The US has continued carrying out airstrikes against Iran after President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday that the ceasefire between the nations is “over” in the wake of Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
The president wrote on social media on Wednesday evening that the strikes were “retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran,” warning that attacks could “get much worse” if hostilities continue.
The Republican told reporters on Air Force One that Iran had reached out recently, claiming Tehran still wants to make a deal “so badly,” though Iran has not confirmed any such overtures.
Explosions have been reported in coastal areas across southern Iran, and missile sirens have sounded across Gulf nations warning of potential strikes from Tehran.
The resumption of attacks comes as the president said he was “not sure” if he wanted to make a deal with Tehran going forward.
Asked why he now viewed Iran’s leadership as “scum”, the US leader told the Nato summit that he “got to know 'em”.
President Trump also said he did not think a full-fledged conflict would erupt in the wake of strikes from both sides.
The US leader reportedly left the summit using the old Air Force One rather than the new, Qatar-donated model over security considerations related to the renewed Iran conflict.
Key Points
- US begins another night of strikes on Iran
- Trump 'not sure' he wants to make a deal with Iran
- Watch: Trump says he is top of Iran's 'kill list': 'They're scum'
- Mapped: Strikes reported across Iran following attacks in Strait of Hormuz
- Trump calls Iranians 'sick people' and says it's a 'waste of time' dealing with them
- Iran still seeking a deal, Trump claims
Iran’s parliamentary speaker says Strait of Hormuz will not operate under ‘American threats’
05:10 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned Washington that any further attacks would draw a response after the US launched fresh strikes overnight.
“Let me put it plainly: if you strike, you’ll get hit,” he wrote on X, adding that the Strait of Hormuz would only operate under Iranian arrangements and not “American threats”.
Trump says Washington would request even more forcefully if Iran targeted shipping again
04:50 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Donald Trump has warned that Washington would respond even more forcefully if Iran targeted shipping again, while US Central Command said the operation was aimed at protecting freedom of navigation through one of the world’s busiest oil transit routes.
The renewed conflict has raised fears of a wider regional crisis and sent shockwaves through global markets.
Brent crude climbed more than 5 per cent to nearly $80 a barrel as investors worried about disruptions to oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, while US stock markets fell.
The fresh strikes have also dealt a blow to hopes that last month’s interim truce between Washington and Tehran could be turned into a lasting peace agreement.
US launches second wave of strikes on Iran
04:18 , Maroosha Muzaffar
The US launched a second wave of strikes on Iran on Wednesday, hours after president Donald Trump declared that an interim agreement to end the conflict was “over”.
Iranian state media reported explosions in the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, the coastal city of Sirik and Bushehr province, while the US military said the attacks were intended to weaken Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The latest escalation came after three commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz were attacked, prompting the US to carry out what it described as retaliatory strikes.
Reignited Iran fight rattles Wall Street
04:01 , Josh Marcus
With the US and Iran once again trading strikes, traders across Wall Street are racing to factor in more potential disruptions to the global economy.
“We always expected it to be a rocky road to resolution, but this is a pretty big rock,” Tyler Rosenlicht, head of natural resource equities at Cohen & Steers, told The Wall Street Journal. “It’s really tough to be confident in anything.”
On Wednesday, Brent crude oil futures rose 5.2 per cent and US oil futures were up 4.4 per cent.
PHOTOS: Mourners arrive at Imam Reza's shrine in Mashhad for funeral of slain Iranian leader Ali Khamenei
03:30 , Josh Marcus
ICYMI: Tenuous state of a US-Iran ceasefire renews anxiety over high fuel prices
03:00 , Cathy Bussewitz and Mae Anderson
The potential unraveling of a fragile truce between Iran and the United States renewed anxiety Wednesday over whether fuel prices would go back up if sustained fighting kept oil tankers from traveling through the Persian Gulf.
Oil prices rose to their highest point in weeks after President Donald Trump declared the U.S. ceasefire with Iran over, responding to Iranian attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and on American military sites in other Gulf nations. Costlier crude oil could lead to costlier gas station fill-ups as drivers in many countries were getting a break from elevated prices brought on by the war.
“Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has essentially stopped, which tells you more about risk perception right now than any statement from Washington or Tehran," said Jorge Leon, head of geopolitical analysis at Rystad Energy, in an email. “Oil markets reacted quickly to the renewed geopolitical risk."
U.S. gasoline prices increased slightly Wednesday to an average of $3.80 for a gallon of regular, up from $3.79 the day before, but still well below the month-ago average of $4.16, according to motor club federation AAA.
Crude oil makes up the bulk of the price of gasoline, so when oil prices rise, gasoline eventually follows. But it can take weeks for consumers to feel the full impacts. That's because refiners make gasoline with oil purchased in advance. The finished product then has to travel through a system of pipelines and trucks to reach gas station pumps.
More details in the full story.
The tenuous state of a US-Iran ceasefire renews anxiety over high fuel prices
Trump still insisting Iran conflict isn't a war
02:30 , Josh Marcus
President Trump continues to argue the US-Israeli conflict with Iran is not a war, even as American forces have struck targets across Iran on Wednesday.
"It's really not a war so much”, he told reporters on Air Force One on Wednesday. “It's a de-nuking of Iran. De-nuclearisation of Iran”.
"So this is all about taking nuclear weapons, not allowing Iran to have nuclear weapons”, he added. “And everybody should like that”.
Trump switched to old Air Force One over Iran threats, sources say
02:01 , Josh Marcus
President Trump reportedly used the old Air Force One rather than the new, Qatar-donated luxury model to depart the Nato summit in Turkey on Wednesday as a security precaution because of the reignited Iran war, according to The New York Times.
On Wednesday, the president claimed the new plane was being sent to a Royal Air Force base in England on its way back from the summit as a treat for the “wonderful” American military service members there.
Iran appears to target Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait in strikes
01:47 , Josh Marcus
The US-Iran conflict appears to be widening again.
Bahrain announced on Wednesday that its air defences had intercepted “several Iranian air attacks”.
In a statement, the country condemned what it called Iran’s “criminal attacks using missiles and drones targeting civilians in Bahrain”.
Missile alerts also went off in Qatar, the Associated Press reports.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say they targeted US military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait on Wednesday.
Trump insists US has won Iran war, despite resumption of attacks
01:30 , Josh Marcus
President Trump continues to paint a victorious picture of his Iran campaign, even as hostilities ratcheted back up this week.
“We’ve already won”, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Wednesday.
He nonetheless vowed overwhelming American reprisals to Iranian attacks on shipping vessels, promising to return any force with 20 times the power.
01:00 , James Reynolds
Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that Nato had emerged from its annual summit "stronger and more united", citing Donald Trump's closing remarks which he said had praised the spirit and unity of the meeting.
"President Trump summed up and said that he was very pleased to welcome the spirit of the meeting and the unity of the meeting, and therefore, in terms of what's the outcome here, and answering that question 'is Nato stronger and more united coming out of this summit?' then the answer is yes to that," Starmer told reporters.
The outgoing prime minister added that the alliance had achieved its principal goal of reinforcing cohesion at a time of conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Former MAGA members criticise Trump for Iran attacks
Thursday 9 July 2026 00:40 , Maroosha Muzaffar
Some former prominent figures associated with Donald Trump’s MAGA movement have criticised the US's latest strikes on Iran, arguing they undermine Trump’s pledge to avoid prolonged foreign conflicts.
Former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene questioned why the US resumed bombing Iran despite previously claiming its military had been severely weakened.
“We are back to bombing Iran during the ceasefire for the Iran war that is not a war because Iran bombed a vessel for crossing the Strait of Hormuz that they don’t control yet apparently control,” she wrote on X.
She continued: “I’m so glad that Trump ran for president to end forever foreign wars otherwise I might start thinking this war that is not a war that we won like 40 times is starting to turn into another forever foreign war in the Middle East.”
We are back to bombing Iran during the ceasefire for the Iran war that is not a war because Iran bombed a vessel for crossing the Strait of Hormuz that they don’t control yet apparently control.
— Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@FmrRepMTG) July 8, 2026
Not sure how they bombed the vessel because we have totally and completely…
Former National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent said the attacks effectively ended the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Iran.
“We are back to attempting to find a military solution to the SOH,” he wrote on X, referring to the Strait of Hormuz.
“The problem is we signed the MoU because there was no military solution & we needed the SOH open,” he said, adding, “Our best option is to walk away.”
Why would Iran want to derail the MoU with Hormuz attacks?
Thursday 9 July 2026 00:20 , Josh Marcus
A former Pentagon official believes diplomatic intrigue could explain why Iranian forces attacked ships in the Strait of Hormuz this week, leading to the collapse of the tentative peace deal and helping kick off the latest round of back-and-forth strikes.
“It’s also quite possible that the attacks on the neutral civilian ships were launched by a Revolutionary Guard faction that was trying to derail the diplomatic process,” David Des Roches, former Pentagon Nato operations director, told Al Jazeera.
Trump floats US troop removal in Europe over Iran and Greenland tensions
Wednesday 8 July 2026 23:54 , Josh Marcus
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, President Trump suggested the US might realign or pull back US troops in response to his frustrations over European leaders’ handling of the Greenland and Iran crises.
The Republican said “a lot’s going to depend on Greenland,” the Nato ally the US has been pushing to take over despite firm protests from Denmark and numerous other European nations.
Trump also claimed “a lot’s dependent on Iran”, reiterating his regular criticisms that Europe didn’t do enough to support the original US war effort.
“When they had a chance, an opportunity to help, they chose not to”, the president said. “But we’re sort of forgetting about that”.
Iran 'called a little while ago' seeking a deal, Trump claims
Wednesday 8 July 2026 23:40 , Josh Marcus
Iran remains desperate to make a deal with the US, President Donald Trump claims.
“They called a little while ago”, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Wednesday night.
“They want to make a deal so badly”, he added. “I just don't know if they're worthy of making it. I don't know that they're going to honor the deal. That's the problem”.
Recap: US strikes ‘over 80’ Iranian targets after tankers hit in Strait of Hormuz
Wednesday 8 July 2026 23:40 , James Reynolds
US forces said they launched “over 80” strikes on Iranian targets in response to Iran’s targeting of tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran said it had retaliated with strikes against Bahrain and Kuwait.
The attacks came just hours after Washington also pulled Tehran’s license to sell oil, which was only issued last month following an interim ceasefire deal.
The strategic waterway remains a flashpoint in the fragile truce, having sparked a previous exchange of fire between the two sides after a cargo ship was struck, threatening the agreement aimed at ending the war.
Read the full story:
US strikes ‘over 80’ Iranian targets after tankers hit in Strait of Hormuz
Wall St falls as Trump's Iran remarks weigh on markets
Wednesday 8 July 2026 23:30 , Reuters
Wall Street's main indexes fell on Wednesday after President Donald Trump said an interim deal with Iran was “over”, while gains in Broadcom gave respite to the recently beaten-down chip stocks.
Speaking at the Nato summit, Trump said he had no interest in engaging further with Iran. Adding to tensions, he warned Iran that Washington will likely engage in additional strikes on Wednesday night.
"The million-dollar question is whether this marks a complete breakdown in negotiations and a return to hostilities, or merely a temporary setback," said Matthew Ryan, head of market strategy at Ebury.
Nine of the 11 sectors on the benchmark S&P 500 were trading lower, except for the energy index and information technology.
Oil prices extended gains on Wednesday following Trump's remarks, with Brent crude futures and US West Texas Intermediate crude futures both rising more than 5%.
Watch: US launches strikes on Iran after attacks on commercial ships
Wednesday 8 July 2026 23:15 , James Reynolds
Trump issues warning of 'much worse' strikes and shares video of explosions
Wednesday 8 July 2026 23:02 , Josh Marcus
President Donald Trump warned that American forces will step up attacks if hostilities from Iran continue.
“This is in retribution for yesterday’s bombing of ships by Iran”, he wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. “If it happens again, it will get much worse!”
The president also shared video showing explosions above an urban area at night, though the source and content of the video was not immediately unclear.
US military in 'wait-and-see mode,' official says
Wednesday 8 July 2026 22:44 , Josh Marcus
U.S. military leaders are cautiously monitoring the situation after American forces struck targets across Iran tonight.
A U.S. official told a CNN reporter aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln in the north Arabian Sea that forces were in “wait-and-see mode” after targeting missile and drone capabilities in Iran, as well as targets that could threaten shipping near the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Navy conducted the strikes via land and sea, the official said.
US ramping up strikes in second day of Iran bombings, official says
Wednesday 8 July 2026 22:19 , Harriette Boucher
The ongoing strikes against Iran will be greater in number than the ones carried out on Tuesday, a US official told Reuters.
Targets are expected to include Iranian military coastal radars, anti-ship missile positions and air defence systems.
Hospital hit by shrapnel in US attack
Wednesday 8 July 2026 22:02 , Harriette Boucher
An Iranian hospital has been struck by shrapnel from projectiles in US attacks on Wednesday.
Local media reported that Chabahar’s Imam Ali Hospital was hit.
Several southern Iranian towns have been targeted in strikes on Wednesday, as the US looks to strike military targets in the Strait of Hormuz.
‘Sort yourselves out, we need you!’: Finland’s PM berates UK for changing PM again at Nato summit
Wednesday 8 July 2026 22:00 , James Reynolds
Britain was urged to “sort itself out” and “do what needs to be done” on the world stage by the Finnish president as allies gathered for a challenging summit of Nato leaders in Turkey.
Speaking to BBC Newsnight on the sidelines of the meeting on Tuesday, Alexander Stubb warned of the “precarious” state of global politics and urged the UK: “Just sort yourself out, please. We need you.”
“In other words, stay British. Stay calm. Do what needs to be done,” he said, adding: “I just think it’s very important that we have a strong and stable United Kingdom in Europe and in the world.”
Britain urged to ‘sort yourselves out’ as world leaders gather for Nato summit
US strikes on Iran will be larger than yesterday's - report
Wednesday 8 July 2026 21:58 , Harriette Boucher
US strikes in southern Iran are expected to be wider in scope than yesterday’s attacks, an official has said.
Iranian military targets in the Strait of Hormuz have been targeted on Wednesday is an effort to get Tehran to stop striking commercial ships.
A US official told Axios that the targets included Iranian military coastal radars, anti-ship missile positions and air defence systems.
Explosions reported throughout southern Iran
Wednesday 8 July 2026 21:49 , Harriette Boucher
Explosions have been heard in the Bushehr area of Iran and the city of Bandar Abbas, which the US struck overnight.
The southern port city of Chabahar has also been attacked, according to local media.
Citing an informed source, Iran’s Nournews reported that a US attack on Bushehr did not cause any damage to the nuclear power plant.
US begins another night of strikes on Iran
Wednesday 8 July 2026 21:24 , Harriette Boucher
The US has started carrying out further strikes on Iran tonight.
Central Command confirmed the attacks on social media, saying “forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway.”
It comes after Donald Trump told a Nato summit that he did not think a full-fledged conflict in Iran would erupt in the wake of renewed clashes overnight.
At the same press conference, the US president also issued several threats to Tehran.
In pictures: Mourners gather during funeral ceremonies for late supreme leader
Wednesday 8 July 2026 21:05 , Harriette Boucher
Comment: Donald Trump’s temper tantrum has just killed off his own Iran deal – and this is why
Wednesday 8 July 2026 21:00 , James Reynolds
The president’s instinct is now to wrong-foot allies and enemies alike, but by pulling focus away from Nato he is showing there is at least some method to his childishness, says Anchal Vohra:
Donald Trump’s temper tantrum has just killed off his own Iran deal – and this is why
Global economy resilient to Middle East war shock, agencies say
Wednesday 8 July 2026 20:54 , Harriette Boucher
The global economy has been broadly resilient to the shock from the war in the Middle East, the heads of the international energy agency, International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, and World Trade Organisation said in a joint statement on Wednesday.
The leaders reiterated the need for progress toward a resolution to the conflict and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
“Uncertainty remains high, and the impacts of the war could linger. Energy markets and transit of goods are still facing strains,” the statement said.
Watch: Trump says the 'Islamic Republic of Japan' fired missiles at US aircraft carrier
Wednesday 8 July 2026 20:00 , James Reynolds
Nato’s Mark Rutte skewered by reporter over Trump relationship: ‘Does it affect your self-respect?’
Wednesday 8 July 2026 19:27 , Holly Bishop
Mark Rutte was challenged on his “self-respect” by a reporter who accused him of failing to come to the defence of Nato nations threatened by Donald Trump.
The US president has reignited his calls to annex Greenland - an autonomous territory of Denmark - at the outset of the military alliance’s annual summit on Wednesday (8 July).
“I’m not happy with Nato because of what they did in Greenland,” Mr Trump said in Turkey, Ankara, as the Nato general secretary remained silent and appeared to smile.
A Danish journalist went on to grill Mr Rutte, who he said sits by as Mr Trump “talks about conquering Greenland, talks about lashing out at allies like Spain, starting trade wars”.
“Does this have any effect on your self-respect when you sit like that and say nothing?"
Trump slams UK as he praises Nato 'unification'
Wednesday 8 July 2026 19:17 , Harriette Boucher
Donald Trump has taken yet another swipe at the UK over its lack of involvement in the Iran war.
“The UK gave an answer that was sort of weirder than that that...I said ‘would you like to help?’ They said ‘we do, but we want to wait until the war is over’.
“This was not in the spirit of Winston Churchill,” he added.
In a different tune to earlier comments made about Nato, the US president said the alliance “just had a bad moment.
“They didn’t help us. We didn’t need their help.”
He also told off Spain, saying they had been “very bad”.
His comments came as he celebrated “unification” at the Nato meeting.
“If there’s one word that comes out of today, it’s unification. I’ve never seen anything like it.
“Every one of those countries, they love us, they love each other. That was tremendous unification. It was a nice thing to say,” Trump said.
UK inflation to fall faster than predicted as impact of Iran war ‘better than feared’
Wednesday 8 July 2026 19:00 , James Reynolds
Britain's inflation rate is now expected to return to its target level sooner than previously anticipated, according to fresh projections from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The global economic body's latest World Economic Outlook indicates a significant easing of price rises across the UK over the next year. This more optimistic assessment comes as the IMF noted that the worldwide economic impact of the Middle East conflict has been "better than feared".
The fund specifically forecasts that inflation will drop back to the 2 per cent target, set by the Government and the Bank of England, by mid-2027.
Read the full story:
UK inflation to fall faster than predicted as Iran war impact ‘better than feared’
Iran threatens 'criminal and murderous Trump'
Wednesday 8 July 2026 18:57 , Harriette Boucher
Iran’s deputy foreign minister has lashed out at “criminal and murderous” Donald Trump after the US president threatened further attacks today.
Kazem Gharibabadi has warned of further strikes, saying the US understood “the language of force better”.
He wrote on X: “Trump's statements today, from insulting the Iranian nation to threatening further attacks, are not a sign of strength, but rather an admission of the failure of a policy built on brute force, sanctions, and threats for years, which could not bring the Iranian nation to its knees.
“With the criminal and murderous Trump, one must speak in his own language; apparently, he understands the language of force better!”
Invade Kharg Island and 'no American soldier will return alive', warns Iran
Wednesday 8 July 2026 18:17 , Harriette Boucher
An Iranian lawmaker has warned the US that no American soldier “will return alive” if Donald Trump attempts to seize Kharg Island.
His comments follow an remark by the US president at the Nato summit, in which he said: “We attacked Kharg Island last night, knocked out a piece. I said, ‘Don’t touch the oil, because maybe we’ll take over Kharg Island’.”
Ebrahim Rezaei, the spokesperson for Iran's national security and foreign policy commission, said: “Trump has once again spoken of occupying Kharg Island.
“Come on, we're waiting for you and we promise that not even a single American soldier will return alive.
Watch: Trump says he is top of Iran's 'kill list': 'They're scum'
Wednesday 8 July 2026 18:13 , Harriette Boucher
Trump tells world that Iran ‘scum’ want to assassinate him: ‘I’m the No. 1 target’
Wednesday 8 July 2026 18:12 , Harriette Boucher
White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg writes:
President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he remains a target for assassination by Iran as he concluded a whirlwind day at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Ankara with his ceasefire deal with Tehran in shambles and oil prices spiking across the globe.
Trump was recounting to reporters how the U.S. and Israel had killed off most of Tehran’s senior leadership during the opening days of the war he started five months ago when he mused aloud about whether he might end up sharing their fate at the hands of his country’s enemies.
“They had leaders, they're gone, and they had another set of leaders, they're gone. Now they have another set of leaders, they may be gone. Who knows? And you know what, I may be gone too, because I'm their number one target,” he said.
“I'm the number one, because they're scum. That's the way they act, and that's the way they've done it for 47 years, but I'm doing what's right for the country,” he added.
Iranian leaders have had designs on assassinating Trump and other former senior members of his prior administration since late 2019, when he ordered the killing of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leader General Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike.
Trump tells world that Iran ‘scum’ want to assassinate him: ‘I’m the No. 1 target’
Hegseth cancels trip to Israel after Trump declares Iran ceasefire ‘over’
Wednesday 8 July 2026 18:00 , James Reynolds
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has cancelled a trip to Israel shortly after President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire with Iran “over”, according to reports.
Mr Hegseth was scheduled to meet with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and defence secretary Israel Katz on Wednesday.
But a source told the Jerusalem Post that that visit has now been cancelled. Mr Hegseth is currently in Ankara for the Nato summit alongside the president.
Read the full story:
Hegseth cancels trip to Israel after Trump declares Iran ceasefire ‘over’
Trump says he doesn't think Iran conflict will start again
Wednesday 8 July 2026 17:55 , Harriette Boucher
Donald Trump said he did not think a full-fledged conflict with Iran would erupt in the wake of military strikes from both sides.
“I don't think it's going to start again. I think it's going to go very quickly. They hit a couple of ships, and so we hit them much harder,” he told reporters in Ankara after a NATO summit.
“Anything that happens is going to be over very quickly ... and will only make it safer, including for oil,” he said.
Trump 'number one on the kill list for Iran'
Wednesday 8 July 2026 17:50 , Harriette Boucher
Donald Trump has reiterated that he is a target of Tehran, saying he was “number one on the kill list”.
“They had leaders, they're gone... Now they have another set of leaders. They may be gone," the US president told a press conference as he defended his handling of the Iran war.
“And you know what, I may be gone too, because I'm their number one target.”
Trump 'not sure' he wants to make a deal with Iran
Wednesday 8 July 2026 17:45 , Harriette Boucher
Donald Trump has said his view of Iranian leaders has changed after he got to know them and he was “not sure” if wants make to a deal with the country,
“I think they’re much more rational than level one, level two. Level one is gone, level two is gone. This is level three,” he said. “I think they are more rational, but based on their actions over the last week or two, they’re not doing a service to the people.”
“And I think more than anything else is, I got to know him and I'm not sure I want to make a deal with them. We can play games, but I'm not sure I want to make a deal. Let's just finish the job.”
Eight Iranian army members killed in U.S. attacks on southern parts of Iran
Wednesday 8 July 2026 17:20 , Harriette Boucher
Eight members of the Iranian army were killed in US attacks on southern parts of Iran early on Wednesday, state media reported.
The victims belonged to the air force and navy and died due to strikes in Bandar Abbas and Bushehr, it added.
Nato chief defends Trump’s strikes on Iran as ‘absolutely necessary’
Wednesday 8 July 2026 17:00 , James Reynolds
The head of Nato said on Wednesday that Donald Trump’s renewed strikes on Iran were “absolutely necessary” as the resumption of hostilities threatened to derail a fragile ceasefire agreement.
The US military unleashed a new wave of strikes against Iran on Tuesday and revoked a license allowing Tehran to sell oil after three tankers said they had been struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking ahead of a summit of leaders in Ankara, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte defended the attacks on dozens of Iranian small boats, as Iranian media reported strikes on Kharg Island, Qeshm Island, and in the port cities of Sirik and Bandar Abbas.
Read the full story:
Nato chief defends Trump’s strikes on Iran as ‘absolutely necessary’
Watch: Denmark ready to defend 'every inch of Nato', PM says after Trump threats
Wednesday 8 July 2026 16:30 , James Reynolds
EU expects US to honour trade deal obligations despite Spain threat
Wednesday 8 July 2026 16:00 , James Reynolds
The European Union expects the United States to honour its trade deal obligations with the EU, a European Commission spokesperson said on Wednesday, after Donald Trump ordered his Treasury Secretary to cut off trade ties with Spain.
Speaking in the Turkish capital Ankara, Trump called Madrid a "terrible partner" in NATO as he railed against allies for not supporting the war on Iran, and ordered Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to cut off trade ties with Spain.
"I remind you that we signed a joint statement with the US last year. We expect the US to honour its commitments under that joint statement, as we have honoured ours," said Commission spokesperson Olof Gill.
"The Commission will always ensure that the interests of the European Union and all our member states are fully protected. We will continue to advocate for stable, predictable and mutually beneficial trans-Atlantic trade for the benefit of all," he added.
US-Iran talks likely to continue, suggests Macron
Wednesday 8 July 2026 15:58 , James Reynolds
French president Emmanuel Macron said that Iran’s decision to strike its neighbours was a “mistake” on Wednesday, but added that he understands talks will continue.
Trump has today cast doubt on the state of diplomacy, saying he believes there is no sense in carrying on talks with Iran.
Trump says he thinks Israel will withdraw from southern Lebanon
Wednesday 8 July 2026 15:45 , James Reynolds
Donald Trump told reporters at a Nato summit in Ankara on Wednesday that he thought Israel would withdraw troops from southern Lebanon, adding that he felt Israel wanted to take that step.
Iran vows to strike 'enemy' targets at 2:1 ratio
Wednesday 8 July 2026 15:39 , James Reynolds
An Iranian security source tells the country’s Press TV that Iran will strike “enemy” targets at a ratio of at least two to one, as both sides up rhetoric and Trump threatens more strikes tonight.
Recap: Greenland still 'not for sale', says Danish PM
Wednesday 8 July 2026 15:30 , James Reynolds
Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen says Greenland is “not for sale” after Donald Trump reiterated his comments that the US “needs” the territory for the “protection of the world”.
“The US position is unfortunately very clear on this topic. And our position is as clear as it has been all through.
“Greenland is of course not for sale. We hope that all... including all allies, will respect the Greenlandic people’s right for self-determination.
“We are a sovereign state and we need everybody to respect our territorial integrity and our sovereignty,” she says.
Netanyahu a 'great wartime PM', says Trump
Wednesday 8 July 2026 15:28 , James Reynolds
Asked if Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu should be re-elected, Trump avoids directly answering the question but says he has been a “great wartime prime minister”.
Wreckage of missing cargo plane found, Pakistan Airports Authority says
Wednesday 8 July 2026 15:18 , James Reynolds
The wreckage of the K2 Airways cargo Boeing 737 that lost contact with air traffic control on its way to Karachi has been found, Pakistan Airports Authority said on Wednesday.
The wreckage was recovered 53 nautical miles south of Ormara port, and efforts are underway to find the missing crew members, it said.
Wednesday 8 July 2026 15:09 , James Reynolds
In full: Starmer urges ‘unity’ at Nato summit again overshadowed by Trump
Wednesday 8 July 2026 15:00 , James Reynolds
Sir Keir Starmer urged leaders to show “unity and strength” at the start of a Nato summit already overshadowed once again by Donald Trump.
Speaking to reporters on arrival at the presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, where the summit is being held, the Prime Minister said the gathering would prove to be “very important” against the background of the Ukraine war and the US conflict with Iran.
He said: “It’s very important that, as leaders, we show the unity and the strength of Nato at a time like this, and that’s what we’ll do at this summit here this morning.”
Read the full story:
Starmer urges ‘unity’ at Nato summit again overshadowed by Trump
Highlights from Trump's odd press conference with Zelensky
Wednesday 8 July 2026 14:40 , James Reynolds
In a bizarre and winding press conference on Ukraine, Donald Trump:
- said 111 missiles were fired at an American aircraft carrier by the “Islamic Republic of Japan”, meaning Iran;
- mistakenly referred to Volodymyr Zelensky as Vladimir Putin;
- suggested the US will ‘probably’ strike Iran again tonight;
- suggested the US may take over Kharg Island;
- said the US military struck 28 ‘little’ Iranian boats, down from the ‘more than 60’ Centcom said had been sunk this morning;
- acknowledged Ukraine needs security guarantees and suggested buying Ukrainian drones.
Trump suggests military could 'take over' Kharg Island
Wednesday 8 July 2026 14:30 , James Reynolds
“Maybe we’ll take over Kharg Island. We may take over Kharg Island,” Trump continues, acknowledging strikes on the Iranian island overnight.
He accuses Iran of attacking ships during a grace period for the funeral of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Pete Hegseth claims they hit radar sites, underground infrastructure and anything used to harass shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
He vows to hit “even more and even deeper” if ordered to by Trump.
Trump suggests the US could reinstate a blockade on Iranian ports if needed.
In full: US launches new strikes against Iran hours after revoking oil license
Wednesday 8 July 2026 09:00 , James Reynolds
The U.S. military launched a series of strikes against Iranian targets early Wednesday, following attacks on three merchant ships in the waters off Oman.
U.S. Central Command confirmed the actions in a social media statement, asserting that American forces initiated the strikes "to impose heavy costs for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway."
The statement further condemned Iran’s actions, describing them as "unwarranted, dangerous, and a clear violation of the ceasefire."
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US launches new strikes against Iran hours after revoking oil license
Watch: US launches strikes on Iran after attacks on commercial ships
Wednesday 8 July 2026 08:30 , James Reynolds
What we know about Iran's retaliatory strikes
Wednesday 8 July 2026 08:00 , James Reynolds
Iran hit back at targets across the region after the US launched a wave of attacks in response to strikes on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
- The IRGC said it launched missiles and drones at a key US military sites in Bandar Salman in Bahrain;
- It also claimed strikes on the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait.
- Air sirens sounded in both Bahrain and Kuwait. There was no immediate comment from the US military.
- Iran's top joint military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, condemned the earlier US strikes as a "blatant act of aggression," threatened a "crushing response”.
- Iranian media said the US strikes hit Sirik and Bandar Abbas on the coast.
- Iran's Press TV reported several blasts were heard in southern Kharg Island.
- US Centcom earlier said it had targeted more than 60 small boats of the IRGC.
- No civilian deaths were reported in Iran, but several people were injured by shrapnel from an "enemy projectile" that hit a commercial pier in Sirik, according to an Iranian state TV reporter.
Renewed strikes on Iran 'absolutely necessary' says Rutte
Wednesday 8 July 2026 07:25 , James Reynolds
Donald Trump’s renewed strikes on Iran were "absolutely necessary," NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday, following a wave of attacks after three tankers were hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz.
"When you have a ceasefire and Iran is basically violating the ceasefire, I think it is totally crucial that the US forcefully react," Rutte told reporters before a summit of Nato leaders in Ankara.
At their summit, European leaders aim to convince Donald Trump to re-commit to the military alliance, after the U.S. president revived his disputes with them over the Iran war and Greenland.
Rutte said there could be no doubt over the "complete commitment of the United States to NATO," which he said also works to protect the United States.
"But there's also the expectation that the Europeans and the Canadians will equalise their spending with the United States, which I think is completely fair," he added.
