Live: Trump claims Iran's missile, drone capacity 'almost gone'; vows more strikes

Middle East ConflictUS-Iran War News Live Updates: Hamas and other Palestinian factions have agreed to a framework for Gaza’s disarmament, with a detailed roadmap due within 14 days under international supervision, while implementation remains tied to an Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction progress. President Donald Trump welcomed the move as a major peace step and warned Israel against obstructing his Gaza reconstruction plan after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the framework as insufficient. Trump also convened a cabinet meeting at Camp David as tensions with Iran intensified. Kuwait said it shot down Iranian drones that entered its airspace, while reports said Trump and Netanyahu discussed a possible land blockade on Iran. Iran claimed it struck two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, and Israel carried out overnight strikes across southern Lebanon. Follow IndiaToday.in for live updates....Read MoreUS President Donald Trump. (Credit: Reuters)Jul 31, 2026 22:28 ISTTrump repeats claim he prevented India-Pakistan war in May 2025 US President Donald Trump repeated his claim that he helped prevent a war between India and Pakistan by threatening steep tariffs. He said both countries backed away from conflict after speaking with him and alleged Pakistan’s prime minister told him he had “saved 50 million lives.” India has previously rejected third-party mediation claims. Jul 31, 2026 22:12 ISTMiddle East crisis: Trump says US has already ‘gone big’ on Iran Asked about reports the military proposed a larger operation against Iran, US President Donald Trump said the United States had already "gone big". He questioned what would qualify as a bigger action and claimed Iran possessed advanced anti-aircraft systems, but said those defences ultimately failed to stop US operations. Jul 31, 2026 22:11 ISTWest Asia war: Trump calls Gaza deal a major Middle East breakthroughUS President Donald Trump said Israel supports the Gaza deal and helped secure it, including efforts to disarm Hamas. He argued such an agreement would have been impossible months ago and linked the breakthrough to what he described as growing US success against Iran, calling it a major step forward.Jul 31, 2026 22:08 ISTMiddle East conflict: Trump says Iran’s missile, drone capacity severely weakened US President Donald Trump said Iran retains some missiles but far fewer than months ago, while its manufacturing and drone capabilities have been largely destroyed. He contrasted the current campaign with the Vietnam War, said the United States is performing well, and warned Iran could face much harsher strikes ahead. Jul 31, 2026 21:29 ISTWest Asia crisis: Israel conducts major blast in southern LebanonIsraeli forces carried out a major detonation in Kfar Tebnit in southern Lebanon, the National News Agency reported. Earlier, powerful explosions were reported near the UNESCO-listed Beaufort Castle. The incidents come despite a US-brokered ceasefire, as Israel continues to maintain a military presence in parts of southern Lebanon. -Al Jazeera Jul 31, 2026 20:26 ISTHormuz crisis: Jaishankar urges diplomacy, condemns attacks on commercial shipping External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and expressed India’s deep concern over the continuing hostilities in the region. He strongly urged that commercial shipping and seafarers must not be targeted under any circumstances, and said India condemns such attacks by any party. Jaishankar added that India supports dialogue, diplomacy and peaceful resolution efforts. Jul 31, 2026 19:59 ISTMiddle East tensions: Israel minister Ben-Gvir rejects Gaza peace plan as ‘unacceptable’Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir rejected the draft Gaza peace proposal, saying any halt to assassinations of Hamas members would allow the group to regroup for future attacks. He insisted military operations must continue. Former army chief Gadi Eisenkot also criticised the deal, warning that an agreement not dismantling Hamas would amount to a complete failure for Israel, Al Jazeera reported.Jul 31, 2026 19:57 ISTUS-Iran war updates: Trump says conflict with Iran ‘going well’ US President Donald Trump said the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran was progressing well, according to an interview with Fox News. Trump said American forces were striking Iran hard and gaining the upper hand. He added that continued military pressure would eventually leave Iran with little choice but to retreat. -Al Jazeera Jul 31, 2026 19:05 ISTMiddle East crisis: Hamas agrees to Gaza disarmament framework Hamas and other Palestinian factions have agreed to a framework outlining a Gaza disarmament process, with a detailed roadmap to be prepared within 14 days under international supervision. Hamas negotiator Ghazi Hamad said implementation would depend on Israel withdrawing from Gaza and progress in reconstruction efforts. US President Donald Trump hailed the agreement as a major step toward peace, saying it would support a new Palestinian administration working with the Board of Peace. The document states disarmament would begin after a National Committee and an International Stabilisation Force enter Gaza to oversee weapons inventory and storage. -AL Jazeera Jul 31, 2026 18:46 ISTMiddle East tensions: Trump warns Israel against blocking Gaza reconstruction plan A senior US official warned that President Donald Trump would be “very disappointed” if Israel obstructs his 20-point Gaza reconstruction plan after Hamas accepted a US-backed disarmament proposal. The warning followed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of the framework, saying it failed to guarantee Gaza’s full demilitarisation. The official said Israel had already agreed to the plan and urged it to honour commitments that helped secure the release of hostages and recover bodies. He also defended the involvement of Qatar and Turkey in ceasefire efforts, describing them as key partners alongside Egypt. -The Times of Israel Jul 31, 2026 17:01 ISTUS-Iran war updates: Trump calls cabinet meeting at Camp David amid Iran crisis US President Donald Trump is holding a cabinet meeting at Camp David today as tensions with Iran continue and rising gasoline prices create political pressure ahead of the November midterm elections. The White House said it will be the 13th cabinet meeting of his second term. Foreign policy is expected to dominate discussions as the Iran conflict enters its fifth month. Trump is scheduled to travel to his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club for the weekend after the meeting, The Times of Israel reported. Jul 31, 2026 16:33 ISTMiddle East tension: Kuwait says it shot down Iranian drones in airspace Kuwait’s armed forces said they shot down drones that entered the country’s airspace on Friday morning. The military described the incident as “Iranian aggression” targeting vital and military installations. Falling debris caused material damage, but no casualties were reported, according to a statement posted by the army on X. -The Times of Israel Jul 31, 2026 15:44 ISTWest Asia war: Report says Trump and Netanyahu discussed possible Iran land blockade US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly discussed imposing a land blockade on Iran during a White House meeting, The Telegraph reported. The talks focused on increasing pressure through military and non-military means. The report noted that enforcing such a blockade would be difficult given Iran’s size. -The Times of Israel Jul 31, 2026 15:37 ISTMiddle East crisis: Iran says it hit two tankers in Strait of HormuzIran’s Revolutionary Guards said they struck two oil tankers trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under US military air escort. Tehran said the vessels used an undeclared route rather than Iran’s designated channel. The tankers were halted, while four others reportedly turned back and changed course. -Gulf News Jul 31, 2026 15:31 ISTMiddle East tension: 14 Israeli soldiers jailed, removed from combat roles after desertion Israel’s military sentenced 14 Givati Brigade soldiers to 30 days in military jail and permanently removed them from combat duty after they deserted a southern army base. About 80 other troops who briefly left without permission must remain on base for disciplinary and educational proceedings this weekend, the IDF said. -The Times of Israel Jul 31, 2026 13:26 ISTWest Asia Conflict: No Chinese nationals harmed after Iranian strike hits Chinese company building in KuwaitChina on Friday said none of its citizens were harmed after an Iranian attack struck a building belonging to a Chinese company in Kuwait. Addressing a regular media briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the strike did not affect any Chinese nationals. She added that Beijing has urged the Kuwaiti government to take effective measures to ensure the safety and security of Chinese citizens and Chinese institutions operating in the country. The statement came after an Iranian attack hit a building owned by a Chinese company in Kuwait amid heightened tensions in the region. Jul 31, 2026 10:21 ISTWest Asia Conflict: Israel unleashes overnight strikes across southern Lebanon; explosions shake border regions Israeli forces launched a series of powerful overnight strikes across southern Lebanon, triggering massive explosions that rattled several towns and villages, Al-Jazeera reported, citing Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA). According to the report, the explosions struck the southern areas of Yohmor al-Chqif, Arnoun and Kfar Tebnit, with the blasts echoing across the region. The shockwaves were reportedly felt as far away as Iqlim al-Kharrub and Khalde. In the Marjayoun district, explosions near the historic Beaufort Castle shattered windows and damaged homes in the nearby town of al-Qlaiaa. Residents described intense shockwaves that shook the area and said a strong smell of gunpowder lingered in the air following the strikes, NNA reported. The agency also said Israeli forces swept the outskirts of al-Mansouri and Biyout al-Sayyad in the Tyre district with heavy machine-gun fire while shelling al-Mansouri with artillery. Separately, tank movements were reported from the Bar’ashit hill towards Aynata in the Bint Jbeil district, as heavy explosions and ground vibrations were felt across both the eastern and western sectors of southern Lebanon, according to NNA. Jul 31, 2026 08:51 ISTWest Asia Crisis: Board of Peace says roadmap will ‘deliver significant benefits’ to people of Gaza In a post on X, the Gaza Board of Peace said its "actionable plan" aims to disarm Hamas while laying the groundwork for an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The board said the proposal also "holds the promise of delivering significant benefits to the people of Gaza, who have waited for too long for a better future." Emphasising that implementation is now the priority, the Board of Peace said it is working with the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) on a phased transfer of authority, backed by the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), with the goal of restoring the rule of law, improving security and addressing the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Jul 31, 2026 06:01 ISTIran War Live: IRGC claims strike on US base in Kuwait, says drone facilities hitIran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) has claimed it struck the US Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, saying two drone hangars and a fuel storage facility used by military aircraft and helicopters were destroyed. In a statement carried by Iranian state media, the IRGC said attacks would continue until US forces leave the region. There has been no immediate confirmation from US or Kuwaiti authorities. Jul 31, 2026 04:59 ISTMiddle East Conflict: Egypt rejects claims of Iranian role in Damietta Port drone attackEgypt has denied reports that Iran was behind the drone attack on two vessels at Damietta Port. The denial came after a Wall Street Journal report claimed Egyptian authorities believed Tehran was responsible. While Egypt has confirmed that the attack was carried out using drones, officials have rejected suggestions linking Iran to the incident. The strikes sparked fires aboard two natural gas ships at the Mediterranean port. Load More