U.S. announces new strikes on Iran as war intensifies
CBS News · LC · trust 60/100
Updated on: July 15, 2026 / 11:12 AM EDT / CBS News
The death toll from recent strikes by the United States on Iran has grown to 35 , while more than 300 others have been injured, according to Hossein Kermanpour, a spokesperson for the Iranian Health Ministry.
At least 72 people are hospitalized, he added. Kermanpour did not break down the figures between civilians and combatants.
The U.S. military said its bombing campaign hit targets along Iran's southern coast in Bandar Abbas, Khormuj, Ahvaz, Qeshm, Bushehr and Kuh-e Stak — a list that includes several coastal towns and another island near the strait.
Another strike targeted a barracks for Iran's 388th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, which operates tanks and armored vehicles, in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iranian state television reported.
The report said the Americans fired at least 13 missiles in the attack and that the seven dead included conscripts and career soldiers. A number of troops were wounded.
Lebanon and Israel completed a new round of Washington-mediated negotiations in Rome on Wednesday, agreeing to implement the "pilot zones" in southern Lebanon agreed under a recent framework deal, a U.S. official said.
"Talks concluded after two days of productive and positive discussions," the official said, adding the participants "agreed on the structure and guidelines for the pilot zone process, to be finalized and implemented in the coming days."
The U.S.-brokered negotiations took place in the Italian capital over the framework agreement sealed last month after five rounds of talks in Washington, with Lebanese negotiators hoping for progress on an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.
The deal seeks an end to the war in Lebanon, disarmament of Hezbollah, the deployment of Lebanese troops in the south and for Israeli forces to steadily withdraw from the country, starting with two "pilot zones."
Lebanon and Israel, who have no formal relations, started negotiations after Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah drew its country to the broader Middle East war by attacking Israel in March.
Iran said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Qatar on Wednesday to pay tribute to its deceased former emir, days after the Islamic republic launched salvos at the gas-rich emirate.
Araghchi is scheduled to "meet with Qatari authorities and offer his condolences," the foreign ministry said in a statement, following the death on Sunday of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who ruled the Gulf state from 1995 to 2013.
The visit comes amid renewed hostilities between Iran and the United States, which have surged to a scale unseen since an April ceasefire.
Qatar, which hosts the largest American base in the Middle East, said it was targeted by an Iranian attack on Sunday.
President Donald Trump is headlining a defense summit at the U.S. Army War College on Wednesday, planning to tout major investments in battlefield technology when the war in Iran has reduced the U.S. supply of Tomahawk cruise missiles and Patriot and THAAD interceptors.
The gathering in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is organized by Republican Sen. David McCormick.
The White House said the summit is bringing together key leaders in defense and some of the largest global investors to spotlight the importance of national security and identify investment opportunities.
An analysis released in May found that U.S. military contractors will need at least three years to replenish stockpiles of Tomahawks, which are used to strike targets deep inside enemy territory, as well as Patriot and THAAD interceptors, which defend against incoming missiles and drones.
Stocks have dwindled as the U.S. has repeatedly fired strikes on Iran, adding to concerns that American forces would have limited firepower in any potential future conflict with China.
Mr. Trump has sought to correct the shortfall by seeking a historic $1.5 trillion defense budget proposal for 2027. But a package authorizing such spending levels is stalled in Congress, and, even if it eventually moves forward, loads of additional time will still be required to expand production capabilities to accommodate such weapons systems.
The reinstated U.S. military blockade on the Strait of Hormuz has intercepted two vessels over the 17 hours it has been in place, according to U.S. Central Command.
President Trump announced he was putting the blockade back in place earlier this week.
"We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran's ships or customers from entering or leaving," the president posted Monday morning on Truth Social . "All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait."
The first blockade ran from April 13 to June 18 and intercepted more than 140 vessels coming into or out of Iranian ports.
Since restarting the naval blockade against Iranian ports 17 hours ago, U.S. forces have redirected 2 commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade. The U.S. military remains vigilant and prepared to ensure full compliance. pic.twitter.com/E00JAlmBua
There's a "growing loss of confidence" among shippers in using the southern route through the Strait of Hormuz, close to Oman's coast, business intelligence firm Kpler said Wednesday. President Trump has repeatedly urged vessels to use the route despite Iran's threat to fire on any ships that approach the passage.
Kpler said there was a slight increase in strait transits (21 in total) on Tuesday, but that all of the ships used the northern shipping lanes close to Iran, which Iranian officials had urged vessels to take in coordination with its military until Tehran declared the strait completely closed early this week.
But despite the small number of ships getting through, Kpler said, "the security outlook deteriorated further as three additional attacks off Oman were verified, bringing the reported toll to 56 confirmed incidents and 17 seafarer fatalities."
"The absence of Omani route transits highlights a…
Read the original at CBS News →
Open in TruthVane →