ASEAN calls for 'immediate cessation of hostilities' amid Middle East escalation

This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.

Catch up on Saturday's top developments here:

• Yemen's Houthis declare maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia
• Saudi Arabia voices 'strongest condemnation' of Houthi maritime blockade
• UK maritime agency says vessel struck off UAE coast
• Iran's interior minister lands in Pakistan amid Gulf escalation
• Iran president says country in 'full-scale war' with

Sirens sounded in Bahrain: ministry

Published: July 21, 2026 | 09:44 GMT | by AFP

Bahrain on Tuesday sounded sirens after the country's military had said it intercepted Iranian attacks, nearly two weeks into the resumption of US-Iran hostilities that have included daily attacks on the Gulf kingdom.

"The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place," the interior ministry said in a statement on X.

Bahrain says intercepted Iranian air attacks 

Published: July 21, 2026 | 08:55 GMT | by AFP

Bahrain's military on Tuesday said it had intercepted a number of Iranian attacks, nearly two weeks into the resumption of US-Iran hostilities that have included daily attacks on the Gulf kingdom.

"The air defences of the Bahrain Defence Force intercepted and destroyed a number of Iranian aerial aggressions," the military said in a statement on X.

Jordan army says intercepted five Iranian drones

Published: July 21, 2026 | 08:10 GMT | by AFP

The Jordanian military announced on Tuesday it had intercepted five Iranian drones, the latest attack by the Islamic Republic on countries in the region following the resumption of the Middle East war.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the attack, claiming in a statement that they had targeted a "complex housing US terrorist forces in the region of Rukban".

Lebanon army deploys to 'pilot zones' in south: military source to AFP 

Published: July 21, 2026 | 07:20 GMT | by AFP

The Lebanese army deployed on Tuesday to "pilot zones" in part of the country that had been under Israeli control following a deal sponsored by Washington, a military source told AFP.

The source said soldiers "have begun deploying to the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiya" in the Nabatieh region, following Israel's invasion of parts of the south during their war with militant group Hezbollah.

ASEAN calls for 'immediate cessation of hostilities' as Middle East tensions threaten trade, energy security 

Published: July 21, 2026 | 06:56 GMT | by Web Desk

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers have expressed "serious concern" over the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, particularly the renewed hostilities involving the United States and Iran, warning that the conflict is undermining diplomatic efforts.

In a joint statement, the bloc called on all parties to exercise "utmost self-restraint," and urged a "complete and immediate cessation of hostilities across all fronts in the Middle East."

The ministers also voiced concern over disruptions to international shipping, calling for "the restoration of the safe, unimpeded, and continuous transit passage of vessels and aircraft in the Strait of Hormuz" in accordance with international law.

ASEAN warned that continued tensions could have wider consequences for "regional trade, energy, and food security," including energy markets, supply chains and agricultural inputs such as fertilizers.

Iran targets US military assets as Houthis threaten to expand Mideast war

Published: July 21, 2026 | 05:56 GMT | by AFP

Iran targeted US radar and air defense installations in the Gulf on Tuesday, warning Washington of "more decisive and powerful" attacks to come as the conflict threatened to widen with a blockade of Saudi ports by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had attacked and stopped two "non-compliant oil tankers" attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, part of an effort to tighten its grip on the vital waterway while the war reignited.

US issues 'worldwide caution' alert for citizens over Mideast tensions

Published: July 21, 2026 | 02:55 GMT | by AFP

The US State Department on Monday issued an alert urging American citizens around the world to "exercise increased caution" over the war with Iran.

The alert said that "due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation."

"Americans outside the Middle East should reconsider travel to and through the region," it said, while warning of the heightened possibility of attacks targeting US diplomatic facilities "or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world."

Iran Guards say stopped two oil tankers in Hormuz

Published: July 21, 2026 | 02:18 GMT | by AFP

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Tuesday they stopped two "non-compliant oil tankers" attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, state news agency IRNA reported.

"Two non-compliant oil tankers attempting to pass through the unsafe southern route of the Strait of Hormuz were stopped after explosions caused extensive fires aboard them," the Guards said in a statement carried by IRNA.

Iran Guards say hit US military targets in Bahrain, Kuwait: State media

Published: July 21, 2026 | 02:08 GMT | by AFP

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday they hit US military targets, including air defence systems in Bahrain and Kuwait, state news agency IRNA reported.

The Guards said they struck two air defense systems and a radar installation at two different US outposts in Bahrain, as well as missile defense systems and radars and satellite reception systems in Kuwait.

"With this radar sweep, the enemy should prepare for even more decisive and powerful waves of drone and missile attacks," the Guards said in a statement carried by IRNA.

US military says struck Iran military command centers, maritime capabilities

Published: July 21, 2026 | 01:50 GMT | by AFP

The US military said Monday night it had completed its latest round of strikes against Iran, targeting various sites to counter Tehran's ability to attack ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

"US forces struck Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems to degrade Iran's ability to continue attacking commercial vessels flowing through the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM said in a post on X.

UK maritime agency says tanker struck off Oman coast

Published: July 20, 2026 | 23:24 GMT | by AFP

An "unknown projectile" struck a tanker off the coast of Oman, a British maritime agency said on Tuesday, as Iran and the United States exchanged fire over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said it "received multiple reports that a tanker... has been struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz," adding that the incident occurred eight nautical miles (15 kilometers) northeast of Limah, Oman.

For earlier developments, read our July 20 live blog here.