Trump says US will be 'paid' for guarding Strait of Hormuz

The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the renewed hostile missile and drone attacks by Iran targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirmed that these hostile attacks constitute a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the brotherly nations and a threat to their security and stability.

The Ministry reiterated the UAE's full solidarity with the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and its support for all measures aimed at safeguarding their security and stability.

President Donald Trump said Monday that the United States would be paid for guarding the Strait of Hormuz after declaring that it would be "taking over" the strategic waterway.

"We'll become the guardian of the Strait," Trump told Fox News, adding that the US had been guarding it for "nothing" but now would be reimbursed by wealthy nations.

"We're going to get paid for guarding it. A lot of money, but we just want to be reimbursed for doing all of this, for putting our people in danger."

President Donald Trump said Monday the United States was "taking over" the Strait of Hormuz as fighting over the strategic waterway threatened to derail efforts to permanently end the war in the Middle East.

"We're taking over the Strait. They have nothing. They've got nothing," Trump said in an interview with "Fox and Friends," where he also complained about the tactics of Iranian negotiators seeking changes on what was agreed during hours of talks "yesterday."

The UK government announced plans on Monday to ban Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a foreign-backed threat to national security, in a "proscription-like" designation.

"Anyone found supporting or assisting these groups will now face up to 14 years in prison," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said of a proposed law to be presented to parliament this week. The banned groups would also include Russia's GRU Volunteer Corps, part of Moscow's military intelligence agency, and an Iran-linked group behind attacks on Jewish properties in London.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis on Monday said they would respond to an attack on Sanaa airport which they blamed on Saudi Arabia, but was claimed by the Riyadh-backed Yemeni government.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree accused Saudi Arabia of "ending the de-escalation phase and bearing full responsibility for the consequences of its aggression. We affirm that this aggression will not go unanswered or unpunished."

US strikes killed two people on Monday in southwestern Iran in an oil-producing region near Kuwait and Iraq, the Iranian Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported.

"At this time, two people have been reported dead and three wounded," the agencies said, citing a Khuzestan province official, who mentioned strikes in "three different locations" on the outskirts of the city of Abadan.

Iran on Monday fired "warning shots" at two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, state television reported, as Tehran and Washington battle for control of the strategic waterway.

"This morning, two ships that were attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz illegally were targeted and stopped by warning shots fired by the navy of the Revolutionary Guards," said a correspondent on national television based near the strait.

Bahrain's military on Monday accused Iran of targeting civilians with its latest attacks on the kingdom, after Tehran said it had struck US military facilities and infrastructure there.

"Iran continues its systematic hostile approach through its heinous attacks with missiles and drones that target civilians in the Kingdom of Bahrain," the general command of Bahrain's military said in a statement, adding that air defences "intercepted and destroyed a number of Iranian aerial attacks" on Monday morning.

The General Command of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) said Iran continues to carry out hostile actions through missile and drone attacks targeting civilians in Bahrain.

The BDF said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed several Iranian aerial threats on Monday morning, July 13, while maintaining a high level of combat readiness.

It confirmed that all units remain fully prepared to protect the Kingdom and urged the public to avoid touching any suspicious objects or debris from the attacks and report them immediately.

The Royal Field Engineering Unit remains on standby to safely deal with and neutralise any remnants, the BDF said, adding that deliberately targeting civilians and private property with missiles and drones is a violation of international humanitarian law.

The command praised its personnel for their readiness and vigilance in carrying out their duty to defend Bahrain.

Iran said US pressure prevented progress in talks with Oman on ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, according to CNN.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said discussions focused on creating a mechanism to protect shipping through the key waterway but were disrupted by “overt and covert pressures” from Washington.

The comments came after US strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks on US military facilities in the Gulf. Iran said it has the right to take measures to protect its security interests, while the US has called for freedom of navigation through the strait.

New explosions were reported near Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, according to local reports.

The cause of the blasts was not immediately clear, and there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said no one can accuse Tehran of breaching its commitments under the memorandum of understanding with the United States.

Baghaei said Iran has fulfilled its pledges, while accusing the other party of violating parts of the agreement “under various pretexts”.

He added that the obligations of both sides are clearly defined and can be verified through documented evidence.

Iran described US Senator Lindsey Graham, known for his hostile stance towards Tehran and his support for the war, as "malicious", a day after his sudden death at 71.

"Our people will not mourn a man whose philosophy on life was aggression and intimidation," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei. "His entire being was malicious," he added, after several state television anchors welcomed Graham's death in broadcasts aired Sunday.

Iran on Monday said it would no longer abide by the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States if Washington failed to uphold its commitments to end the war.

"Each time that the other party has failed to meet its obligations, we did not uphold ours... We will continue to act in this manner," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told a press conference in Tehran, following the latest bout of hostilities between the foes.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped to its lowest level in five weeks as renewed US and Iranian strikes, along with attacks on vessels in the Middle East, heightened security concerns, according to a Reuters report citing Kpler.

Ship-tracking data from Kpler showed only six vessels transited the strategic waterway on Sunday. The data showed two laden tankers exited the strait, including the Humanity and Capetan Andreas, carrying about 2 million barrels of Iranian oil, transporting roughly 500,000 barrels of Kuwaiti oil products. Three empty tankers entered the Gulf to load cargo, while most vessels switched off their transponders while crossing the strait.

Bahrain has activated alarm sirens and urged citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe location.

In an official alert, authorities called on the public to follow updates through official channels and comply with any instructions issued.

The General Staff of the Kuwait Army said the air defence systems engaged with hostile objects upon intruding into the country's airspace on Monday morning.

In a statement carried by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), the General Staff said that the blasts heard in some parts of the country were caused by mid-air interceptions. It urged the public to abide by the safety instructions issued by the competent authorities.

The Jordanian military said on Monday it had shot down four Iranian missiles over the country, which Tehran said were intended as retaliation for US strikes.

"At dawn today, air defence systems intercepted and shot down four missiles that had entered Jordanian airspace from Iranian territory," an official source from the Jordanian General Staff said, adding that there were no reports of injuries or damage to property.

Kuwait’s General Staff of the Armed Forces said air defence systems are currently intercepting hostile aerial targets inside Kuwaiti airspace.

Authorities said any explosion sounds heard are the result of air defence systems responding to and intercepting incoming threats.

The Armed Forces urged citizens and residents to follow security and safety instructions issued by the relevant authorities.

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Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior has activated the alarm siren again, urging citizens and residents to remain calm and move to the nearest safe location.

Authorities advised the public to follow updates only through official channels as regional tensions continue to escalate.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed it targeted two military airbases in Kuwait, saying it destroyed fuel tanks, Patriot air defence systems and a strategic radar system.

In a statement, the IRGC said its aerospace forces carried out the attacks during the third phase of what it described as an “eye-for-an-eye” operation in response to US military actions against Iran.

The IRGC said the operation was ongoing and warned against further US involvement in the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran would not allow continued foreign military presence in the key waterway.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed it targeted facilities at Bahrain’s Sheikh Isa Air Base as part of the second phase of its retaliatory operation.

In a statement, the IRGC said its aerospace forces struck helicopter maintenance facilities, a hangar housing a P-8 aircraft and a US military drone command-and-control centre at the base.

The IRGC said the strikes were carried out in response to ongoing US military operations against Iran, adding that its retaliatory attacks would continue.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it carried out another wave of strikes against Iran on July 12, targeting dozens of locations with precision weapons.

CENTCOM said the strikes hit Iranian air defence systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and small boats, using US fighter aircraft, naval vessels, and aerial and sea drones.

The command said the operation was aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to target international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global trade route.

CENTCOM added that US forces remain prepared to support freedom of navigation for commercial vessels, accusing Iran of continued “aggression, harassment and threats” in the region.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for attacks targeting Jordan’s Prince Hassan Air Base, saying it used missiles and drones in the operation.

The IRGC said the strikes caused fires at several fuel depots and ammunition storage facilities, describing them as the first phase of its response to US attacks on Iranian coastal military bases.

According to the statement, the US strikes came after an IRGC Navy operation to stop two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran accused of disabling tracking systems, travelling illegally and threatening maritime navigation.

The IRGC said its retaliatory operations are ongoing and that further details will be released in future statements.

US airstrikes have reportedly hit the Aghajari Airport in Omidiyeh, Iran. Targets in almost all cities in Khuzestan Province have been struck in the past three hours after a US official told the New York Times to expect a "bigger wave" of US attacks against Iran overnight on Sunday (Monday in the Gulf) than previous days.

Central Command strikes across Iran have been continuous for hours now, primarily focused on Khuzestan Province, Iran's main oil region. Aghajari Airport serves the oil and gas industry in the capital of Central District, in Omidiyeh County, Khuzestan Province, Iran.

Bahrain's Ministry of Interior has activated the national alarm siren, urging citizens and residents to remain calm and immediately head to the nearest safe location.

In a statement posted on X, the ministry advised the public to follow updates only through official channels and comply with instructions issued by the authorities.

US strikes killed one person and wounded four in southwestern Iran, state media reported on Monday.

"Following the attack of the American enemy on Monday morning... one person was martyred and four others were injured," official news agency IRNA reported, citing Khuzestan province's deputy governor for security and law enforcement, Valiollah Hayati.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that US President Donald Trump wanted to "exhaust the possibility" of reaching a diplomatic agreement with Iran before pursuing other options on the nuclear issue.

Speaking in an interview with NBC's Meet the Press, Netanyahu asserted that the US leader would not hesitate to use force if Tehran violated its commitments.

"I think President Trump wants to exhaust the possibility of achieving an agreement, especially on the nuclear issue, through negotiations. But he is obviously not shy about using force when the Iranians break every commitment they make--and usually a few hours or a few minutes after they make it. So, I think we should let the President have his opportunity," Netanyahu said.

Recent US military operations have targeted Iranian air defenses, missile and drone launch sites, coastal radar systems, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval assets and logistics infrastructure along Iran's southern coast to reduce Tehran's capability to threaten international shipping.

The renewed exchanges have further undermined efforts by regional mediators to revive US-Iran negotiations. Iran continues to insist it controls access to the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington rejects that claim and says commercial navigation remains open under US protection, although shipping traffic has fallen sharply because of the security risks.

US Central Command (CentCom) said its forces carried out a fresh series of attacks beginning Sunday 5pm ET (2am Gulf on Monday), targeting Iranian military assets involved in threats to commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump said the strikes were intended to "hold Iranian forces accountable" and further degrade Tehran's ability to attack civilian vessels.

Iranian attacks have expanded beyond the strait. Tehran has responded with missile and drone attacks against US interests and partner countries across the Gulf, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Oman, marking one of the broadest regional escalations since the conflict began.

The latest US strikes followed an Iranian attack on the Cyprus-flagged container ship M/V GFS Galaxy, which reportedly left one civilian crew member missing and the vessel disabled by fire. CentCom said the attack prompted the latest military response.

Day 135: US military launches another round of Iran strikes

Day 134: Strait of Hormuz tensions flare after ship attack

Day 133: US swaps strikes with Iran while keeping nuclear talks alive

Day 132: Israel vows stronger military action against Iran

Day 131: Trump tempers fury to end NATO summit on high note

Day 130: Iran reports explosions on sites around Hormuz Strait

Day 129: Body of Khamenei arrives in Qom ahead of procession

Day 128: Massive turnout at Khamenei funeral