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Trump threatens Iran: Any attack in the Strait of Hormuz will be met with the bombing of vital facilities.

Trump threatens Iran: Any attack in the Strait of Hormuz will be met with the bombing of vital facilities.

2026-07-22

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday to strike vital facilities in Iran in the event of any new attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said in a press statement: “We will respond to an Iranian attack on any ship in the Strait of Hormuz by bombing a bridge or power station, including near or inside Tehran.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the completion of the eleventh Read more…

The Lebanese president, speaking from Washington, sets three conditions for disarming Hezbollah.

The Lebanese president, speaking from Washington, sets three conditions for disarming Hezbollah.

2026-07-22

Shafaq News – Washington
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed on Wednesday that disarming Hezbollah is possible if there is genuine political will, and that this requires three essential elements.

Aoun explained, during a dinner hosted by the Lebanese Ambassador to Washington, Hamada Mouawad, in his honor and that of the accompanying Lebanese delegation, that these elements are the removal of the Israeli occupation from Lebanese territory, the Lebanese army assuming full control over all areas, and the implementation of a reconstruction program Read more…

Two Saudi oil tankers change course after Yemeni warnings

Two Saudi oil tankers change course after Yemeni warnings

7-21-2026

Information/Follow-up…
Shipping data from the London Stock Exchange Group showed that two oil tankers carrying Saudi crude and bound for China and India changed course on Tuesday, turning back in the Red Sea towards the Suez Canal, following a warning issued by the Houthis.
According to Reuters, the tankers’ change of course came after the Houthis announced on Monday a ban on maritime traffic linked to Saudi Arabia, a move that could open a new front in the regional conflict and increase the risks facing global energy supplies Read more…

Trump: Every time Iran kills an American soldier, it will pay a heavy price.

Trump: Every time Iran kills an American soldier, it will pay a heavy price.

2026-07-20

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump asserted on Monday that Iran would pay “double” for killing any American soldier.

Trump said in a post on Truth Social: “Benjamin Netanyahu will not, in any way, be arrested while in the United States. He is fighting Iran, which recently killed 52,000 innocent protesters and has spent the last 47 years killing American soldiers and others.”

He added that “the only ones who should be arrested are those who led Iran into this unprecedented spiral of death Read more…

The Atomic Energy Agency is investigating an attack on an Iranian nuclear site.

The Atomic Energy Agency is investigating an attack on an Iranian nuclear site.

2026-07-19

Shafaq News – Tehran
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced on Sunday that it is investigating reports of an overnight attack on the construction site of the Darkhovein nuclear power plant in Iran.

The agency said in a statement that the facility was in the very early stages of construction and did not contain any nuclear materials at the time of its last inspection.

The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization had previously announced that the United States targeted Read more…

Kurdish opposition: Barzani’s party gave the green light to America to occupy northern Iraq

Kurdish opposition: Barzani’s party gave the green light to America to occupy northern Iraq

7-19-2026

Information / Dohuk…
Independent Kurdish opposition figure Haval Didar accused Masoud Barzani’s party on Sunday of granting US forces access to expand their presence in northern Iraq, indicating the existence of security understandings between the two sides that bypass the federal government in Baghdad.
Didar told the Information Agency that “Masoud Barzani’s party has granted US forces the authority to establish diplomatic and security facilities in the Kurdistan Region, in addition to the continued presence of the Harir base Read more…

Washington warns its citizens: Iran may target our interests worldwide.

Washington warns its citizens: Iran may target our interests worldwide.

2026-07-19

Shafaq News – Washington
On Saturday evening, the United States issued an urgent and comprehensive global security alert to all American citizens, warning of the “possibility of an unexpected escalation,” amid intelligence indications that Iran may target other American interests abroad and globally.

The security statement, issued by the national security authorities and the US State Department, said that the threat is no longer limited to hotspots in the Middle East, stressing a clear and direct phrase: “Iran may target other US interests abroad… around the world.” Read more…

Kuwait confronts Iranian missile and drone attacks

Kuwait confronts Iranian missile and drone attacks

2026-07-19

Shafaq News – Kuwait
The Kuwaiti army announced on Sunday that its air defense systems were intercepting missile attacks and “hostile” drones, as sirens sounded in several areas of the country, coinciding with an Iranian attack.

The Kuwaiti army said in a statement that “our air defenses are currently responding to missile and hostile drone attacks following the heinous Iranian aggression.” Read more…

An Iranian military official advises Emiratis to “immediately evacuate” airports and ports

An Iranian military official advises Emiratis to “immediately evacuate” airports and ports

2026-07-18

Shafaq News – Tehran
An Iranian military official threatened on Saturday to target airports and ports in the UAE if the US attacks his country’s infrastructure.

Fars News Agency quoted an informed official in the Iranian armed forces as saying: “If America launches an attack tonight on the country’s civilian infrastructure, in order to protect citizens from Iranian counterattacks, the airports of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as the ports of Fujairah and Jebel Ali, must be evacuated immediately.” Read more…

Oil tanker departures through the Strait of Hormuz have been halted for the third day.

Oil tanker departures through the Strait of Hormuz have been halted for the third day.

2026-07-18

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Data from Kpler, a maritime traffic tracking website, showed on Saturday that no oil tankers had left the Strait of Hormuz for the third day in a row, a development reflecting the continued disruption to shipping in one of the world’s most important energy transit routes.

This halt comes amid escalating military tensions in the region and continued tit-for-tat strikes between Iran and the United States, raising growing concerns about the security of navigation Read more…

Amidst escalating tensions, the Iranian currency has plummeted to a historic low, with the dollar nearing 193,000 tomans.

Amidst escalating tensions, the Iranian currency has plummeted to a historic low, with the dollar nearing 193,000 tomans.

2026-07-18

Shafaq News – Baghdad/Tehran
The US dollar continued its rise in the Iranian free market, recording its highest level ever on Saturday, after its price exceeded the 192,800 toman mark, amid the continued rise in foreign currency prices with the escalation of security tensions in the region.

The dollar had previously reached a record high of 190,000 tomans on May 4, Read more…

India bans ship owners from sending their sailors through the Strait of Hormuz

India bans ship owners from sending their sailors through the Strait of Hormuz

2026-07-16

Shafaq News – New Delhi
New Delhi has banned ship owners, operators, and recruitment companies from sending Indian sailors on voyages through the Strait of Hormuz, amid renewed fighting in the region.

The Indian Directorate General of Shipping said in an order issued late Wednesday, ” The employment of Indian seamen on board vessels undertaking voyages involving passage through the Strait of Hormuz is prohibited until further orders are issued.” Read more…

After Hormuz, Iran threatens to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

After Hormuz, Iran threatens to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

2026-07-15

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Media outlets confirmed on Wednesday that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard threatened to close “all other export routes that benefit the United States and its allies,” after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz and Washington reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

The Iranian news agency IRNA quoted the Revolutionary Guard as saying in a statement that the region’s energy exports “are either for everyone or for no one.”

According to Reuters, analysts said that Iran is hinting that it may resort to its Houthi allies in Yemen to close the Read more…

Trump: We will include Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah in Russia’s sanctions.

Trump: We will include Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah in Russia’s sanctions.

2026-07-14

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump revealed on Tuesday evening that his administration is working to include Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah in the sanctions bill imposed on Russia.

During his meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House, Trump said: “There was fear of Iran in the region, and now the countries of the Middle East have gotten rid of a dominant entity.” Read more…

Trump replaces 20% tariffs on ships in the Strait of Hormuz with trade and investment deals

Trump replaces 20% tariffs on ships in the Strait of Hormuz with trade and investment deals

2026-07-14

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to international shipping, with the exception of Iranian vessels, while confirming a complete blockade on ships heading to or departing from Iranian ports.

Trump said in press statements that “his administration decided to replace the 20% tariffs with trade and investment deals that the Gulf states will conclude with the United States, as part of strengthening economic partnerships between the two sides.” Read more…

Human shelter dating back 18,000 years found in America

Human shelter dating back 18,000 years found in America

7-14-2026

Information/Follow-up…
Scientific reports revealed on Tuesday that archaeologists in the mountains of Oregon, USA, have found a remote rock shelter that could change prevailing historical concepts about the first inhabitants of North America.

The reports stated that “initial findings indicate that the site was inhabited by humans approximately 18,250 years ago, a date that makes the site one of the oldest known human settlements on the continent, and four times the age of Egypt’s Great Pyramid.”

She added that “these results challenge the long-held theory that early humans arrived on the continent from Asia via Read more…

Trump: We will destroy the nuclear facilities under the mountain of axes in Iran (Update)

Trump: We will destroy the nuclear facilities under the mountain of axes in Iran (Update)

2026-07-14

Shafaq News – Washington
US President Donald Trump announced on Monday night that strong strikes would be launched against Iran today and tomorrow.

Trump said in an interview with an American radio program: I sometimes disagree with Netanyahu and I have told him so, and my relationship with him is “very good”.

Trump added that the memorandum of understanding with Iran was a test “and they did not abide by it,” indicating Read more…

Trump notifies Congress of resuming military operations against Iran, opening a 60-day window.

Trump notifies Congress of resuming military operations against Iran, opening a 60-day window.

2026-07-14

Shafaq News – Washington
Reuters news agency revealed on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump sent a formal notification to Congress stating that hostilities against Iran would resume on July 7, a message his administration believes opens a new 60-day window for the use of military force in the region without congressional approval.

Trump said in the letter: “I directed this military operation in accordance with my responsibility to protect Americans, the national security of the United States, and its foreign policy interests.” Read more…

19 US warships will be blockading Iran starting tonight.

19 US warships will be blockading Iran starting tonight.

2026-07-14

Shafaq News – Washington
A U.S. official confirmed on Tuesday that the United States has deployed 19 warships to the Middle East region, a move that gives it significant firepower and military presence to enforce the naval blockade imposed on Iran, according to the Washington Post.

The official, who spoke to the newspaper on condition of anonymity, explained that most of the naval vessels are stationed in the northern Arabian Sea, and include the aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush, in addition to Read more…

International Maritime Organization: There is no legal basis for imposing fees for crossing any strait.

International Maritime Organization: There is no legal basis for imposing fees for crossing any strait.

2026-07-13

Shafaq News – Follow-up
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) confirmed on Monday its opposition to imposing fees for crossing any strait used for international navigation.

A spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization said: “There is no legal basis for imposing mandatory fees for crossing any strait.”

The organization continued: “We are waiting for more details regarding Trump’s statement that he will impose a 20% tariff on goods passing through the Strait of Hormuz.” Read more…