Top Iranian commander warns countries serving as defensive shield for US will 'burn in flames of war'

Ebrahim Rezaei warns that any attack would return the region and its infrastructure to the 'Stone Age'

Major General Abdollahi, commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, on Saturday accused the United States of accelerating efforts to expand conflict across the Middle East and warned Muslim countries against cooperating with Washington, Press TV reported.

In a post on X, Abdollahi claimed the US was pursuing “a path of widespread escalation in the regional war” as part of what he described as “a dangerous strategy aimed at expanding and imposing unlawful dominance across the entire region”.

He stated that Washington had demonstrated during the recent conflict with Iran that it would not “refrain from any act of aggression or destruction against the interests and resources of Muslim nations” in pursuit of its objectives.

Abdollahi also claimed the US was using the “capital, wealth, vital infrastructure, and strategic resources” of regional countries “as a defensive shield for its weakened military” while strengthening the security of Israel.

Major General Abdollahi, commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters:

🔹The United States is pursuing, with increasing speed, a path of widespread escalation in the regional war.

Follow: https://t.co/LWoNSpkc2J pic.twitter.com/Hkz7p8Z9Kd

— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) August 1, 2026

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, along with the brave sons of the nation in the Armed Forces and the Resistance Front, has proven that the balance of power in the region no longer follows its previous equations,” he said.

The Iranian commander further asserted that the US and Israel had failed to achieve their objectives against Iran and were now waging conflict “from behind the territory of Muslim countries”, shifting the burden of war onto governments across the region.

He urged Muslim countries to reassess their cooperation with Washington.

“Muslim countries must act with foresight, closely monitor America’s crimes, and reconsider cooperation with the US,” Abdollahi said.

“Otherwise, any country that serves as a defensive shield for the criminal and aggressor United States will burn in flames of war,” he added.

Iran parliament member warns of "Stone Age" consequences if Iran is attacked

Ebrahim Rezaei, a member of Iran's Parliament National Security Commission, has warned that if Iran is attacked, it will return the entire region and its infrastructure to the "Stone Age", Press TV reported.

Rezaei added, "It's in your interest not to do anything foolish."

Ebrahim Rezaei, a member of Iran's Parliament National Security Commission, warned that if Iran is attacked, it will return the entire region and its infrastructure to the "Stone Age," adding, "It's in your interest not to do anything foolish."

Follow: https://t.co/LWoNSpkc2J pic.twitter.com/GzlngKxfBR

— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) August 1, 2026

Kuwait reserves right to "take all necessary measures" after drone attack

Kuwait's Foreign Ministry has condemned Iran's "continued aggression" following a drone attack earlier today that targeted "vital installations," Al Jazeera reported.

The ministry said Iran's attacks constitute a "flagrant violation" of Kuwait's sovereignty and demonstrate a "determination to persist in a hostile approach".

It added that Kuwait reserves the right to "take all necessary measures" to protect its security, interests and resources.

Kuwait downs Iranian drones targeting country’s north, Bubiyan Island

Kuwait said on Saturday that its armed forces destroyed Iranian drones after attacks targeted a government facility as well as civilian vehicles on Bubiyan Island, causing material damage but no casualties.

Defence Ministry spokesman Saud Al-Atwan said the armed forces had detected “hostile drones” in Kuwaiti airspace since early on Saturday and “dealt with and destroyed them.”

He said the “Iranian aggression” targeted several vital installations, including a government facility in northern Kuwait and vehicles belonging to a civilian company on the island.

Falling debris caused material damage, but no injuries were reported, Al-Atwan added.

The armed forces “remain on constant alert and are taking all necessary measures, in coordination with the relevant authorities, to protect Kuwait’s sovereignty and ensure the safety of citizens and residents,” he said.

Egypt says investigation into attack on 2 vessels at port ongoing

Egypt said on Saturday that investigations are underway into an incident targeting two vessels at port to identify the culprit.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said some foreign media outlets had recently published “inaccurate and false reports” about the incident.

“Investigations are still ongoing to determine all the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify the party responsible,” the ministry said.

It urged foreign media outlets and correspondents based in Egypt and abroad to verify information concerning Egyptian affairs and the incident and to rely on official sources.

Iran warns continued US maritime blockade could shut Strait of Hormuz, other waterways

The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council warned on Saturday that continuation of the US maritime blockade could lead to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and other strategic waterways.

According to a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr said continued US “provocations” would not only further restrict the key Strait of Hormuz but also result in the closure of other maritime chokepoints.

He warned that the consequences of Washington's actions would be borne by “the global economy, the energy market, and American voters,” likely pointing to looming US congressional elections this November, where higher prices and the unpopular war are top issues.

Kuwait says it destroyed hostile drones, Iranian attack targeted vital facilities

Kuwait's army said on Saturday it had detected and destroyed hostile drones in the country's airspace since dawn, and that what it described as an Iranian attack had targeted several vital facilities.

A government facility in northern Kuwait and civilian property belonging to a company on Bubiyan Island were hit, it said, adding that falling shrapnel caused material damage but no casualties.

Ghalibaf says Iran has won war but must strengthen future stability

Iranian Parliament Speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said Iran "has won the war", but stressed that the country "must consolidate and cement this victory", Al Jazeera reported.

Speaking at the Iranian Parliament Coordination Council, Ghalibaf also said the nation "must maintain hope for a bright future", according to the Tasnim news agency.

He further emphasised that Iranian officials must first and foremost expand the executive authority and capacity of the supreme leader, saying that any efforts to build a strong Iran must begin at this point.

EU naval force says Italian frigate escorts merchant vessel safely through Red Sea

A merchant vessel safely passed through the Red Sea under the protection of the Italian frigate Bergamini, the European Union naval mission ASPIDES said on Saturday.

ASPIDES, the EU's defensive maritime security operation in the Red Sea, did not identify the vessel or disclose its flag, ownership or cargo details.

Merchant vessel transiting the Red Sea completed its journey safely under the protection of Italian Frigate BERGAMINI.

EUNAVFOR ASPIDES is a purely defensive operation committed to keeping sea lanes safe and supporting regional stability. pic.twitter.com/V28LcAmokw

— EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (@EUNAVFORASPIDES) August 1, 2026

Kuwait says air defences intercepting Iranian drone attacks

Kuwait's armed forces said on Saturday morning that the country's air defences are intercepting hostile drone attacks launched by Iran.

A military statement said that air defence systems were “currently confronting hostile drone attacks” launched as part of “Iranian aggression.”

The military said any explosions heard locally were the result of air defence systems intercepting the incoming drones.

#URGENT Kuwaiti army says its air defenses are currently intercepting attacks by Iranian drones amid heightened regional tensions

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) August 1, 2026

It urged the public to follow official safety instructions. There were no reports of casualties or damage.

Yemen's Houthis deny plans to impose fees on ships sailing through Red Sea

Yemen's Houthi-run maritime coordination body denied on Saturday that it ​planned to impose fees on commercial ships ‌transiting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, saying no such decision had been taken and that passage through the strategic ​waterway remained free.

The statement follows a Reuters ​report on Wednesday, citing regional sources, that the ⁠Iran-aligned Houthis were considering imposing fees on ​ships sailing through the southern Red Sea, a ​week after declaring a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.

The sources in the Reuters report had said the proposal ​on fees was discussed with Iranian officials during ​a visit to Tehran by Houthi officials in July, although ‌no timeframe for implementation had been decided.

The Houthi-run Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) said its "safe transit service was a voluntary and cost-free service".

"The HOCC categorically ​confirms that ​any individual ⁠or entity requesting the payment of money in exchange for transiting the ​Bab el-Mandeb Strait does not represent ​the ⁠Republic of Yemen or HOCC in any capacity whatsoever," it said in a statement.

"The HOCC urges ⁠shipping companies ​not to make any ​payments or provide any information to unauthorised individuals or entities," it ​said.

Yemen’s Houthis claim 8 Saudi oil tankers diverted via Cape of Good Hope

Yemen's Houthi group claimed on Saturday that eight Saudi oil tankers were forced to reroute from the Bab al-Mandab Strait to the Cape of Good Hope because of its maritime blockade.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said on X that the diversion is part of the group's blockade imposed on Saudi Arabian vessels.

💢 Yemen’s Houthis claim eight Saudi oil tankers were forced to reroute via Cape of Good Hope, saying maritime blockade has disrupted shipping through Bab al-Mandab Strait https://t.co/7DYECmhoco pic.twitter.com/45ig7Cs3so

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) August 1, 2026

Tanker hit by unknown projectile near Oman, UKMTO says

A tanker was struck by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman, damaging its engine room and leaving the vessel not under command, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on early Saturday.

UKMTO said in a warning notice that it received a report from the vessel's company security officer that the incident occurred about 11 nautical miles northeast of Lima, Oman.

The projectile damaged the engine room, while the regional coast guard has been informed and authorities are investigating, it said.

 

UKMTO WARNING 101-26

Click here to view the full product⤵️https://t.co/zdMMASw8k3#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/6NSryd05NI

— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) August 1, 2026

UKMTO said there were no reported casualties or environmental effects. The flag of the targeted vessel remains unclear.

Tehran working with Oman to establish mechanisms for managing Strait of Hormuz navigation: Iran

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that Tehran is working with Oman to establish operational mechanisms for managing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, according to state broadcaster IRIB.

The remarks came during a call with UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, in which they discussed regional and international developments, as well as bilateral relations.

IRIB said Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's determination to develop operational mechanisms with Oman to manage maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.

He warned that interference by third parties in the process “would only complicate the current situation.

Araghchi also criticised Britain's “complicity” in the wars imposed on Iran by the US and Israel, calling it “unjustifiable and condemnable,” and urging the British government to reconsider its approach.

Miliband said Britain's new government is “not a party to a war with Iran” and believes diplomacy remains the appropriate way to resolve outstanding issues.

He also stressed the importance of continuing diplomatic engagement with Tehran to help reduce regional tensions.

US, Israel preparing major strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure: reports

The US and Israel are preparing for what could become one of the most intense bombing campaigns against Iranian energy infrastructure, with strikes possible during the weekend, CBS News reported on Friday.

The report said there had been discussion of wrapping up any campaign before financial markets open Monday, given concerns about economic fallout, though no firm deadline was set. Israel has been briefed and is coordinating with Washington, but President Donald Trump had not yet issued final authorisation, according to sources.

An Israeli official told CBS News that Israel was not aware of any decision to resume full-scale military operations and had not been asked to join strikes against Iran.

Speaking at a Camp David Cabinet meeting, Trump said, "We'll be hitting them very hard. At some point, they're going to say, 'We just can't take it anymore.'"

BREAKING: The U.S. and Israel are planning what would be one of the harshest bombing campaigns to date against energy infrastructure targets in Iran, multiple sources told @CBSNews, with strikes possible throughout the weekend. @margbrennan has details. https://t.co/67GtsafRMH pic.twitter.com/h1TEyGA27F

— CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil (@CBSEveningNews) July 31, 2026

White House spokesman Karoline Leavitt said the US "will win," and that Iran would not be permitted to obtain a nuclear weapon under Trump's watch.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the agency was "locked and loaded" but declined to discuss targets ahead of a presidential decision.

The report said power plants and refineries were likely targets, with US officials also weighing cutting electricity to Tehran.

A separate report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing US officials, noted that the new attacks were authorised at the Camp David presidential retreat.

The officials, speaking to the WSJ, reported that Trump may halt the strikes and return to negotiations with Iran if there is "immediate progress on the diplomatic front."

Citing a senior Iranian security official, the Tasnim News Agency reported that Tehran prepared "a comprehensive plan" to retaliate against any potential US strikes.

Describing the reports of newly planned strikes against Iranian targets as a "form of recklessness," the official told Tasnim, "We have prepared a comprehensive plan to respond, which includes critical infrastructure in both Israel and the United States' energy infrastructure in the region, and we are ready to implement it."

The official also claimed that Iran has "capability and the will" to retaliate against US-Israeli strikes.