Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
- Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan come under attack from Iranian missiles and drones
- US strikes Iranian missile and coastal defense sites
- Explosions reported across Iran, including the north of the country for the first time
- Tehran warns US of regional retaliation if its infrastructure is attacked
- Escalation follows the collapse of a fragile truce
Follow DW’s coverage of the war between the US and Iran on Thursday, July 16.
Tired of missing our real-time updates? Click here to add us as a Preferred Source on Google. Then tap the “Star” or “Preferred” to keep DW News at the top of your feed.
Skip next section India orders shipping companies to not deploy sailors to Strait of Hormuz07/16/2026July 16, 2026
India orders shipping companies to not deploy sailors to Strait of Hormuz
India’s Directorate General of Shipping ordered shipowners and recruitment companies to not deploy Indian seafarers on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz amid renewed attacks on shipping.
The regulator said the risks to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz had increased “significantly.”
Over the past three days, two Indian seafarers have been killed in attacks on vessels in the region. At least seven Indian sailors have been killed and several others injured in and around the Strait of Hormuz since the escalation of the US-Iran conflict.
“In view of the heightened security situation in the Persian Gulf region … the Directorate considers it necessary to adopt enhanced precautionary measures to safeguard the interests of Indian seafarers serving on board ships operating in the region,” the order said.
With more than 300,000 sailors working across global shipping fleets, India is the world’s third-largest supplier of seafarers, according to government data.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
https://p.dw.com/p/5HC5dSkip next section Iran warns of regional retaliation if its infrastructure is attacked 07/16/2026July 16, 2026
Iran warns of regional retaliation if its infrastructure is attacked
Iran’s military on Thursday warned the US against carrying out strikes on Iranian infrastructure, saying “all infrastructure in the region” would be “crushed” in response, according to a statement from a spokesman for Iran’s military headquarters.
Spokesman Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaghari said Iran would not allow US “interference” in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a ”red line.”
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump said the US military would begin targeting bridges and power plants next week if Iran did not make a “deal.”
Trump had made similar threats to target Iranian civilian infrastructure in March.
At the height of the conflict before a ceasefire in April, Iran had targeted desalinization plants and energy infrastructure in Gulf states with drone and missile strikes in retaliation for US escalation.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
https://p.dw.com/p/5HBmASkip next section Jordan says it intercepted eight Iranian missiles07/16/2026July 16, 2026
Jordan says it intercepted eight Iranian missiles
Karl Sexton Editor
Jordan’s military says it shot down eight missiles launched by Iran that were heading toward the kingdom, state-run news agency Petra said.
According to Jordanian authorities, the missiles were intercepted before reaching their targets. No casualties or damage were immediately reported.
The incident comes after Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting several US allies in the region, including Bahrain and Kuwait. It also follows an intensification of US military strikes against Iranian targets over the past week.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HBNNSkip next section Iran says it targeted US facilities in Jordan07/16/2026July 16, 2026
Iran says it targeted US facilities in Jordan
Iran’s military says it has targeted US military facilities at the Azraq air base in Jordan.
According to Iranian state media, the attack was aimed at US military communications systems and fuel storage tanks at the base, which hosts American personnel and operations.
The claim comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran and follows a series of reported Iranian attacks on US-linked targets across the region.
There was no immediate comment from Jordanian authorities or US Central Command.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HBMoSkip next section Air defenses activated in Tehran as explosions reported across Iran07/16/2026July 16, 2026
Air defenses activated in Tehran as explosions reported across Iran
Air defense systems were activated in parts of the Iranian capital, Tehran, early on Thursday, while explosions were reported in several areas of the country.
According to Iranian state media, blasts were heard in the northern province of Semnan and in Lorestan province in western Iran.
The reports come amid ongoing US military strikes against Iranian targets and rising tensions across the region.
State news agency IRNA said no casualties had been reported in Tehran, while authorities were still assessing the situation in other affected areas.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HBMbSkip next section US completes new round of strikes on Iranian targets07/16/2026July 16, 2026
US completes new round of strikes on Iranian targets
The US military says it has completed its latest round of strikes against Iran, including attacks that reportedly hit parts of northern Iran for the first time.
US Central Command, or CENTCOM, said the operation targeted Iranian command centers, air defense systems, missile and drone sites, and coastal surveillance facilities. The strikes were aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM said precision munitions were used against targets in several locations, including the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, home to key Iranian naval and Revolutionary Guards facilities.
Earlier in the day, US forces also struck coastal defense and cruise missile sites on Greater Tunb Island in the Gulf.
The military said the operation was carried out at the direction of President Donald Trump.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HBMaSkip next section Bahrain, Kuwait issue alerts amid new security threats07/16/2026July 16, 2026
Bahrain, Kuwait issue alerts amid new security threats
Bahrain and Kuwaithave issued fresh security warnings as regional tensions continue to escalate.
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said air raid sirens had been activated and urged people to remain calm, seek shelter and follow official instructions.
Meanwhile, Kuwait’s military said its air defense systems were intercepting hostile drone attacks from Iran. The armed forces added that any explosions heard by residents were likely the result of air defense operations and urged the public to follow security guidance from authorities.
The alerts come after a series of US and Iranian strikes in recent days.
Iran has claimed attacks on targets in Bahrain, including facilities linked to the US military, while Jordan and Kuwait have also reported intercepting missiles or drones allegedly launched from Iran.
Both Bahrainand Kuwait host US military facilities and have been on heightened alert as the confrontation between Washington and Tehran continues to intensify.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HBIbSkip next section Trump says Iran released American detainee07/16/2026July 16, 2026
Trump says Iran released American detainee
US President Donald Trump says Iran has allowed an American citizen detained in the country since 2024 to leave.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the woman, whom he described as having been “wrongfully detained” during the previous Biden administration, is now safely outside Iran.
“She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition. The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran,” Trump wrote.
No further details about the individual’s identity or the circumstances of her release were immediately provided.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HBIaSkip next section Welcome to our coverage07/16/2026July 16, 2026
Welcome to our coverage
Sean Sinico Editor
Iranian state media has reported two explosions east of the southern port city of Bandar Abbas.
The reports come after the United States carried out fresh strikes on Iranian coastal defense systems and missile sites, following the reimposition of a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Iran has warned that it could disrupt more regional energy exports, describing the confrontation as an “existential war” with the United States.
Stay with us for the latest developments, analysis and reactions as this fast-moving story unfolds.
https://p.dw.com/p/5HBIZShow more posts
About The Author
