Iran declares Strait of Hormuz closed as fresh US strikes deepen Gulf conflict

The United States has launched a fresh wave of military strikes against Iran, targeting more than 140 military sites after Tehran was accused of attacking a commercial container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, significantly escalating tensions across the Middle East and raising fears of wider regional conflict.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes were aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities and preventing further attacks on international shipping. US officials said the latest operation followed an alleged Iranian attack on a Cyprus-flagged container vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which reportedly left one crew member missing and caused extensive damage to the ship.

Iran rejected Washington’s justification and announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the strategic waterway would remain closed until what it described as the end of US military interference in the region. Despite Tehran’s declaration, CENTCOM maintained that commercial vessels continued to transit the strait under heightened security, while international maritime agencies advised shipping companies to exercise extreme caution.

The renewed confrontation comes just days after US President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire between the United States and Iran effectively over, accusing Tehran of violating the agreement through renewed attacks on commercial shipping and US interests.

READ ALSO:

• Appeal Court rejects former Accountant-General’s bail application in N868m fraud trial
• ACF hails 19 Northern governors for launching Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund
• Spain edge Belgium to book 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final against France

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for coordinated missile and drone strikes on US military assets and allied facilities across the Gulf. The group said it targeted command-and-control centres in Jordan, a US radar installation in Kuwait, aircraft carrier support facilities in Oman, military infrastructure in Qatar and other strategic locations. Iranian officials also claimed another commercial vessel was disabled in the Strait of Hormuz.

The conflict has triggered heightened security measures across the Gulf. The United Arab Emirates said its air defence systems intercepted Iranian missiles and drones, while Bahrain activated air raid sirens after detecting incoming threats. Explosions were also reported in Doha, prompting authorities to reinforce security around key infrastructure.

The latest escalation has intensified concerns over global energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports pass, remains one of the most strategically important maritime routes. Although shipping has not completely stopped, insurance premiums for vessels operating in the Gulf have surged, several shipping companies have reviewed their routes, and oil prices have climbed sharply amid fears of prolonged disruption.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to ease tensions continue. Iranian and Omani officials have reportedly held talks in Muscat aimed at maintaining safe maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, with further negotiations expected as regional mediators seek to prevent the conflict from spreading further.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi accused the United States of violating the ceasefire agreement, insisting that any truce could only survive through “mutual compliance.” Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, also warned that “the era of one-sided deals is over,” urging Washington to honour its commitments or face further consequences.

In a separate development, a statement attributed to Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed retaliation for the killing of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the early stages of the conflict. The statement has further fuelled concerns that the crisis could evolve into a prolonged confrontation.

International leaders have renewed calls for restraint, warning that continued attacks on commercial shipping and military installations could destabilise the Middle East, disrupt global trade and worsen economic uncertainty.

Security analysts caution that unless diplomatic efforts succeed, the conflict could expand beyond the Gulf, drawing in additional regional actors and posing significant risks to global energy supplies, international commerce and geopolitical stability.

Iran declares Strait of Hormuz closed as fresh US strikes deepen Gulf conflict

Trump says US will ‘completely decimate’ Iran if he is assassinated

US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States would launch an overwhelming military response against Iran if the Islamic Republic attempted or succeeded in assassinating him, declaring that the country would be “completely decimated” under plans he said had already been approved.

The warning, issued on Trump’s Truth Social platform on Friday, marked one of his strongest public statements against Iran since tensions between Washington and Tehran resurfaced following renewed disputes over a fragile ceasefire agreement and ongoing negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme.

In the post, Trump claimed the US military had already prepared extensive contingency plans to respond to any assassination attempt against a sitting American president.

“1,000 missiles are locked and loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat, pronounced in many corners of the globe, to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate, the sitting President of the United States of America, in this case, ME!” Trump wrote.

The President added that the military had standing orders to carry out a devastating response if such an attack occurred.

“Orders have already been given, and the U.S. Military is ready, willing, and able, for a one-year period of time, subject to extension, to completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran,” he stated.

Although Trump did not present new evidence to support his claim, US officials have previously disclosed concerns about alleged Iranian threats against current and former American officials following the 2020 US drone strike that killed senior Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad. Iran has consistently denied plotting to assassinate American leaders.

Despite his tough rhetoric, Trump revealed that Washington had agreed to continue diplomatic engagement after Iran requested another round of negotiations.

READ ALSO:

• Tinubu upgrades Federal Polytechnic to specialised university
• How Nigeria will benefit from state police – IGP
• Peter Obi reacts to rescue of abducted Oyo schoolchildren

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue talks. We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the ceasefire is over,” Trump said.

His comments came just one day after he reiterated during the NATO Summit that the ceasefire arrangement reached between both countries had effectively collapsed following recent military exchanges.

The renewed diplomatic contacts suggest that while both sides remain sharply divided, neither Washington nor Tehran has completely abandoned efforts to resolve their differences through negotiations.

Iran swiftly rejected Trump’s claims, insisting it had complied with the terms of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the United States.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of violating the agreement, particularly provisions relating to sanctions and military deployments.

According to Araghchi, Tehran has continued to fulfil its obligations under the interim arrangement while the United States has failed to fully implement its own commitments.

“There can only be mutual compliance,” the Iranian foreign minister said, arguing that lasting progress can only be achieved if both countries honour every aspect of the agreement.

The memorandum of understanding was designed to reduce tensions by maintaining the status quo on Iran’s nuclear activities while creating a framework for broader negotiations on sanctions, regional security and confidence-building measures.

Although no fresh direct negotiations have been announced since the latest exchange of threats, diplomatic contacts remain active.

Regional mediators, particularly Qatar, continue to facilitate communication between Washington and Tehran in an effort to prevent the situation from escalating into a wider regional conflict.

Officials familiar with the negotiations say discussions remain focused on preserving diplomatic channels while reducing the risk of military confrontation across the Middle East.

Relations between the United States and Iran have remained strained for years over Iran’s nuclear programme, US economic sanctions, regional proxy conflicts and military activities in the Gulf.

The latest exchange of warnings comes against the backdrop of heightened instability across the Middle East, where conflicts involving Iran, Israel and armed groups aligned with Tehran continue to fuel international concern.

Security analysts say Trump’s latest remarks underscore the delicate balance between diplomacy and deterrence that continues to define US-Iran relations.

While negotiations remain on the table, experts warn that continued hostile rhetoric or further military incidents could undermine diplomatic efforts and increase the risk of another regional confrontation.

For now, both Washington and Tehran appear determined to maintain dialogue while simultaneously projecting military strength, leaving the future of their relationship uncertain.

The international community continues to monitor developments closely, with global powers urging both countries to exercise restraint, honour existing commitments and pursue peaceful solutions through sustained diplomacy.

Trump says US will ‘completely decimate’ Iran if he is assassinated

Israel Warns US of ‘Specific’ Iranian Assassination Plot Against Trump

Israeli intelligence authorities have reportedly alerted the United States to a fresh and specific Iranian plot to assassinate President Donald Trump, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The Wall Street Journal first reported on Thursday that Israel provided new intelligence revealing that Iran had recently developed a detailed plan to kill the American president. The warning, delivered earlier this week, was described by sources as more concrete than previous threat assessments, marking a significant escalation in intelligence-sharing between the two allies amid growing regional instability.

While the exact details of the alleged plot remain classified, officials familiar with the briefing confirmed that the Israeli intelligence pointed to a coordinated operation aimed at the US leader. According to CNN, US authorities had been tracking a “steady drumbeat” of general threats against Trump in recent weeks, but the Israeli warning was considered new and operationally specific. However, US intelligence agencies have not yet independently verified the plot, and officials admitted they were not actively tracking this particular scheme before receiving the Israeli alert, leaving some room for caution within Washington’s national security apparatus.

President Trump addressed the threats publicly during a visit to Ankara, Turkey, following the NATO summit on Wednesday. He told reporters: “They want to take out the US leader – me. I’m on whatever list. I saw this morning I’m on every single one of their lists. So far, I guess I’ve been a bit lucky, but maybe that doesn’t last very long. These are evil, sick people.” He added that Iran had recently updated a ranking list of assassination targets, placing him at the top – though it remains unclear whether he was directly referring to the Israeli intelligence report or to separate threat assessments circulating within US security circles.

READ ALSO:

• Troops intercept foreign courier carrying drugs, alcohol to terrorists in Borno
• Kogi Teacher’s Murder: Three Suspects Arrested, to Face Trial for Culpable Homicide
• Nigeria’s stock market surpasses South Korea as world’s top-performing equity market

The reported plot comes amid years of open threats from Iranian authorities vowing retaliation for the 2020 US drone strike that killed General Qassem Soleimani – a top commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – during Trump’s first term. Although Iranian officials have publicly pledged revenge on multiple occasions, the latest intelligence suggests a new and active operational phase, rather than a continuation of rhetorical threats. This shift has heightened concerns among US counter-terrorism officials, who now view the Iranian threat as more immediate and actionable than previously assessed.

The intelligence warning surfaces against a backdrop of renewed military confrontation between Washington and Tehran. The US resumed large-scale airstrikes on Iranian positions on 8 July, accusing Tehran of violating the terms of a ceasefire agreement regarding the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump declared the ceasefire agreement “over” on Wednesday, though diplomatic backchannels reportedly remain open. Meanwhile, the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli airstrikes on 28 February, saw mass gatherings where mourners chanted anti-Trump slogans and displayed banners reading “We Will Kill Trump,” underscoring the depth of anti-American sentiment within the Iranian establishment.

Despite the seriousness of the Israeli warning, some US officials have expressed caution. According to insiders, there is a degree of scepticism within the American intelligence community about the timing and intent of the Israeli report. Some analysts suggest that Israel may be seeking to influence President Trump’s decision-making as he weighs whether to intensify military action against Iran. The intelligence, they argue, could serve as a strategic lever to push the US toward a harder line, rather than representing an immediate and verifiable threat. This scepticism reflects broader tensions in US-Israeli intelligence relations, where shared information is sometimes viewed through the lens of各自 national interests.

As of now, US security agencies have increased protective measures around the president, though specifics remain undisclosed for operational security reasons. Diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes, even as military strikes resume, suggesting that both Washington and Tehran are hedging their bets. Iran has not formally responded to the Israeli intelligence claims, and its UN mission declined to comment when approached by reporters. The situation remains fluid, and the coming days are likely to bring further developments as Washington and Tehran navigate one of the most volatile chapters in their long-standing conflict, with global attention fixed on whether the alleged plot will materialise or remain another layer in the ongoing shadow war between the two nations.

Israel Warns US of ‘Specific’ Iranian Assassination Plot Against Trump