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

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.

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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.