US Strikes Iran for Third Night as IRGC Targets Jordan Base and Houthis Hit Saudi Airport (Jul 14, 0550 UTC, 0850 Israel) (Morning Edition)

US Strikes for Third Night

The US military launched a third consecutive night of strikes on Iran, CENTCOM confirmed, targeting coastal defense, missile, drone sites, and maritime capabilities across six Iranian ports Times of Israel. The strikes began at 16:45 EDT (20:45 UTC) on July 13, hours before a reinstated US naval blockade of Iranian ports takes effect Al Jazeera. President Trump said the campaign would last 2–3 weeks and threatened to strike Iran’s ‘Pickaxe Mountain’ nuclear facility near Natanz, calling it ‘a possible target for a nice big fat shot’ Times of Israel Ynetnews.

IRGC Claims Attack on US Base in Jordan

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it targeted a US air base in Jordan with ballistic missiles, according to IRGC Statement No. 9 Al-Manar TV. The claim was reported by multiple outlets, though no independent confirmation of damage or casualties was immediately available Times of Israel Middle East Eye Ynetnews. Air raid sirens were activated in Bahrain, where the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet is based, amid the Iranian attacks Al Jazeera.

Tanker Attacks and Hormuz Standoff

Iran struck two UAE tankers with cruise missiles in the southern Strait of Hormuz, killing one Indian crew member and wounding eight, according to UAE officials Associated Press BBC News. The UAE condemned the ‘brazen’ attack BBC News. The IRGC claimed it ‘disabled’ two vessels TLDR Iran SITREP. Brent crude rose 2.14% overnight to $85.11, a one-month high, as tanker transits remained at 28% of pre-war levels TLDR Iran SITREP Al Jazeera.

Rhetoric and Diplomacy

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared Iran the ‘eternal guardian’ of the Strait of Hormuz and said the US 20% toll was ‘too much’ IRNA. He also said US actions jeopardize regional peace IRNA. President Trump demanded Gulf states reimburse the US for ‘protection’ Al Jazeera. Iran’s President Pezeshkian told a visiting Russian energy minister that Iran is ready to remove obstacles to implementing agreements with Russia IRNA.

Other Developments

The IRGC claimed its air defense shot down two American ‘Lucas’ drones over Bandar Abbas and Lar in southern Iran Al-Manar TV. Iran condemned the Saudi strike on Sanaa airport as a breach of international law IRNA.

Israeli Gunfire in South Lebanon

Israeli gunfire swept the town of Majdal Zoun in southern Lebanon, according to Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV Al-Manar TV. No further details were immediately available.

Israeli Security Cabinet to Convene

Israeli Channel 12 reported that the Security Cabinet will convene on July 14 at 20:00 local time, according to Al-Manar Al-Manar TV. The agenda was not specified.

EU Gaza Aid Package

The European Union announced a billion-dollar aid package for Gaza to fund ‘early recovery’ projects, according to Haaretz Haaretz. No further details were provided.

US Campaign Against ICC

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio launched a campaign to dismantle the International Criminal Court under the slogan ‘Sovereign states over globalism,’ Haaretz reported Haaretz.

Hoax Hate Crime at US University

A graduate student at San Jose State University, Ziheng Fang, was charged with staging a hoax involving ‘kill Jews’ and pro-Trump graffiti, swastikas, and threats that caused chaos on campus. Fang identified as a ‘social justice activist’ Times of Israel.

Hungary’s President Ousted

Hungary’s parliament voted to oust President Tamás Sulyok, appointed under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, in the latest anti-Orbán move Al Jazeera.

UK Counterterror Probe into Ex-MP Murder

British counterterror police took over the investigation into the suspected murder of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe. A suspect was re-arrested; police believe she was attacked about 24 hours before her body was found Times of Israel.

Mexico Seeks US Charges Over ICE Deaths

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum announced a formal request for US prosecutors to file criminal charges over the deaths of Mexican citizens in immigration operations Al Jazeera.

Brazil Bars Bolsonaro’s Son from Visiting

Brazil’s top court barred former President Jair Bolsonaro’s son from visiting his father under house arrest for 90 days over a social media post Al Jazeera.

US-Mexico-Canada Trade Talks Stalled

A US trade expert said trilateral talks are needed to get a cross-border trade deal signed, with ‘Beijing laughing’ at the impasse Al Jazeera.

ICE Officer Kills Motorist in Maine

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot a motorist in Maine, the second fatality involving ICE in a week Al Jazeera.

India Blocks Film on Punjab Insurgency

India is blocking a film based on the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who counted killings during the Punjab insurgency Al Jazeera.

Indonesia Jails Gojek Founder

Indonesia jailed Gojek founder Nadiem Makarim for allegedly abusing authority to favor Google in a laptop procurement deal, raising investor confidence fears Al Jazeera.

Houthis Strike Saudi Abha Airport

Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport, saying it was retaliation for a strike on Sanaa International Airport that they blamed on Saudi Arabia Associated Press Al Jazeera Times of Israel. The Houthis warned airlines to avoid Saudi airspace Al Jazeera. The Yemeni government said it carried out the Sanaa strike, while the Houthis blamed Riyadh Al Jazeera. Massive rallies in Yemen condemned the Sanaa airport attack IRNA.

US Public Opinion on Iran War

A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 79% of Americans expect US military involvement in Iran to continue for an extended period, up 14 points since March Al Jazeera.