US-Iran War Highlights: Houthis broadcasting radio warnings to ships after Saudi blockade, says shipping body

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Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the "equation of this war is clear: either all or none," warning that if Iran cannot export oil, no other country in the region will either.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf said, "In a region where we do not sell oil, no one will sell oil." He added that "if our security is not ensured, no infrastructure will be safe," and claimed security in the Strait of Hormuz depends on the absence of American forces.

"We have repeatedly said that the situation of the strait will not return to pre-war conditions," he said.

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been broadcasting radio warning messages to vessels in the region, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has confirmed, days after the group announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia.

"We can confirm that the Houthis were recorded transmitting a warning message to ships in the region," the ICS told AFP.

The confirmation comes amid heightened tensions in regional waters following the Houthis' declaration of a maritime blockade targeting Saudi Arabia.

At least 53 civilians, including three children, have been killed in US strikes on Iran since June 27, the country's Health Ministry said. The ministry said more than 590 people have also been wounded since fighting escalated following the collapse of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.

According to US Central Command, at least 18 American service members have been killed and hundreds more wounded since the war began in late February.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to comment on reports that Washington and Saudi Arabia have signed a nuclear energy agreement, saying any official announcement would come from the White House.

"I'll let the White House officials sort of put out an official statement about anything in regards to that," Rubio told reporters during a press conference in the Philippines.

"I'd prefer it be, you know, put out when there is something to say that we will say through official channels," he added.

Rubio was also asked about concerns over the US potentially signing a nuclear deal with a Middle Eastern country without requiring the so-called "gold standard" commitment not to enrich or reprocess uranium. He did not directly address the question.

US President Donald Trump claimed Americans are not opposed to the war against Iran and warned that Tehran would continue to face heavy attacks.

"They're going to pay a big price, they're being decimated," Trump told reporters.

When asked about public support for the US-Israel war on Iran as more American troops continue to die, Trump replied, "Well, Americans aren't against the war."

The president also said, "Americans don't want to have [high] gasoline prices but they're not against the war. That just came out loud and clear in a (new) poll."

Trump, however, did not identify the poll he was referring to. Recent public opinion surveys have shown growing opposition among Americans to the military campaign against Iran.

US President Donald Trump warned that Iran was "going to pay a big price" as he spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One while travelling to a ceremony honouring US troops killed in the recent fighting with Iran.

"Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, they won't have a nuclear weapon," Trump said, reiterating his administration's long-standing position.

Referring to the ceremony for the slain US service members, Trump said, "We're going to honour them – one of the hardest things to do. For me it's one of the hardest things to do as a president."

Iran has threatened to retaliate against infrastructure across the region linked to the US if Washington follows through on President Donald Trump's warning to strike Iranian bridges and power plants, according to Iran's Tasnim news agency, citing a military source.

The warning came just hours after Trump said the US would bomb an Iranian bridge or power plant every time Tehran attacks a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Tasnim, the military source said Tehran would target regional infrastructure, including bridges and energy sites connected to the US, if American forces strike Iranian civilian infrastructure.

New Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya said ending Israel's military offensive and achieving Palestinian national unity are among the group's top priorities. In his first public remarks since taking over as Hamas chief, al-Hayya called for a "comprehensive cessation of Israeli aggression" and said restoring "a dignified life" for people in Gaza was an "inherent right." He added that Hamas would continue to act "on all fronts" for Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Jerusalem and Palestinian prisoners, while extending "our hands to everyone" in pursuit of national unity.

Newly elected Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya on Tuesday delivered his first public remarks since being appointed, saying the group would continue working "in every path and direction" to ease the suffering of people in Gaza.

"I say to the people of Gaza that we will continue working in every path and direction until we lift the harm and pain from you," he said. Al-Hayya also said that "defending the occupied West Bank is a responsibility."

US President Donald Trump warned Iran that any future attack on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz would trigger direct US military retaliation against targets inside the country.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States would "bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT" every time Iran attacks a vessel in the strategic waterway "by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon." He added that the strikes could include infrastructure "located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran."

Jordanian fighter jets intercepted and shot down four Iranian attack drones targeting the kingdom as Tehran continued its strikes against US allies across the Middle East. A military source told Al Jazeera that the one-way attack drones were destroyed before reaching their targets. Authorities said there were no casualties or damage to property.

Teams from Jordan's Engineering Corps were deployed to the locations where drone debris landed to secure the sites and clear the wreckage.

Bulgaria's Parliament on Wednesday approved a government proposal allowing the US military to use Bezmer Air Base to support American operations in the Middle East, despite concerns from some lawmakers about the country's involvement in the Iran conflict.

Lawmakers voted 136-13, with two abstentions, to permit the deployment of up to eight US KC-135 refuelling aircraft, 250 personnel and supporting equipment at the base from July 24 to October 1. Under a 2006 US-Bulgaria defence agreement, each new operational use of the jointly operated air base requires parliamentary approval.

US President Donald Trump will attend the dignified transfer of four US service members killed during the Iran conflict at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Tuesday evening, the White House said.

The ceremony, where the fallen troops will return in flag-draped coffins, comes as criticism grows over Trump's military campaign against Iran. The conflict has reportedly cost the United States $37.5 billion, with 18 service members killed and more than 450 injured.

Among those being honoured are First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25, Sergeant Angel S. Rampersad, 28, and Private Isabella Gonzales, 19, who were killed after an Iranian missile struck their sleeping quarters at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on Friday. Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, died on Sunday in Erbil, Iraq, during the controlled detonation of an attack drone.

Air raid sirens sounded across Bahrain on Tuesday as authorities urged residents to seek shelter, while an explosion was heard in the capital, Manama, amid the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. In a post on X, Bahrain's Interior Ministry said: "The siren has been sounded… Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place."

An AFP correspondent in Manama reported hearing an explosion shortly after the warning was issued.

The alert comes two weeks into renewed hostilities between the US and Iran, with the island kingdom facing daily Iranian attacks as tensions continue to escalate across the Gulf.

Italy will host the seventh round of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon in Rome on August 4, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told parliament. The Times of Israel said Israeli officials have not yet confirmed the date. Following last week's talks, the IDF withdrew from pilot zones in southern Lebanon for LAF deployment.

Global oil prices climbed to their highest levels in nearly six weeks as escalating US-Iran hostilities rattled energy markets. Brent crude briefly crossed USD 95 a barrel, while US benchmark WTI rose above USD 88 before both pared some of their gains.

-The Times of Israel

Iranian media reported that air defence systems shot down a drone over Tehran during overnight attacks after the Revolutionary Guard activated defences. Authorities did not identify the drone’s origin, target or location, while explosions were reported across Iran following fresh US strikes, Al Jazeera reported.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iran’s bid to control the Strait of Hormuz and impose tolls on passing ships could undermine global trade and freedom of navigation. He said allowing such actions would set a dangerous international precedent, encouraging similar disruptions in other strategic waterways worldwide.

-Al Jazeera

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday warned that Iran's demand to control and levy tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz could threaten the global economy and undermine the principle of freedom of navigation.

Speaking at the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, Rubio said allowing any country to control an international waterway and charge ships for passage would create a dangerous global precedent.

"If we create a precedent in the Middle East where a nation state can decide that they are going to control an international waterway, charge a toll and if you don't pay them, blow up your ships, we have created a very dangerous precedent which will repeat itself in other parts of the world, including in this region," Rubio said.

The meeting comes amid growing concerns among Southeast Asian nations over the escalating conflict in West Asia and its impact on global trade and regional stability. Rubio sought to reassure ASEAN members of Washington's commitment to the region, saying, "We're with ASEAN 100 per cent."

On the sidelines of the summit, Rubio met his counterparts from the Quad grouping — India, Australia and Japan. The four countries reaffirmed their commitment to maritime security and a free and open Indo-Pacific, while issuing a joint statement underscoring that peace and stability in the region are essential for its security and prosperity.

Rubio also held talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during which the two leaders discussed the Iran conflict, regional security and the proposed interim India-US trade agreement. According to the US State Department, both sides agreed on the importance of finalising the trade deal, which officials said is nearing completion.

Rubio is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit.

(Inputs from Associated Press)