Live

Iran live updates: US hits Iran with another wave of attacks, CENTCOM says

The U.S. and Iran have returned to exchanging intense strikes.

Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 3:15 PM EDT

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.

Delegations from the U.S. and Iran entered negotiations in June aimed at a war-ending deal based on a memorandum of understanding signed by both countries.

The U.S. and Iran have nonetheless continued to exchange relatively limited strikes despite the signing of the memorandum and amid the continuation of peace talks, with the strategic Strait of Hormuz the primary flashpoint.

Jul 15, 2026, 8:13 PM EDT

Iran has released 'wrongfully detained' US citizen, Trump says

President Donald Trump said in a social media post on Wednesday that Iran has released a wrongfully detained American citizen – and added that the U.S. "appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!"

Trump said the woman was wrongfully detained in December 2024 but has now been allowed to leave the country.

Trump added that, "She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition."

In a statement, the woman's lawyer identified her as Dena Karari, a U.S.-Iranian citizen who the lawyer said "has been trapped in Iran on bogus charges of collaboration with a hostile state and espionage."

The lawyer's statement added: "While subject to a coercive exit ban, she was interrogated dozens of times by Iran's notorious Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) and although never physically detained, she suffered enormous physical and psychological hardship."

The lawyer said Karari ran a U.S. nonprofit called the Children of Mehr Foundation.

Trump's announcement came as the U.S. and Iran have continued strikes.

"The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran," Trump added in the post.

Jul 15, 2026, 6:45 PM EDT

US aircraft fired at oil tanker that attempted to violate blockade: CENTCOM

A U.S. aircraft fired at an oil tanker that "attempted to violate the U.S. blockade" on Iranian ports, U.S. Central Command said in a statement on Wednesday.

CENTCOM said the Curacao-flagged tanker M/T Belma was traveling in international waters toward Kharg Island when it ignored multiple warnings.

"A U.S. aircraft disabled the vessel after firing hellfire missiles into the ship’s smokestack. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran," CENTCOM said.

The U.S. resumed its naval blockade on vessels traveling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas on Tuesday.

"During the first 24 hours of enforcement, CENTCOM has redirected two compliant commercial vessels and disabled one non-compliant vessel," the statement said.

Jul 15, 2026, 6:13 PM EDT

Trump held Situation Room meeting on Tuesday to discuss options in Iran: Sources

President Donald Trump met with top officials in the Situation Room on Tuesday evening to discuss options for expanding military action against Iran, including possible targets that could be hit in the coming days, multiple sources told ABC News.

The White House declined to comment.

-ABC News' Rachel Scott and Shannon Kingston

Jul 15, 2026, 4:19 PM EDT

Trump says US might have to wipe out IRGC, claims Iran called US because they 'want to meet'

President Donald Trump said the U.S. might have to wipe out Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, saying it cannot be negotiated with. He claimed Iran called the U.S. on Wednesday asking to meet.

When asked whether he believes that he might have to take out the IRGC because he's concluded he cannot negotiate with them, Trump told Fox Business, "yeah," but added he has to "see what's happening."

Related Topics

Sponsored Content by Taboola