War returns to Iran with Israel, US strikes

The Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordan have condemned Iran’s continued attacks, calling them “a clear act of aggression that violates the United Nations Charter and international law”, Al Jazeera reports citing a joint statement.

“The seven countries affirm their inherent right to self-defence, individually or collectively, in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations”, the statement reads, calling on the UN Security Council “to recognise the right of countries affected by Iran’s attacks to defend themselves, and to issue an urgent resolution demanding an immediate halt to Iran’s attacks”.

It also affirms “the commitment to freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb and to maintaining regional security”.

Oman’s foreign minister has discussed the US-Israeli war on Iran with his UK counterpart on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in the Philippines’ capital, Manila, Al Jazeera reports.

The Omani foreign ministry says Badr Albusaidi and Ed Miliband have discussed efforts to stop the fighting and compel both sides to return to negotiations, as well as restoring free and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

They have also spoke about bilateral ties between Oman and the UK.

Oil prices have surged as worries about attacks in the Red Sea exacerbate supply concerns in a petroleum market limited by the quasi-shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, AFP reports.

As of 1820 GMT (11:20pm PKT), Brent oil futures are up 8.4 per cent at $101.93, rising above $100 for the first time since late May.

US benchmark West Texas Intermediate has risen 7.6pc to $93.44 a barrel.

US Central Command (Centcom) says that since resuming the naval blockade on Iran, 12 commercial vessels have been redirected and one has been disabled.

US intelligence is investigating whether Russia helped Iran locate and strike CIA facilities in the Gulf, including the US embassy in Saudi Arabia, Al Jazeera reports citing Reuters, citing the precision of recent Iranian drone attacks as a possible sign of outside support.

Reports of Iran targeting CIA sites first emerged early in the US-Israel war, with The Washington Post and CNN both citing sources describing Russian help in locating US personnel and assets in the Gulf.

Nicole Grajewski of Sciences Po’s Centre of International Research called Russian involvement a “realistic” theory, noting Iran lacks Russia’s satellite capability. Russia has also been accused of supplying Iran’s drones with an anti-jamming system, though Moscow denies it.

Grajewski said Russian support gives Iran “an edge” but isn’t the main driver of the war, pointing to Iran’s own drone and missile capabilities.

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Senior Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei has warned that Iran’s retaliation to US strikes on its infrastructure will be “escalating and severe”, the semi-official Fars news agency reports.

“The attack on pilgrims in Shalamcheh and threats of infrastructure attacks are nothing but desperation and helplessness,” he is quoted as saying.

The US State Department has issued an advisory urging American citizens in region to be prepared for emergency travel situations due to potential flight cancellations and disruptions to air travel as a result of the Iran war, Al Jazeera reports.

This warning comes amid President Trump’s latest threat to carry out a “massive attack” on Iran.

The US Senate has blocked a Democrat-led resolution aiming to stop the Iran war until hostilities are authorised by Congress, Reuters reports.

The Senate has voted 49 to 47 not to advance the war powers resolution.

The resolution reflects growing congressional concern, even among President Donald Trump’s Republicans, over the war.

The spokesman for Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence, Brigadier General Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi, says that the Al-Abdali border crossing has been targeted in a drone attack again, which “resulted in material damage, with no human injuries recorded”.

The spokesman adds, “The competent authorities immediately commenced, upon the occurrence of the incident, taking the necessary measures and handling the situation, in coordination with the relevant authorities.

“The Armed Forces affirm their continued execution of their missions and duties with high efficiency, and their adoption of all necessary measures to protect the homeland’s borders and preserve its security and stability.”

The German navy will move two vessels from the Red Sea region to the eastern Mediterannean “in the coming days”, AFP reports citing a statement from the defence ministry.

The “Fulda” minesweeper and the “Mosel” supply ship were currently in Djibouti, a ministry spokesman confirms to AFP. They had been sent last month in preparation for a possible mission in the Strait of Hormuz after the end of the US-Iran war.

However, the ministry statement cites the “volatile political situation … and the absence of any foreseeable near-term start of operations” in the Strait of Hormuz.

Keeping the vessels deployed in the region indefinitely “represented a strain on their technical systems”, it said.

The Iranian news outlet Tasnim reports that a US missile hit a site near the town of Suza on Qeshm Island, in the disputed Strait of Hormuz, according to AFP.

“The relevant authorities are currently assessing the extent of the incident and the possible level of damage,” the agency adds.

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman and French President Emmanuel Macron have discussed the latest regional developments during a phone call, Oman’s foreign ministry says, Al Jazeera reports.

The two sides addressed “regional and international efforts” to contain the escalating tensions “in a way that contributes to preserving the region’s security and stability” and the importance of maintaining “the safety of navigation in accordance with the provisions of international law”, according to the ministry’s statement on X.

The United Kingdom has strongly condemned strikes by Iran’s Houthi allies on Saudi shipping, which have sent oil prices soaring.

“These reckless actions endanger lives, risk environmental catastrophe and regional stability, in serious violation of international law,” the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office says in a statement.

“We stand in solidarity with Saudi Arabia and urge the Houthis to stop,” it adds in a post on X.

US President Donald Trump tells Axios that he is seriously considering restarting major combat operations in Iran, including strikes that would be bigger than the ones carried out during “Operation Epic Fury.”

In a brief interview, Trump acknowledges that such a decision would have consequences and stresses he hasn’t made a determination yet.

“I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it,” the president says, not giving a deadline for his decision.

Trump adds that Israel “would join in two minutes if I ask them to,” but says “we don’t need anybody” to launch a new operation against Iran.

He notes that there will be “consequences” for Israel joining the strikes, hinting at Iranian retaliation against Israel.

Trump further says that the Iranians “want to negotiate” but are not ready to make a deal at the moment, adding, “They haven’t received enough pain yet.”

The Republican-led US House of Representatives has backed legislation directing President Donald Trump to halt US military action against Iran, the latest symbolic rebuke of the Republican president from Congress, Reuters reports.

The vote was 214-208 in favour of the war powers resolution as four Republicans joined Democrats in voting for it.

The resolution, introduced by Representative Pramila Jayapal, a Washington Democrat, directs Trump “to remove the use of United States Armed Forces from hostilities” against Iran unless Congress authorises it.

However, it is largely symbolic; lawmakers have passed similar resolutions repeatedly in recent months, but they have not led to cessation of the war.

The four Republicans who voted in favour are Tom Barrett of Michigan, Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Warren Davidson of Ohio and Thomas Massie of Kentucky.

The Senate is due to vote on a separate, but similar, resolution later today.

Israeli forces have continued military operations across southern Lebanon, carrying out explosions, shelling, drone strikes and ground incursions despite the Lebanese army’s deployment to Zawtar al-Gharbiya earlier this week, Al Jazeera reports.

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reports that the Israeli military has carried out a large explosion in the town of Tiyri in the Bint Jbeil district. It adds that Israeli forces, backed by bulldozers and military vehicles, have advanced into the nearby town of Serbine while firing heavy machine guns.

A paramedic source in Zawtar tells Al Jazeera that rescue teams have so far recovered three bodies from the town, while civilians continue waiting to return to their homes.

France’s foreign ministry is demanding that Yemen’s Houthis stop attacking Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea after the rebel group announced a naval blockade against Riyadh, Al Jazeera reports.

“Houthi attacks on Saudi tankers are irresponsible and a serious escalation,” a ministry spokesperson says.

Qatar has condemned the Houthis’ attacks on a Saudi vessel “a serious violation of international law”, Al Jazeera reports.

In a statement, Doha “reaffirmed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia, urged the international community to enforce UN Security Council resolutions on Yemen and Red Sea navigation, and welcomed Oman’s efforts to revive the Yemeni peace process”.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that any base used by the US to launch attacks on the country will be treated as a legitimate target, according to Press TV.

The warning specifically refers to the United Kingdom, who are allowing US B-1 bombers to fly from Fairford Airbase in Britain.

Hezbollah has branded Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s recent visit to Washington a failure and said it shows the government’s submission to a foreign power, AFP reports.

In a statement, the group’s lawmakers say the visit reveals “the extent of subservience and submission to foreign tutelage”, adding that it “failed to achieve … an American commitment to the withdrawal of the enemy from our land”, referring to Israel.