US-Iran War Live: IRGC's Navy fires at US vessel, American forces down Iranian drones near Hormuz

Shipping monitors LSEG and Kpler said two supertankers and an LNG carrier crossed the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week with transponders switched off, heading towards India and China. The vessels add to a growing number departing the Gulf amid severely reduced maritime traffic following the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Around 20,000 seafarers remain stranded as Washington and Tehran pursue negotiations, Al Jazeera reported.

The Israeli military said its air force intercepted a "suspicious aerial target" over southern Lebanon shortly after warning sirens sounded in the border areas of Ma'ayan Baruch and Kfar Yuval. The incident occurred in a region where Israeli troops are currently operating amid continuing cross-border tensions, Al Jazeera reported.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted a US airbase early Thursday following what they described as an American attack near Bandar Abbas airport. The IRGC warned that any further "aggression" would trigger a stronger response, holding the United States responsible for future consequences.

Kuwait’s military said its air defence systems were intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks after warning sirens sounded across the country. The armed forces stated that explosion sounds heard by residents were linked to interception operations and urged the public to follow official security and safety instructions, Al Jazeera reported.

A new CSIS analysis says the US could take at least three years to replenish major missile stockpiles depleted during the Iran conflict, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, Patriot interceptors and THAAD systems. The report warned that heavy weapons use has created a potential "window of vulnerability", raising concerns about America’s readiness for another major conflict, particularly a possible confrontation with China over Taiwan.

Read more here

US forces reportedly shot down four Iranian attack drones near the Strait of Hormuz after assessing them as a threat to American personnel, according to Reuters and AP, citing unnamed officials. The US military also struck a drone control station in Bandar Abbas that was allegedly preparing to launch another drone. Washington described the operation as a limited defensive action aimed at preserving the ceasefire with Iran.

-Al Jazeera

The Israeli military has issued new evacuation orders for parts of southern Lebanon, including areas in Tyre district and Tyre city, directing residents to move north of the Zahrani River. Israel said buildings marked on military maps were located near Hezbollah infrastructure and warned civilians remaining nearby faced potential danger amid escalating cross-border tensions, Al Jazeera reported.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the Revolutionary Guard navy opened fire on a US tanker accused of crossing the Strait of Hormuz with its radar switched off. Tasnim, citing a military source, said US forces later fired at a scorched area near Bandar Abbas in response. Iranian media claimed the explosions caused neither casualties nor property damage.

Hezbollah on Wednesday claimed responsibility for 37 military operations targeting Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, saying the attacks were carried out across several border areas amid continuing hostilities.

In a statement, the group said its fighters launched strikes against Israeli soldiers, military vehicles and engineering units stationed in multiple locations. Some of the heaviest fighting was reported around Zawtar al-Sharqiyah and Odaisseh, while additional attacks targeted areas near Naqoura, Debel and Rab el-Thalathine.

Hezbollah claimed the operations included direct confrontations with Israeli troops in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, attacks on Merkava tanks and an Iron Dome system, as well as drone strikes on Israeli positions in the Galilee region.

The United States military has carried out fresh strikes inside Iran targeting a military facility believed to pose a threat to US forces and commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing a US official.

According to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the operation was aimed at neutralising potential risks to maritime traffic and regional security amid escalating tensions in the region.

The official further said US forces intercepted and shot down multiple Iranian drones that were allegedly considered a threat to American personnel and vessels operating near the strategic waterway.

Several explosions were reported near the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas early Thursday, prompting authorities to activate air defence systems in the area, according to local media reports.

Iranian media said at least three blasts were heard east of Bandar Abbas around 1:30 a.m. local time. Air defence units were reportedly active for several minutes following the incident.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the source and nature of the explosions. No immediate information was available regarding casualties, damage or the cause of the blasts.

Bandar Abbas, located along the Strait of Hormuz, is considered one of Iran’s most strategically important port cities.

Iran has asserted that it will not back down under pressure from the United States, with senior Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi saying Tehran remains committed to its core strategic and nuclear positions despite statements from former US President Donald Trump.

Azizi, who heads the Iranian Parliament’s National Security Committee, said Iran would continue to defend what he described as the country’s “red lines”, including its right to enrich uranium, maintain enriched nuclear material, exercise authority over the Strait of Hormuz and secure the lifting of sanctions.

He accused Trump of sending mixed signals by alternating between threats and calls for an agreement, claiming Washington was attempting to break what he termed a “strategic deadlock”.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has urged countries in the region to strengthen cooperation and unity, saying the current situation demands collective efforts to preserve peace and stability.

In a message shared on social media on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, Araghchi said regional solidarity had become critically important at a time of heightened sensitivity and uncertainty.

He appealed to Muslim leaders and supporters of peace to work together to promote harmony, stressing that the present phase would remain a defining moment in history.

The Israeli military on Thursday said it had carried out extensive strikes on Hezbollah-linked positions across Lebanon, claiming that around 550 targets had been attacked since the beginning of the week.

According to the army, the latest operations targeted what it described as Hezbollah military infrastructure, including command facilities, launch positions and operational compounds spread across southern Lebanon.

The escalation comes amid a fresh wave of Israeli bombardment in the region following evacuation warnings issued for parts of Tyre and Nabatieh. Israeli authorities have also declared all areas south of the Zahrani River as an active “combat zone”.

The strikes are part of Israel’s continuing military campaign against Hezbollah as tensions along the Lebanon border remain high.

Iran has reopened Isfahan International Airport after flight operations were suspended for more than 80 days during the conflict involving the US and Israel. According to the ISNA news agency, the governor of Isfahan confirmed that services at the airport, located about 440 kilometres south of Tehran, have resumed.

The development comes after authorities also moved to reopen Tabriz International Airport in northwestern Iran earlier in the day. The airport had suffered damage during strikes linked to the US-Israel conflict.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed support for Iran during a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

In a post on X, Sharif said the Iranian president appreciated Pakistan's "sincere efforts for peace in the region" and acknowledged the role played by Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir, along with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey. Sharif said he also conveyed Pakistan's "unwavering solidarity" with the people of Iran over the loss of lives during the ongoing crisis.

"Pakistan will always stand by Iran as a sincere friend and neighbour," Sharif said, while expressing hope that current peace efforts would lead to a lasting agreement and greater regional stability.

US President Donald Trump claimed he had achieved "regime change" in Iran during closing remarks at a Cabinet meeting, while also signalling that negotiations with Tehran were still under way.

"We have things understood now with Iran," Trump said before adding, "This is regime change."

The US President also said US negotiators were "doing very well" in talks with Tehran, though he suggested Washington was still not ready to finalise an agreement.

"We can make a good deal right now, but maybe not a great deal," Trump added.

The Trump administration will extend Temporary Protected Status for Lebanese nationals in the United States until November, allowing thousands to continue living and working legally in the country.

According to a notice published in the Federal Register, the extension will provide deportation protections and work permits for about 11,000 Lebanese nationals covered under the programme. The notice said eligible individuals will retain legal status in the US through November 27.

The extension comes even as President Donald Trump's administration pushes to scale back most enrolment under the Temporary Protected Status programme, arguing that continued protections for many immigrant groups do not align with US interests.

The Israeli military has declared all areas south of Lebanon's Zahrani River as "combat zones" and warned residents to leave immediately as operations against Hezbollah intensify.

In a post on X, the army's Arabic-language spokesperson said Israeli forces would use "extreme force" against Hezbollah positions in the area. The warning came after the military ordered the evacuation of residents from the southern Lebanese city of Tyre and nearby villages earlier in the day.

US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would remain open to all countries and insisted that no single nation would control the strategic waterway amid ongoing tensions with Iran.

Speaking about the situation in the Gulf, Trump said Iran "will have to behave like everybody else" and suggested the US could soon release detained boats in the strait at the right time.

The president also ruled out easing sanctions on Tehran, saying Washington would continue controlling Iranian funds despite ongoing negotiations. Trump further said he was uncomfortable with either Russia or China taking control of Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium as discussions over Tehran's nuclear programme continue.

US President Donald Trump said Iran would not receive sanctions relief in exchange for giving up its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. In an interview with PBS News, Trump rejected the idea that Tehran could trade its uranium reserves for easing US sanctions.

"No, no, not at all. Not sanctions relief, no," Trump said when asked whether the current framework involved Iran surrendering highly enriched uranium in return for sanctions relief.

"They're gonna give up their highly enriched uranium not for sanctions relief," he added.

A senior adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei says Tehran will no longer trust written guarantees in future negotiations, describing the Strait of Hormuz as the country's "real guarantee" against foreign pressure and broken Western commitments.

Ali Akbar Velayati, adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in a post on X that years of US hostility and violations of agreements had changed Iran's approach to diplomacy. He said Iran no longer sees signed agreements or official documents as enough to protect its interests, accusing Washington of repeatedly abandoning commitments and using negotiations as a tool for pressure.

"This time, papers and signatures are not guarantees," he said, adding that the Strait of Hormuz remains the ultimate safeguard for preserving any future agreement.

He also said Iran's "red lines" were clear and warned that political and economic pressure would not force Tehran to compromise on national sovereignty.

The Israeli military says it has launched strikes on what it described as Hezbollah command centres in and around the southern Lebanese city of Tyre. The attacks came after the army issued evacuation warnings for parts of the area ahead of the strikes.

White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said negotiations between the United States and Iran were "proceeding nicely", adding that President Donald Trump has already made Washington's red lines clear in the talks.

The Israeli military says it is carrying out strikes on Hezbollah command centres in the southern Lebanese city of Tyre. In a statement posted on Telegram, the army said the attacks were targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in the area. The announcement came after Israel issued evacuation warnings for parts of the city ahead of the strikes.

The White House has rejected Iranian media reports about a possible memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the US-Israel conflict with Iran, calling the claims "not true and a complete fabrication". READ THE FULL STORY HERE

A new analysis warns it could take the United States at least three years to rebuild stockpiles of major weapons systems heavily used during the Iran conflict, raising concerns about America's readiness for a possible future war with China.

The report focuses on Tomahawk cruise missiles, along with Patriot and THAAD missile defence interceptors, which were widely deployed during the fighting. Tomahawks are designed to hit targets deep inside enemy territory, while Patriot and THAAD systems defend against incoming missiles and drones.

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies report, cited by the Associated Press, depleted stockpiles may leave the US vulnerable in the event of a conflict in the Western Pacific. The report said the main challenge is not funding but the time needed to replenish weapons inventories, despite President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defence budget for 2027.

The Israeli military says several explosive drones struck areas in northern Israel after warning sirens were activated across the region.

The army said additional alerts linked to a possible aircraft infiltration were still active in the Shomera area.

Hamas has confirmed that Mohammed Odeh, the head of the group's military wing, was killed in an Israeli attack on Tuesday.

The group said Odeh's wife and two of his children were also killed in the strike.

Hamas did not announce who would replace Odeh as commander of its military wing.

Iran says ships linked to what it calls "hostile countries" are still barred from passing through the Strait of Hormuz as talks with the United States continue.

According to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, the navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said vessels from
"hostile countries" would not be allowed to cross the strategic waterway. The report added that Tehran would continue cooperating with countries that follow what it described as the "Iranian order" in the region.

Iranian state television says Tehran has received a draft framework for a possible memorandum of understanding with the United States aimed at ending the conflict. Under the proposed framework, Iran would restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-conflict levels within a month, while the US would pull military forces away from Iran's vicinity and end a naval blockade.

State TV said the draft does not include military vessels and proposes that Iran oversee shipping traffic in coordination with Oman. It added that the framework has not yet been finalised and Tehran would not move forward without "tangible verification".

The report also said that if a final agreement is reached within 60 days, it could later be adopted as a binding United Nations Security Council resolution.

Several explosive drones struck areas in northern Israel near the Lebanon border after warning sirens sounded in multiple communities, according to the Israeli military. The army said the incident is under investigation. There were no immediate reports of injuries following the drone impacts.

Iran's Intelligence Ministry has warned that hostile countries are turning to "hybrid warfare" tactics after failing to achieve their goals through direct military confrontation with Tehran. In a statement released on Wednesday, the ministry said Iran remains engaged in an ongoing intelligence and security battle with its adversaries. It claimed the "defeated enemy" is now shifting towards soft war, psychological operations and cognitive warfare following setbacks on the battlefield.

The ministry said intelligence assessments showed opponents had failed to trigger instability or territorial division through military action and were now relying more heavily on media campaigns, psychological pressure and hybrid tactics.

Israeli air strikes have intensified across southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. The report said several attacks targeted areas near the historic city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon. Air raids struck Halbata in the north, Buday west of Baalbek, and Flawi nearby. Two additional strikes were reported in Hermel near the Lebanon-Syria border.

Israeli attacks were also reported in southern Lebanon, including in Tuffahta in the Jezzine district and Arki near Sidon.

Lebanon's Health Ministry said dozens of civilians were killed or wounded in the past 24 hours, describing the attacks as "massacres".

• US President Donald Trump will hold a Cabinet meeting as pressure mounts to find a resolution to the Iran conflict. Diplomats involved in the talks say there is still no confirmation on when or where a possible US-Iran memorandum of understanding could be signed. The ceasefire also faced fresh strain after Iran warned of retaliation following recent US strikes.
• Iran has imposed new limits on messaging apps and app stores after partially easing an internet blackout that lasted nearly 90 days, according to an internet watchdog. Many Iranians responded with skepticism and sarcasm over the return of restricted online access.
• Israel issued more evacuation warnings for residents in southern Lebanon as attacks intensified on what it described as Hezbollah-linked infrastructure. At least 31 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Tuesday, making it one of the deadliest days since the Lebanon ceasefire began in April.
• Lebanese media reported fresh Israeli air raids across the Bekaa Valley near Baalbek, including strikes in Halbata, Buday, Flawi and Hermel near the Syria border. Additional attacks were also reported in southern Lebanese towns near Sidon and Jezzine.
• Iran's Intelligence Ministry claimed its opponents had been "defeated" militarily and were now turning to economic pressure, cyberattacks, weapons smuggling, assassinations and media campaigns to target the country.