West Asia war LIVE | US, Iran make contradictory claims on Strait of Hormuz
Dubai: US and Iran has made contradicting statements regarding the status of the Strait of Hormuz amid a recent flare-up in hostilities in West Asia.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels seeking lawful transit. The Command further stated that US forces are prepared to ensure the freedom of navigation through the Strait.
However, the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has declared in a post on X that the Strait of Hormuz remained closed. PGSA is an Iranian government agency that has been created to control traffic through the Strait.
The United States attacked Iran early Sunday morning over an Iranian attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran apparently responded with strikes targeting Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
The new crossfire in the Persian Gulf comes after US President Donald Trump suggested an interim deal and ceasefire in the Iran war was “over.”
Key Updates
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Iran reports attacks on Qeshm island
Iranian state media are reporting new attacks on military targets on Iran's Qeshm island, near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency cited the island's governor as saying just under a dozen projectiles had been fired since Sunday afternoon and that there were no casualties.
There was no immediate comment by the US military, which earlier Sunday said it struck about 140 targets in Iran in response to the latest Iranian strike on a commercial ship in the strait. The largest island in the Persian Gulf is home to about 150,000 people.
-AP via PTI
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Iran declares that Strait of Hormuz is closed, contradicting US claims
The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has declared in a post on X that the Strait of Hormuz remained closed, contradicting the remarks made by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday. PGSA stated that permits for passage of vessels will be issued as soon as stability is restored in the region.
PGSA is an Iranian government agency that has been created to regulate traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
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Oman summons Iranian envoy over drone strikes
Oman summoned Iranian ambassador to express its protest against the drone strikes carried out by the Islamic Republic targeting the nation on Sunday. The Omani state news agency reported that drones struck sites in northeastern Oman in the region that sits on the Strait of Hormuz.
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Strait of Hormuz open: US Central Command
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that the Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels seeking lawful transit. The Command further stated that US forces are prepared to ensure the freedom of navigation through the Strait.
The Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels seeking to lawfully transit the international waterway. U.S. forces are positioned and prepared to ensure that freedom of navigation remains available despite unwarranted Iranian aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary… pic.twitter.com/FS3TUBOZEj
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 12, 2026 -
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'Keep your word or pay the price': Iranian official
“The era of one-sided deals is OVER,” Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran's parliament and a main negotiator, wrote Sunday.
“We told you: keep your word or pay the price. Reality is knocking.”, Ghalibaf wrote.
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IRGC releases footage of Iranian strikes on US forces
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released footage of Iranian strikes on US forces, using ballistic missiles on Sunday.
IRGC releases footage of Sunday strikes on US forces, using ballistic missiles including Qadr, Emad, Kheibar Shekan, Fateh-110, and Zolfaghar, both solid- and liquid-fuel, precision-guided. pic.twitter.com/raoWyw0esd
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) July 12, 2026 -
Pak Deputy PM Dar calls for de-escalation in West Asia
Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi and expressed concerns, according to a statement by the Foreign Office in Islamabad.
“Both leaders exchanged views on the evolving regional situation. DPM/FM stressed upon the parties to follow the path of de-escalation and show restraint, as agreed in the Islamabad MOU in June 2026,” it said.
Islamabad MoU refers to an interim agreement aimed at bringing peace in West Asia that was signed by the US and Iran last month. Pakistan had also signed it as a mediator.
Dar said that dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable path to resolve disputes and to achieve peace and stability in the region.
He also reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to continue playing a "constructive role" as a mediator.
The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact, according to the foreign office
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India condemns attack on merchant vessel off Oman coast, demands end to shipping strikes
India condemned the attack on a merchant vessel with 11 Indian nationals on board off the coast of Oman, stating that the targeting of civilian shipping and infrastructure in the region must end.
Ten Indian nationals have been rescued while one is reportedly missing, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
"We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman, earlier today. Of the 11 Indian nationals on board, 10 have been rescued so far, while 1 Indian National is reportedly missing," it said in a statement.
The MEA said the Indian embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation. "We thank the Omani authorities for their support."
It said the continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are "deeply worrisome".
"We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region," the MEA said.
"The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest," it said.
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Iranian drones strike some sites in Oman
The Omani state news agency said drones struck sites in northeastern Oman in the region that sits on the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran had previously claimed attacks on Oman, which the sultanate did not acknowledge.
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Sirens heard in Bahrain
Missile alerts sounded in Bahrain, an island kingdom in the Persian Gulf home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet.
Iran's army claims it targeted a US communications system and a radar site in Bahrain.
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Jordan also under attack
Iran's IRGC says it destroyed a command and control centre and MQ-9 drone hangars at Jordan's Prince Hassan Air Base.
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Kuwait's military says its air defences are firing at an incoming attack
"The Kuwaiti Armed Forces are currently confronting hostile aerial targets within Kuwaiti airspace.The General Staff of the Army notes that any explosion sounds heard are the result of air defense systems intercepting hostile attacks. Everyone is requested to adhere to the security and safety instructions issued by the competent authorities," Kuwait Army wrote on X.
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“Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay," says US official
The new crossfire in the Persian Gulf comes after US President Donald Trump suggested an interim deal and ceasefire in the Iran war was “over.”
US officials, speaking Friday on condition of anonymity about the current situation with Iran, said the resumption of strikes even before the latest round came as a result of what they described as a rogue faction of Iranian hard-liners who were trying to sabotage the ceasefire.
Iran has insisted its theocracy is unified under the new supreme leader.
After the US wrapped up strikes on Thursday, more attacks reportedly hit Iran, raising questions about who else may be targeting the Islamic Republic.
Iran made a poor choice. Now they pay. https://t.co/8m4fEfgrXv
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) July 11, 2026 -
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US strikes 140 military sites in Iran
The US military said it had completed its latest round of airstrikes targeting Iran after hitting some 140 targets.
The US military's Central Command said targets included missile and drone launch sites, ammunition dumps, communication equipment and other sites.
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British military says crew abandons container ship earlier attacked by Iran
In the Strait of Hormuz attack, a Cyprus-flagged container ship was hit by Iran and suffered “significant engineroom damage” and a civilian crew member is missing, US Central Command said.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre, overseen by the British military, said the ship had been travelling in a route hugging the shoreline of Oman.
That's been the way ships have gotten in and out of the Persian Gulf while avoiding Iranian territorial waters. The ship's crew abandoned the vessel as it was ablaze, the centre said.
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United Arab Emirates warns public of incoming missile and drone attack
The United Arab Emirates warned the public Sunday of an incoming missile and drone attack as explosions could be heard in nearby Qatar. A missile alert sounded in Qatar shortly after the blasts.
Meanwhile, missile alerts sounded in Bahrain, an island kingdom in the Persian Gulf home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet.
It wasn't immediately clear what locations were under attack in the UAE, which so far hadn't been targeted in the latest round of attacks by Iran.
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