US launches new airstrikes on Iran; IRGC retaliates with ballistic missiles on US base in Jordan

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance says some members of the Israeli government tried to influence U.S. public opinion to oppose a deal by the U.S. to end the war with Iran

Updated - July 17, 2026 05:07 am IST

By The Hindu Bureau

On Thursday (July 16, 2026), Tehran warned it would target infrastructure across the region if U.S. President Donald Trump followed through on a threat to attack power plants and bridges in Iran.

That followed a fresh exchange of strikes between the two countries.

Also read: [Iran threatens to block more vital seaways as Trump orders renewed Iran blockade]

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they struck a U.S. airbase in Jordan with ballistic missiles in response to what they described as an American attack near a children's cancer hospital in the Islamic Republic.

Also read: [What is Greater Tunb Island, the strategic point in the Strait of Hormuz targeted by U.S. airstrikes?]

Rekindled fighting between the longtime foes comes a month after the signing of a preliminary deal that aimed to end the conflict, which broke out in late February with massive U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

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July 17, 2026 04:37 — U.S. forces board ship to ensure 'compliance' with Iran blockade

American forces boarded a ship in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday as part of the renewed blockade of Iran's ports that began earlier this week, the U.S. military said. U.S. Marines boarded the M/T Wen Yao "to ensure full compliance with the ongoing US naval blockade," U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a post on X. The previous day, a U.S. aircraft fired on and disabled an unladen oil tanker that tried to break the blockade. — AFP

July 17, 2026 04:14 — IEA chief says world should be worried about energy security if Strait of Hormuz situation does not improve in next weeks

The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, said on Thursday that if the U.S. and Iran do not come together to improve flows of oil through the Strait of Hormuz soon, the world should be worried about energy security. "Oil security is still a critical issue," Birol told a Council on Foreign Relations event. "We should be worried, and I am worried if the situation does not improve in the next few weeks." — Reuters

July 17, 2026 03:42 — U.S. strikes in Iran hit airport, bridges and railway station

Deadly U.S. strikes overnight hit an airport, a railway station in the port city of Bandar Abbas, and two bridges in southern Iran near the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media said Friday. "Three explosions were heard around the airport and at least one American enemy projectile hit Iranshahr airport," in the southeast, state television IRIB said on Telegram. "A few minutes ago, the Bandar Abbas Railway Junction Station was targeted by the American enemy. According to this report, two Iranians were injured in the attack," Mehr said on Telegram. — AFP

July 17, 2026 02:35 — Vance says some in Israeli government sought to sway US on Iran deal

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance said some members of the Israeli government had tried to influence U.S. public opinion to oppose a deal by the U.S. to end the war with Iran, in a podcast episode with host Joe Rogan posted on Wednesday. The comments echoed earlier criticism of Israeli government policy by Vance, whom many view as a potential future presidential candidate, in a widening public rift between the two countries.

Vance defended a deal reached last month to end the war with Iran, which critics in the U.S. and Israel have slammed for failing to curb Iran's missile program and providing no clear path to dismantling its nuclear facilities, while constraining Israel in its war with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

"I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there have been people within the Israeli government who are trying to, like, actually shift us away from that policy because they want to continue the military campaign," Vance said.

The vice president said that, while he has "good relationships" with some members of the Israeli government, "there are some people within their system that we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that are manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely." — Reuters

July 17, 2026 01:41 — What is Greater Tunb Island, the strategic point in the Strait of Hormuz targeted by U.S. airstrikes?

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