US resumes blockade of Iranian shipping, Iran strikes tankers

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PoliticsABC News·Jul 13, 2026·7 min read

US resumes blockade of Iranian shipping, Iran strikes tankers

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Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 8:35am

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Recap

US President Donald Trump announced overnight that the United States is reinstating its blockade of Iranian maritime traffic.

He also said the US would impose a toll of 20 per cent on all cargo being shipped through the strait, saying America should be "reimbursed" for ensuring the security of the waterway

The US military has also resumed strikes on Iran, including on the port city of Bandar Abbas and on the Qeshm and Kish islands.

In response, Iran has struck two UAE tankers, killing one crew member and injuring eight others.

The White House has formalised its re-engagement in the war in Iran, notifying Congress of renewed military action.

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Key Events

Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 10:17am

Escalation between US and Iran 'dangerous', Middle East analyst says

Speaking on ABC News Channel, Middle East analyst Will Todman says the back and forth strikes between the US and Iran are a "dangerous escalation".

"Both sides seem to think that it is in their interests to continue to escalate, and that it is not in their interest to make compromises.

"Just a month ago, they both had come to the conclusion that they were not likely to reach their strategic objectives through the military campaign, and that's what led to this MoU [Memorandum of Understanding].

"But the problem with the MoU is that it was deliberately vague, and it allow both sides to interpret it as they wished, and I think that is what has led to this breakdown over the past week or so."

Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 10:07am

Oil prices spike 9% as Trump announces Hormuz toll

By Andrew Thorpe

This morning's news that Donald Trump is reimposing a blockade on Iranian shipping — and proposing a toll on other traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — has sent oil prices soaring.

Both Brent crude and West Texas prices are up more than 9 per cent after weeks of subdued prices as hopes grew for an end to the war.

Brent's price spike is its largest single-day rise since May 5, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Aussie dollar has also dipped below 70 US cents, with US inflation data due out today threatening to send it even lower.

ABC business reporter Emilia Terzon is covering all of the above in detail over at the ABC's business live blog this morning.

Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 9:50am

Trump says he has not ruled out deal despite escalation

By Hanan Dervisevic

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office a little earlier, US President Donald Trump said he believed a deal with Iran was "still possible" despite the renewed military action between the two sides.

When asked by a reporter how long he expected the war to last, he declined to put a timeline on it.

"I think it's going very fast," Trump said.

"We've demolished their military. We're hitting them very hard."

Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 9:45am

Sirens heard in Bahrain

By Hanan Dervisevic

We're now hearing reports of sirens sounding in Bahrain.

The Ministry of Interior encouraged people to adhere to safety advice.

The US maintains a significant military presence in Bahrain, primarily hosting the headquarters of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.

Over the past few days, Iran has fired missiles and drones at Gulf states in retaliation to the US strikes.

Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 9:41am

Trump's about-face on shipping toll aimed at 'reimbursement'

By Eden G Regan

The US has previously maintained the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to everyone without tolls — as it was before the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.

With the latest flare-up in hostilities, Donald Trump has appeared to renege on his administration's initial position.

"We're protecting a very rich portion of the world," he said.

"We're spending money. And so, what we've done is, we are going to be reimbursed for protection."

Reporting with AP

Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 9:33am

VIDEO: US strikes Iranian submarine with sea drones

By Hanan Dervisevic

In a post on X overnight, US Central Command released footage of a strike on a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran recorded during yesterday's strikes.

"Three Corsair unmanned surface vessels hit the port at Bandar Abbas Naval Base, marking the first time American forces have employed sea drones in combat operations," the post read.

"Last night's strikes degraded Iran's ability to continue attacking commercial shipping."

Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 9:30am

Where has the US targeted in its latest strikes?

By Andrew Thorpe

Explosions have been heard in the port city of Bandar Abbas as well as on Kish and Qeshm islands in the Persian Gulf, according to Iranian state media.

Strikes have also been reported in the Jam governorate in Bushehr, as well as further north along Iran's south-western coastline in Omodiyeh.

Key Event

Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 9:05am

Trump notifies Congress military action in Iran has resumed

By Hanan Dervisevic

The White House has formalised its reengagement in the war in Iran, notifying Congress of renewed military action.

US President Donald Trump sent Congress formal notification that hostilities against Iran resumed on July 7, a letter his administration sees as opening a new 60-day window to use the military in the region without congressional approval.

"I directed this military action consistent with my responsibility to protect Americans and United States' national security and foreign policy interests," Trump said in the letter, dated July 10, and seen by Reuters.

In recent days, hundreds of sites across Iran have been hit by the US military. The US says the strikes are a response to Iranian aggression and an attempt to stop Iran launching further attacks against ships trying to transit through the strait.

Iran has fired missiles and drones at Gulf states in retaliation, as well as further afield in Jordan, where US military bases and personnel operate.

Reporting with Reuters

Key Event

Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 9:00am

US strikes on Iran to continue today and tomorrow, Trump says

By Andrew Thorpe

Speaking to conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt before the latest round of attacks, US President Donald Trump said the US was planning to hit Iran "very hard tonight".

"And we're going to hit them hard tomorrow — and there's not a damn thing they can do about it," he continued.

"They have nothing going, other than they have big mouths," he added later.

Key Event

Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 8:47am

US conducts third consecutive night of strikes on Iran

By Hanan Dervisevic

US Central Command (CENTCOM) says a third consecutive night of air strikes against Iran has begun.

"These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," a statement posted on X said.

It is currently just past 2am on Tuesday in Iran.

Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 8:46am

US resumes blockade of Iranian shipping, vows to impose toll on marine traffic

By Andrew Thorpe

In case you missed it, US President Donald Trump announced overnight that the US was reinstating its blockade of Iranian maritime traffic.

After weeks of insisting the Strait of Hormuz must be toll-free, Mr Trump also said he would impose charges on ships from elsewhere "at the rate of 20 per cent of all cargo shipped" in return for providing security.

The announcement was mocked by Tehran, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying Mr Trump was "absolutely right" that a toll should be imposed, but not by the US.

"Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER," he wrote on X.

"20% is of course too much. We will be fair."

Read the full story from the ABC's Middle East Correspondent Matt Doran at the link below.

Key Event

Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 8:33am

Iranian missiles hit two UAE tankers

By Hanan Dervisevic

Iranian missiles have struck two UAE national tankers in the southern Strait of Hormuz, killing one crew member of Indian nationality and injuring eight others.

The UAE Ministry of Defence said fires broke out on both tankers but they had been brought under control.

The tankers were in Omani territorial waters, according to the ministry.

It condemned the attack as a serious breach of international law and said the UAE retained its full right to respond and take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security.

Tue 14 Jul 2026 at 8:23am

Welcome to our live coverage

By Andrew Thorpe

Good morning. We're live blogging the conflict in the Middle East once again as hostilities resume between Iran, the United States and its allies in the region.

Stay with us as we keep you updated.

View original source — ABC News ↗

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