West Asia war LIVE: Oil rises after U.S. launches fresh strikes against Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a media conference at the end of the NATO summit as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen in The Hague, Netherlands, June 25, 2025.

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Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar sounded missile alert sirens early Thursday (July 9, 2026) morning warning of an Iranian attack after the United States launched a new round of airstrikes targeting Iran.

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There was no immediate word of damage in the three Gulf Arab countries. Kuwait’s military said it was actively intercepting incoming drones and missiles.

On Wednesday (July 8), Iran launched attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait over an earlier round of U.S. airstrikes against Iran. The latest U.S. strikes began Wednesday, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said that recent Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz signalled the end of the fragile ceasefire.

Also Read | Is the U.S.-Iran agreement falling apart?

Meanwhile, oil prices rose on Thursday after the U.S. launched fresh strikes against Iran, denting hopes for ‌an end to the Iran war and for the full reopening of the Strait ⁠of Hormuz, a chokepoint for one-fifth of pre-war global oil supplies.

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July 09, 2026 07:25

Iran says Hormuz Strait will open only under 'Iranian arrangements'

Iran chief negotiator says Hormuz Strait to open only under ‘Iranian arrangements’

-AFP

July 09, 2026 07:05

Explosions heard in Bahrain after air raid sirens

Explosions were heard in Bahrain’s capital on Thursday, an AFP correspondent in Manama said, moments after authorities sounded air raid sirens to warn of an attack.

The blasts followed a vow from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards that they would “give a devastating response” to fresh American strikes on the Islamic republic’s territory.

-AFP

July 09, 2026 07:05

U.S. launches new strikes on Iran after Trump vows to hit 'hard'

The United States launched new strikes on Iran on Wednesday (July 8, 2026) after President Donald Trump vowed to hit “hard” following Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Mr. Trump, while ordering retaliation against Tehran, said he expected the latest military flare-up to end quickly and left the door open to more talks.