A major fire reportedly broke out at an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force facility in Iran’s Bushehr province following recent US airstrikes. The claim emerged from social media videos and open-source intelligence, though the authenticity of the footage has not been independently verified. Iranian authorities have not released any official information on possible damage or casualties.

Earlier, the US Central Command announced that it had carried out strikes on more than 80 targets across Iran, saying the operation aimed to weaken Iran’s military capabilities and counter threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The attacks were described as a response to recent Iranian actions against maritime traffic in the region.

Iranian state-linked media confirmed reports of explosions in Bushehr and nearby areas but did not specify which facilities were hit or provide casualty figures. Speculation has arisen that missile depots, drone infrastructure, or command sites may have been affected, though neither Washington nor Tehran has released detailed assessments.

France is considering Syria as an alternative route for transporting oil from the Gulf region, according to Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. In an interview with French television network TF1 on July 9, 2026, Barrot said that following recent retaliatory attacks between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring reliable global energy supply requires developing diversified energy corridors and backup routes.

Barrot emphasized that France has been working to prepare alternative routes to avoid dependence on any single corridor that could be blocked or disrupted. His remarks come shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Syria, where he discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation with Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara’s government.

The consideration of Syria as a potential energy route reflects France’s broader strategy to secure energy supply chains amid rising geopolitical instability in the Gulf region.

At least 28 people were killed in a massive fire at a shoe factory in Jinjiang city, Fujian province, southeastern China. The blaze broke out around noon local time on Thursday at the Huiteng Footwear factory, according to the state news agency Xinhua. About 500 rescue workers were deployed to the site, and footage released by Xinhua showed thick black smoke and flames rising from the building, with several people trapped on the roof.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said the fire caused a significant number of casualties, and authorities fear the death toll could rise further. Jinjiang is known as China’s “shoe capital” and is one of the country’s largest footwear manufacturing hubs.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, and rescue operations are continuing as officials warn that the number of victims may increase.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has claimed that American forces carried out strikes on more than 170 Iranian military targets near Iran’s coastal areas close to the Strait of Hormuz over the past two days. According to a report by The New York Times citing CENTCOM, the targets included Iran’s air defense systems, drone and missile storage facilities, military speedboats, and logistical infrastructure. The report was also referenced by Al Jazeera.

CENTCOM stated that the purpose of these operations was to weaken Iran’s ability to attack commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The New York Times further reported that the number of strikes conducted in the last two days was nearly 14 times higher than those carried out during the escalation between the United States and Iran in June.

The report did not mention any Iranian response or independent verification of the claimed strikes.

At least 6,000 sailors have been stranded in the strategically vital Hormuz Strait amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States. The information was confirmed by Arsenio Dominguez, head of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), in an interview with NBC News. He warned that reckless attacks in the area have once again placed innocent sailors’ lives at extreme risk, emphasizing that no seafarer should have to risk their life merely to fulfill professional duties.

Dominguez added that behind these numbers are ordinary sailors and their families, who are paying a heavy humanitarian price for the ongoing conflict. The situation has raised serious concerns about the safety of commercial vessels operating in the region.

According to the report, the conflict’s impact is directly affecting thousands of workers involved in global maritime trade, as the security of shipping routes through the Hormuz Strait remains uncertain.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strongly condemned Iran’s recent attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, expressing full solidarity with the two Gulf nations. In a statement issued by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 9, 2026, the UAE described the assaults as hostile acts that clearly violate the sovereignty of both Bahrain and Kuwait and threaten their security and stability.

According to the statement cited by Al Jazeera, the UAE reaffirmed its commitment to stand by Gulf countries in protecting their sovereignty and security. The condemnation underscores the UAE’s position against actions that destabilize the Gulf region and its emphasis on collective regional security.

The statement reflects growing concern among Gulf states over regional tensions and reiterates the UAE’s call for respect of national sovereignty and stability within the Gulf Cooperation Council area.

At least eight Palestinians were killed and 17 others injured in fresh Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip within the past 24 hours, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The ministry reported that intense bombardment has made it difficult for rescue and civil defense teams to reach those trapped under rubble or lying on the streets, raising fears that the death toll could rise further.

The report stated that since the ceasefire agreement brokered by international mediators in October last year, Israeli forces have repeatedly violated the truce. Since then, at least 1,092 Palestinians have been killed and 3,507 injured in Israeli military operations. Despite the ceasefire, drone and missile strikes have continued in various parts of Gaza, deepening humanitarian distress and anger among local residents.

The ongoing attacks have heightened concerns over worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza as rescue efforts remain severely hampered by continuous bombardment.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, informed parliament that twelve Bangladeshi nationals have died so far in the ongoing Middle East war centered on Iran. The casualties include five in Lebanon, three in Saudi Arabia, two in the United Arab Emirates, and one each in Iraq and Bahrain. He shared the information during a parliamentary session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram.

The minister said that under the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board’s funding, a total of 186 people, including 12 women and eight children, have been brought back from Iran amid the conflict. He added that one of the deceased was buried abroad, while nine bodies have already been repatriated to Bangladesh. Families of the deceased received financial support of 35,000 taka for burial expenses and an additional 50,000 taka as special assistance.

Chowdhury also announced logistical improvements at airports, including new freezing ambulances in Dhaka, Sylhet, and Chattogram, additional trolleys at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, and wheelchairs for injured or ill workers. Plans are underway to establish a migrant lounge and medical corner at Sylhet Osmani International Airport.

Iran’s state-run Fars News Agency has reported that a US airstrike struck the Ak Takeh Khan railway bridge in Golestan province, northern Iran. The bridge is part of a vital rail corridor linking Tehran with China, Iran’s largest trading partner. The incident reportedly disrupted a route that had been used to transport goods to Russia during periods when US sanctions complicated access to Iranian seaports.

According to the report, Iranian authorities plan to complete repairs on the damaged bridge quickly. The railway line crossing the bridge connects Iran with Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan before reaching China, making it strategically important for regional trade and freight movement.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as a source, underscores the bridge’s significance for Iran’s overland trade network and its role in maintaining economic links amid geopolitical tensions.

Iran has claimed that its Bushehr nuclear power plant in the southern part of the country remains undamaged following recent United States attacks. According to reports citing Iranian officials, explosions were heard in the Bushehr area, and debris from missiles was rumored to have fallen on the facility. However, Tehran dismissed these reports, asserting that the nuclear site suffered no damage.

The Bushehr nuclear power plant, built nearly two decades ago with Russian assistance, was not among the targets of the latest US-Israeli strikes. Those attacks primarily focused on Iran’s Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan nuclear facilities, carried out by US B-2 bombers. Russian technical experts were reportedly present at the Bushehr site during the conflict.

Tehran reiterated that the Bushehr facility remains fully secure and operational, emphasizing that no harm occurred despite the regional hostilities.

Amnesty International has called for an investigation into Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon as possible war crimes. In a statement released on Thursday, the human rights organization said that during fighting with Hezbollah, Israel carried out air raids that wiped out entire families. Amnesty reviewed three Israeli attacks on civilian homes between March 6 and 13, which killed 24 people, including 12 children.

The organization stated that these incidents should be investigated as war crimes, emphasizing that the strikes destroyed entire families. Amnesty also reported that when it asked the Israeli military about the purpose or targets of the three attacks, no specific information was provided.

The statement, citing Al Jazeera as a source, underscores growing concern over civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel will not withdraw its troops from Lebanon, rejecting earlier remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had expressed belief that Israel would pull back. In a statement, Katz asserted that Israel did not seek anyone’s permission to enter Lebanon and does not need permission to remain there.

Katz emphasized that protecting residents of Galilee and Israeli citizens from threats is both a right and a duty. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials have reiterated that Israeli forces will stay in Lebanon until Hezbollah is completely disarmed. Katz added that Israel will continue operating in Lebanon’s security zone as long as necessary to eliminate threats to northern communities.

The comments, reported by Al Jazeera, underscore Israel’s firm stance on maintaining its military presence in Lebanon amid ongoing tensions with Hezbollah.

Iran’s military announced that it carried out drone strikes on US military installations located in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. According to the statement, the attacks targeted a Patriot missile system in Kuwait, a satellite-based early warning antenna in Qatar, and a US fuel storage facility in Bahrain. The Iranian military said the strikes were conducted in retaliation for recent US attacks on Iranian territory.

The statement added that the operation was part of a continuing series of Iranian assaults on US bases across the Middle East. Earlier, several Gulf countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, had reported incidents or issued security alerts following the attacks.

In response, the US military confirmed that it launched strikes on 90 targets inside Iran, claiming the action was a countermeasure to Iranian assaults on commercial ships and civilian sailors in the Strait of Hormuz.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres met with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Nakvi, where he praised Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to promote peace. The meeting took place as part of discussions on regional and international issues, according to the report.

During the meeting, both sides discussed Pakistan’s mediation efforts in facilitating a potential agreement between the United States and Iran. The talks also highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding role in supporting regional and global peace initiatives.

Guterres recognized Pakistan’s continued contributions and mediation efforts in addressing regional challenges, reaffirming the UN’s appreciation for the country’s role in peacebuilding.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly come to a standstill following US attacks on Iran, according to Bloomberg citing ship tracking data. Only a US-sanctioned supertanker and an Iranian-flagged container ship were seen leaving the Gulf. On Wednesday, about 14 cargo vessels crossed the strait in both directions, the lowest number since the signing of a US-Iran memorandum of understanding on June 16. In the three weeks since the interim deal, an average of 34 ships had been passing daily.

Iran’s health ministry reported that at least 14 people were killed and 78 injured in US strikes over the past two days. The US Central Command said it carried out attacks on more than 90 targets across Iran. Iranian media reported explosions and strikes in southern coastal cities and in the northern Golestan province along the Caspian Sea.

The disruption in maritime movement through the vital oil transit route underscores the escalating tensions between the two countries and could have immediate implications for regional trade and energy supply routes.