Iranian forces launched new attacks on US military infrastructure in Gulf states on July 9, 2026, in retaliation for recent American strikes. These actions have further strained a three-week-old ceasefire agreement between the two nations. The attacks coincided with the burial of Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Mashhad, following his death in a US airstrike on February 28, the war's first day.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy stated that US attacks and interventions redirecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted the waterway's gradual reopening. They reported that vessel traffic under Iranian supervision has recovered to about 50% of pre-war levels over the past two weeks, with permission granted only to ships using Tehran-designated routes.

In response to escalating tensions, Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz declared that Israel is prepared to resume its military campaign against Iran if necessary, emphasizing readiness to strike again to eliminate threats.

US Central Command reported striking approximately 90 Iranian military targets, including air defense systems, coastal surveillance assets, and missile and drone storage sites. Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Guards claimed to have fired 10 ballistic missiles at Jordan's Azraq military base, used by US forces, and a US military control center in the Middle East.

The ongoing conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage that handled about a fifth of global oil supplies before the war. This disruption has caused fluctuations in gas prices, leaving consumers uncertain about fuel costs.

Sources