West Asia war LIVE: U.S. airstrikes hit northern Iran as it disables ship trying to run blockade
The United States has launched a new wave of airstrikes against Iranian military facilities and blocked an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Iran has retaliated by targeting US military communication systems in Jordan, escalating tensions in the region.
Why it matters
The direct military confrontation between the US and Iran significantly increases the risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East and threatens global energy supply chains.
The U.S. State Department said Wednesday (July 15, 2026) it has approved the sale of an estimated $1.96 billion in weapons to bolster Saudi Arabia’s air defences as the war ramps up in West Asia.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a Major non-NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region,” the State Department said in a release.
The Iranian Army said on Thursday (July 16, 2026) that it targeted U.S. military facilities in Jordan with drones, state media reported, after the United States carried out another wave of strikes on Iran.
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