Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
- Trump says the US held talks with Iran on Tuesday and urged Tehran to make a deal
- Trump warns strikes will intensify unless negotiations make progress
- US reimposed its naval blockade on Iranian ports amid continuing strikes
- US military accused Iran of attacking commercial ships
Follow DW’s coverage of the war between the US and Iran on Wednesday, July 15.
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Skip next section US military accuses Iran of attacking commercial ships07/15/2026July 15, 2026
US military accuses Iran of attacking commercial ships
The head of US Central Command said Iran deliberately targeted commercial shipping in the Gulf over the past week.
In a statement, Admiral Brad Cooper said Iranian forces attacked seven commercial vessels in the last seven days, leaving “nearly a dozen” civilian crew members dead, injured or missing.
Cooper also accused Iran of launching dozens of missiles and drones toward neighboring Gulf countries, as tensions continue to escalate across the region.
https://p.dw.com/p/5H79OSkip next section Trump warns Iran to make a deal or face more strikes07/15/2026July 15, 2026
Trump warns Iran to make a deal or face more strikes
US President Donald Trump said Washington held talks with Tehran on Tuesday and urged Iran to negotiate an end to the conflict.
In an interview with Fox News, Trump warned that US military action would intensify if no agreement is reached. He said Iran could face attacks on key infrastructure, including power plants and bridges.
“Next week it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges,” Trump said.
He added: “We’re going to knock out all their power plants. We’re going to knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate.”
When asked how long the US strikes would carry on, Trump said “they’ll continue until I say it’s enough.”
The remarks come as US forces continue military operations against Iran and Washington enforces a renewed naval blockade on Iranian ports.
https://p.dw.com/p/5H78WSkip next section US strikes Iran as conflict spreads across region07/15/2026July 15, 2026
US strikes Iran as conflict spreads across region
The United States has launched a fourth consecutive day of strikes against Iran, with the US military saying the latest attacks are aimed at reducing Tehran’sability to target commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest operation comes as a renewed US naval blockade of Iranian ports has officially taken effect. US Central Command says vessels are now barred from travelling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas.
CENTCOM added that more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft are currently operating across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the conflict appears to be spreading beyond Iran. Iranian forces launched a drone attack on a military base in Jordan that hosts US aircraft, according to reports. Jordan’s military said it had already intercepted four Iranian missiles on Tuesday.
In Kuwait, explosions were heard in the capital overnight, while the country’s armed forces said they were intercepting what they described as hostile projectiles.
https://p.dw.com/p/5H78VSkip next section Iran says US blockade has voided truce dealPublished 07/15/2026Published July 15, 2026last updated 07/15/2026last updated July 15, 2026
Iran says US blockade has voided truce deal
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Tuesday that the US naval blockade has effectively ended the Pakistan-brokered agreement between the two countries.
Speaking to state television, Gharibabadi said the move by US President Donald Trump had, in his words, “dismantled the Islamabad memorandum.“ He added that Iran no longer considers itself bound by commitments under the agreement.
The deputy foreign minister also described the Strait of Hormuz as a matter of national security and said Tehran would defend its sovereignty over the strategic waterway.
https://p.dw.com/p/5H78TSkip next section US reimposes naval blockade on Iran07/15/2026July 15, 2026
US reimposes naval blockade on Iran
The United States has begun enforcing a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
It is the second such blockade imposed by Washington this year. The first was introduced in April amid growing tensions with Tehran and was lifted in June, a day after the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict.
Before reinstating the blockade, President Donald Trump had proposed charging ships a 20% fee for passing through the Strait of Hormuz under US military protection. He later dropped the idea following requests from Gulf allies.
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https://p.dw.com/p/5H78USkip next section Welcome to our coverage07/15/2026July 15, 2026
Welcome to our coverage
Ramisha Ali | Dmytro Hubenko Editor
The United States has reimposed its naval blockade on Iran as tensions between the two countries continue to rise.
US President Donald Trump warned that US strikes will intensify next week if negotiations fail to produce results.
The latest developments come as concerns grow that the collapse of a temporary ceasefire arrangement could lead to a wider conflict in the region.
Stay with us for the latest updates, analysis and reactions as this fast-moving story unfolds.
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