US pauses attacks on Iran for a second day
The US paused its its attacks on Iran for a second day on Sunday and Tehran said it had done so too.
It was not clear why the US has paused attacks after targeting Iranian coastal areas and infrastructure in a nearly two-week escalation sparked by Iran’s firing at ships trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to questions.
“President Trump has always been consistent in saying he prefers a diplomatic solution, but he continues to retain all options if Iran continues terrorist activities in the Strait of Hormuz or against allies,” White House communications director Steven Cheung said.
“It would be wise for Iran to work toward a negotiated deal. Otherwise, they know what will happen.”
Since the US has halted attacks for the past two nights, Iran has as well, its army spokesperson told Iran’s state TV on Sunday.
Rebecca Whittaker26 July 2026 18:00
Whale ‘supergroups’ show numbers are rebounding from hunting. But Iran war holds dangers for them
A South African couple found themselves in a rare situation when they witnessed a humpback whale “supergroup” consisting of nearly 300 of the giant marine mammals gathering together.
It’s an indication, scientists say, of how some whale species numbers have strongly rebounded in the southern hemisphere oceans decades after an international whale hunting ban came into effect in 1986.
Chris and Monique Fallows said they were used to seeing bigger and bigger groups of humpback whales off the west coast of South Africa but weren’t prepared for what they saw one morning last December. Plumes of whale breath and spray burst into the air one after the other from blowholes, and the husband and wife found their boat in the midst of what’s known as a supergroup.
Maira Butt26 July 2026 17:30
Watch: Trump says Iran war ‘going extremely well’ but warns regime has ‘evil intentions’Trump says Iran war ‘going extremely well’ but warns regime has ‘evil intentions’
Maira Butt26 July 2026 17:00
Beyond the Strait of Hormuz: How Gulf countries are preparing for life without the waterway
Port operator DP World is in talks to develop new facilities in the coastal area of Fujairah to take pressure off its flagship Jebel Ali port, according to the Financial Times.
Jebel Ali, built in 1977, has made the UAE a hub of finance and trade, but weeks ago it was set alight by a piece of fallen debris from an Iranian missile. Since then, Dubai International Airport, US military bases and other facilities have come under direct attack.
The UAE has been the hardest hit of all the Gulf countries with the FT reporting that almost 3,000 drones and missiles have hit it since US-Israeli attacks began on Iran on 28 February.
Maira Butt26 July 2026 16:30
UN Ambassador claims Iranian government can no longer afford to pay its military
UN Ambassador Mike Waltz has claimed the Iranian government can no longer afford to pay its own workers or military.
Speaking on Fox News he said: “What you have seen in the last 13 days are strikes particularly focused on Iran’s terrorist activities; attacking civilian shipping… the Iranian regime is isolated, economically devastated, militarily devastated… and we’re starting to see the Iranian government even not be able to pay its own workers, and even its own military.”
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz (Reuters)
Rebecca Whittaker26 July 2026 16:00
Beyond the Strait of Hormuz: How Gulf countries are preparing for life without the waterway
Port operator DP World is in talks to develop new facilities in the coastal area of Fujairah to take pressure off its flagship Jebel Ali port, according to the Financial Times.
Jebel Ali, built in 1977, has made the UAE a hub of finance and trade, but weeks ago it was set alight by a piece of fallen debris from an Iranian missile. Since then, Dubai International Airport, US military bases and other facilities have come under direct attack.
The UAE has been the hardest hit of all the Gulf countries with the FT reporting that almost 3,000 drones and missiles have hit it since US-Israeli attacks began on Iran on 28 February.
Maira Butt26 July 2026 15:45
US naval blockade in ‘full effect’ as troops board tankers
US Central Command has said that an American blockade is still in “full effect” as it shared details of measures taken to ensure compliance.
“The US naval blockade against Iran remains in full effect,” read a statement released late on Saturday.
:As of July 25, CENTCOM has redirected 12 commercial vessels trying to run the blockade, disabled 2 that didn’t comply, and boarded 2 to ensure total compliance.
“Earlier today, U.S. forces completed a verification boarding aboard Comoros-flagged M/T Charminar in the Arabian Sea, and the tanker is now continuing its journey. CENTCOM forces disabled Mozambique-flagged M/T Lavine in the Gulf of Oman, July 24, after the crew attempted to violate the blockade multiple times and ignored repeated warnings.
“The ship is no longer transiting to Iran. American forces remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready.”
Military helicopters and personnel operate in a location given as the Arabian Sea in this screengrab obtained from a video released by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on July 25, 2026. (Reuters)
A bright flash is visible on the deck of the Mozambique-flagged tanker M/T Lavine in a location given as the Gulf of Oman in this screengrab obtained from a video released by US Central Command on 25 July 2026 (Reuters)
Maira Butt26 July 2026 15:30
Iranian oil minister says it sold $18 billion of oil during war and ceasefire
Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said Iran sold $11.5 billion worth of oil during the war and a further $6.5 billion during a ceasefire, when lower risks to tanker traffic helped increase exports and enabled the sale of part of around 100 million barrels of stored crude oil and gas condensate.
The sales generated more than 60 per cent of the oil revenue forecast in Iran’s annual budget, Paknejad said.
Maira Butt26 July 2026 15:00
Netanyahu to meet Trump on Monday
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is to travel to the US on Monday to meet president Donald Trump at the White House and attend the funeral of senator Lindsey Graham.
“Tomorrow I will travel to Washington to meet, at his invitation, with President Trump,” he told reporters on Sunday.
“After that, I will participate in a ceremony honouring a great friend of Israel, Senator Lindsey Graham.
“I must say that he has been one of Israel’s greatest friends since the establishment of the state, and it is only fitting that we pay him this honour. I will meet with President Trump to discuss all the issues currently on the agenda, including the situation in Iran.”
Maira Butt26 July 2026 14:30
How a vague clause in Trump’s peace deal led to anarchy in the Strait of Hormuz
Each side blames the other for violating the ceasefire – and it all comes down to a single shipping lane.
Read the full story below
Maira Butt26 July 2026 14:06