Iran war live: Trump threatens strikes, Iran says it has a plan to respond

By Caolán Magee and Stephen Quillen

Published On 31 Jul 202631 Jul 2026

• The Kuwaiti army says its air defences are currently countering “hostile drone attacks” it blames on Iran.
• Yemen’s Houthis say they’ve forced eight Saudi ships to change course, without specifying when.
• A tanker has been struck by an unknown projectile 11 nautical miles northeast of Limah, Oman.
• An Iranian official says Iran has a comprehensive response to any US attacks, including US and Israeli infrastructure.
• While US President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that the US will be hitting Iran “hard”, a Pentagon spokesperson refused to comment on whether attacks would happen.

• 9m ago

  (07:15 GMT)

  EU maritime mission says merchant vessel, protected by Italian frigate, transited Red Sea

  The EU’s maritime security operation in the Red Sea, European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Aspides, has said a merchant vessel safely transited the sea under the protection of an Italian frigate.

  Launched in February 2024, EUNAVFOR Aspides describes itself as an operation “to safeguard freedom of navigation in relation to the Red Sea crisis”.

  It aims to “accompany vessels”, “ensure maritime situational awareness” and “protect vessels against multi-domain attacks” in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf, according to the mission.
• 37m ago

  (06:47 GMT)

  Photos: Israeli settlers march through Tal, Sarra in occupied West Bank

  

  Israeli settlers march through the occupied West Bank village of Tal, near Nablus, on July 31 [Majdi Mohammed/AP]

  

  Israeli settlers march through the occupied West Bank village of Tal, near Nablus, on July 31 [Majdi Mohammed/AP]

  

  An Israeli army unit secures the road as Israeli settlers march through the occupied West Bank village of Tal, near Nablus, on July 31 [Majdi Mohammed/AP]

  

  Israeli settlers march through the Palestinian village of Sarra, near the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, on July 31 [Leo Correa/AP]
• 51m ago

  (06:33 GMT)

  

  Kuwaiti army says intercepting ‘hostile drones’

  The Kuwaiti army says its air defences are currently countering “hostile drone attacks”.

  In a statement, the army blamed the attack on “Iranian aggression” and warned that any upcoming explosions would likely be caused by air defence interceptions.

• • 54m ago

    (06:30 GMT)

    Heavy explosions rock southern Lebanon as Israeli forces conduct patrols

    Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) says southern villages and towns – particularly those in and near the Israeli-imposed “Yellow Zone”, including al-Mansouri, Majdal Zoun, and Haddatha – are in a state of high tension following huge explosions carried out by Israeli forces overnight.

    The blasts resonated across the entire southern region from after midnight through this morning, it said.

    In the area stretching from Saf al-Hawa to Bint Jbeil, Israeli forces opened fire with heavy machineguns and deployed mechanised patrols along the roadsides.

    Residents reported widespread tension as the activity continued throughout the morning, according to the NNA report.
  • 1h ago

    (06:15 GMT)

    Iran ‘won the war’ but must secure long-term stability, speaker tells council

    Iranian parliament speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran has won the war, but it must consolidate and cement this victory.

    The nation must maintain hope for a bright future, he added.

    Ghalibaf made the remarks at the Iranian Parliament Coordination Council, as reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

    He emphasised that Iranian officials must first and foremost expand the executive authority and capacity of the supreme leader, noting that any efforts to build a strong Iran must begin at this point.

    

    Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf at a news conference in Tehran, Iran, November 27, 2024 [Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters]
  • 1h ago

    (06:05 GMT)

    

    UKMTO receives report of explosion near tanker off Oman

    A tanker has reported an explosion and a large splash in close proximity, 21 nautical miles (equivalent to about 39km) northeast of Khasab, Oman, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reports.

    No damage to the vessel has been reported at this time. UKMTO said authorities are investigating, and vessels in the area are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.