US launches new strikes on Iran over shipping routes threat Published July 24, 2026last updated July 24, 2026What you need to know - US military says it targeted Iran's military command centers and maritime capabilities - Iranian state media report explosions across the country - The US has now struck targets across Iran for 13 nights in a row - The US says it has redirected 12 commercial vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports since resuming its naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz Follow below for the latest developments on the US war with Iran and news from the Middle East on Friday, July 24: Tired of missing our real-time updates? Click here to add us as a Preferred Source on Google. Then tap the "Star" or "Preferred" to keep DW News at the top of your feed.

US strikes on southwest kill at least four people, says Iran The overnight US attack on Iran's southwestern province of Khuzestan killed at least four people and injured several others, Iranian state media reported Friday. The official IRNA news agency cited Khuzestan deputy Governor Valiollah Hayati as saying that the US missile attack hit areas around provincial capital Ahvaz. "Four of our compatriots were martyred and five others were injured," Hayati said.

Bahrain sounds sirens Bahrain activated sirens early Friday, alerting residents to take shelter from detected attacks. The sirens were activated hours after the US said it had launched a new series of strikes on Iran, continuing its attack for the 13th consecutive night. The Gulf states have come under frequent fire over the past week as the US and Iran exchange escalating strikes.

Germany's Merz condemns Houthi's Red Sea attack German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has strongly condemned attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia on Saudi ships in the Red Sea. He called for an immediate end to the attacks and described any form of naval blockade as "unacceptable." "These reckless attacks endanger freedom of navigation and threaten to further undermine regional stability," Merz said in a statement on Thursday. Merz expressed Berlin's solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its other partners in the region.

Trump says Iran will pay for damage to shipping US President Donald Trump said Iran would be held responsible for the financial cost of any damage to ships or cargo amid the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz. He said he would use seized Iranian assets to pay for any damage to shipping. "From this point forth, any and all damages done to Ships, Cargo, or anything related thereto, will be paid for by Iranian Money that the United States has in its possession, and controls," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

"These damages may be very substantial but, nevertheless, this is the fair and equitable thing to do," Trump added. Trump's statement comes after Iran-backed Houthis said they attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea. In response, Iran warned that Trump's threat to use seized Iranian assets would set a dangerous precedent.

"Seizing another nation's assets to pay for unrelated future claims is an incendiary precedent," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X.