Iran war live: U.S. hits Iran; Tehran claims strikes in Jordan, Kuwait; Saudi vessel attacked; Latest updates

Pezeshkian calls for deeper Iran-Iraq cooperation

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said relations between Iran and Iraq extend beyond ordinary neighbourly ties and are rooted in shared historical, cultural, religious and civilisational links.

Speaking as he received the credentials of Iraq’s new ambassador to Tehran, Yasser Abdulzahra al-Hajjaj, Pezeshkian called for broader cooperation in economic, political, scientific, technological, cultural and people-to-people fields.

He said stronger regional collaboration could support peace, security, prosperity and sustainable development. The Iraqi ambassador described bilateral relations as strategic and said an upcoming visit by Iraq’s prime minister would offer an opportunity to further expand ties.

Iran criticises US hearing over civilian impact of war

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei criticised a US congressional hearing for failing to address what he described as the human cost of America’s war against Iran.

He accused Washington of launching an illegal conflict and committing war crimes, citing Minab and Lamerd as examples.

US issues worldwide caution amid Middle East tensions

The US State Department has urged Americans worldwide to remain vigilant as tensions in the Middle East raise the risk of further escalation and travel disruption.

Americans in the region should prepare for flight cancellations, airspace closures and schedule changes, while those elsewhere are advised to reconsider travel to or through the Middle East.

The advisory also warned that Iran and Iran-aligned groups could target US diplomatic facilities, businesses and other locations associated with Americans overseas. Travellers should confirm flight arrangements directly with their airlines.

Iran’s army claims drone strikes on US bases in Kuwait

Iran’s army said it launched heavy drone attacks on US military positions in Kuwait during the 23rd phase of Operation Thunder.

It claimed the strikes targeted ammunition and logistics warehouses at Al-Doha Base, fuel depots at Ali Al-Salem Air Base and an ammunition-storage facility at Camp Arifjan.

CENTCOM strikes Iran for 12th consecutive night

U.S. Central Command said its forces completed another round of strikes against Iranian military targets at 10:30 p.m. ET on July 22, marking the 12^th consecutive night of operations.

CENTCOM said the strikes targeted maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage sites, coastal surveillance facilities and air-defence assets, aiming to reduce Iran’s ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial shipping.

The command added that U.S. forces had struck dozens of Iranian military sites on land this month and resumed maritime interdiction operations. It said nine commercial vessels had been redirected and one disabled to prevent ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports.

More than 50,000 U.S. service members remain deployed across the Middle East, CENTCOM said.

Saudi-owned vessel targeted in Red Sea; crew safe

Saudi Arabia’s Transport General Authority said the Saudi-owned vessel ENCELIA was attacked while sailing in the Red Sea, causing a fire in the ship’s bow.

All crew members were reported safe, while relevant authorities took measures to secure the vessel, protect those on board and prevent environmental damage.

The authority said such attacks violate international laws and conventions protecting commercial shipping and maritime crews.

Trump says Iran wants a deal but is not ready

US President Donald Trump said Iran was facing heavy attacks and wanted to reach an agreement, but argued that Tehran was not yet prepared to make a deal.

He accused Iran of repeatedly seeking to revise agreements after they had been negotiated.

IRGC claims strikes hit US military facilities in Jordan

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it carried out rapid retaliatory strikes on US military installations in Jordan following what it described as repeated American incursions into Iranian territory.

The IRGC claimed the attacks destroyed a THAAD radar, a Patriot air-defence battery and a C-RAM radar, while also setting fuel-storage facilities ablaze. It further alleged that a helicopter equipment depot and a maintenance facility were completely destroyed.