US–Iran war: latest events

Story so far

1. 24 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   US pulls diplomats from Saudi Arabia as Iran warns it will not back down

   On Saturday the US ordered diplomats and other federal employees to leave Saudi Arabia and began drawing down staff at other regional missions, with officials saying Iran is in advanced stages of planning attacks on Americans. A US intelligence memo reportedly makes the same warning. Iranian officials say Iran will not let US warships approach, while Trump is reported to be weighing new attacks. On Thursday Iran said seven tankers were struck in the Strait of Hormuz, and Brent crude hit $112 a barrel.

   Iran says it won't let US warships approach as Trump weighs new… · US intelligence memo warns Iranian plots against Americans in Middle… · Analysts warn US and Israel preparing third round of direct conflict…

2. 23 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   Trump hints at new strikes on Iran as ministers in Istanbul urge diplomacy

   On Friday, European and Middle East ministers meeting in Istanbul urged diplomacy between the US and Iran, with France's foreign minister warning that further escalation would "create nothing but losers". Trump indicated new strikes on Iran may come, saying the US has knocked the "hell out" of the country. Reports say US military reinforcements are heading to the Middle East. Satellite images show an oil spill from a tanker strike spreading along the UAE coast.

   Trump hints at new strikes on Iran, says US knocked 'hell out' of… · European and Middle East ministers urge US-Iran diplomacy, warn… · Oil spill from tanker strike washes up on UAE beaches

3. 22 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   Iran says seven tankers hit in Hormuz as oil reaches $112 and Saudis intercept drones

   On Thursday Iran said seven oil tankers were set on fire or damaged in the Strait of Hormuz overnight. Iran's IRGC says it hit four vessels in the northern Gulf and three more struck mines. Saudi Arabia intercepted drones in its airspace, and Brent crude rose 3% to $112 a barrel, the highest since 18 May. NPR reported that the US and Israel are preparing plans for a possible attack on Iran after the US midterm elections, and Iran said it is prepared.

   Iran says seven ships struck in Strait of Hormuz; Saudis intercept… · Oil hits five-month high of $112 as Gulf attacks threaten supply · US and Israel reportedly planning possible attack on Iran in early…

4. 21 Oct 2026 ■ Steady

   Enriched uranium resurfaces as sticking point in US-Iran talks as Hormuz attacks go on

   On Wednesday, Iran's enriched uranium re-emerged as a major point of contention in the diplomatic push to end the war. US Secretary of State Rubio told US media that a peace deal is extremely difficult while attacks in the Strait of Hormuz continue. On Tuesday, Pakistan's army chief visited Tehran as Islamabad tries to revive US-Iran talks, and Netanyahu said he discussed eliminating Iran's regime with Trump.

   Iran's enriched uranium re-emerges as point of contention in US talks · Iranians on the Strait of Hormuz live under US-Israeli airstrikes… · Rubio says peace deal with Iran is extremely difficult as Hormuz…

5. 20 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   UK police rearrest two over alleged Iran-backed plot against air base used by US bombers

   On Tuesday, UK counterterrorism police said two men rearrested over a threat to an English air base used by US bombers were working on behalf of Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said he discussed 'eliminating' Iran's regime with President Trump, while Pakistan's army chief visited Tehran as Islamabad tries to revive US-Iran talks. Iran denies its collapse is near, and says it wants the US blockade lifted and to negotiate on its own terms. Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz remains under attack.

   UK police rearrest two over alleged Iran-backed terror plot against… · Netanyahu says he discussed 'eliminating' Iran's regime with Trump · Pakistan army chief in Tehran as Islamabad tries to revive US-Iran…

6. 19 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   Iran reported to have hit at least 15 container ships in Hormuz over 10 days

   Ships in the Strait of Hormuz have been struck by drones and mines over the past 10 days, and on Sunday a ship was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired from a small boat 120km north-east of Jubail, Saudi Arabia. On Monday Russia's Lavrov was set to visit Tehran, while Gulf Cooperation Council states pressed Moscow to help halt Iranian attacks and reopen the strait. Qatar's deputy PM warned that global energy shockwaves from the war have yet to peak. The US and Iran each claim control of the waterway.

   Iran attacks at least 15 container ships in Strait of Hormuz over 10… · Russia's Lavrov to visit Tehran as GCC presses Moscow over Hormuz · Qatar warns global energy shockwaves from Iran war have yet to peak

7. 18 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   Iran names new defence minister as US and Iran both claim control of Hormuz

   On Sunday, Al Jazeera profiled Mehrdad Akhlaghi, Iran's new defence minister, whose experience centres on ballistic missiles, aerospace technology and defence-industrial production. On Saturday, two vessels were reported struck by naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz this week, while the US and Iran each claim control of the waterway. Trump says the US Navy blockade has stopped all Iranian ships from crossing the strait. Diplomatic efforts to end the war, which began with US-Israeli strikes in February, have been at an impasse since the summer.

   Iran names Mehrdad Akhlaghi, a missile and aerospace specialist, as…

8. 17 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   US and Iran both claim control of Hormuz as two vessels hit by mines

   Two vessels have been struck by naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz this week, while the US and Iran each claim control of the waterway. On Saturday, Trump said the US Navy blockade has stopped all Iranian ships from crossing the strait. BBC Verify analysis found 12 vessels were struck near Hormuz in a week, a record high. Diplomatic efforts to end the war, which began with US-Israeli strikes in February, have been at an impasse since the summer.

   US and Iran both claim control of Strait of Hormuz as two vessels… · Trump claims US Navy blockade has stopped Iranian ships in Strait of…

9. 16 Oct 2026 ▲ Escalating

   Ship attacks near Hormuz hit a record as US reportedly weighs 'Mother of All Bombs'

   BBC Verify analysis of data from a UK maritime agency shows 12 vessels were struck in a week near the Strait of Hormuz, a record, while oil exports have slowed. CNN reported the US is weighing use of its largest non-nuclear bomb against Iran if Trump decides to renew combat. Trump ruled out a nuclear weapon but did not deny the US could use the 'mother of all bombs'. Diplomatic efforts to end the war, which began with US-Israeli strikes in February, have been at an impasse since the summer.

   Ship attack reports near Hormuz hit record high as oil exports slow · Trump rules out using a nuclear bomb on Iran but not the 'mother of… · US reportedly considering 'Mother of All Bombs' against Iran if…

Written by Claude from the reports on this page and on the map. Check the linked sources for full details.