On Wednesday night, July 15th, 2026, the United States launched a fresh series of air strikes targeting Iranian military sites, with explosions reported in Bandar Abbas, Chabahar, and Ahvaz. The strikes began at 10:30 pm Iranian time (19:00 GMT) and included attacks near the Strait of Hormuz and on the Greater Tunb island.

Iran’s army confirmed that one of the attacks hit a barracks in Bampour, in the country's southeast, resulting in the deaths of seven personnel from the 388th Brigade and injuring several others. In response, Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf, declared that the Iranian armed forces now have “complete freedom of action” against what he described as the “enemy’s aggression.”

These attacks mark a significant escalation in hostilities between Washington and Tehran, effectively voiding the interim peace deal both sides agreed upon on June 17th, 2026.

Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence reported that during the day, it intercepted and downed at least four cruise missiles and 21 drones launched from Iran.

Zeidon Alkinani, founding director of the Arab Perspectives Institute, commented that Iran’s ongoing attacks on neighboring countries have strained the patience of Gulf states. These states oppose the US-Israel conflict with Iran and have consistently advocated for diplomatic solutions.

Sources