Iran renews Gulf attacks after US strikes

Iran launched renewed attacks on Gulf states early on July 18, 2026, officials said, following a seventh consecutive night of US strikes. Officials said the exchanges came after a fragile ceasefire fell apart this week and warned of elevated risks to regional shipping and energy flows.

Seventh night of US strikes

Officials said US forces carried out strikes for a seventh straight night ahead of the renewed Iranian actions. The authorities described the operations as targeted military responses; they did not provide a full public inventory of sites struck.

Officials said the collapse of the ceasefire has accelerated a cycle of retaliatory actions across Gulf waters and adjacent airspace, raising the prospect of wider confrontations between state and proxy actors. Commercial operators and insurers are monitoring maritime routes and insurance rates for vessels transiting the area, officials added.

Officials cautioned that operations could continue into the near term: further strikes and counterstrikes are possible through July 19, 2026, officials said, and nations with commercial exposure have advised heightened vigilance for the coming 48 hours.