Live: No tanker can cross Hormuz without our nod, warns Iran amid escalating conflict

Middle East ConflictUS-Iran War News Live Updates: The US-Iran conflict has entered a more dangerous phase, with Tehran warning that if it cannot export oil, no other country in the region will either, raising fears over the security of the Middle East's energy supplies. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said regional energy exports, critical infrastructure and shipping routes would remain at risk as long as Iran's security concerns were not addressed, adding that the Strait of Hormuz would not return to its pre-war status. The warning came after US President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iranian bridges and power plants in retaliation for any attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. An Iranian military official responded that Tehran would target infrastructure across the region if such strikes were carried out. The conflict has also spread to the Red Sea, where several oil tankers changed course after Yemen's Houthi rebels threatened shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, disrupting Saudi oil exports to Asia. The growing threat to two of the world's most important maritime trade routes pushed oil prices sharply higher, with Brent crude briefly rising above $95 a barrel, while US fuel prices also climbed. Meanwhile, US airstrikes continued across Iran for an 11th consecutive night, with explosions reported over Tehran and strikes near the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Iran also claimed to have targeted US military facilities in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait, though those countries said the attacks were intercepted. Follow IndiaToday.in for live updates....Read MoreIslamic Republic Guard Corps warns that no tanker can ctross the Strait of Hormuz as conflict escalates (Photo: Reuters)Jul 23, 2026 11:04 ISTMiddle East Crisis: US attack damages two rescue boats in Iran's HormozganTwo naval search-and-rescue vessels were damaged in a US attack in Iran's Hormozgan province, Iran's ISNA news agency reported, citing the province's Ports and Maritime Administration. According to the report, the two rescue boats sustained significant damage in the strike. The extent of the damage and whether there were any casualties were not immediately clear. (Inputs from Al-Jazeera) Jul 23, 2026 10:55 ISTWest Asia Conflict: IRGC claims strikes on US military assets in Kuwait, says attacks target American forces Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday claimed responsibility for fresh attacks on US military assets in Kuwait, saying the strikes were carried out in retaliation against Washington and were not directed at the Kuwaiti people. In a statement, the IRGC said it targeted and destroyed a military equipment warehouse, a Patriot missile defence system and a hangar housing American MQ-9 drones at Ali Al Salem Air Base. It also claimed to have struck US troop accommodation and two helicopter hangars at the Al-Adiri barracks, alleging the attacks caused casualties and inflicted heavy damage on helicopters and drones. The IRGC further said its fighters targeted a telecommunications tower in response to what it described as US attacks on telecommunications infrastructure in Iran. Jul 23, 2026 09:30 ISTMiddle East Conflict: US warns of ongoing Iran-linked cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure US government agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the FBI, have issued a joint advisory warning organisations across the country about ongoing cyber activity linked to Iranian actors targeting internet-connected devices, Al Jazeera reported. The advisory said Iranian cyber actors continue to target US critical infrastructure and urged organisations to strengthen their cyber defences and remain vigilant against potential attacks. "Iranian cyber actors continue to target US critical infrastructure, and the FBI is committed to identifying, disrupting, and imposing costs on those responsible," Brett Leatherman, assistant director of the FBI's cyber division, said in a statement, according to Al Jazeera. He added that the advisory provides network defenders with information to identify malicious activity, bolster security measures and reduce opportunities for cyber actors to disrupt essential services. Jul 23, 2026 09:03 ISTMiddle East Cnflict: US says fresh strikes target Iran's military, maritime capabilitiesThe US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it carried out another round of strikes on Iranian military targets to further reduce Tehran's ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels. In a statement, CENTCOM said the strikes targeted maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites and air defence assets. The US military said it has struck dozens of Iranian military sites this month while enforcing a maritime blockade. CENTCOM added that it had redirected nine commercial vessels and disabled one to prevent ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports. It also said more than 50,000 US service members remain deployed across the Middle East and are 'highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready.' Jul 23, 2026 08:02 ISTMiddle East Conflict: Saudi Arabia confirms attack on Encelia in Red Sea after Houthi claim Saudi Arabia has confirmed that the Saudi-owned vessel Encelia was attacked while sailing in the Red Sea, according to the state-run SPA news agency, Al Jazeera reported. Citing an official source at the Public Transport Authority, SPA said the attack caused a fire at the bow of the ship. All crew members were reported safe, and authorities have taken the necessary measures to secure the vessel and its crew while protecting the marine environment. The confirmation comes after Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacks on two ships in the Red Sea earlier in the day. Along with Encelia, the group said it had also targeted another vessel, Layla. Jul 23, 2026 07:45 ISTUS-Iran War: US strike on Iran-Iraq border crossing kills 2, injures 11A US missile strike on the Shalamcheh international border crossing between Iran and Iraq killed two people and injured 11 others, according to Iran's deputy governor of Khuzestan province. The official said the attack targeted the key border crossing, but did not immediately provide further details on the victims. The reported strike comes amid escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran across the region. (Al-Jazeera inputs) Jul 23, 2026 07:18 ISTWest Asia Crisis: US missile strike hits outskirts of Iran's Andimeshk, says reportA US missile strike hit a location on the outskirts of Andimeshk in Iran on Thursday, according to Al Jazeera, which cited Iran's semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The report further revealed that the attack targeted an area near the city. There was no immediate information on casualties or the extent of the damage. The reported strike comes amid escalating military tensions in the region. Jul 23, 2026 07:11 ISTUS-Iran Conflict: Second missile attack targets military site in Iran's Bushehr A second missile attack targeted a military site in Iran's southern Bushehr province on Thursday, Reuters reported, citing Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency. Fars, quoting the province's deputy governor, said the strike hit a military installation. There was no immediate information on casualties or the extent of the damage. The reported attack comes amid heightened military tensions in the region. Jul 23, 2026 07:06 ISTUS-Iran War: 2 killed in US strike at Iran's Shalamcheh border crossingAt least two people were killed in a US strike on the Shalamcheh border crossing between Iran and Iraq, Iran's SNN news agency reported on Thursday, citing a security official. The report did not identify the victims or provide further details on the attack. The strike comes amid escalating military tensions between Washington and Tehran, with both sides trading attacks across the region. Jul 23, 2026 07:02 ISTMiddle East Conflict: No tanker can cross Hormuz without Iran's nod, IRGC warns amid escalationIran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Thursday claimed that one of three oil tankers caught fire following an explosion while attempting to pass through what it described as a mined route south of the Strait of Hormuz. The Guards said the remaining two tankers turned back after the incident. The IRGC further asserted that the Strait of Hormuz was under its control and had been "completely closed" as long as US military actions in the region continued. Issuing a stern warning, it said no oil tanker would be allowed to enter or leave the strategic waterway without prior coordination with Iran. Jul 23, 2026 06:43 ISTWest Asia Crisis: Iran says tankers must coordinate with Tehran to use Strait of HormuzIran’s Revolutionary Guards said no tanker would be allowed to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz without coordination with Iranian authorities. The statement comes amid heightened tensions over shipping activity in the strategic waterway.Jul 23, 2026 05:35 ISTMiddle East Conflict: Two oil tankers turned back after explosion near Strait of Hormuz, Iran saysIran’s Revolutionary Guards said two other oil tankers changed course and turned back after an explosion south of the Strait of Hormuz. The development follows a separate claim that one of three tankers caught fire after the blast.Jul 23, 2026 05:32 ISTIran War Live: Oil tanker catches fire after explosion south of Strait of Hormuz, Iran saysIran’s Revolutionary Guards said one of three oil tankers caught fire following an explosion south of the Strait of Hormuz.Jul 23, 2026 03:38 ISTIran War Live: Kuwait says air defences intercept ‘hostile’ Iranian drone threatsKuwait’s military said its air defence systems are currently responding to and intercepting what it described as “hostile” Iranian drone threats.Jul 23, 2026 03:36 ISTWest Asia Crisis: Houthis claim attacks on Saudi oil tankers over naval blockade breachYemen’s Houthi group said the Saudi oil tankers it targeted had violated a naval blockade imposed by the group. The claim comes amid heightened tensions over maritime security and shipping routes in the region.Jul 23, 2026 03:23 ISTIran War Live: Two explosions heard near Iran’s Bushehr, State media saysIran’s semi-official Fars news agency reported that two explosions were heard in the vicinity of Bushehr.Jul 23, 2026 02:37 ISTMiddle East Conflict: US Military rejects Iran’s claim of control over Strait of HormuzThe US Central Command (CENTCOM) has dismissed Iran’s assertion that it controls the strategic Strait of Hormuz, saying the international waterway remains open for commercial transit. CENTCOM said it has helped facilitate the passage of more than 900 commercial ships through the strait since early May, despite threats and attacks by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). “Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. The international waterway remains open for transit regardless of IRGC threats and attacks,” CENTCOM said in a post on social media. Jul 23, 2026 01:50 ISTMiddle East crisis: Iran warns of a decisive responseIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday warned that any attack on Iranian territory would trigger a strong military response, saying Tehran would also target countries that support such aggression. In a post on social media, Araghchi said, "Any aggression against Iran, including our infrastructure, will compel a powerful and decisive response." He added that "Those who contribute to such aggression, whatever the kind of support, will also be considered as legitimate targets." Jul 23, 2026 00:35 ISTUS Iran war: Iran says it has entered new phase of deterrenceAn adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader said Tehran has entered a "new phase of deterrence", warning that any US attack would have consequences extending beyond the battlefield. In a post on X, Ali Akbar Velayati said any attempt to strike Iran at a "low cost" was a miscalculation that could disrupt global energy markets and the wider economy. He also warned the White House that increasing pressure on Iran with the support of regional allies and European partners would only "globalise the consequences" of its actions. His remarks come as Iranian leaders continue to threaten a broader regional conflict if the US escalates its military campaign. Jul 23, 2026 00:31 ISTMiddle East crisis: US military says 9 ships redirected under renewed Iran naval blockadeThe US military said it has redirected nine commercial vessels and disabled one since reimposing its naval blockade on Iran last week. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the blockade was reinstated after a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran collapsed. The previous embargo, which lasted from mid-April to mid-June, is estimated to have cost Iran billions of dollars in lost oil revenue. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf had acknowledged in late June that Iran was unable to export "a single barrel of oil" during the earlier blockade. 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