Morning update

Live Blog Update| War on Iran 18 August 2026 06:58 BST Good morning Middle East Eye readers, Here are the latest developments: The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received a report on Tuesday that a vessel was struck by an unknown projectile while it was transiting in the Strait of Hormuz. The hit resulted in damage to the engine room as well as crew casualty. An Iranian military official has warned that shipping companies involved in "meeting US military needs" against the country will face consequences, Nournews reported. The official said the transport of fuel, ammunition, equipment, food, and other items needed by US troops will not be seen by Tehran as "merely a commercial activity", but it would be viewed as supporting Washington in its war on Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US President Donald Trump’s envoy Jared Kushner that the army will continue targeted killings in the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli channel Channel 15. Kushner opposed the continuation of Israeli assassination operations in the besieged enclave, one source was cited as saying. Four air strikes have hit the Abu al-Zuhour military airport in the eastern countryside of Idlib, northern Syria, Al Jazeera reported. This reportedly marks the first attack of its kind on the airport since the fall of the al-Assad regime in December 2024. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi expressed that "nothing justifies the reckless attack" that targeted the Iraqi Kurdistan prime minister's office overnight. "Kurdish friends should be vigilant against false-flag ploys to sow discord between neighbors," he said in a post on X. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan held a call with US President Donald Trump to urge the US to continue talks with Iran and de-escalate tensions, offering Ankara's support in peace efforts, according to the Turkish presidency.