A huge banner depicting symbolic images of Iran’s late and current supreme leaders, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is displayed on an avenue in Tehran, Iran, on July 16, 2026, amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States.
Nurfoto | Nurfoto | getty images
Iran claimed on Friday that it had targeted US military forces in Syria and Bahrain, increasing its attacks in the region as the US completed its sixth consecutive night of attacks on the Islamic republic.
The standoff is escalating as there are further signs of the fragile ceasefire signed by the US and Iran last month unraveling. The interim agreement was aimed at reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and stopping the fighting.
US Central Command Said Overnight it completed its latest major wave of attacks against Iran, hitting dozens of military targets, including air defenses, logistics infrastructure and maritime capabilities.
In a social media post, CENTCOM said there were more than 50,000 service members serving throughout the Middle East, adding that they “remain alert, lethal and ready.”
Iranian state media Said Eight people were killed and 20 injured in US air strikes overnight, Allegedly Alleged that the US strikes have hit civilian infrastructure including bridges, a railway station and an airport. CNBC could not independently confirm the report.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they attacked a US command center in Syria’s al-Tanf region, according to state media. There was no immediate comment from the US military or the Syrian government.
The US military said in February it had completed the withdrawal of troops from the strategic al-Tanf military base, which is located near the Syrian border with Iraq and Jordan.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa said at Chatham House that Syria has tried to avoid getting involved in regional hostilities events Said in March that the country would “remain out” of the conflict unless it was directly attacked.
Air raid sirens were activated overnight in Bahrain along with the country’s defense forces Saying It had stopped many air strikes by Iran. This alert comes after Iran claimed that it had targeted American planes at Sakhir airbase in Bahrain.
Elsewhere, Kuwait’s Defense Ministry said it was responding to Iranian missile and drone attacks. Both Jordan and Qatar said they had intercepted Iranian missiles.
Trump: ‘We are also winning big in Iran’
The US President had threatened to attack Iran’s bridges and power plants next week if it refused to return to the negotiating table.
US President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the East Room of the White House on July 16, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Saul Loeb AFP | getty images
Oil prices were higher on Friday morning, firmly on track to record bumper weekly gains.
International benchmark Brent crude futures for September delivery were trading 0.5% higher at $84.67 a barrel, paring gains earlier in the session.
We West Texas Intermediate Futures for August delivery were trading 0.9% higher at $79.66, having closed at their highest level since June 15 on Thursday.
Both oil contracts are up more than 11% so far this week and are on track for their best weekly performance since late April.