West Asia war LIVE: Iran guards say hit U.S. military targets in Kuwait
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that two oil tankers had exploded and been immobilised after attempting to transit what it described as an unsafe southern route through the Strait of Hormuz
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that two oil tankers had exploded and been immobilised after attempting to transit what it described as an unsafe southern route through the Strait of Hormuz
Updated - July 20, 2026 01:31 pm IST
Smoke rises from an explosion at an unknown location during what U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) says are strikes on Iran, in this still image taken from a handout video released on July 19, 2026. Photo: U.S. Central Command via Reuters.
The United States conducted a new round of airstrikes early Monday (July 20, 2026) targeting Iran after announcing the death of another American service member, and Iran fired missiles towards Jordan that risked widening the conflict into neighbouring Israel. This is the ninth consecutive day of the U.S.’s strike on Iran.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Monday that two oil tankers had exploded and been immobilised after attempting to transit what it described as an unsafe southern route through the Strait of Hormuz, alleging they had been encouraged by the U.S. military to use the passage.
Also read: Iran’s Supreme Leader says U.S. breaches show Trump’s signature is ‘worthless’
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday (July 19, 2026) that Iran is using the Strait of Hormuz as leverage in the ongoing West Asia conflict, adding that other countries need to step up pressure to protect global shipping. “It’s clear that Iran, at least some people in Iran, want to control the straits and hold that as leverage against the world,” he said.
Follow for more updates:
July 20, 2026 13:30
Iran says diplomatic exchanges with U.S. ongoing via mediators
Iran said on Monday that diplomatic exchanges with the United States via mediators were ongoing despite U.S. military strikes on the country.
“We have been informed by mediators, we have received messages -- without going into details -- but the main point is that the diplomatic apparatus has been active in recent days and ideas have been conveyed to us by certain mediators,” said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei at a press conference in Tehran.
- AFP
July 20, 2026 12:56
Vessel is adrift off Oman after being struck by projectile, UKMTO says
A vessel was struck by an unknown projectile 8 nautical miles (14.8 km) northwest of Oman’s Kumzar, overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said, adding that the vessel is currently adrift.
The crew safely abandoned the vessel and have been recovered by a tug boat, UKMTO said after reporting earlier that the vessel was on fire.
The fire has not been extinguished, but no environmental impact was reported, UKMTO said.
On Monday (July 20, 2026) morning, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said two oil tankers “exploded” and were immobilised after attempting to transit what it described as an unsafe southern route through the Strait of Hormuz. On Sunday, the Guards also pointed to two ships involved in an “accident” in the same area. It was unclear whether the two incidents were related.
- Reuters
July 20, 2026 12:23
U.S. strikes kill one in northwest Iran: state media
U.S. strikes overnight in northwestern Iran killed at least one person and wounded several more, state media reported on Monday (July 20, 2026).
“One person was martyred and several others were injured in a terrorist and aggressive American attack on an area southwest of Tabriz on Monday morning,” said Majid Farshi, head of crisis management of East Azerbaijan province, quoted by state news agency IRNA.
- AFP
July 20, 2026 12:21
U.S. strikes hit Iranian city home to nuclear plant: state media
U.S. strikes hit several locations in Iran’s southern port city of Bushehr, home to the country’s only civilian nuclear plant, state media reported on Monday (July 20, 2026).
“A few minutes ago, several locations in Bushehr city were hit by American enemy’s projectiles,” said Bushehr governor Mohammad Mozaffari, as quoted by official state news agency IRNA.
- AFP
July 20, 2026 12:20
Iran hits out at Gulf neighbours as U.S. presses on with strikes
Washington and Tehran traded strikes on Monday (July 20, 2026) as U.S. deaths in the renewed fighting climbed to three and more ships came under attack in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Iran hits out at Gulf neighbours as U.S. presses on with strikes
U.S.-Iran tensions escalate as military strikes continue, pushing oil prices to a one-month high amid Strait of Hormuz conflict.
July 20, 2026 11:28
Kuwait army says intercepting Iranian drone attacks
Kuwaiti air defences were “engaging hostile drone attacks” from Iran, the Gulf state’s military said on Monday (July 20, 2026).
“The General Staff of the Army notes that any explosions heard are a result of air defense systems intercepting the hostile attacks,” the Kuwait Army said in a post on its official X account. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said earlier on Monday they had hit U.S. military targets in Kuwait.
- AFP
July 20, 2026 11:27
Explosions heard in Bahrain's Manama: AFP journalists
Explosions were heard in the Bahraini capital Manama on Monday morning after air raid sirens were triggered, AFP journalists said.
“The siren has been sounded, citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place,” the Gulf state’s Interior Ministry wrote on X.
- AFP
July 20, 2026 09:30
Iran Guards say hit U.S. military targets in Kuwait
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said roday that they hit U.S. military targets in Kuwait, including an early-warning radar system that was “completely destroyed”, in a statement reported by state news agency IRNA.
Iranian forces “completely destroyed a US early-warning radar system in a drone strike. In a separate attack, they struck an equipment and aircraft parts warehouse and an MQ-9 drone hangar at Ali Al Salem Air Base, setting several drones on fire,” the Guards said in the statement.
-AFP
July 20, 2026 08:49
U.S. launches more airstrikes against Iran after announcing another death of service member
The United States conducted a new round of airstrikes early in the morning targeting Iran after announcing the death of another American service member, and Iran fired missiles towards Jordan that risked widening the conflict into neighbouring Israel.
Step by step, the U.S. and Iran have inched closer to all-out war as last month’s interim deal meant to permanently end the fighting has crumbled and shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has largely stalled.
The U.S.. military said the service member was killed in Iraq on Saturday during the “controlled detonation” of a downed Iranian drone.
-AP
Published - July 20, 2026 08:47 am IST
0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
- Access 10 free stories every month
- Save stories to read later
- Access to comment on every story
- Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
- Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Source: The Hindu — World
