Iran war live: Hegseth reveals staggering costs during Senate grilling

Key Points

• Hegseth's new estimate for the cost of the war: Nearly $38 billion
• Protesters interrupt Hegseth testimony moments into opening statements
• Hegseth says not supporting funding request 'is the greatest threat our nation faces'
• Top Dem pushes for 'quick' end to war, not billions in more funds
• US strikes Iran for 10th consecutive night as Tehran strikes tanker in the Strait of Hormuz

Hegseth's new estimate for the cost of the war: Nearly $38 billion

Hegseth’s latest estimate for the growing costs of the Iran war has now reached $37.5 billion.

That’s likely a low-end estimate, according to analysts.

Before the last week of attacks, the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated total costs to have reached between $34 billion and $42 billion. Other estimates place the true cost of the war to have reached more than $100 billion.

Hegseth confronted with contradictory statements about Iran's capabilities

Murray pointed to Hegseth’s statements in April, when he said Iran’s missile program was “functionally destroyed.”

She also pointed to his statement in May claiming that Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz, despite traffic through the critical waterway shrinking and attacks increasing.

“Iran is at the weakest point militarily it has ever been in in the past decade,” Hegseth insisted Tuesday.

“So I acknowledge they still have capabilities, no doubt. But the amount of damage that we’ve done to them over the course of of these series of operations has put them in the worst place they’ve ever been,” he added.

Murray: 'The truth is your request does not make a lot of sense'

Sen. Patty Murray listed several items in the funding request that have no relation to the Iran war, including $800 million for the National Guard to patrol D.C., $1 billion for troops on the U.S-Mexico border and $900 million for boat strikes of suspected drug traffickers.

“The truth is your request does not make a lot of sense,” she said. “Why is the urgently needed for the Iran war?”

Hegseth has repeatedly said throughout the hearing that the Defense Department is now struggling due to “gross negligence and neglect” under the Biden administration, which “abandoned” the U.S. “strength posture around the world.”

Hegseth doesn't mention 3 dead service members as Caine honors them

Hegseth did not mention the war in Iran let alone the deaths of at least three U.S. service members in recent days as he addressed the committee in his opening remarks.

Gen. Dan Caine, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who is testifying alongside Hegseth, opened his remarks recognizing the service members.

Caine expressed his “deep condolences and the condolences of the Joint Force” to the families of the fallen soldiers.

Hegseth says not supporting funding request 'is the greatest threat our nation faces'

The Department of Defense is seeking a $1.5 trillion overall budget, which includes $67 billion in supplemental funding.

That includes $21 billion for military pay, replacing equipment, sustaining forces, and addressing “mission critical fuel shortfalls,” Hegseth said.

Another $46 billions will “expand production” as well as munitions, including counter-drone capabilities, and for “digital and space dominance,” he said.

“Not fully funding this department I believe is the greatest threat our nation faces,” he said. “Either invest in our warriors … or this is all just talk.”

Protesters interrupt Hegseth testimony moments into opening statements

At least four protesters have interrupted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s opening remarks as he urges the committee to approve billions of dollars in taxpayer funding for the Iran war.

“This is against the Iranian people,” one person said.

“Stop bombing our children in Iran and Palestine. This is illegal,” another protester shouted.

Top Republican blasts Hegseth and Caine for sidelining women and Black officers for promotions

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly blocked at least two women, two Black men and three white men from promotions as the Pentagon allegedly violates the U.S. military's apolitical and merit-based promotion rules.

Hegseth also allegedly tried to prevent several one-star admirals from advancing in rank.

Sen. Susan Collins, the top Republican on the Appropriations Committee, said the reports are “deeply troubling.”

“The United States is one of the greatest meritocracies. We need to make sure that it stays that way,” she said.

Sen. Murray: Trump has 'blundered' US into 'disastrous war'

Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, blasted the “astronomical” costs of the “disastrous” Iran war in her opening remarks.

Tens of billions of Americans’ tax dollars have been spent as Trump “blundered us into a disastrous war,” she said.

“What has actually been achieved?” she asked.

The way the administration has “blissfully operated with no plan of success is disrespectful to our men and women in uniform,” she said.

Four months after the star of the war, Trump is now “threatening escalation and war crimes” after saying the conflict would be ending more than 40 times, she said.

The administration is “now asking for $70 billion more and to just trust him that it will work out fine,” she said.

Trump's meeting with Aoun 'went very well,' White House adviser says

Massad Boulos, a senior adviser to Trump on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs, told reporters that the president’s meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun “went very well.”

“There was a very good chemistry between the two presidents,” Boulos said. “It went very well. It was very productive.”

Asked whether the U.S. has any leverage over Hezbollah, Boulos said “there are always options.”

There are always tools that the president has at his disposal that he can employ at any time,” he said.

“There are many, many tools,” Boulos added. “You have seen already some of them by the Treasury Department, by other departments. The president and Secretary of State have always said they have tools at their disposal that they may choose to take up at any time.”

Pentagon names North Carolina soldier killed in Iraq by downed Iranian drone

Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, was killed in action during a controlled detonation of a downed Iranian drone in Iraq on July 19.

Sgt. Swinton was assigned to D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Swinton was among at least three service members who were killed in recent days. At least two other service members were killed during a strike in Jordan, and remains that were recovered are believed to belong to a third service member who was missing after that attack.

US service member killed in Iraq during ‘controlled detonation’ of Iranian drone

Dignified transfer of service members has been postponed, White House says

The dignified transfer of the remains of at least one U.S. service member killed in the Middle East has been postponed, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Donald Trump was expected to attend the ceremony with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as the remains returned to the U.S. on Tuesday night at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

“The exact day and time are still being finalized,” Leavitt said.

The reason for the postponement was not immediately clear.

Top Democrat wants 'quick' end to war, not billions in tax dollars 'to keep it going'

Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, is expected to tell top defense officials from Donald Trump’s administration that Americans “want to see a quick and strategic end to this war, not $70 billion of their tax dollars sent to keep it going.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine are asking for another $67 billion from Congress to cover mounting costs for the war after asking for $88 billion earlier this year.

They last testified to members of Congress about the war in May, around the same time they last delivered a public briefing to the press.

Trump’s Iran war has the military running out of cash — and Hegseth running to lawmakers hat in hand

The war in Iran has reportedly left the U.S. military cash-strapped, forcing the Pentagon to divert funds from training and weapons purchases to plug the gaps.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is sure to be grilled about the funding crunch by lawmakers Tuesday to explain why his department requires another $67 billion when he goes in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

That hearing begins at 2:15 p.m.

Trump’s Iran war is has the military cash-strapped as Hegseth asks lawmakers for more

US issues 'worldwide caution' alert for Americans

The US has issued a “worldwide caution” for Americans in the Middle East following the collapse of an interim ceasefire agreement.

“Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for possible flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions,” read a social media post on the government’s travel page.

“Please monitor embassy and consular security alerts, local authorities, and the news for breaking developments. Americans outside the Middle East should reconsider travel to and through the region.”

It said that the environment “remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation”.

“US diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted,” the statement continued.

“Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other US interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world.”

Full story: Trump warns Iran the US ‘has been nice’ so far in attacks as threat of full-blown war grows

President Donald Trump warned Iran that the U.S. has been “nice” so far in its attacks against the Middle East nation as tensions continue to rise and the threat of full-blown war remains.

Trump warns Iran that the US ‘has been nice’ so far

Two tankers carrying Saudi crude make U-turns in Red Sea, data shows

Two oil tankers which loaded Saudi crude for China and India this week have made U-turns in the Red Sea on Tuesday and were headed toward the Suez, shipping data on LSEG showed, following a warning from Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militia.

The Houthis on Monday declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, opening a potential new front against the United States in its war with Iran and raising the threat to global energy supplies and trade beyond the Gulf.

Kpler told The Independent: “Bab el-Mandeb traffic remained active across the first five monitored days, with 209 verified crossings from 15–19 July. Daily activity moved from 53 crossings on 15 July to 36 on 16 July, 48 on 17 July, 30 on 18 July and 42 on 19 July.

“The 19 July rebound was supported by a broad mix of bulk carrier, tanker, container, livestock, Ro-Ro and general cargo movements. Only 1 of the 42 crossings on 19 July was classified as a dark transit, while the remaining 41 were traceable.”

Shipping companies should not load or discharge cargo at Saudi Arabian ports and such activity may result in being targeted “in any location” by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi militia, according to an email sent to companies by the Houthis.

The Houthis sent an email to shipping companies on Tuesday saying: "Vessels are banned from loading or discharging cargo at or from any Saudi ports.

“We strongly recommend that your company exercise due diligence and the utmost care in all its dealings.”

The communication, seen by Reuters, and sent by the Houthis’ Sanaa-based Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center, continued: “Any such activity would expose the violating vessels to sanctions. Furthermore, they may be subject to targeting in any location within the operational reach of the Yemeni Armed Forces.”

Watch: Republican lawmaker says Americans killed in Iran is just the 'nature of warfare'

Trump says US will hit Pickaxe mountain in Iran 'very soon'

President Donald Trump has said that the US will hit Pickaxe mountain in Iran “very soon” during a meeting with President Joseph Aoun in front of reporters at the White House on Tuesday.

He said the US would hit the mountain “pretty soon very heavily and there is nothing they can do about it”.

Pickaxe is a very heavily guarded underground facility in Iran.

Trump says Iran want to 'desperately' end war

President Donald Trump is answering questions by reporters in Iran.

“They want to meet desperately to try to end it,” he said, responding to one journalist.

“You don't get that when you listen to your fake station. You don't know anything.”

Trump on Houthi blockade: 'If something happens we'll just have to take care of business'

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the US would “take care of business” if the Houthis imposed a blockade in the Red Sea.

“If something happens, we’ll just have to take care of business,” he said, adding: “We’ll see what happens.”

Watch Live: Trump meets Lebanese president Aoun

France summons Iranian charge d'affaires over diplomat dispute

The French foreign ministry summoned the Iranian charge d'affaires on Tuesday two days after it said French embassy staff were detained and physically intimidated by Iranian security services in Tehran.

"France expects the Iranian authorities to shed light on this incident, punish the perpetrators, and ensure the security of its premises and personnel, in accordance with their international obligations," the ministry said.

Trump’s Iran war has the military running out of cash — and Hegseth running to lawmakers hat in hand

President Donald Trump’s Iran war has left the U.S. military cash-strapped, forcing the Pentagon to divert funds from training and weapons purchases to plug the gaps, according to a report.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is sure to be grilled about the funding crunch by lawmakers Tuesday to explain why his department requires $67 billion when he goes in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The Pentagon is facing the “urgent budget shortfall” largely due to the war in Iran, which has flared up again in recent weeks as both sides exchanged fresh strikes, The Washington Post reports.

Trump’s Iran war is has the military cash-strapped as Hegseth asks lawmakers for more

Kuwait currently responding to Iranian drones and missiles, says army

The Kuwaiti army is currently responding to Iranian drones and missiles, it said in a statement on Tuesday.

Sirens have also sounded in Bahrain, the interior ministry said, as Iran widens its attacks across the Gulf.

Explosions were heard around the city of Shiraz in southern Iran, state media said. Konarak and Chabahar on the southern coast, the city of Khorramabad and a civilian site outside the city of Abdanan, both in the west, all came under attack, media reports said. Later the IRNA news agency quoted an official in Khorramabad as saying no enemy attack had taken place there.

Watch: Iran launches multiple drone attacks on US bases in Kuwait

Trump says Netanyahu will never be arrested on US soil after Mamdani threat

President Donald Trump has said that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested if he travels through New York after Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that the controversial leader is a “war criminal” who “belongs in The Hague”.

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024, accusing him of being “responsible for the war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare and of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population” in Gaza.

He is also accused of “crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024.” Netanyahu denies the claims and has called them “antisemitic”.

But Trump says that Netanyahu will not be arrested if he lands in the US.

Read the full story below

Trump says Netanyahu will never be arrested on US soil after Mamdani threat

Iran attacked Kuwaiti power and water desalination plants on Monday, ministry says

Iran attacked several Kuwaiti power generation and water desalination plants on Monday for the fourth consecutive day, causing fires at a number of facilities, Kuwait's ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy said on Tuesday.

Fires were extinguished, damage was being assessed and repairs were ongoing, the ministry added.

Israel has 'no interest' in joining war with Iran

Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has said that Israel has “no interest” in joining the US war with Iran.

The countries had conducted the initial strikes that led to the outbreak of the conflict on 28 February, together, with early reports suggesting that President Donald Trump had been persuaded by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to carry out the campaign. Trump has consistently denied the claims.

Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said on Tuesday that Israel has “no interest” in joining the ongoing confrontation between the US and Iran, in comments made at a conference organised by the Gush Katif Heritage Center.

"Right now, the State of Israel has no interest in joining the campaign," he said. According to him, "The current situation is good for us and we have no interest in pushing ourselves into it. We are prepared for any scenario."

Israeli troops withdrew from parts of southern Lebanon with the Lebanese army deployed in the areas instead.

'Interaction' with supreme leader increasing daily, says Iranian president Pezeshkian

Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian has said that “interaction” with supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is increasing on a day-to-day basis.

Khamenei, the eldest son of slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has not been seen in public since US-Israeli attacks left him reportedly injured in the same attack that killed several of his family members.

Iran begins talks with Pakistani mediators

On Tuesday, Iran’s interior minister Eskandar Momeni, began talks with Pakistani mediators, two officials told the Associated Press.

Momeni is expected to meet with Pakistani army chief Asim Munir and later with prime minister Shehbaz Sharif.

US strikes Iran for 10th consecutive night as Tehran strikes tanker in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran attacked a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday, forcing its crew to abandon the ship, while the United States conducted yet another round of airstrikes targeting the Islamic Republic as they struggle over control of the key waterway.

The 10 consecutive nights of U.S. airstrikes haven’t compelled Tehran to loosen its grip on the strait, through which about a fifth of all crude oil and natural gas traded once passed in peacetime.

Even as the U.S. and Iran inch closer to all-out war again, Iran’s interior minister traveled to Pakistan, a key mediator in the conflict, for talks. However, it remains unclear just what new deal could be reached to end the fighting.

US strikes Iran for 10th consecutive night as Tehran strikes tanker

Full story: Iran will pay for killing US troops ‘many times over’, warns Donald Trump

Iran will pay for the killing of US troops “many times over”, Donald Trump has said following the deaths of three service personnel in recent days.

The president issued the warning after the American military launched a further wave of strikes, sparking retaliatory attacks by Tehran.

The ongoing clashes and the collapse of the interim ceasefire deal have fuelled fears of a return to a full-blown conflict.

Iran will pay for killing US troops ‘many times over’, warns Donald Trump

Lebanon's Aoun to meet Trump at White House, hoping to generate pressure on Israel

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday to present a plan on how to disarm Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and secure Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon.

Aoun, who served as the commander of Lebanon's US-backed army before being elected president last year, is the first Lebanese head of state in nearly 20 years to visit the White House, where he will meet Trump face-to-face for the first time.

The meeting comes at a crucial moment for Lebanon: Israeli troops are occupying a swathe of the country's south, hundreds of thousands of Lebanese remain displaced following Israeli strikes and Hezbollah has firmly rejected the government's direct talks with Israel - and efforts by the state to strip it of its arms.

Aoun arrived in Washington at the weekend and met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday, telling him that Israel should begin withdrawing from southern Lebanon in line with a US-brokered June 26 agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

In pictures: Lebanese army deploys in southern Lebanon after Israeli withdrawal

Lebanese army deploys in southern town after Israeli withdrawal, official says

Lebanese army troops began deploying in the southern Lebanese town of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh on Tuesday after Israeli forces withdrew from the area, a senior Lebanese security official said, in line with a US-brokered plan.

The plan sees Lebanese army troops confiscating Hezbollah’s weapons in parts of southern Lebanon and phased withdrawals of Israeli troops. The Israeli military said on Monday that the plan, dubbed the pilot zone programme, has begun. It had no immediate comment on Tuesday.

Yemen’s Houthis declare naval blockade against Saudi Arabia amid Strait of Hormuz fighting

Yemeni rebel group, the Houthis, have declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia on Monday, a move that would mark a major escalation in conflict in the region and further disrupt global energy supplies beyond the Gulf.

In a statement, the Iran-aligned armed group said that they were declaring “a maritime embargo against the criminal Saudi enemy, based on the equation of 'an eye for an eye', effective immediately”.

They said the decision was in response to what they described as “an unjust and oppressive siege” imposed on Yemen by the Saudis.

The blockade would apply to the Bab el-Mandeb strait in the Red Sea, a lifeline for Saudi Arabia with the Strait of Hormuz blocked on the other side by fighting between the US and Iran.

Yemen’s Houthis declare naval blockade against Saudi Arabia amid Hormuz fighting

US strikes unlikely to change Iranian position, say intelligence reports

New US intelligence reports suggest that a new round of US strikes on facilities is unlikely to influence Iran’s position, both current and former US officials told The Washington Post.

The spy agencies have concluded that Tehran and Washington are stuck in a limbo between war and peace.

The findings have been briefed to President Donald Trump’s administration, according to the reports.

Reza Pahlavi says he received DMs from IRGC members wanting to 'break away'

In an interview with DRM News, Reza Pahlavi has said that he receives social media messages from members of the Iranian establishment that are hoping to break away from it.

“I began receiving some DMs in my social media by elements that say, you know, ‘I'm a basij in Mashhad,’ or ‘I'm a member of the IRGC in such and such country. We hate this regime. We're not with them. We're looking for an opportunity to break away’,” he said.

“It's not that I'm in fact talking to the IRGC command — not at all. But there were elements of the Sepah, of course the military as well, that would communicate with me discreetly.”

Pentagon withheld information on dozens of US military injuries in Iran war: report

The Pentagon withheld information on dozens of military injuries suffered by US forces during the war in Iran, according to a report.

At least two service members were killed and one missing after Iranian attacks on the Muwaffaq Salti US Air Base in Jordan on Friday.

They were identified on Monday as 25-year-old 1st Lt Tyler James Feehan from Ewa Beach, Hawaii and 19-year-old Pvt. Isabella Gonzales from Carrolton, Texas.

But in the week leading up to the incident, Iran carried out three other attacks against the US in Jordan that injured dozens of service members and damaged several helicopters, US officials told the New York Times.

The Pentagon did not disclose the attacks nor release details of the casualties and damage inflicted.

Pentagon did not disclose dozens of US military injuries in Iran war: report

Oil prices remain close to one-month high as Yemen announces Red Sea blockade

Oil prices held close to a one-month high on Tuesday despite efforts to broker a truce between the US and Iran as the widening conflict and a new threat to Red Sea shipping kept supply fears alive.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, slipped 0.4 per cent to $88.87 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate held steady at $82.47. Both remained near the highs reached the day before, when Brent broke above $90 for the first time in more than a month.

The slight retreat came after reports of a mediation effort to pause the fighting between US and Iran. Tehran had received a proposal from mediators for a 10-day ceasefire, an effort to salvage an interim deal signed on 17 June to end the US-Israeli war on Iran that started on 28 February, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.

Oil prices remain close to one-month high as Yemen announces Red Sea blockade

Iran's Guard target Amazon infrastructure in Bahrain

Iran's Revolutionary Guard have claimed to have targeted US retail giant Amazon's infrastructure in Bahrain.

The Guard have also launched attacks on US bases in Jordan and Kuwait.

Iran claims strikes on US bases in Jordan

Iran's Revolutionary Guard this morning claimed it launched an attack on US military bases in Jordan.

The Guard claimed it destroyed a missile defence radar system and an F-15 aircraft inside a shelter during the attack.

Pentagon chief says 100 US troopers injured in attack

The Pentagon’s chief spokesperson said nearly 100 US service members have been injured since the US restarted strikes on 7 July, and 96 per cent of them have returned to duty.

“The vast majority of injuries experienced were minor concussions,” Sean Parnell posted on X in response to a New York Times report that the Pentagon has withheld information about troop injuries from Iranian strikes. He denied that the Pentagon was hiding data about injuries.

However, the Defense Casualty Analysis System, the military’s clearinghouse for reporting deaths and injuries in conflict, has not been updated as of last night with the latest attacks.

Yemen’s Houthis declare fresh naval blockade in the Middle East

Yemeni rebel group, the Houthis, have declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, a move that would mark a major escalation in conflict in the region and further disrupt global energy supplies beyond the Gulf.

In a statement, the Iran-aligned armed group said that they were declaring “a maritime embargo against the criminal Saudi enemy, based on the equation of 'an eye for an eye', effective immediately”.

They said the decision was in response to what they described as “an unjust and oppressive siege” imposed on Yemen by the Saudis.

More here.

Yemen’s Houthis declare naval blockade against Saudi Arabia amid Hormuz fighting

Israeli strikes kill five in Gaza

At least five Palestinians were killed and several others injured in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza.

A man and his daughter were killed when an Israeli drone struck the Al-Yaman Al-Saeed shelter for displaced people in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, Anadolu reported.

Three others were earlier killed when another Israeli drone struck a vehicle belonging to the Desert Sands Insurance Company near the British Field Hospital in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, according to reports.

Explosions heard in western Iranian city

Several explosions were heard during the early hours of the day in the western Iranian city of Abdanan, governor Behzad Nourmohammadi said.

“Fortunately, this incident did not result in any casualties, and the responsible agencies are investigating the dimensions of the issue,” he said.

Oil prices remain close to one-month high as Yemen announces Red Sea blockade

Oil prices held close to a one-month high on Tuesday despite efforts to broker a truce between the US and Iran as the widening conflict and a new threat to Red Sea shipping kept supply fears alive.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, slipped 0.4 per cent to $88.87 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate held steady at $82.47. Both remained near the highs reached the day before, when Brent broke above $90 for the first time in more than a month.

The slight retreat came after reports of a mediation effort to pause the fighting between US and Iran. Tehran had received a proposal from mediators for a 10-day ceasefire, an effort to salvage an interim deal signed on 17 June to end the US-Israeli war on Iran that started on 28 February, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.

More here.

Oil prices remain close to one-month high as Yemen announces Red Sea blockade

Watch: Iran launches multiple drone attacks on US bases in Kuwait

US completes its 10th consecutive night of attacks on Iran

The US military late last night said it finished its latest round of strikes on Iran, saying it hit Iranian military command ⁠centers, missile and drone launch sites, maritime capabilities and air defense systems.

The latest round of US strikes ⁠on Iran lasted about ​five hours, ⁠according to the US military, marking 10 consecutive nights of American strikes on Iran. Washington said ⁠it is attempting to "degrade Iran's ability to continue attacking commercial ​vessels flowing through the Strait of ‌Hormuz".

The strikes come as US president Donald Trump vowed revenge against Iran after the deadly weekend for US troops.

Iran's army says it targeted US bases in Kuwait

The Iranian army this morning claimed they have targeted three major US military installations in Kuwait using “kamikaze drones”.

The army claimed it struck administrative buildings and antennas at Camp Arifjan, a helicopter parking area at Camp Al-Adiri, and troop housing facilities at the Ahmed Al-Jaber base, according to Tasnim news agency.

“Security in the region has been disrupted following the mischief of US terrorist forces, and the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic are attempting to restore security and calm to the region in their battle against the US,” the army added.

Oil prices dip as mediation efforts offset US-Iran strikes

Oil prices eased this morning as markets weighed ​reports of mediation efforts between the US and Iran against an exchange of ‌fresh attacks between the two and threats of a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthis.

Brent crude futures eased 35 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to $88.87 per barrel, while US West Texas ​Intermediate crude for September delivery was steady at $82.47 a barrel.

Both contracts were ​trading below their highest levels in more than a month hit in ⁠the previous session.

Crew abandons ship as tanker hit by projectile in Strait of Hormuz

A tanker ​in the Strait of Hormuz reported being struck by an unknown projectile, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel and board a lifeboat, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) said this morning.

UKMTO said it had received multiple reports that a tanker had broadcast over VHF Channel 16 that it had been hit by an unknown projectile. The incident was reported eight nautical miles east of Oman's Limah and ⁠authorities were investigating.

UKMTO said the tanker's company ​security ⁠officer had reported that the crew had abandoned the vessel and were aboard a lifeboat and no environmental impact had been ⁠reported.

Separately, Iran's Revolutionary ​Guard said this morning that two ‌oil tankers had caught fire after explosions while attempting to transit the southern route of the strait.

The Guard said rescue teams were removing ‌the crews from the area but did not ‌identify the vessels.

Diplomatic efforts made to restore ceasefire

A senior Iranian official ‌said on Monday that Tehran had received a proposal from mediators for a 10-day ceasefire in efforts to salvage the ‌interim deal, intended to pave the way to a lasting agreement to end the war that began on 28 February with US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Neither the ministry nor the official who spoke to Reuters gave any details on the putative ceasefire discussions.

Two Pakistani government sources said separately that Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni had asked Pakistan to resume its mediation role in the conflict. He later arrived in Islamabad for further talks.

The diplomatic push followed another night of US strikes on Iranian cities and attacks by Iran's Revolutionary Guards on US military assets across the region. ⁠U.S. Central Command said Monday afternoon US time that it had begun another round of strikes on Iran.

President Donald Trump, under mounting political pressure at home over rising gasoline prices since the war began and Iran effectively closed the vital Strait of Hormuz, defended the latest strikes on Iran as honouring the deaths of American service members killed in recent Iranian attacks.

Iran war is America's leader popular since polls began

Net approval for Donald Trump’s decision to attack Iran is now as low as -30 per cent among Americans, according to recent polling.

Among Democrats, approval of the conflict now sits at -84%. Independents sit at -52%, while MAGA Republicans buck the trend with +72%, per The Economist.

More than half only approve “somewhat” of the handling of the war, while non-MAGA Republicans have turned from supporting the war on balance (+26% in April to -25% now), per Washington Post/Ipsos.

Recap: Pentagon withheld dozens of US military injuries during Iran war - report

Dozens of US service members were injured in a fresh Iranian attack on Friday, several US officials have said, despite no announcement from the Pentagon.

The attacks injured US forces and damaged helicopters, they told the New York Times on condition of anonymity.

Those strikes were not disclosed by the Pentagon, however, which an official said is not required to release information about injured service members.

The NYT cast the revelation as the latest example of friction between the Pentagon’s insistence on security versus the government’s obligation to be transparent with the public about its war conduct.

Is it safe to travel to Jordan? Latest advice

Travel advice has been updated for Jordan after missiles were intercepted in the vicinity of Aqaba’s airport and seaport.

The UK government is currently advising against all but essential travel to that area.

Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait have reported intercepting Iranian drones and missiles as attacks across the region have intensified.

At least two US service members were killed in action in Jordan while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks.

In full:

Is it safe to travel to Jordan? Latest advice amid Iran-US war