of Iran: Do not count on things remaining quiet if you attack us," Netanyahu said at a conference. "The days are over when someone strikes us and we don't hit back with a decisive blow."
India summons Iranian envoy over ship attacks
India summoned Iran's senior diplomat in New Delhi to make a "strong protest" against attacks on two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz that killed an Indian seafarer and wounded several others.
Bahrain intercept Iranian attacks
Bahrain said its air defences intercepted several Iranian attacks. Earlier, explosions were heard in the Bahraini capital on Tuesday morning, an AFP journalist said, after sirens sounded for the third time since dawn.
UAE says Iran attacked ships, tanker hit off Oman
The United Arab Emirates said Tuesday that Iran attacked two ships in the Strait of Hormuz with missiles, killing one crew member and wounding eight.
A missile also hit a tanker just off the Omani fishing port of Limah, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Tuesday. A Norwegian vessel, belonging to Stolt Tankers, was attacked off Oman, the MTI Network crisis response company announced.