Iran, Gulf hit as Hormuz, Bab al-Mandeb close: What’s the latest?

What the report says

Al Jazeera reported on July 22 that the Middle East conflict widened as two Asia-bound oil tankers carrying Saudi crude reversed course in the Red Sea after Yemen’s Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia. The report said the Bab al-Mandeb route, linking the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean, was effectively closed, adding pressure to shipping already disrupted around the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Israel war on Iran.

According to US Central Command, the United States completed an 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iran early Wednesday, targeting military command sites, maritime assets, aircraft hangars, drone storage and logistics infrastructure. Iranian state and semi-official outlets cited local officials reporting attacks in several provinces, including Khuzestan, East Azerbaijan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Hamadan, Ilam and Kurdistan. Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Tehran reported explosions or air defence activity in several areas.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said retaliation was continuing. Iranian media reported military claims that drones were launched at US-linked facilities at Camp Doha in Kuwait, Muwaffaq Salti Airbase in Jordan and Isa Airbase in Bahrain. The US Department of Defense said a third US soldier was now believed killed from a July 17 Iranian strike on the Jordan base, bringing the reported US military death toll in the war to 18.

Al Jazeera also reported diplomatic and budget developments: Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remained willing to negotiate if Tehran was serious, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told senators the war has cost the US military $37.5bn so far. The article text says he sought an additional $67bn to replenish missile stocks.