Iran says US behind airstrike at Bushehr nuclear ​plant, 6,000 seafarers trapped around Hormuz

Iranian official on Thursday accused US of launching an airstrike near Bushehr nuclear power plant. However, there is no confirmation of the attack from the US side.

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Bahrain activated warning sirens for a third time amid Iranian attacks on Thursday. (File Photo)

As tensions flared up between the United States and Iran, fresh explosions were heard in Bushehr province on Thursday. The attack comes as the Iranian military launched strikes at Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. The US military also launched fresh strikes on Iran, targeting 90 Iranian military targets including air defense systems, coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage sites, among other targets.

The maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has choked once again amid the latest flare-up between the United States and Iran, following Iran’s attacks on commercial ships in the strategic waterway. Around 6,000 seafarers remained trapped at the crucial waterway.

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Sirens in Jordan: Sirens sounded in Jordan on Thursday after missiles ⁠launched ​from Iran were ​detected ​in Jordanian airspace, ⁠the state news ‌agency reported. Jordan officials ⁠said the kingdom’s armed forces were on high alert and ‌ready ​to ​deal ​with any ​threat targeting ⁠the nation.

IRGC warns US: The IRGC further issued a warning stating that it will expand its strikes to other American military bases across the region if the US launches any further attacks.

US military says it hit over 90 Iranian targets: The US military said that it struck over 90 Iranian targets during a second night of strikes, “to further degrade Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping and innocent civilian mariners in the Strait of Hormuz.” The US forces hit “approximately 90 Iranian military targets, including air defense systems, coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage sites, naval capabilities, and military logistics infrastructure along Iran’s coastline. The latest strikes follow successful execution of offensive strikes in Iran the night before,” CENTCOM said in a statement.

Trump says Iran ‘wants to make a deal badly’: US President Donald Trump, on Wednesday (Jul 9), claimed that Iran wants to make a deal “so badly”, but questioned whether Tehran would honour any agreement, amid the escalating tensions. “We have already won militarily. They have very little left… They called a little while ago. They want to make a deal so badly. I just don’t know if they’re worthy of making a deal. I don’t know that they’re going to honour the deal,” he said.

Iran launches missile, drone attacks after fresh US airstrikes: Tehran launched retaliatory strikes targeting American military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar after the US carried out fresh airstrikes on military and port facilities across Iran on Thursday (Jul 9). The latest strikes come hours after Trump declared that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with Iran, aimed at ending the war between Washington and Tehran, was “over”. “To me, I think it’s over. I don’t want to deal with them. They’re scum. They’re sick people. They’re led by sick people,” the US president said on the sidelines of the two-day NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.

Live Updates
Jul 9, 2026 04:38 PM IST
Iran slams US for airstrike near Bushehr nuclear power plant

Iran on Thursday hit out at the US for launching airstrike near Bushehr nuclear power plant, Associated Press reported. However, there is no reaction from the US side. Iran's deputy governor ‌of Bushehr told reporters that a US projectile struck the ⁠area surrounding ​Iran's Bushehr nuclear ​power plant ​on ⁠Thursday.

Jul 9, 2026 04:20 PM IST
Missile alert sirens sound in Jordan amid Iran retaliation

Missile alert sirens sounded in Jordan as Iran retaliated across West Asia following US airstrikes, Associated Press reported.

Jul 9, 2026 03:45 PM IST
Iran hits US military targets in Gulf as Tehran prepares to bury slain leader

Iranian military targeted US military infrastructure in Gulf states following US strikes on Iran's southern coastal and eastern provinces, putting the three-week-old ceasefire agreement at risk. Iranian officials said the US attacks killed 14 people and injured 78. The Fars news agency said ​one ​US strike had hit a rail bridge used for trade with Russia and China.

Jul 9, 2026 03:20 PM IST
Explosions heard in Iran's Bushehr: Iranian media

Several ‌explosions were ⁠heard ⁠in Iran's Bushehr province on Thursday ‌morning, ‌Iran's Mehr news reported. Bushehr ⁠is the site where Iran's nuclear ‌power ⁠plant ‌is located.

Jul 9, 2026 02:54 PM IST
US strike hit rail bridge on China-Russia trade route: Iranian media

The overnight US strikes on Iran hit the Aq Taqeh Khan railway bridge in northern Iran's Golestan province, Fars ⁠news ​agency said on Thursday. The rain link connects Tehran to its strategic ​partners ​China and ⁠Russia. The report said the route that goes ‌on to pass through Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan has been an important land link to China which ⁠gained ⁠further relevance during this year's blockade of ⁠Iran's ‌Gulf ports ​by the ‌US. It added that the route had ‌also been ​used ​by ​Russia for cargo shipments to Iran ​since late 2025.

Jul 9, 2026 02:42 PM IST
Iran says ‘evil and psychopathic’ US targeted civilian infrastructure

The Iranian foreign ministry on Thursday denounced the US strikes on the country, which targeted civilian infrastructure, calling them a "gross war crime." The foreign ministry said it “condemns in the strongest terms the aggressive attacks by the US terrorist army on several points in the southern coastal provinces and two bridges in the eastern provinces on the railway route to the holy city of Mashhad,” and calls the US administration “evil and psychopathic,” AFP reported.

Jul 9, 2026 02:34 PM IST
Around 6,000 seafarers trapped around Strait of Hormuz

The head of International Maritime Organization has said that around 6,000 sailors remain trapped around the Strait of Hormuz amid the latest flare up in the Gulf. “These reckless attacks have again placed innocent seafarers in grave danger. No seafarer should have to risk their life simply for doing their job,” Arsenio Dominguez said, according to Al Jazeera.

Jul 9, 2026 02:19 PM IST
Iran to bury slain Supreme Leader Khamenei in culmination of mass funeral

Iran buries its slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday at Mashhad, the country's holiest shrine. The burial in Mashhad follows a week of mass funeral processions, rallies and mourning ceremonies. Crowds marched through Mashhad, the golden onion dome and minarets of the Shrine of Imam ⁠Reza glinting ​in the morning sun, as they waved Iranian flags, photographs of the late Khamenei and placards with revolutionary slogans, Reuters reported.

Jul 9, 2026 01:45 PM IST
Sirens sound for third time in Bahrain amid Iranian retaliation over US airstrikes

Missile sirens sounded for a third time in Bahrain as Iran retaliated over US airstrikes on Thursday, Associated Press reported. Bahrain authorities urged the public to seek shelter. Kuwait and Qatar also came under Iranian attack earlier in the day.

Jul 9, 2026 01:36 PM IST
Qatar PM dials Iranian foreign minister amid latest flare-up

Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday dialed Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani amid the latest flare-up between the US and Iran. According to the Qatari government statement, the Qatar Prime Minister expressed condemnation over the attacks at commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The US has accused Iran of attacking three commercial vessels in the strait ​of ​Hormuz. "His Excellency stressed that such actions would undermine trust, threaten international maritime security, and harm efforts to consolidate regional security and stability," the Qatari statement said.

Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs @MBA_AlThani_ Receives Phone Call from Iranian Foreign Minister

Doha | July 09, 2026

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani received a phone call from HE Minister of… pic.twitter.com/FqIZ9TX9tU
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) July 9, 2026
Jul 9, 2026 01:09 PM IST
Iran slain leader Khamenei’s burial delayed because of large crowds in Iraq

The burial ceremony of slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been delayed due to large crowds in Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, Al Jazeera reported. The burial, expected on Thursday morning in the Iranian city of Mashhad, has now been delayed due to large crowds in Najaf and Karbala. The burial is expected at around 2:30 pm (local time).

Jul 9, 2026 12:42 PM IST
At least 14 killed, 78 injured in US airstrikes on Iran, Iranian official

At least 14 people have been killed and 78 others injured in the US airstrikes following latest flare up, Iran's Health Ministry said on Thursday. The death toll was shared by Hossein Kermanpour, Iranian health ministry spokesperson on X.

Jul 9, 2026 12:02 PM IST
Iranian military says it attacked US Patriot system in Kuwait using drones

The Iranian military said it targeted sites in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain with one-way attack drones in retaliation to the US strikes. The Iranian army said “in continuation of the attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s army on US bases in the region” it had targeted a Patriot missile interceptor system in Kuwait, an early warning system in Qatar and fuel tanks in Bahrain with “a large number of various types of army kamikaze drones”, according to AFP.

Jul 9, 2026 11:31 AM IST
Train services suspended between Tehran and Mashhad after US attack

Train services between Iranian cities of Tehran and Mashhad have been suspended following the US attack on Thursday, Fars news agency reported. The report said rail route was disrupted following the attack on Thursday morning, adding that efforts are underway to repair the route.

Jul 9, 2026 11:11 AM IST
US preparing for potentially prolonged confrontation with Iran: Axios

The Trump administration is preparing for a prolonged conflict with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported, citing US officials. The US official reportedly said that the latest flare-up could stretch for days or even weeks, depending on whether Iran continues to attack commercial ships in Hormuz. "We're going to slap them a bit so they understand we're not f**king around," the official told Axios.

Jul 9, 2026 11:00 AM IST
Funeral processions held in Iraqi cities for slain Supreme Leader Khamenei

Thousands of mourners attended funeral processions for slain Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the holy Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala as part of dayslong funeral ceremonies on Wednesday. The scene turned chaotic at some moments, with mourners swarming the coffin, Associated Press reported. The ceremonies began on Saturday, with authorities shutting down streets, airspace and daily life in Tehran. His body was later taken from Najaf to Karbala before it is to be returned to Iran.

Jul 9, 2026 10:45 AM IST
Khamenei’s coffin being taken from Iraq to Iran ahead of burial

The coffin of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei is being taken from Iraq's Najaf to Iran's Mashhad ahead of the burial today, Al Jazeera cited Iran's Mehr News Agency as saying. The burial comes after a week of funeral ceremonies that continued for six days in Iraq and Iran. Representatives from several countries, including India, participated in the funeral ceremonies.

Jul 9, 2026 10:31 AM IST
Oil rises after US launches fresh strikes on Iran

Oil prices rose more than 1 per cent on Thursday after the US carried out fresh strikes on Iran, denting hopes on the peace talks to end the conflict and maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures rose ⁠86 ​cents, or 1.1%, to $78.88 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 1.2% at $74.37 a barrel, according to Reuters.

Jul 9, 2026 10:30 AM IST
Iranian media says 3 killed in fresh US strikes

Iranian media on Thursday said three people were killed and several injured in new US strikes targeting Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province. Valiollah Hayati, the deputy governor for security in Khuzestan, said the US strike hit a site around Ahvaz, according to Iran International.

Jul 9, 2026 10:00 AM IST
Traffic in Strait of Hormuz slows to near standstill

A day after the United States launched strikes on Iran, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed to a near standstill. According to an Al Jazeera report, a US-sanctioned tanker was seen leaving the Gulf alongside an Iranian-flagged container ship. Only 14 cargo vessels crossed the strategic waterway on Wednesday, down sharply from an average of 34 ships per day over the previous three weeks following the two countries' agreement on an interim deal.

Jul 9, 2026 09:50 AM IST
India urges restraint as West Asia tensions escalate

India on Wednesday said that it is “deeply concerned” over the recent attacks and “escalation of tensions” in West Asia. The remarks came hours after US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Wednesday that the US was preparing for another night of strikes, just hours after he said the ceasefire was over because of Iranian attacks. This also came at a time when External Affairs minister S Jaishankar is visiting Kuwait, as part of his visit to four West Asian countries including Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain. Read full article

Jul 9, 2026 09:28 AM IST
US military says it hit over 90 Iranian targets

The US military said that it struck over 90 Iranian targets during a second night of strikes, "to further degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping and innocent civilian mariners in the Strait of Hormuz.” The US forces hit "approximately 90 Iranian military targets including air defense systems, coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage sites, naval capabilities, and military logistics infrastructure along Iran’s coastline. The latest strikes follow successful execution of offensive strikes in Iran the night before," CENTCOM said in a statement.

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