Middle East live: US launches 11th night of Iran strikes as diplomacy falters

Live Issued on: 22/07/2026 - 03:01 Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth testifies at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on July 21, 2026. © Jacquelyn Martin, AP The US military launched an 11th straight night of strikes on Iran early Wednesday, with President Donald Trump saying the US was "not finished" attacking the Middle Eastern nation. The strikes followed Tehran's attacks on Gulf states, and its Houthi allies threatening to blockade Saudi ports. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments. Yesterday's key developments: • Lebanon's military said that Israeli troops fired near its soldiers deploying in a so-called "pilot zone" that Israel is to withdraw from under a US-backed agreement, with Israel saying it only fired "warning shots". • US President Donald Trump vowed to help Lebanon with its 'Hezbollah problem' in a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Washington. • US Defense Secretary ​Pete Hegseth said that the United ​States' war in Iran ​has cost $37.5 billion so far, as he faces questions from senators over Iran war funding. (FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AP and AFP)