Live updates: For a third night in a row, US and Iran trade strikes

Arutz Sheva-Israel National News is stopping its round-the-clock news updates at this time in honor of the start of Shabbat in North America, where they are being written now.

Updates will resume Saturday night from Israel, following the conclusion of Shabbat at 20:29 Jerusalem time.

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The Trump administration is demanding that the Iranian government issue an explicit public statement affirming that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open and committing to an immediate cessation of strikes on commercial vessels, according to a report by Axios.

The ultimatum has been transmitted to Tehran via both direct diplomatic channels and regional intermediaries, three US officials disclosed during a press briefing on Friday.

The development comes after Iran violated a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed just three weeks ago by repeatedly firing on commercial ships transiting the strategic shipping lane.

In response, President Donald Trump earlier this week authorized a series of military strikes against targets in Iran.

On Friday, Trump said that Iran had asked to continue talks, but stated that the ceasefire is over.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks.’ We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" the President wrote in a post on Truth Social.

American officials cited by Axios argue that if Tehran cannot honor basic maritime commitments, it raises profound doubts about its capability to execute a far more intricate nuclear pact.

The diplomatic standoff coincides with a high-stakes meeting scheduled for Saturday in Muscat between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi to address the escalating maritime crisis.

Prior to the signing of the MOU, Oman had broken with Tehran by aligning with the US and its Gulf allies to open an alternative southern shipping channel near the Omani coast. Axios noted that the maneuver infuriated Tehran by stripping it of crucial negotiating leverage.

According to US officials, Iranian representatives privately admitted that radical factions within the regime initiated the ship attacks in a rogue bid to reclaim that lost leverage. Publicly, however, Iranian diplomats, Revolutionary Guard commanders, and senior figures have maintained a unified front, demanding that Tehran retain absolute authority over navigation through the strait.

Behind closed doors, a US official quoted in the report that the Iranians initiated contact with the administration following two days of intense military skirmishes earlier in the week, asking for further dialogue to mend the rift.

"They told us, 'We screwed up. We made a mistake. Let's keep talking,'" the official alleged.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei vigorously denied that account on Friday, rejecting claims that Iran requested a fresh round of talks with the US and asserting that Tehran merely agreed to a Qatari-mediated proposal to hold discussions within Iran.

Nevertheless, US sources insist a fierce internal power struggle is underway in Tehran regarding how to handle negotiations with the Trump administration.

"There are elements within their system that want to reach a deal, but we can't make decisions for them. They need to get things under control," a US official told Axios.

The administration expects a public gesture from Tehran following Saturday's bilateral summit in Oman, the report stressed.

"We want them to publicly say that they will stop shooting at ships and explicitly, or at least implicitly, acknowledge that they screwed up. We are working on that now," one US official stated. "We expect the Iranians to say ... that every channel in the strait will be open and that it will be toll-free."

A second American official warned that the alternative would be severe.

"If it is not their position [tomorrow], it is not gonna be a great day for them," the official remarked.

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

IDF soldiers on Friday identified a Hezbollah terrorist operating near an access shaft of the underground terror infrastructure at the Ali al-Taher Ridge, within the Security Zone where IDF soldiers are operating, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said.

The terrorist posed an immediate threat to the soldiers and was eliminated in a precise aerial strike, removing the threat, according to the statement .

In an additional strike, the IDF eliminated a suspect traveling in a vehicle who posed a threat to IDF soldiers operating within the Security Zone.

“IDF soldiers are operating in the Ali al-Taher Ridge area and will not allow Hezbollah terrorists to emerge from the underground terror infrastructure and operate in the area," the IDF statement stressed.

“The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat to its soldiers and will not allow the Hezbollah terrorist organization to harm Israeli civilians," it concluded.

Earlier on Friday, the IDF said that forces from the Golani Brigade, operating under the 36th Division, recently located weapons storehouses belonging to the Hezbollah terror group, during operational activity conducted in the Security Zone in southern Lebanon.

In a statement, the IDF revealed that the weapons facilities contained launchers, machine guns, explosive devices, missiles, and additional weapons belonging to Hezbollah, all of which were intended to be used against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians.

On Thursday, troops of the 551st Brigade demolished two Hezbollah tunnels in Majdal Zoun, with a combined length of approximately 200 meters and reaching a depth of about 20 meters.

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

The political leadership has instructed the IDF to freeze all operations deemed "sensitive" in southern Lebanon following a request from the United States, Kan 11 News reported Friday evening.

According to the report, the directive to the IDF remains in effect until further notice, pending both the outcome of the current escalation between the United States and Iran and the ongoing negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.

The report further noted that the Americans, who have been preoccupied with the escalation against Iran in recent days, have recently expressed concern that Israel could also be dragged into the conflict.

A security source quoted in the report stated that Israel is prepared to respond to any potential Iranian attack on its territory to launch significant strikes within Iran. However, in light of the request from the White House, the IDF was instructed to wait to prevent the current conflict from expanding to Israel.

Kan 11 News also reported that the IDF is expected to begin withdrawing from pilot zones in southern Lebanon as early as next week, coinciding with additional talks between Lebanon and Israel scheduled to take place in Rome.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, will lead the Israeli delegation to the talks, alongside the team that participated in previous rounds of negotiations with Lebanese counterparts.

On Thursday, a US official said that the initial "pilot zone" in Lebanon designed to transfer territory currently held by Israeli forces back to Lebanese authority will officially begin "in a matter of days".

The official said the US “will soon begin outreach to international partners to help the Lebanese Government effectively restore sovereignty in these zones and across their country more broadly."

The initiative builds upon a 14-point framework negotiated during US-mediated discussions between Israeli and Lebanese officials in Washington in late June.

It remains to be seen whether the framework agreement will be implemented, as significant friction remains between Beirut and Jerusalem over the scope and timing of any military pullout.

According to a diplomatic source familiar with the negotiations, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has conditioned his country’s ongoing participation in bilateral talks on Israel commencing a military withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

The agreement has also been criticized by the Hezbollah terrorist organization which has refused to disarm, as stipulated in the agreement, and declared that "without Hezbollah, nothing will pass."

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran had asked to continue talks, but stated that the ceasefire is over.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks.’ We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!" the President wrote in a post on Truth Social.

Meanwhile, Axios reported, citing a source familiar with the matter, that a new round of talks between the US and Iran is expected to take place next week, possibly in Switzerland.

According to the report, regional mediators were working to de-escalate tensions and create the conditions for negotiations to resume after the recent escalation between the sides.

Iran’s Fars news agency, which is affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), was quick to deny the reports on a new round of talks.

A source told Fars that claims about finalized preparations for talks in Islamabad and continued technical discussions next week were false and had no factual basis.

The source added that any developments in the negotiation process would be announced only through official channels of the Islamic Republic.

"No negotiations will be held until the Trump administration fulfills its commitments," stressed Mohammad Marandi, a member of Iran’s delegation in the talks.

Trump earlier this week authorized a series of military strikes against targets in Iran. The strikes followed Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump told reporters, as the strikes were ongoing, that the Iranians had called him and are desperate to make a deal with the US.

“Iran called a while ago. They want to make a deal so badly," said the President, who added, “I just don't know if they are worthy. I don't know if they are going to honor the deal. That's the problem."

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' Israel desk is stopping its round-the-clock news updates at this time in honor of Shabbat. Jerusalem candle lighting time is 19:08 on Friday. Our North American desk will keep you informed until the 20:10 EDT candle lighting time in New York.

The updates from Israel will resume Saturday night, following the conclusion of Shabbat at 20:29 in Jerusalem.

Shabbat Shalom!

President Donald Trump said that Iran asked the US to continue “talks," and that Washington agreed to do so.

However, he said that the US made it clear to the Iranians “without any room for doubt" that the ceasefire had ended.

Forces from the IDF's Golani Brigade, operating under the 36th Division, recently located weapons storehouses belonging to the Hezbollah terror group, during operational activity conducted in the Security Zone in southern Lebanon.

In a statement, the IDF revealed that the weapons facilities contained launchers, machine guns, explosive devices, missiles, and additional weapons belonging to Hezbollah, all of which were intended to be used against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians.

The soldiers destroyed the facilities and the weapons found inside them.

"The IDF will continue operating to remove any threat to its soldiers and will not allow the Hezbollah terrorist organization to harm Israeli civilians," a military statement warned.

The initial "pilot zone" in Lebanon designed to transfer territory currently held by Israeli forces back to Lebanese authority will officially begin "in a matter of days," a US official announced Thursday, according to CNN.

The rollout marks the operational phase of a US-brokered effort to restore Lebanese state control following weeks of intense diplomacy.

“Further pilot zones are being mapped out and planned," the official said. “CENTCOM is coordinating with both countries to move forward."

To support the transfer of authority, Washington intends to mobilize broader diplomatic and financial assistance to help Beirut manage the transition across southern Lebanon.

The official said the US “will soon begin outreach to international partners to help the Lebanese Government effectively restore sovereignty in these zones and across their country more broadly."

The initiative builds upon a 14-point framework negotiated during US-mediated discussions between Israeli and Lebanese officials in Washington in late June. Upcoming diplomatic engagements will focus on technical execution rather than high-level political bargaining.

Planned talks in Rome next week will be “a closed discussion that will enable the governments to hand off to technical teams, which will work on all issues outlined in the Framework," the official said.

It remains to be seen whether the framework agreement will be implemented, as significant friction remains between Beirut and Jerusalem over the scope and timing of any military pullout.

According to a diplomatic source familiar with the negotiations, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has conditioned his country’s ongoing participation in bilateral talks on Israel commencing a military withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

The agreement has also been criticized by the Hezbollah terrorist organization which has refused to disarm, as stipulated in the agreement, and declared that "Without Hezbollah, nothing will pass."

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem strongly condemned the framework agreement, describing it as a "humiliating and disgraceful" deal that, he claimed, amounts to a surrender of Lebanon's sovereignty.

Aoun recently defended the framework agreement, asserting that it is the sole pragmatic path to avoid armed combat.

In an exclusive report by The Wall Street Journal, published on Thursday, individuals familiar with the matter revealed that Israeli intelligence has passed fresh information to US officials detailing an updated Iranian plot targeting President Donald Trump.

If substantiated, the intelligence signals a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran.

Tehran has repeatedly pledged retribution against Trump following the first-term US drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, the high-ranking general who led the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

When approached for comment, the Israeli Embassy in Washington declined to elaborate, while Iran’s Mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond. A senior US official confirmed to Channel 12 News that Israel recently transferred new and detailed intelligence to the United States indicating that elements within the Tehran regime actively discussed a plan to assassinate Trump.

Two US officials later told Channel 12 News that the intelligence transferred by Israel to the United States does not point to an organized, specific, or detailed plot to assassinate Trump.

According to the US officials, the Israeli intelligence actually centered on a single piece of information involving purely general discussion on the topic among elements within the Iranian regime.

For its part, the White House directed The Wall Street Journal to statements made by the president earlier in the week.

The remarks in question were made to journalists in Ankara, Turkey, when President Trump explicitly addressed the looming threats against him.

“They want to take out the US leader - me," he said. “I’m on every list. I saw this morning, I’m on every single one of their lists. And so far, I guess I’ve been a little bit lucky, but that maybe doesn’t last very long."

Meanwhile, hostility from Tehran remains public and pronounced. During the funeral for slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, crowds chanted calls for Trump’s death while displaying a banner reading, “We Will Kill Trump."

The United States is continuing technical-level nuclear negotiations with Iranian representatives in pursuit of a diplomatic resolution, a US official confirmed on Thursday, even as President Donald Trump authorized a new series of military strikes against targets in Iran this week.

“The United States is still committed to finding a resolution, and technical talks continue. Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon," the official said, as quoted by CNN.

The administration official emphasized that the existing diplomatic framework remains contingent on Iranian compliance, noting that recent maritime disruptions in the Middle East have severely strained the agreement.

The memorandum of understanding, the official added, is “performance-based," and Iran’s actions, including the Strait of Hormuz not being fully reopen and strikes on ships during the NATO Summit, “constitute failed performance at an unacceptable level."

“Iran’s attacks on these innocent vessels are acts of terrorism," the official added.

The US Army struck over 90 targets in Iran early Thursday morning, marking the second consecutive night in which the US struck Iran. The strikes followed Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump told reporters, as the strikes were ongoing, that the Iranians had called him and are desperate to make a deal with the US.

“Iran called a while ago. They want to make a deal so badly," said the President, who added, “I just don't know if they are worthy. I don't know if they are going to honor the deal. That's the problem."

Sabereen News, a news agency affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that two members of the Basij militia were killed in a shooting in the city of Mashhad during the funeral procession for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to the report, two gunmen wearing military uniforms opened fire on them at close range with handguns before fleeing the scene.

Conversely, Iran’s official Fars News Agency, which is also affiliated with the IRGC, flatly denied the reports. Fars claimed the accounts were "false rumors spread by anti-revolutionary elements" and stated that a check by security forces revealed no evidence of any unusual incident in the shrine area or along the funeral route.

Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency is reporting that three explosions were heard in the port city of Konarak in southeastern Iran.

A senior US official told Reuters that the first pilot zone in Lebanon, under which the Lebanese Armed Forces will assume control of territory currently held by the IDF, is expected to be launched within “the next few days."

Iranian sources are reporting that the aerial defense systems have been activated in Chabahar in the southeast and Bushehr in the southwest of the country.

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir delivered an address on Thursday at the graduation of the 192nd Israeli Air Force Pilots Course. In the address, he summed up the IAF's activities during the war, mentioning the various operations, the lessons learned from the October 7th Massacre, and the IDF's preparations for the future.

Zamir opened his remarks, stating that "a clear line of initiative, creativity, professionalism, and heroic courage connects the chapters of exemplary operations of the IDF and the Air Force over the years."

He mentioned the Entebbe hostage rescue operation, the Second Lebanon War, and Operations Rising Lion and Roaring Lion, saying they "are a demonstration of Israel's unique offensive and defensive technological might, a testament to the Israel Air Force's unique ability to reinvent itself against every threat, to turn the impossible into a sophisticated operational plan, and to execute it with remarkable precision at the moment of truth."

The Chief of Staff emphasized that the military obtained its achievements thanks to broad inter-branch collaboration. "Everyone works together for a joint goal." According to Zamir, "It is difficult to describe in words the multi-arena missions conducted by IAF pilots in the skies of the Middle East in the past two and a half years. We struck every arena."

Later in his address, he detailed the IAF's achievements: "We achieved air superiority that allowed us to fly over any area to our choosing. In a surprise attack, we eliminated the leaders of the ayatollah regime, the nuclear officials, the weapons industry, the surface-to-air missile batteries, and the surface-to-surface launchers. We turned the third perimeter into a first perimeter and caused the enemy in Gaza, Beirut, Sanaa, and Tehran to feel the same sense of persecution."

According to Zamir, "At the same time, the IAF also led the aerial defense effort with unprecedented success rates that allowed us to continue to fight. We distanced the existential threats a short time before they became tangible."

He added that "in a unique collaboration between the IDF and the US Military, our ally, the biggest superpower in the world, we flew wing-to-wing... a historic joint combat procedure which led to unprecedented capabilities that proved the IAF's purpose: to be Israel's strategic and multi-arena wing."

Addressing the course graduates, Zamir said, "Dear graduates, today you inherit this proud legacy-to dare, to innovate, to surprise, and to achieve victory."

At the same time, he stressed, "We never forget our point of departure. The failure of October 7 will forever be remembered as a national disaster and a systemic failure. We looked directly at the root causes of the shortcomings throughout the IDF, and we did the same within the Air Force. Without compromise, and with the required humility, we worked to uncover the truth, internalize the lessons, and implement them. As a result, we remain constantly prepared and alert in accordance with the evolving security assessment."

The IDF Chief of Staff noted that "in recent weeks, hundreds of Air Force aircraft have been on immediate takeoff alert," adding, "Even at this moment, we are closely monitoring developments in Iran and Lebanon and are prepared for immediate action. Against anyone who attempts to harm us, we will respond with overwhelming force."

He also addressed the growing integration between the Air Force and ground forces. "A major change that has taken place within the Air Force over the past two and a half years is the deep partnership with the ground forces. Fighter jets and attack helicopters carried out thousands of strikes during the ground campaigns in Gaza and Lebanon, providing closer support than ever before to maneuvering forces. 'Sa'ar' helicopters transported troops to the front lines and evacuated wounded soldiers directly from the battlefield."

Zamir also paid tribute to those killed and wounded in the war. "'Even a fist was once an open hand and fingers,' wrote the poet Yehuda Amichai, and we remember that well. We remember the fallen, our finest sons and daughters, who gave their lives in fierce battles. We embrace the bereaved families and stand alongside those wounded in body and spirit, who bear the scars of war. Their memory and heroism are the compass that obligates us to continue, to fight, and to prevail."

Turning to the future of the Air Force, he said, "Graduates of Pilots Course 192, our Air Force is in the midst of a dramatic force-building process, a broad expansion that is being accelerated even under fire. New squadrons are being established, we are acquiring new transport and attack helicopters, and our aerial refueling and intelligence capabilities are being enhanced to ensure Israel's absolute air superiority for generations to come. These aircraft and these capabilities are now waiting for you. I have complete confidence in the skills you have acquired to join the ranks of our aircrews and take to the skies at any hour in defense of the homeland."

Concluding his remarks, he addressed senior IDF commanders and the graduates, quoting from this week's Torah portion: "'He shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds from his mouth.' There is a connection between a military leader and the words that come from his mouth. Words create obligation, and the command to us is clear: Speak with genuine and pure intent, say little, do much. Let our actions speak for themselves."

He ended with a message to the graduates: "New air warriors, fly with determination, fight with courage, and always remember the justice of our cause, the depth of your responsibility, and the people on the ground for whom you serve as a shield of protection. Soar high, 'knights of the skies, brave and noble,' and always return home safely. Today we salute you with pride and great expectations for what lies ahead."

Shin Bet chief David Zini approached Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara in order to receive approval to open an investigation into Channel 12 News over allegations that it leaked information regarding the timing of the launch of Operation Roaring Lion.

According to a report on Ynet, the request came after heavy pressure was applied on Zini by cabinet ministers and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following a prolonged period in which he pushed back against their demands.

Throughout the process, Zini argued: "There are 4,500 people involved who were privy to the secret. There is no lead. Investigating journalists requires the approval of the attorney general."

A source who attended the cabinet discussion in question described the intense exchanges that took place there as a "cross-examination." The sharp verbal confrontation between ministers and the Shin Bet chief took place while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had left the meeting room.

Among other statements, the Shin Bet chief explained his view to the ministers: "The incident happened a long time ago; they asked to investigate several months later. More than 4,500 people were privy to the secret. There are those who can leak information and those who receive it. Usually, it happens through third parties. You can conduct communications checks on thousands of people; there are people [who would need to be questioned] with special status."

He added: "This is not the removal of an immediate threat or the saving of lives. You all want it to be treated that way, so that approval would be required in order to investigate, and the proof is that you have not changed this [requirement]. There is no lead in any case. When there are thousands of people who could be the source of the leak, it is always someone who passes information to someone else. We have investigated serious cases after that happened, and even there we had limitations. You, as the legislative authority, should change the law."

Government ministers expressed clear dissatisfaction upon hearing these explanations. In response, Zini concluded his remarks with a direct appeal to them, saying: "I make sure to respect you, but respect yourselves."

The United States carried out overnight strikes on a strategic railway bridge that serves as part of Iran's transportation corridor to China and Russia, Iran's Fars News Agency reported.

According to the report, the US launched cruise missiles before dawn at the Aq Tekeh Khan Bridge in Aqqala County, Golestan Province. The bridge is part of a strategic rail corridor linking China, Turkmenistan, and Iran.

The IRGC's Neynava Corps said that no casualties were reported.

The report added that since last November, Russia has been transporting goods along the route, while freight train traffic from China has tripled as a result of the maritime blockade.

On Thursday morning, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed: "US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces completed an additional round of strikes against Iran, July 8, to further degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping and innocent civilian mariners in the Strait of Hormuz."

"US forces struck approximately 90 Iranian military targets including air defense systems, coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage sites, naval capabilities, and military logistics infrastructure along Iran’s coastline. The latest strikes follow successful execution of offensive strikes in Iran the night before."

The statement added, "CENTCOM forces hit approximately 80 Iranian military targets July 7, including more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats, to impose heavy costs for Iran violating the ceasefire by attacking three commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz."

"US forces remain vigilant, lethal, and prepared to execute operations directed by the Commander in Chief."

Iranian media has reported that a US strike hit the Bushehr nuclear power plant complex, while Iran's attacks on international targets have continued.

Kuwaiti media reported a massive barrage of missiles launched from Iran toward the country.

On Thursday afternoon, air raid sirens also sounded in Jordan, and five Iranian missiles fired toward an area hosting a US military base were intercepted. Sirens were also activated in several communities in Israel's Jordan Valley.

The US Embassy in Aqaba instructed its personnel to remain in protected areas until further notice.

Iranian journalist Mehrdad Khalili, who is considered close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said, "Iran responded against specific American targets as part of an effort to contain the escalation in the exchanges of strikes between Iran and the United States since the ceasefire came into effect. The scale of last night's aggression in southern Iran broke that rule. The Iranian response will be completely different."

The US Embassy in Amman, Jordan, on Thursday afternoon warned that "missiles, drones, or rockets are in Jordanian airspace."

"Seek overhead cover and shelter in place immediately. Remain indoors and pay attention to local announcements and alerts. The US Embassy in Jordan will continue to review the situation and provide additional information as needed."

Defense Minister Israel Katz declared Thursday morning that Israel is acting entirely independently regarding its military presence and the expansion of the security zone in southern Lebanon.

Addressing Israel's operational freedom, Katz said: "We did not ask anyone for permission to enter Lebanon, and we do not need permission to remain in Lebanon. It is our right and our duty to protect the residents of the Galilee and the citizens of Israel from the threats posed by the jihadist terrorist organization Hezbollah, which seeks to destroy the State of Israel."

Recalling the beginning of the conflict, he stressed, "The Hezbollah terror group attacked Israel on its own initiative twice: after Hamas' murderous October 7 attack, and at the start of Operation Roaring Lion in Iran, when, under orders from the Iranian terrorist regime, it began firing at the State of Israel."

"Israel responded with force and, over the past two and a half years, destroyed most of Hezbollah's capabilities and its leadership, chief among them arch-terrorist [Hassan] Nasrallah, one of the architects of the plan to destroy Israel."

"Thanks to the decisions of the political leadership, the determination of the IDF command, the courage and bravery of the IDF's soldiers, and the resilience of the residents of the north, we have established a strong security zone in Lebanon - from the [Mediterranean] sea in the west to the Beaufort Ridge and the approaches to Mount Hermon in the east. It has been cleared of residents and terrorist infrastructure both above and below ground in order to protect the residents of the Galilee from the threat of infiltrations, anti-tank fire, and [other] direct threats," he added.

Concluding his remarks, Katz emphasized that both he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remain committed to maintaining Israel's presence in the security zone until its objectives are achieved.

"As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have made clear, we will continue to remain in the security zone in Lebanon and operate from within it as long as necessary, until Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon and the threat to the residents of northern Israel is removed. We promised security to the residents of the north, and that is what we have done and what we will continue to do."

US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Wednesday evening announced that its forces have begun launching strikes against Iranian targets.

The confirmation came after explosions were heard in Iran. The explosions were reported in Bandar Abbas, in Chabahar and on Kharg Island, among other places.

“At the direction of the Commander in Chief, US Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," said CENTCOM.

“The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway," it added.

Later in the night, it was also reported that a railway bridge in northwestern Iran was attacked, causing damage to transportation infrastructure in the area.

A senior US official confirmed to Channel 12 News that the US military conducted precision strikes using cruise missiles against two railway bridges in northern Iran. This marks the first time the US military has targeted infrastructure on Iranian soil since the ceasefire took effect on April 8.

An Israeli official told Al-Arabiya that the US had notified Israel it would carry out powerful strikes in Iran.

Following the US strikes, an Iranian military source told the Nournews agency, "We will soon launch a massive attack against US military bases in the region."

Mohsen Rezaee, an advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, issued a direct threat toward the United States and its regional allies following the US strikes in Iran.

In a brief post on social media, Rezaee wrote, "The aggressive enemy and its partners will be severely punished."

US President Donald Trump commented on the strikes in Iran in a post on his Truth Social platform.

"This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!" he wrote.

Meanwhile, a US official told CNN that the ceasefire with Iran “has at least temporarily ceased".

The official added that the situation with Iran continues to be very dynamic and there could be more strikes beyond what was announced. The US military is in a wait-and-see mode, the official stated, adding that the targets of the latest strikes were missiles and drones, that could be used against US assets, like aircraft carriers.

The US strikes came hours after Trump lashed out at Iran, describing its leadership as “scum", and said that it was likely the US would launch strikes against it once again.

Wednesday’s strikes came one night after CENTCOM struck over 80 targets in Iran hit with precision munitions “as an immediate response to Iran's latest attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz."

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued an official statement claiming responsibility for missile and drone volleys targeting US bases in the Gulf. The targets included the Ali Al Salem and Ahmad Al-Jaber airbases in Kuwait, alongside the Fifth Fleet base at Port Salman and the Shaikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain.

Additionally, the IRGC warned that if the United States expands its current wave of strikes, Iran will immediately broaden its range of targets and strike additional US bases and assets across the region.

Sirens sounded in Bahrain for the second time since the wave of US strikes in Iran.

Sirens were activated in Bahrain early Thursday morning. The Associated Press reported that the alerts were likely triggered following another US strike in Iran.

In addition, Kuwait's Ministry of Defense announced that air defense systems are active across the country, intercepting incoming threats.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday night that the Iranians had called him and are desperate to make a deal with the US.

Trump made the comments in a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One as he was returning to Washington from Turkey.

“Iran called a while ago. They want to make a deal so badly," said the President, who added, “I just don't know if they are worthy. I don't know if they are going to honor the deal. That's the problem."

The conversation with the press took place after the US army launched strikes in Iran for the second time in as many nights.

Commenting on those strikes, Trump said, “We just hit them very hard. We hit them 20 to 1. Every time they hit us, we are going to hit them 20."

Asked whether he is aware of any credible threats by Iran, the President replied, “I hear threats all the time. I am number one on their list."

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced earlier on Wednesday that its forces have begun launching strikes against Iranian targets.

The confirmation came after explosions were heard in Iran. The explosions were reported in Bandar Abbas, in Chabahar and on Kharg Island, among other places.

“At the direction of the Commander in Chief, US Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," said CENTCOM.

“The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway," it added.

Trump commented on the strikes in Iran in a post on his Truth Social platform.

"This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!" he wrote.

Meanwhile, a US official told CNN that the ceasefire with Iran “has at least temporarily ceased".

The official added that the situation with Iran continues to be very dynamic and there could be more strikes beyond what was announced. The US military is in a wait-and-see mode, the official stated, adding that the targets of the latest strikes were missiles and drones, that could be used against US assets, like aircraft carriers.

Wednesday’s strikes came one night after CENTCOM struck over 80 targets in Iran hit with precision munitions “as an immediate response to Iran's latest attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz."

US President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One Trump, "Iran called a while ago. They want to make a deal so badly."

He added, "I just don't know if they are worthy. I don't know if they are going to honor the deal. That's the problem."

CENTCOM announced a short time ago, "At the direction of the Commander in Chief, US Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."

"The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway," it added.

A US official told Channel 12 News that the US military is conducting strikes against Iranian military targets in the Strait of Hormuz area.

Initial findings from the July 2026 Israeli Society Index by the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) indicate a sharp decline in Israeli public confidence in US President Donald Trump, alongside broad opposition to the recently signed US-Iran nuclear agreement and strong support for the agreement with Lebanon.

The survey found that, for the first time since JPPI began tracking the issue, fewer than one in ten Israelis expresses "a great deal of trust" in President Trump to do the right thing for US-Israel relations. Just 7% said they have a great deal of trust in the president, while 41% said they have some trust and 45% said they have no trust at all.

The figures mark a significant decline from previous surveys. In January 2025, following Trump's return to the White House, 32% expressed a great deal of trust in him, while 21% said they had no trust. During Operation Lion's Roar in March 2026, the share expressing high trust rose to 34%. The decline continued over recent months, falling to 19% in April, 12% in June, and 7% in July, following the signing of the Iran nuclear agreement and the president's public statements.

Among right-wing Israelis, 8% expressed a great deal of trust in Trump and 56% said they had some trust, while the share expressing high trust has dropped from 29% a year ago, shortly after Operation Rising Lion, to 8% today. The proportion expressing no trust has more than doubled.

Among centrists, 58% said they have no trust in Trump, rising to 74% among the center-left. In both groups, no respondents expressed a great deal of trust in the president. Among those who voted for Likud in the 2022 election, 15% expressed high trust, while distrust reached 58% among National Unity voters and 77% among Meretz voters.

Among Jewish Israelis alone, 5% expressed a great deal of trust in Trump, while 46% said they have no trust in him whatsoever.

Despite the decline in confidence in the president, 74% of Israelis said they still regard the United States as a true friend of Israel.

The poll also found broad agreement on how Israel should manage its relationship with Washington. Sixty-six percent of Israelis, including 77% of Jewish Israelis, said Israel should seek to coordinate with the US administration whenever possible but ultimately act according to what it believes is in its own best interests when disagreements arise. Only small minorities said Israel should always defer to Washington or disregard US positions altogether.

The survey found broad opposition to the agreement signed between the United States and Iran.

While 55% of Israelis expressed concern in June as the agreement was taking shape, 68% now believe it is bad for Israel following its signing, including 56% who described it as "very bad for Israel," up from 34% one month earlier. Fourteen percent said they believe the agreement is good for Israel.

Among Jewish Israelis, 68% described the agreement as "very bad for Israel," while no Jewish respondents selected the option that it is "very good for Israel."

Opposition extended across the Jewish political spectrum, with 72% of Likud voters, 89% of Religious Zionism voters, 91% of Labor voters and 81% of Meretz voters viewing the agreement negatively. Among Arab Israelis, 57% said they believe the agreement is good for Israel.

By contrast, the agreement with Lebanon received broad public support. Sixty-three percent of Israelis said the agreement is good for Israel, while 18% disagreed.

Support was nearly identical among Jewish and Arab Israelis, at 63% and 64% respectively. It also crossed political lines, with 68% of right-wing respondents and 62% of left-wing respondents supporting the agreement.

The survey found that Israelis remain divided over the future of Gaza.

Forty-three percent favored attempting to weaken Hamas through economic and diplomatic means, while 35% supported returning to military operations until Israel's stated objectives are achieved. Fourteen percent said the current situation should be maintained.

Among Jewish Israelis, 50% favored economic and diplomatic pressure while 41% supported renewed military operations to eliminate Hamas rule. Among Arab Israelis, 51% supported maintaining the current situation and preserving the ceasefire.

Political divisions were also reflected in responses on Gaza. Sixty-eight percent of respondents on the right favored renewing military operations, while 70% of centrists and 92% of left-wing respondents supported economic and diplomatic pressure.

A similar poll by the Israel Democracy Institute published earlier this week found that the share of Israelis who believe Israel's security is a central consideration of President Trump's fell from 44% in May to 28% in June. The survey, conducted among 603 Jewish respondents and 151 Arab respondents between June 28 and July 1, also found that among Jewish respondents, the belief that Israel can fully rely on Trump declined by 38 percentage points between March and June 2026. Just over one-third of Israelis said they believe Israel's strategic security situation is better today than it was before the war with Iran.

A separate survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, conducted between June 11 and June 17 among 3,040 respondents, including 1,022 Jewish adults, found continued declines in support for Israel among US adults. Forty percent said the US is "too supportive" of Israelis, while 39% said the US is "not supportive enough" of Palestinian Arabs. Among Democrats, 58% said the US is "too supportive" of Israelis, up from 45% in January 2024, while 21% of Republicans shared that view. The survey also found that one-third of American Jewish adults believe Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, while 49% said it has not. Among US adults overall, about one-third said they believe Israel has committed genocide, including roughly half of Democrats. The poll further found that 38% of US adults hold an unfavorable view of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, compared to 28% who view New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani unfavorably. Among Jewish adults, about six in ten viewed Netanyahu unfavorably, while 39% viewed Mamdani negatively and 44% viewed him positively.

The IDF confirmed that, during the encounter with terrorists in Bint Jbeil, the soldiers apprehended an additional Hezbollah terrorist in the same area where an encounter took place last Thursday.

The apprehended terrorist is a member of Hezbollah's Radwan Force - the organization's elite commando unit responsible for carrying out attacks against IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians throughout the war.

The terrorist was transferred to Unit 504 for further questioning in Israeli territory.

Speaking at the NATO summit, President Donald Trump said that the "Iran war is a tremendous military success. We can't let lunatics have nuclear weapons."

He added that, "they are not going to have a nuclear weapon. They will never have a nuclear weapon. Oil prices are lower than when I started. 159 ships are at the bottom of the sea. Iran has terrible inflation."

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The Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, called on Iran to cancel the memorandum of understanding and halt negotiations in light of the latest developments.

Iranian opposition sources reported that an IRGC aerospace facility, a base belonging to the organization, and a site near the Bushehr Air Force base were attacked this morning in the Bushehr area.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday spoke about the exchange of strikes between the US and Iran, declaring an end to the ceasefire agreement.

At the NATO summit, Trump was asked whether the memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran had ended. He responded, "To me, I think it's over. I don't want to deal with them anymore."

He added, "They're led by sick people... I'll speak to our negotiators. They want to negotiate - they're good people... but they have to come back to me. As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them."

"These are evil sick people," he continued. "They're cancer, and you know what you have to do - you have to cut out cancer early."

Regarding the recent US strikes in Iran, Trump spoke during the summit to Fox News, saying, "We attacked very powerfully last night. The very dangerous people from Iran, they're sick, there's something wrong with them. We said go and do your funeral stuff and instead of that they started shooting rockets at ships yesterday and so we hit them very hard last night, very hard."

"And I would say 20 to 1, 20 times tougher and I told them every time you hit, we hit and of course they're dirty players so they go after everyone, probably including me. I've been number one on their list for years and they're a bunch of scum, if you want to know the truth, they're scum. And so we don't like them, I don't like them and they're evil people and it's the denuclearization of Iran and we're going to denuke it. We're not going to let them because they're crazy and they can't have a nuclear weapon and they go around killing people, they've killed thousands and thousands of our soldiers, they've killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people.

"They've killed thousands and thousands of people, even the USS Cole was theirs, you remember that disaster," he added. "So I don't like them at all and frankly I think we waste a lot of time with them and I think we should just do our business."

"Can you imagine, they start shooting bombs, actually missiles and ships yesterday, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, a couple of others and I don't think they know what the hell they're doing but they're bad people, very bad people. I think they're incompetent, by the way, because if they were competent they would have made a deal a long time ago, like how about 47 years ago."

Regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said that although he "loves" Netanyahu, the Israeli leader "said bad things about Turkey" on Tuesday. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erodgan, Trump added, is "great."

IDF: Hezbollah terrorist eliminated after opening fire at IDF soldiers in southern Lebanon

IDF soldiers on Tuesday returned to the scene of a clash with Hezbollah terrorists in the Bint Jbeil area.

The clash, which occurred Thursday, left an IDF reservist was severely injured.

Forces returning to the scene on Tuesday conducted searches of the structure, which is located within the Security Zone in the Bint Jbeil area.

During the searches, a Hezbollah terrorist operating inside the structure opened fire at the soldiers.

The soldiers immediately returned fire, eliminating the terrorist. No IDF injuries were reported.

Arutz Sheva - Israel National News has learned that a soldier from the company commander's headquarters team killed one of the terrorists and captured a second terrorist alive.

During the intense exchange of fire inside the building, a dog from the IDF's Oketz canine unit, which was participating in the search operation, was killed.

Following the operation, the IDF promised that it "will continue to operate to remove any threat to its troops and will not allow the Hezbollah terrorist organization to harm Israeli civilians."

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced Wednesday that its Navy and Air and Space forces launched a combined missile and drone attack targeting 85 US military sites and facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait.

In an official statement, Tehran said the attack was carried out in response to "the United States' violation of the ceasefire," after the US Air Force reportedly struck approximately 80 targets inside Iran overnight.

In addition, IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohabi said the organization's air defense network had detected and shot down a US military drone operating in the skies over southern Iran.

According to the statement, the drone's interception came "in response to the aerial aggression carried out by the US military" in the Gulf region.

Following the alleged strikes, Mohsen Rezaei, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, also addressed the escalating tensions with Washington, warning that US President Donald Trump is preparing the ground for another round of strikes against the Islamic Republic.

Speaking to local media, Rezaei said Tehran believes the United States is preparing to resume military operations, but stressed: "We are fully prepared for any scenario."

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced early Wednesday morning that its forces launched a series of powerful strikes against Iran.

The official statement was published minutes after Iran reported intense explosions in Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas and the port city of Sirik.

CENTCOM said the purpose of the strikes was "to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway."

It added, "The US strikes are in response to Iranian attacks on three commercial vessels that were transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s demonstrated aggression was unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire."

A US official quoted by Axios said the targets included Iranian air defense systems, coastal surveillance systems, surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship cruise missile sites, drone launch sites and port facilities.

A US official told CNN that the US military strikes in Iran are “not proportional", adding, “This is punishment. It won’t be over for a bit."

In a later statement, CENTCOM said that over 80 targets were hit with precision munitions “as an immediate response to Iran's latest attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz."

“US forces struck Iranian air defense systems, command and control networks, coastal radar sites, anti-ship missile capabilities, and more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps small boats in and near the strait to degrade Iran’s ability to continue attacking international commerce flowing through the international trade corridor," the statement said.

“Iran recently attacked three commercial vessels transiting the strait including Marshall Islands-flagged M/T Al Rekayyat, Saudi Arabia-flagged M/T Wedyan, and Liberian-flagged M/T Cyprus Prosperity. The unwarranted aggression by Iranian forces is a clear and dangerous violation of the ceasefire and undermines freedom of navigation," it said.

“CENTCOM forces remain postured and prepared to hold Iran accountable when the agreement is not adhered to or obeyed."

Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused the United States of a blatant violation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two nations.

Tehran issued a direct threat toward Washington, stating that it "seriously warns against the consequences of the American violation of the agreement." The Iranian Foreign Ministry further emphasized that the Islamic Republic will not hesitate to take "decisive measures" to protect its strategic interests and national security in the region.

Iranian media outlets later reported a series of explosions heard in Bahrain, including near the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet stationed in the country, as well as in the vicinity of the Shaikh Isa Air Base.

A US official confirmed the details of the incident in a conversation with Axios, stating that the Iranian military launched unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) at targets within Bahraini territory.

The US strikes followed the Iranian attacks on three commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday morning.

The ships were hit and suffered significant damage, but no casualties were reported.

Iran later officially confirmed that its forces attacked at least one liquefied natural gas tanker.

One of the vessels hit by the Iranian missiles was a gas tanker owned by Qatar. After the hit, Qatar summoned the Iranian ambassador for a reprimand meeting.

Following the strikes, the United States decided to revoke the general license authorizing the sale of Iranian oil after several Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

A senior administration official called Iran's actions in the Strait "wholly unacceptable" and said they will be met with consequences.

The official reiterated, "As President Trump and the administration have repeatedly affirmed, the MOU in effect with Iran is entirely performance-based. Iran will only reap benefits if they exhibit good behavior."

Lebanese media outlets reported a series of overnight strikes carried out by the Israel Air Force at multiple locations in the southern part of the country.

According to the reports, the IAF airstrikes targeted sites in the village of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, in the village of Beit Yahoun, as well as in an open area located between Beit Yahoun and the village of Baraachit.

Kuwaiti authorities announced the activation of nationwide sirens following the detection of aerial threats in the Persian Gulf region.

A short while earlier, sirens were also sounded in Bahrain.

During an appearance on Newsmax’s "The Record With Greta Van Susteren" on Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran was largely driven by the fact that Tehran was "on the verge of making nuclear weapons."

Netanyahu noted that the timeline for Iran acquiring a bomb was dangerously narrow. To neutralize the issue, preemptive strikes were necessary.

"We pushed that immediate threat away. We destroyed a lot of their infrastructure, a lot of their centrifuges, a lot of the associated factories and facilities that they use for manufacturing nuclear weapons," the Prime Minister explained.

Additionally, he said, targeted operations severely impacted human capital within the Iranian weapons program.

"We knocked out 20 of their top nuclear scientists - 20 of their top nuclear scientists. So we pushed it back considerably."

Though the immediate capacity for a weapon has been dismantled, Netanyahu cautioned that the ambition of the regime is still intact.

"It's like when you excise a lump of cancer from your body, you know it may come back. But you know one thing: If you wouldn't do it, you could die," he remarked. "And Israel was obviously placed with an existential threat. And America was threatened with a very great danger."

He highlighted that providing intercontinental ballistic missiles to a nation where a segment of the public shouts "death to America" would ultimately endanger "every single American," particularly if those missiles carried nuclear payloads.

Turning to regional diplomacy, the Israeli leader expressed strong reservations regarding the prospect of the United States supplying advanced F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.

"I think it's a mistake," Netanyahu stated to Newsmax. He pointed to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's aggressive posture toward Greece, the ongoing occupation of northern Cyprus, and the Turkish government's calls for the eradication of Israel.

"His number two a few days ago said the Jewish state has no place among the nations," Netanyahu added. "If this regime that often condemns America and often attacks America verbally should have the weapons like the F-35, I think it will greatly destabilize the region."

Despite recent tension, Netanyahu maintained that his relationship with President Donald Trump remains strong, noting that Trump has "said it couldn't be better."

"But as you say, friends can have agreements and disagreements," he acknowledged. "We agree on just about everything, but there are areas of disagreement. I just mentioned one of them, which is providing F-35s to Turkey."

He characterized their diplomatic exchanges as candid and transparent.

"I feel confident enough in our friendship, in our alliance, that I can tell him what I think is important for the interests of protecting Israel," he explained. "And he tells me what he thinks is important for the interests of the United States. This is a real friendship, a real alliance."

Addressing the ongoing security situation in Gaza, Netanyahu emphasized to Newsmax that neither Israel nor the US is willing to compromise with the Hamas terrorist organization.

"They don't want to disarm, and they certainly don't want Gaza to be demilitarized. They just want to continue tyrannizing the Gaza population there and launching terrorist raids into Israel," he observed. "They can't do that right now because we're enveloping them with our brave soldiers."

Concluding the interview, the prime minister lauded the United States for its historical and current efforts to champion global liberty.

"The United States of America has been the sentinel of security and peace and freedom," he declared. "And if it weren't for the United States, Nazism could have won. Stalinism could have won," he said, adding, "And we would have entered into a dark age for God knows how many hundreds of years."

Expressing profound gratitude on behalf of his nation, Netanyahu finished with a tribute to American leadership: "The United States has been the guardian of freedom, and we in Israel, a free democratic country, we salute the United States."

Iranian state television reported explosions on Qeshm Island in southern Iran.

Additionally, reports indicate that explosions were also heard on Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf.

Mohsen Rezaee, a senior military advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, criticized the United States on Tuesday.

“The US is seeking to pass its warships through the Strait of Hormuz. In practice, the US is acting in a way that undermines agreements," Rezaee charged.

He further claimed, “Those within Iran who oppose negotiations must be patient - the US will sabotage the talks themselves; it is clear they will cause the negotiations to fail."

Rezaee’s comments came after the United States decided on Tuesday to revoke the general license authorizing the sale of Iranian oil after several Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The US later launched strikes against Iran in response to the Iranian attacks in the Strait.

A senior administration official called Iran's actions in the Strait "wholly unacceptable" and said they will be met with consequences.

The official reiterated, "As President Trump and the administration have repeatedly affirmed, the MOU in effect with Iran is entirely performance-based. Iran will only reap benefits if they exhibit good behavior."

Early Tuesday morning, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) fired at least two missiles at commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The ships were hit and suffered significant damage, but no casualties were reported.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi blamed the US for the attack in the Strait of Hormuz.

"Clause 13 of the Memorandum of Understanding is clear: Negotiations on a final agreement will not begin as long as the threats continue. Honor your signature," Araghchi said Tuesday morning.

The United States is reinstating sanctions on Iranian oil following Tuesday's attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz by Iran's military.

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Following the attack on a Qatari gas tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, Qatar's Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian deputy ambassador for an explanation.