The United States has launched attacks on Iran for the 13th consecutive night as of Thursday, July 24th, 2026, with explosions reported across multiple Iranian cities on Friday morning. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it concluded its latest round of strikes against Iran at 01:00 GMT on Friday.

Amid the ongoing conflict, shipping disruptions have intensified in the region. Ship tracking data revealed that only one tanker successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, marking the lowest tanker traffic since May 7th. Al Jazeera’s Tohid Assidi reported from Tehran that explosions were heard on Qeshm island, located in the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite a naval blockade announced by Yemen’s Houthis against Saudi Arabia on Monday, two Chinese supertankers carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia successfully exited the Bab al-Mandeb strait on Friday, according to shipping data from the London Stock Exchange Group.

In related developments, it was reported that Tehran carried out retaliatory attacks on US allies in the Gulf, including striking a telecommunications tower in Kuwait. A source told the US news website Axios that the United States may launch its largest strikes on Iran yet.

Sources