Tehran has vowed that “not a single drop of oil” will leave the region as long as “US evil” persists
Published 13 Jul, 2026 22:11
| Updated 14 Jul, 2026 23:04© Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
US President Donald Trump has threatened to expand attacks to civilian infrastructure next week if Iran refuses to bow to his demands, as Tehran vowed its forces will stand firm “until their last breath.”
The US Central Command reimposed the naval blockade of all vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports on Tuesday evening after launching yet another round of what Washington describes as “defensive strikes” against the Islamic Republic.
Trump said the strikes would continue until he personally decides “it’s enough,” promising that “next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges.”
The escalation comes as the two sides vie for control of the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for some 20% of global crude oil trade. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that “as long as American mischief exists in the region, not a single drop of oil or gas will be exported.”
In retaliation for the ongoing US strikes, the IRGC claimed to have carried out attacks on several US military facilities in the region, including “weapons storage depots, a satellite communications center,” and the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. Iranian military spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia insisted on Tuesday that the country’s forces would stand firm “until their last breath.”
Trump formally notified Congress last week that Washington had resumed what he described as “defensive” strikes against Iran. He also claimed that Washington was “taking over” the Strait of Hormuz and would charge vessels “20% on all cargo shipped,” but later walked back the proposal, instead requesting “massive investments” from regional allies.
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14 July 2026
22:49 GMT
President Trump said US strikes on Iran would continue until he personally decides “it’s enough,” threatening to expand the campaign to civilian infrastructure next week if Tehran refuses to bow to his demands.
“They’ll continue until I say it’s enough,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday. “Next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges. We’re going to knock out all their power plants. We’re going to knock out all their bridges, unless they get to the table and negotiate.”
- 22:13 GMT
Iran’s military has released new footage showing drone launches during what it described as the seventh phase of retaliatory strikes against US bases in the region.
According to the statement, explosive-laden drones targeted an F/A-18 fighter jet deployment area, an accommodation building, and a large US military equipment hangar at Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan.
The Iranian military said the strikes were intended to reinforce its warning that “the era of hit and run is over” and that any attack on Iran’s territory, waters, or airspace would draw a proportionate response.
- 21:59 GMT
Several explosions were heard on Qeshm Island, while another blast was reported in the city of Ahvaz in southern Iran, according to the state broadcaster IRIB. The Mehr news agency had previously reported that US missiles also struck an area near the southern Iranian city of Sirik.
US airstrikes reportedly hit the IRGC's naval base in Sirik, Iran pic.twitter.com/VqnnpadLKl
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) July 14, 2026
- 21:47 GMT
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says it targeted American military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait in a wave of missile and drone strikes on Tuesday, in retaliation for US attacks on Iranian coastal military positions earlier in the day.
According to the IRGC, the “third wave” of the operation targeted weapons storage depots and vessel and aircraft components at Sheikh Isa Air Base in Bahrain, as well as an MQ-9 drone staging area at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, destroying several drones and damaging others.
“As long as American mischief exists in the region, not a single drop of oil or gas will be exported from the region, and these aggressions will result in nothing but delays in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz,” the IRGC warned. “Reciprocal action and punishment of the aggressor will continue as long as America’s criminality persists. In the event of further aggression, they will face surprise responses.”
- 21:15 GMT
The US naval blockade of Iranian ports is now in full effect, CENTCOM has announced in a statement on X.
”US forces resumed the naval blockade of vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas today at 4 PM ET. There are currently more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft operating across the Middle East. American forces remain vigilant, lethal, and ready,” it said.
U.S. forces resumed the naval blockade against vessels transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas today at 4 p.m. ET.
There are currently more than 20 U.S. Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft operating across the Middle East. American forces remain… pic.twitter.com/ATRJHlLQNo
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 14, 2026
- 20:20 GMT
The US Central Command has announced “an additional round of strikes against Iran,” with the stated goal of further degrading “Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.”
“The strikes are taking place as American forces prepare to resume the naval blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas,” it added.
- 12:35 GMT
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has condemned as “unjustified” and “irresponsible” Britain’s decision on Monday to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization and a security threat.
It called the move by London “a despicable and provocative act” that violates international law and the UN charter.
The IRGC is an integral part of Iran’s military, which is tasked with defending the country’s territorial integrity, national sovereignty and security, the ministry stressed.
FILE PHOTO: Members of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps marching during a parade in Tehran. © Getty Images / Kaveh Kazemi
- 12:14 GMT
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has recommended carriers to avoid the airspace above Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE as well as above the Gulf of Oman amid the continued exchange of strikes between the US and Iran. The advisory remains valid until at least July 29, the agency said.
“Unpredictable military developments, combined with the possible use of missiles, drones, combat aircraft and air-defence systems, create a high risk to civil flights at all altitudes and flight levels within the concerned airspace,” the statement by EASA read.
- 11:51 GMT
The Iranian media has reported new explosions in several parts of the country amid continued escalation between Washington and Tehran.
Four locations were hit by US missiles in southwestern Bushehr Province, which hosts a nuclear power plant of the same name, IRNA news agency has said.
At least five blasts were heard near the southern city of Bandar Abbas, according to state TV.
Fars news agency also reported attacks on the city of Abadan and the port of Mahshahr in an area of Iran bordering Iraq and Kuwait.
Multiple explosions reported near Bandar Abbas , Iran. Reportedly the United States Navy targeted multiple IRGC missile launchers from submarine launch Missiles. pic.twitter.com/zLzvzwFANu
— SKM News (@skmtimesnews) July 14, 2026
- 11:12 GMT
Beijing believes that “a proper settlement” is needed to end the dispute over transit through the Strait of Hormuz between the US and Iran, the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokesman, Lin Jian, has said.
The waterway is intended “for international navigation. Resuming safe and free passage in the strait at an early date serves the interests of all sides,” he argued.
“China stands ready to maintain communication on this with relevant countries and the international community,” Lin stressed.
Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokesman, Lin Jian, talking to journalists during a briefing. © Johannes Neudecker
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13 July 2026
21:13 GMT
The US Central Command has announced that it has begun «launching the third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, at the commander-in-chief’s direction.”
“These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” it added in a post on X.
At 4:45 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command began launching the third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, at the Commander in Chief's direction. These strikes will continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and…
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 13, 2026
- 21:35 GMT
US President Donald Trump called Iran’s leadership “stone-cold crazy people” and stopped just short of announcing an intention to assassinate its members when asked, “Do you know where they are? Can you kill them?”
“Yeah, I do. But we don’t want to talk about that,” Trump told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. “But we will. We will be hitting them. Like, as an example, we’re going to hit them very hard tonight. And we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow. And there’s not a damn thing they can do about it. They have nothing. They have nothing going other than they have big mouths.”
.@POTUS: "We're going to hit them very hard tonight and we're going to hit them hard tomorrow — and there's not a damn thing they can do about it. They have nothing. They have nothing going other than they have big mouths… I got to know them, and they're stone cold crazy." https://t.co/vKSOZN3EaIpic.twitter.com/UH8lBL5An3
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 13, 2026
- 21:45 GMT
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed that its air defenses shot down a US MQ-1 Predator drone over the Strait of Hormuz. According to the IRGC, the aircraft was “targeted by advanced systems operated by its Aerospace Force under Iran’s integrated air-defense network.” The US military has not yet confirmed the loss.
- 21:55 GMT
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has released new footage of its earlier strikes on US military facilities in the region.
“In response to repeated US attacks, the Iranian Army targeted US military communications systems, fuel depots, a Patriot air-defense system, a control tower, and an ammunition depot in Kuwait with suicide drones,” it said in a statement. It added that Iranian forces had also “struck a hostile US vessel with cruise missiles in response to missile attacks on several military sites.”
- 22:13 GMT
At least three explosions were heard in the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas, while six were reported on Kish Island, according to Press TV.
Images Released from Kish Island Show Probable Strike on IRGC Speedboat. pic.twitter.com/D2XdBXD35I
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) July 13, 2026
- 22:21 GMT
Several explosions have been heard in Jam, a city in Iran’s southern Bushehr Province, and on Qeshm Island, according to Iran’s Fars news agency.
- 22:43 GMT
The UAE Defense Ministry has accused Iran of targeting two Emirati tankers with cruise missiles in Omani territorial waters in the southern Strait of Hormuz.
The Mombasa and the Bahia sustained damage after fires broke out on board, but the blazes have since been brought under control, according to the statement. One Indian crew member aboard the Mombasa was killed and eight others were injured, including four seriously, the ministry said.
Abu Dhabi condemned the alleged attack as a “serious violation” of international law and said it reserved the right to respond and take measures to protect the country’s security and interests.
- 22:53 GMT
Several explosions were also reportedly heard in the coastal city of Konarak in Iran’s southern Hormozgan Province, with unverified videos purportedly showing the strike circulating on local Telegram channels.
🔴 Explosions reported in Sirik, southern Iran. pic.twitter.com/fzaoqgB0lx
— נועה מגיד | Noa magid (@NoaMagid) July 13, 2026
- 23:19 GMT
President Trump has also threatened to strike Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain, a vast underground tunnel complex that Western analysts believe was built to protect sensitive parts of Tehran’s nuclear program even from the most powerful conventional US bunker-buster bombs.
“We’re going to take out Pickaxe Mountain. Tell the Iranians to be ready. Let them know we’re coming, okay? There’s not a damn thing they can do about it,” Trump told Hugh Hewitt.
Known as Kolang Gaz La, the site has been under construction since around 2020 and consists of multiple deeply buried tunnel complexes carved into a mountain south of Natanz.
“We’re watching it closely. We see no activity there. They’re not doing well with their nuclear situation. Every time we hear about it, we blow it up. So they don’t like talking about it. But we’ll probably give Pickaxe a shot relatively soon,” Trump said.
"You've obliterated 3 of their nuclear sites, but they got a 4th site, maybe, at Pickaxe Mountain. Before you enter into another deal, will you insist that IAEA inspectors get down into that deep, deep, deep tunnel…?"@POTUS: "Absolutely. They don't have it because we have… pic.twitter.com/ywaTZEB2Tm
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 13, 2026
- 23:43 GMT
Air raid alerts have been activated in Bahrain, with the Interior Ministry warning citizens and residents “to remain calm, head to the nearest safe location, and follow updates through official channels.”
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