Iran war live: US military completes ninth night of strikes on Iran

Live updates,

For the ninth consecutive night, US forces have launched strikes on Iran, with one American soldier killed in northern Iraq.

The strikes represent the most sustained US military campaign against Iran in modern history.

Published On 20 Jul 2026

• The US military says it has completed its ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iran, targeting command centres, air defence sites, maritime assets, missile facilities, and communications networks.
• A US service member has died in northern Iraq after a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian drone, according to CENTCOM.

36 Updates

• 1m ago

   (06:00 GMT)

  ‘Another night of escalation’: US strikes new targets in Iran as regional tensions soar

  Reporting from Tehran, Iran

  The overnight fighting marked another escalation between Iran and the US.

  We have witnessed continued air strikes by the Americans on different cities – some of them being targeted for the first time, such as Tabriz in the northwest of the country.

  Tabriz earlier witnessed three massive explosions.

  We do not have confirmed information about the attacks across the country, including Tabriz.

  Iran has said it will continue retaliatory strikes as long as US attacks persist, in line with its security doctrine.

  The IRGC came out to confirm attacks on US military bases and assets across the region, in particular Jordan and Kuwait.

• 16m ago

   (05:45 GMT)

  Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinians in occupied West Bank raid

  Israeli forces have arrested five young men from the city of Qalqilya in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reports.

  Several military vehicles entered the city through its main eastern entrance and deployed in the al-Naqar neighbourhood. Forces raided and searched local homes before making the arrests, according to the Wafa report.

• 26m ago

   (05:34 GMT)

  

  Warning sirens activated in Bahrain

  The Ministry of Interior has told people to “remain calm and head to the nearest safe place”.

  We will bring you more as soon as we have it.

• 31m ago

   (05:30 GMT)

  Gulf states intercept Iranian drones and missiles as regional attacks escalate

  Reporting from Doha, Qatar

  Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan are continuing to bear the brunt of these Iranian attacks.

  In the last couple of minutes, we’ve heard from Kuwait’s army. It says it’s currently intercepting a series of drone attacks.

  That comes after Bahrain’s sirens have been sounding throughout the morning. The US embassy there saying that they are warning their citizens that Iran may be planning attacks on the capital city in Manama, and its’s warning US citizens in particular to take precautionary measures.

  Jordan says it has been intercepting at least three missiles, a further one landed in open ground.

  Earlier the IRGC says that it had targeted an ammunitions depot and an air defense radar system in Kuwait. There has been no confirmation from Kuwait that this attack took place; instead, the country has been concentrating on recovering from a strike on a power and water desalination plant—an attack that has been condemned by countries across the region.

• 46m ago

   (05:15 GMT)

• 1h ago

   (05:00 GMT)

  If you’re just joining us

  Here’s a look at the recent developments:

  • The US military says it has completed a ninth consecutive night of attacks on Iran, targeting command centres, air defences, missile sites and maritime capabilities.
  • Iran’s foreign minister says negotiations should begin only when Tehran has secured “the upper hand” militarily.
  • The IRGC claimed attacks on US military facilities in Kuwait and aircraft at Jordan’s Aqaba airport.
  • A missile struck the headquarters of Komala in Erbil, with the Iranian Kurdish opposition group blaming Iran for the attack.
  • Warning sirens sounded in Bahrain, while the US embassy warned of possible Iranian attacks in central Manama.
  • UKMTO reported a vessel on fire off Oman, with the cause still unknown.
  • Brent crude rose above $90 a barrel, while WTI crude climbed above $85.
  • Two Palestinians died from wounds sustained in a settler attack on Deir Jarir, east of Ramallah, while local sources said Israeli forces fired towards an ambulance carrying one of the injured.

• 1h ago

   (04:55 GMT)

  

  Kuwait says it is responding to Iranian drone attacks

  The Kuwaiti army says it is responding to Iranian drone attacks, adding that loud sounds heard across the country were due to interceptions.

  We will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

• 1h ago

   (04:45 GMT)

  Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed backs Lebanon, invites president for visit

  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has voiced support for Lebanon and its president during a phone call.

  In a post on X, Lebanon’s presidency said that President Joseph Aoun spoke with Prince Mohammed on Monday about the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.

  MBS affirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for Lebanon “in this particular circumstance” and the choices made by Aoun to safeguard Lebanon’s “sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity”, the presidency said.

  “Prince Mohammed also renewed Saudi Arabia’s commitment to assisting Lebanon in all areas identified as priorities by the Lebanese government.”

  Aoun thanked Prince Mohammed for his support and measures taken to strengthen Lebanon’s economy, and accepted an invitation to visit the kingdom to discuss matters of mutual interest, the statement added.

  

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• 1h ago

   (04:30 GMT)

  

  How the past month reshaped oil prices

  Brent crude has risen above $90 a barrel after two weeks in which the US-Iran confrontation spread across key shipping routes and deeper into the Gulf. The increase reflects concern that repeated attacks could keep regional energy exports below normal for longer.

  The reversal began on July 7, when a Qatari LNG carrier and a Saudi-flagged crude tanker were damaged near the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude ended that session at $73.85, up 2.6 percent, as maritime authorities raised the threat level for vessels using the waterway.

  By July 20, Brent crude had reached $90.79 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose to $84.68. Only four vessels crossed Hormuz on Sunday, down from eight a day earlier, reinforcing concerns about restricted energy shipments.

  “Markets are once again being forced to trade two seemingly contradictory stories on the same screen,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management told AFP.

  “Cooling US inflation and a softer labour market may limit a broader inflation cycle,” he said. But if Brent and WTI remain elevated, higher transport and production costs could weaken household spending and slow economic growth.

• 1h ago

   (04:15 GMT)

  Earthquake strikes Iran’s Kermanshah province

  A magnitude 5.2 earthquake has struck near Kuzaran in the western Kermanshah province at a depth of 8km (5 miles), Iran’s Irna news agency reported, citing the Iranian Seismological Center at the University of Tehran.

  It said the tremor occurred at 7:13am local time (03:43 GMT), with its epicentre located 17km from Kuzaran and 65km from the provincial capital of Kermanshah.

• 2h ago

   (04:00 GMT)

  US doubles down on attacks as Iran talks remain distant

  Reporting from Washington, DC

  US Central Command (CENTCOM) says another American service member was killed in northern Iraq on Saturday during the controlled detonation of a downed Iranian one-way attack drone.

  The announcement came as US authorities said human remains had been recovered in Jordan following an Iranian attack on Friday that killed two US service members and left another missing. Efforts are continuing to determine whether the remains belong to the missing soldier.

  The developments have added to Washington’s justification for its continued attacks on Iran, which have now entered a ninth consecutive night. CENTCOM says the attacks are targeting Iranian military capabilities linked to threats around the Strait of Hormuz.

  US President Donald Trump claimed Iran’s military had been severely damaged and said Washington now controlled the strait. He also said the latest attacks were carried out in honour of the American personnel killed.

  Negotiations do not appear imminent, with US officials continuing to emphasise more attacks and renewed pressure on Tehran over its nuclear programme. The escalation comes more than halfway through a 60-day ceasefire period that both sides now acknowledge has effectively collapsed.

• 2h ago

   (03:45 GMT)

  Iran will end war with US when it has “the upper hand in the field”, says foreign minister

  Iran will end the war with the US when it has “the upper hand in the field”, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says in an interview with state media.

  Talking to the IRNA news agency, Araghchi said the most critical decision in crisis management was identifying the precise moment to halt hostilities and begin negotiations.

  “The end of the war is possible either through absolute military victory or through negotiations. The right time to negotiate is precisely when you have achieved a reliable field and strategic achievement on the military front.

  “You cannot take risks with the lives of the people and the fate of the entire country. Decisions must be made based on accurate and complete calculations,” Araghchi said.

  The foreign minister added that politicians must constantly weigh whether continuing the war would increase gains or impose heavier human and national costs.

  “Despite some losses, we emerged as a decisive international player in this war and demonstrated the strength of the system,” he said.

  

• 2h ago

   (03:35 GMT)

  

  IRGC claims ‘US military facilities’ hit at Kuwait airbase

  Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says it targeted “US military facilities” at the Ali Al Salem airbase in Kuwait in the latest wave of its operations.

  The IRGC claimed that a drone attack destroyed an early-warning radar system and that separate strikes hit an aviation equipment warehouse and a hangar housing US MQ-9 drones, setting several aircraft on fire, according to a statement carried by the IRIB broadcaster.

• 2h ago

   (03:34 GMT)

  

  Air raid sirens sound in Bahrain

  Bahrain’s Interior Ministry says warning sirens have been activated and urges people to remain calm, move to the nearest safe location and follow updates through official channels.

• 2h ago

   (03:30 GMT)

  WATCH: Palestinians celebrate Spain’s World Cup victory in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank

  Palestinians across Gaza and the occupied West Bank gathered around makeshift screens, packed into stadiums and poured into the streets to celebrate Spain’s World Cup victory.

  The enthusiastic crowds cheered not only for the sporting triumph, but also in recognition of the Spanish government’s ongoing support for Palestine.

  Watch the video below:

• 2h ago

   (03:15 GMT)

  

  Iran risking relations with neighbours in ‘war of survival’, analyst says

  Iran has knowingly accepted the risk of further alienating its Gulf neighbours as it continues targeting them militarily, says Sina Azodi, assistant professor of Middle East politics at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.

  “There’s a risk that I believe the Iranians have accepted to take,” Azodi told Al Jazeera.

  He pointed to statements from senior Iranian officials, including Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, one of Iran’s chief nuclear negotiators and parliament speaker, who has described the war as “a war of survival and existence for Iran”.

  “This is why they’re risking further deterioration of relations with the GCC countries, because they believe they’re fighting for survival,” Azodi said.

  He added that he expects the rupture with Gulf states to be temporary. “Once this war ends and a political settlement with the United States is reached, in the medium and long term, the relationship between the GCC and Iran will improve”.

• 3h ago

   (03:00 GMT)

  Iranian attacks, security alerts reported across region

  Reporting from Doha, Qatar

  In the past hour, UK Maritime Trade Operations reported that a vessel was on fire off the coast of Oman. There is still no information about the cause of the fire or the identity of the vessel.

  Across the region, there have also been reports of Iranian attacks, particularly on Bahrain, where warning sirens sounded. The US Embassy said it had information suggesting Iran may target unspecified locations in central Manama. No such attack has been reported, but the embassy urged American citizens to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures.

  In Jordan, at least four missiles were launched, with three intercepted and one falling in an open area.

  Iran also says it targeted facilities linked to US forces in Kuwait, including a large ammunition depot and an air defence radar system. Kuwaiti authorities have not confirmed those claims. Instead, they say Iranian attacks have targeted civilian infrastructure, including a water desalination plant.

  That has prompted condemnation in Kuwait and beyond, amid growing concern over attacks on critical water and energy facilities across the Gulf.

• 3h ago

   (02:45 GMT)

  Rubio urges global powers to share burden of protecting Strait of Hormuz shipping

  US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Iran is using the Strait of Hormuz as leverage in the regional conflict and has called on other countries to do more to protect global shipping, the AFP news agency reports.

  Speaking to reporters before travelling to the Philippines, Rubio said the United States would continue taking measures to safeguard maritime traffic but argued that other governments should contribute equipment or funding to help share the burden.

  

• 3h ago

   (02:30 GMT)

  US strikes target key ports and strategic areas across Iran in new wave of attacks

  Reporting from Tehran, Iran

  Iran has been witnessing yet another night of escalation, following strikes by the Americans targeting different cities.

  For the first time, in the northwestern city of Tabriz, at least three sounds of explosions were reported. In the southwest, we got reports of explosions in Bushehr and Hormozgan.

  We know that in Hormozgan province, two important cities, strategically speaking, Jask and Sirik, which oversee the Strait of Hormuz, witnessed another night of air strikes, as had happened over the past couple of nights.

  The heaviest bombardments by the United States have been happening there over the past few nights.

  In the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, attacks and air strikes have been reported in Konarak and the port city of Chabahar. The strikes also extend to Khuzestan province, where two key port cities, Mahshahr and Bandar Imam, have been targeted by US forces.

  On the other hand, we know that the Iranians are also talking about their retaliatory strikes. State news agency IRNA says that a new wave of missiles was launched from Lorestan province to target the “enemy”, with reference to US military bases and other assets across the region.

• 3h ago

   (02:20 GMT)

  

  US military completes ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iran

  The US military says it has completed its ninth consecutive night of strikes against Iran.

  US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that the strikes targeted “Iranian military command centres, air defence and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and communications networks”.

  CENTCOM noted that the strikes concluded on July 19 at 10pm ET (02:00 GMT, July 20) and were conducted “to further diminish Iran’s ability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz”.

  “The US military is holding Iran accountable at the Commander in Chief’s direction,” the statement added, noting that “CENTCOM forces remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready”.

The exchanges between the two sides risk drawing in other regional actors and escalating into a broader conflict. Iran's retaliatory strikes on US bases in Jordan and Kuwait underscore the widening scope of hostilities. Meanwhile, the arrest of five Palestinians in the West Bank adds another layer of tension to an already volatile region.