US President Donald Trump says he will not charge a 20 per cent toll on traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, just hours before the US Navy’s blockade is set to resume.
The US has continued to strike Iran, and the Kuwait Army has said one of its naval vessels was targeted by an attack that injured four personnel.
Follow our live blog below for updates.
Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 5:50am
US strikes Bandar Abbas ahead of naval blockade deadline
Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, is reporting three large explosions in Bandar Abbas, a port city bordering the Strait of Hormuz that has come under heavy attack from the United States over the past few days.
Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 5:48am
Strait of Hormuz part of Iran’s national security, says deputy foreign minister
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi says the Strait of Hormuz is part of Iran’s national security, and it will exercise its sovereignty over it, whatever that costs, in an interview on State TV.
The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman.
Reporting with Reuters
Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 5:42am
Four injured in Iranian attack on Kuwaiti Navy vessel, says Kuwait’s military
A Kuwaiti Navy vessel was targeted in an Iranian attack, injuring four armed forces personnel, Kuwait’s army has said in a statement.
The injured personnel received medical treatment and were in stable condition, the statement added.
Kuwait’s armed forces had detected and intercepted one ballistic missile, five cruise missiles and 33 drones in recent attacks, which targeted several vital and civilian facilities, with debris falling causing material damage.
Kuwait hosts US bases and has come under fire from Iran in recent days, and earlier in the week, the Gulf State claimed Iranian attacks had hit border posts and an offshore drilling platform.
Reporting with Reuters
Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 5:37am
US Central Command launches new strikes on Iran
US Central Command has announced an additional round of strikes against Iran this morning.
“To continue degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” it said on X.
“The strikes are taking place as American forces prepare to resume the naval blockade against Iranian ports and coastal areas.”
The US blockade of Iran is set to begin from 6am AEST.
Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 5:32am
Trump drops 20 per cent toll on Strait of Hormuz traffic
In a complete reversal from yesterday, US President Donald Trump has “decided to replace the 20 per cent United States Reimbursement fee”.
Mr Trump said the US would instead accept trade and investment deals with the Gulf States.
“Those Investments will be MASSIVE but, at the same time, extraordinarily good for them and their future,” he said.
He said the Strait of Hormuz was open to all traffic except for Iran, and the US blockade will only affect “ships coming to and from Iranian ports, or carrying anything to do with Iranian cargo”.
Wed 15 Jul 2026 at 5:26am
Welcome to our live coverage
Good morning. We’re live blogging the conflict in the Middle East once again as the US blockade on Iran is set to take effect from 6am.
Stay with us as we keep you updated.
