West Asia war LIVE: U.S. airstrikes hit northern Iran as it disables ship trying to run blockade

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Iran Army says targeted U.S. military facilities in Jordan

Updated - July 16, 2026 09:00 am IST

Smoke rises from an explosion at an unknown location during what U.S. Central Command says are strikes on Iran in this screen grab taken from a handout video released on July 15, 2026.

| Photo Credit:

Reuters

The United States intensified its strikes targeting Iran early Thursday (July 16, 2026), hitting targets further north for the first time. Air defences were heard in parts of Tehran on Thursday morning (July 16, 2026), state media said, and explosions rang out in northern and western parts of the country.

Also read | U.S. strikes Iran for third day, will reimpose blockade

The statement said the ⁠U.S. military hit targets in multiple locations, including Bandar Abbas, home to Iran’s largest port and key navy and Revolutionary Guards facilities on the Strait ‌of Hormuz.

Days of back-and-forth strikes by the U.S. and Iran across West Asia — and renewed threats to the Strait of Hormuz — have shredded the interim deal to end the Iran war and could tip the region back into all-out war.

Also read | Iran threatens to block more vital seaways as Trump orders renewed Iran blockade

The Iranian Army said on Thursday (July 16, 2026) that it targeted U.S. military facilities in Jordan with drones, state media reported, after the United States carried out another wave of strikes on Iran.

Follow the live updates below:

July 16, 2026 08:56

U.S. approves nearly $2 billion in weapons sales to Saudi Arabia

The U.S. State Department said Wednesday (July 15, 2026) it has approved the sale of an estimated $1.96 billion in weapons to bolster Saudi Arabia’s air defences as the war ramps up in West Asia.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a Major non-NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region,” the State Department said in a release.

- AFP

July 16, 2026 08:54

U.S. military facilities in Jordan targeted: Iran’s Army

The Iranian Army said on Thursday (July 16, 2026) that it targeted U.S. military facilities in Jordan with drones, state media reported, after the United States carried out another wave of strikes on Iran.

“The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran announced that... in response to the enemy aggression, it targeted the communication systems and fuel storage facilities of the U.S. military in Jordan using suicide (kamikaze) drones,” state television IRIB said.

- AFP

July 16, 2026 08:53

Air defences activated in Tehran, explosions heard in north, west Iran: reports

Air defences were heard in parts of Tehran on Thursday morning (July 16, 2026), state media said, and explosions rang out in northern and western parts of the country.

“So far, no casualties have been reported in Tehran by official authorities,” state news agency IRNA reported.

Explosions were heard in parts of the western Lorestan province and Semnan in the north, IRNA and the Mehr news agency reported.

- AFP

July 16, 2026 08:52

U.S. launches new Iran strikes as Trump threatens wider attacks

The United States launched a new wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday (July 15, 2026) to curb its ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as President Donald Trump warned he could widen attacks unless the Islamic republic returned to talks.

U.S. Central Command said the strikes began at 19:00 GMT and targeted Iranian military capabilities used to threaten vessels freely transiting the vital waterway.

The U.S. military also said one of its aircraft fired on and disabled an empty oil tanker that was trying to break the naval blockade of Iran’s ports.

- AFP

Published - July 16, 2026 08:50 am IST