On Wednesday, July 16th, 2026, the United States continued its military campaign against Iran with a new wave of strikes, marking the sixth night in a row of attacks. US Central Command (Centcom) stated the strikes aimed to "further degrade Iranian military capabilities" and targeted command centers, air defense sites, and coastal surveillance facilities across Iran, including in Bandar Abbas and Greater Tunb Island.

Iran's state media reported that US missiles struck near the Gulf island of Qeshm, close to the Strait of Hormuz, as well as in Bandar Abbas and Bushehr, the latter hosting a nuclear power plant. Explosions were heard across Iran, and air defenses were activated in Tehran.

Earlier on the same day, Tehran claimed it had struck US military bases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Kuwait's military reported intercepting drone attacks, and Bahrain's interior ministry advised citizens to remain calm and seek safety.

The hostilities follow a renewed US blockade on Iranian ports, reinstated on Tuesday, July 14th, 2026, which had been previously lifted under a memorandum of understanding. The US also disabled an unladen Curacao-flagged oil tanker attempting to approach a blockaded Iranian port.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps warned the US to "expect the closure of other oil and gas export routes that serve the interests of the United States and its allies." Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated Tehran had "no reason" to abide by any agreement that did not benefit the country and emphasized the importance of maintaining "Iranian arrangements" in the Strait of Hormuz for national security.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said US President Donald Trump remains open to talks with Iran but warned that firing on ships in the strait would have consequences. Trump had earlier warned Iran to "better behave" or face further military action if it did not return to negotiations.

The renewed exchanges have further strained the preliminary deal aimed at ending the conflict, as both sides continue to vie for control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Sources