This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.
Catch up Monday's top development's here
- US military launches third night of strikes on Iran
- Oil prices jump almost 9 percent
- Four blasts heard east of Iran's Bandar Abbas: state media
- Trump says US will be 'paid' for guarding Strait of Hormuz
- EU countries push for trade ban with Israeli settlements
Brazil's Lula calls US plan for Hormuz fee 'piracy'
Published: July 14, 2026 | 01:07 GMT | by AFP
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Monday that plans by President Donald Trump to impose hefty fees on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz would turn the United States into a "pirate" state.
Trump vowed earlier to reinstate a blockade of Iran's ports on the strait and slap a levy of 20 percent on all cargo shipped through Hormuz in order to pay for keeping the narrow waterway open.
Speaking at a public event in Sao Paulo state, Lula said: "President Trump tweeted that he will unblock the Strait of Hormuz. But for every ship unblocked, every ship removed from the strait, the oil owner must pay him 20%.
Blasts heard in Kyiv after missile alert
Published: July 14, 2026 | 00:21 GMT | by AFP
A series of explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, shortly after midnight on Tuesday, an AFP journalist said, after the air force warned that several missiles were approaching.
"Air defence systems are operating in the capital," the city's mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram. "The enemy is attacking Kyiv with ballistic missiles."
Fires broke out in the Holosiivsky district, in the south of Kyiv, he added.
Air-raid sirens began to sound in the capital before half a dozen explosions were heard.
Trump says deal with Iran still 'possible'
Published: July 13, 2026 | 22:18 GMT | by AFP
US President Donald Trump said Monday that a deal with Tehran to end the Middle East war was still possible, despite launching fresh strikes on Iran and reimposing a blockade of Iranian ports.
"Yeah, I think a deal is possible. Sure, I do," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "We had a deal with them two days ago and then they said 'Oh we can't make that deal. We have to negotiate it further.'"
For earlier developments, read our July 13 live blog here
