A huge banner depicting the iconic statues of Iran’s late and current Supreme Leaders Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Mojtaba Khamenei is hung on a main street in Tehran, Iran, on July 16, 2026, as tensions continue between Iran and the United States.
Null Photo | Null Photo | Getty Images
Iran claimed on Friday that the United States has expanded its attacks in the region, targeting U.S. forces in Syria and Bahrain as it completes a sixth straight night of offensives against the Islamic Republic.
The escalation in hostilities comes as the fragile cease-fire agreement signed last month between the United States and Iran shows further signs of thawing. The interim agreement was aimed at reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and halting fighting.
Overnight, U.S. Central Command announced it had completed its latest major offensive against Iran, striking dozens of military targets, including air defenses, logistics infrastructure, and maritime capabilities.
Centcom said in a social media post that more than 50,000 military personnel are active across the Middle East, adding that they “remain vigilant, risk-taking and prepared.”
Iranian state media said eight people were killed and 20 injured in an overnight U.S. airstrike, and that U.S. airstrikes destroyed civilian infrastructure including bridges, train stations and airports. CNBC could not independently verify this report.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps announced an attack on a US military headquarters in Syria’s al-Tanf region, according to state media. There was no immediate comment from the U.S. military or the Syrian government.
In February, the U.S. military announced it had completed the withdrawal of troops from the strategic al-Tanf military base near the Syrian border with Iraq and Jordan.
Syria is trying to avoid becoming drawn into regional hostilities, with President Ahmed al-Sharaa saying at a Chatham House event in March that it would “remain on the outside” of the conflict unless it comes under direct attack.
Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain at night, and the country’s defense forces announced they had intercepted multiple air attacks from Iran. The alert followed Iranian claims that it targeted US military aircraft at Sakhir Air Base in Bahrain.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense also said it was responding to Iranian missile and drone attacks. Jordan and Qatar both announced they had intercepted Iranian missiles.
President Trump: “We have a big victory in Iran as well”
US President Donald Trump insisted the war with Iran is on track, saying in a prime-time address to the American people on Thursday: “We have won big victories in Iran as well, and we will soon see the fruits of our efforts.”
The US president had threatened to attack Iranian bridges and power plants next week if Iran refused to return to the negotiating table.
U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the nation in the East Room of the White House on July 16, 2026 in Washington, DC.
Saul Loeb | AFP | Getty Images
Oil prices rose Friday morning, firmly on track to post a big weekly gain.
International benchmark Brent crude oil futures for September delivery rose 0.5% to trade at $84.67 per barrel, matching gains from early trading.
us west texas intermediate Futures for August delivery rose 0.9% to trade at $79.66, settling at their highest since June 15 on Thursday.
Both oil contracts have risen more than 11% so far this week and are on track to post their best weekly performance since late April.
