Brent crude oil is trading at around $96 a barrel amid escalating US-Iran tensions.

At least 9 ships turn back from Bab al-Mandeb after Yemen blockade

🔹Shipping sources report that at least 9 vessels, including oil tankers carrying Saudi crude from Yanbu port, have abandoned transit through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait following Yemen's declaration of a naval blockade in support of Gaza.

🔹The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) confirmed vessels received warnings from Yemen's armed forces that any non-compliance with the blockade would result in being treated as legitimate targets.

Iran condemns UK decision to allow US use of military bases against Iran

🔹The Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the new UK government's decision to place military bases and facilities at the disposal of the US for strikes against Iran.

🔹"This decision is a clear violation of fundamental UN Charter principles and international law. Under Article 3 of UN General Assembly Resolution 3314 on defining aggression, it constitutes an act of aggression against Iran," the ministry stated.

🔹The UK has allowed US access to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and Fairford in Gloucestershire , continuing the policy of the previous government . Foreign Minister Araghchi had previously warned that such actions would be considered "participation in aggression" .

🔹"Any cooperation in these illegal attacks will be regarded as complicity in the crime of aggression and war crimes," the statement added.

Trump: US-Saudi nuclear deal conditional on normalization with Israel

🔹US President Donald Trump announced that the nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia will be conditional on the kingdom joining the Abraham Accords and normalizing relations with Israel .

🔹Trump emphasized the deal will not allow Saudi uranium enrichment and is strictly for civilian purposes—similar to what Iran and the UAE have had, he stated .

🔹He also confirmed Iran's nuclear program is peaceful, acknowledging that Tehran has agreed not to possess nuclear weapons .

🔹The agreement reportedly drops strict safeguards and the "Gold Standard" that would block enrichment pathways .

🎥 FM Araghchi: Iran's problem with US is approach, not mediation

🔹Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking on the sidelines of Iraqi PM's meeting with President Pezeshkian:

🔹"The Iran-Iraq agreement has been implemented to an acceptable extent, but we need to pay more attention to it. Some concerns still remain in certain areas."

🔹"The Iraqi PM had a visit to Washington and naturally, he will share his views. Our problem with the US is not mediation—it's their illogical, hegemonic approach. Iran has responded with strength. Until they understand that they must respect Iran's interests, there will be no grounds for progress. No messages are needed; they should just change their policies."

🔹"Arbaeen preparations are underway. Coordination with Iraqi officials has been ongoing for months. I'm confident this year's ceremony will be held with even greater magnificence."

Baghaei: US administration normalizing war crimes

🔹Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei responded to US officials' threats, stating that no order authorizes war crimes—superior orders do not absolve perpetrators of criminal responsibility.

🔹He warned that the US administration is sacrificing what remains of international humanitarian law and moral principles for its insatiable appetite for war and killing.

🔹"A policy that prescribes the destruction of bridges and power plants is clearly illegal and criminal—a form of retaliation and collective punishment," he said, adding that such actions are explicitly prohibited as war crimes under international law and US domestic law.

Mokhber: Armed Forces to raise the level of the game above the enemy

🔹Mohammad Mokhber, advisor and aide to the Supreme Leader, stated that the $100 oil price so far is solely due to disruption in transportation—not production. "The fire the US is igniting in regional oil and gas fields will engulf the entire world."

🔹"Our armed forces will certainly, with initiative and intelligence, define the field and level of the game one step above the enemy."

📰 Iran, Iraq sign 4 cooperation agreements during PM's Tehran visit

🔹During Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's official visit to Tehran, high-ranking officials signed four cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding in the presence of the two countries' leaders.

🔹The signed documents include: a road transport agreement, a memorandum on the Khosravi-Khaniqin-Baghdad railway project , a sister-city agreement between Tehran and Baghdad , and an MoU on public administration, education, and human resources.

🔹The railway project aims to connect Iran's western railway network to Iraq, serving as a strategic international corridor for cargo transit .

🔹President Pezeshkian described the visit as a "turning point" in strategic relations, emphasizing the need for full coordination to expand economic, trade, and infrastructure cooperation.

‼️EXCLUSIVE: British diplomats' departure from Tehran was US psychological warfare

🔹The withdrawal of British diplomats from Tehran was coordinated with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of a psychological warfare campaign, according to sources familiar with a July 20 gathering of European ambassadors at the French ambassador's residence.

🔹The French envoy criticized Iran's detention of two French diplomats and called for diplomatic support, while the British chargé d'affaires announced plans to leave Iran, stating Washington expects partners to apply political pressure on Tehran.

🔹The German ambassador opposed the move, calling it "childish" and noting Britain was acting preemptively to avoid Iran's expected expulsion of diplomats over the IRGC terrorist designation.

🔴 Baghaei: PGCC states must respond to US claims of their involvement in aggression

🔹Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei shared a video of CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper explicitly naming five PGCC states and Jordan as participants in US military aggression against Iran.

🔹"If this US claim is false, those governments should officially and clearly deny it," Baghaei stated.

🔹"When Iran exercises its inherent right to self-defense by targeting US bases on their soil, questioning Iran's motives is illogical."

🔹He emphasized that the root of insecurity is US-Israeli aggression, and providing territory for military operations constitutes aggression under UN Resolution 3314 and violates good neighborly principles and Article 2(4) of the UN Charter.

🔹"Iran's defense of itself is aimed at restoring security and stability for the entire region," he concluded.

📷 Iran, Belarus FMs hold talks on SCO sidelines in Kyrgyzstan

🔹Foreign Ministers Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and Maxim Ryzhenkov met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, to discuss expanding bilateral ties .

🔹The ministers reviewed the implementation of the "Cooperation Program between the Foreign Ministries of Iran and Belarus for 2026-2030" and emphasized accelerating key bilateral agreements .

🔹They also discussed regional and international developments, stressing the need to strengthen multilateralism, counter unilateral coercive measures, and leverage SCO capacities to expand political, economic, and trade cooperation.

Satellite imagery shows impact of ballistic missile strike on US Army barracks at Kuwait's Ali Al-Salem base