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Blaze near Paris burns on as Europe heats up

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Blaze near Paris burns on as Europe heats up

As France battled flames, the third bout of extreme heat this season that is also affecting Britain and Spain continued its progression into Italy

International News via Reuters:

Waterbombing aircraft skimmed the river Seine as firefighters struggled to contain a forest blaze south of Paris raging into a third day on Tuesday amid a spreading heatwave that has left swathes of Europe primed for more wildfires.

As France battled flames, the third bout of extreme heat this season that is also affecting Britain and Spain continued its progression into Italy, where authorities were bracing for temperatures reaching 44 degrees Celsius (111.2 degrees Fahrenheit) in Sardinia this week.

According to the Reuters Climate Monitor, the average high of temperatures across Western Europe was 29.4 C on Tuesday, 6.3 C higher than the seasonal average high for July 14 recorded between 1961 and 1990. The difference was most pronounced in Belgium and France, with seasonal highs deviating by as much as 9.4 C and 9.1 C.

Scientists say climate change is making such events more frequent and intense, leaving forests and scrubland across the continent primed to burn.

LIKELY RECORD YEAR FOR FRENCH WILDFIRES

More than 10,000 excess deaths were recorded across Europe and Britain in the last two record-breaking heatwaves in May and late June, with scientists saying the only credible reason for the unusually high toll was heat-related.

In Spain, authorities continued work to identify victims of last week’s deadly forest fire in the popular holiday area of Almeria, which killed at least 13 people, mostly foreign nationals, and left 10 missing.

French firefighters battled through the night to tackle the blaze that tore through the historic forest of Fontainebleau, home to one of France’s best-known royal palaces. At least two people were arrested on suspicion of having started the fire.

A local French official said two blazes around the Fontainebleau forest were still progressing, with the main blaze having scorched 1,600 hectares and another one nearby 450 hectares, but that weather conditions had improved.

“The wind has stopped, which is a considerable help,” Pierre Ory, the local prefect, told Franceinfo TV. “We have set a reasonable goal of stopping the fires’ progress by the end of the day.”

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Monday the fire was just a few kilometres away from the Palace of Fontainebleau, which explained the deployment of considerable resources, including water-carrying planes and helicopters.

The forest around the palace, which was turned by 16th-century King Francis I into a symbol of French power, served as a royal hunting ground for centuries, before becoming a celebrated subject for Impressionist painters.

Nunez said the Fontainebleau blaze is contributing to what will likely be a record year for fires in France, with 32,000 hectares burned already this year, more than the total in 2025. He said 59 people had been arrested across France on suspicion of starting fires this season.

“We expected this with this major drought,” he added.

ITALY BRACES FOR HEAT, MUNICH DROUGHT TRIGGERS HOSEPIPE BAN

In Italy, a high-pressure system that has taken hold in Sardinia was anticipated to peak on Thursday and Friday, meteorologists said, with temperatures expected to reach 44 C in inland Sardinia, 39 C in Florence, and 38 C in Rome. The incoming heat is accompanied by fine sand billowing in from North Africa, they said.

Extreme weather has also disrupted power supplies and transport, with low water levels preventing cargo vessels from sailing fully loaded on the Rhine river in Germany, increasing costs for freight transport. In Munich, local authorities introduced a hosepipe ban until August 1, imposing temporary restrictions on water use after a combination of months of drought and weeks of high temperatures drove consumption well above normal levels. Violations were punishable with fines of up to €50,000 ($57,135).

The measures ban watering private lawns, filling private swimming pools and washing cars outside commercial facilities, while authorities said expected rainfall in coming days would not ease water shortages. Residents are also barred from taking water from rivers, canals, lakes and ponds except in limited cases.

($1 = 0.8751 euros)

Reporting by Gabriel Stargardter and Michel Rose in Paris, Giselda Vagnoni in Rome; Joern Poltz in Munich; additional writing by Michele Kambas; Editing by Kevin Buckland, Andrei Khalip and Sharon Singleton

European regulator appoints technical advisor to probe Ryanair window incident

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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European regulator appoints technical advisor to probe Ryanair window incident

The incident occurred on July 10 aboard a Boeing 737-800 operated by Ryanair’s subsidiary Malta Air

International News via Reuters:

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said on Monday it has appointed a technical advisor to investigate an incident on a Ryanair operated flight in which a passenger was partially sucked through a dislodged window.

The incident occurred on July 10 aboard a Boeing 737-800 operated by Ryanair’s subsidiary Malta Air. The plane was flying from Thessaloniki, Greece, to Memmingen, Germany, when a window broke shortly after takeoff, partially sucking a passenger through the opening and forcing the plane to divert back to Thessaloniki.

• EASA said in a statement it is aware of the event and has appointed a technical advisor to the investigation.

• The agency said it is in contact with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which certified the aircraft’s design, and with Boeing.

• EASA said it will follow the situation closely and take any continued airworthiness action needed to ensure safety.

• North Macedonia is leading the probe as the incident occurred over its airspace, with Boeing assisting the investigation and the FAA standing ready to support.

Reporting by Hugo Lhomedet; Editing by Susan Fenton

BMW to recall over 29,000 US vehicles over fire risk

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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BMW to recall over 29,000 US vehicles over fire risk

The recall covers several vehicles, including 530e xDrive, 740Le xDrive, and some models of BMW’s iPerformance vehicles, according to the U.S. auto safety regulator

International News via Reuters:

BMW is recalling 29,119 vehicles in the U.S. over issues with the engine starter relay that may corrode, leading to overheating and short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Tuesday. 

The recall covers several vehicles, including 530e xDrive, 740Le xDrive, and some models of BMW’s iPerformance vehicles, according to the U.S. auto safety regulator. 

Dealers will replace the engine starter free of charge as part of the recall remedy, the NHTSA said.  

Reporting by Sumedha Mukherjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee

Mixed fortunes for Bermuda on drama-filled day in Tortola

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Mixed fortunes for Bermuda on drama-filled day in Tortola

Bermuda’s rising squash prospects endured a day of intense drama and mixed results on the glass courts of the Tortola Sports Club at the 2026 Nagico and Interpath Junior Caribbean Squash Championships.

Competing in the high-octane doubles format in the British Virgin Islands, the Bermudian contingent battled through tightly contested fixtures, securing a semi-final spot but ultimately falling short of the gold-medal matches.

 

The standout performance came from the Boys’ Doubles duo of Eli Carpol and William Frith, who booked a place in the final four after surviving a grueling quarter-final encounter.

Facing the Cayman Islands’ pairing of Adriano Vera and Maximillian Woolf, the Bermudians showed superb tactical composure. After taking the opening game, they dropped the second but rallied fiercely in the decider to seal a 2-1 victory (11-4, 8-11, 11-7) in a bruising 22-minute battle.

However, their momentum was halted in the semi-finals by a ruthless performance from Saint Vincent & the Grenadines. Aiden Defreitas and Jayden George proved too strong in transition, capitalising on unforced errors to eliminate the Bermudian duo 11-9, 11-6 in 19 minutes.

In the Mixed Doubles, Owen Rosorea and Rose Paulos entered the tournament with high expectations after receiving a first-round bye.

Advancing straight to the semi-finals, they went toe-to-toe with Barbados’ Daniel Sealy and Olivia Watts in a highly technical 22-minute match. Despite pushing their opponents to the absolute limit in both frames, the Bermudian duo suffered narrow, back-to-back defeats, bowing out 11-8, 11-8.

There was also a tough learning experience for the Kyme sisters, Mckenna and Taylor, in the Girls’ Doubles opening round.

The sisters pushed the Cayman Islands’ tandem of Sienna Scarpa and Kaylee Pierre to the brink in a thrilling opening frame, agonizingly losing it 11-10 on a sudden-death point. The momentum shifted completely after the restart, with the Caymanian pair cruising through the second game to seal an 11-10, 11-3 victory in 14 minutes.

Bermuda’s attention now shifts to the team championship categories as they look to climb the regional standings.

Junior triathletes shine at Flatland Cup in Iowa

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Junior triathletes shine at Flatland Cup in Iowa

Bermuda’s next generation of multi-sport talent made a massive statement on the international stage, delivering a series of resilient performances at the prestigious Flatland Cup in Iowa, USA.

Facing a highly competitive field in West Des Moines, a squad of nine young Bermudian triathletes went toe-to-toe with elite regional prospects across draft-legal formats. The day was highlighted by a superb podium finish for Rory Shepherd.

In the Draft Legal Youth Male division, Shepherd produced a tactical masterclass to secure third place overall. After staying firmly within striking distance during the swim and bike legs, he unleashed a blistering sub-nine-minute run to clock a total time of 33:03.780. Teammate Rohan Roopra also impressed in the same category, fighting hard to finish 11th.

The Youth Female race saw an exceptionally close battle between training partners Riana Robinson and Elena Bortoli. Elena Bortoli laid down a phenomenal marker in the water, exiting the swim over 50 seconds ahead. However, Robinson rallied back with a powerful bike transition and run leg, eventually pipping her teammate at the line by a mere eight seconds to lock out 9th and 10th place respectively.

The high-octane Junior Male category saw Gianluca Bortoli lead the Bermudian contingent with a stellar 10th-place finish, showcasing his strength with a swift 17:08.450 final run. He was followed by Dylan Eiselt in 16th and Jasper Lau in 41st. In the Junior Female division, Carina Bortoli (42nd) and Madison Schindel (48th) showed superb endurance across the longer junior distances against a world-class field.

‘Your voice could help shape road safety measures’

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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‘Your voice could help shape road safety measures’

OBA will host a public meeting tomorrow

The One Bermuda Alliance is inviting members of the public to a town hall meeting to be held at Vasco Da Gama Club on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, between 6:PM and 8:PM..

Shadow Minister for National Security, Governance and AI, Jarion Richardson, who will be leading the event, is encouraging the public learn more about the Road Traffic and Motor Car (Road Safety and Penalties) Amendment Bill 2026.

Mr Richardson explains why it’s important to discuss the Bill before it is debated in the House of Assembly on Friday, 17 July.

“Bermuda’s roads have become a serious public-safety and public-health concern. In 2024 alone, there were 1,459 reported road traffic accidents, 788 casualties and 127 serious injuries. Behind every statistic is a family, a hospital visit, time away from work and, too often, a life permanently changed. Responsible drivers and riders should not have to accept speeding, impaired driving, dangerous overtaking and reckless behaviour as normal.

“The Road Traffic and Motor Car (Road Safety and Penalties) Amendment Bill 2026 is intended to strengthen deterrence and protect the public. It would introduce more meaningful consequences for road offences, allow unannounced sobriety checkpoints with clear safeguards, ensure repeat offenders cannot avoid demerit-point consequences simply by paying a ticket, and strengthen accountability for dangerous use of vehicles. The Bill is not the whole solution—Bermuda still needs better roads, speed cameras, modern ticketing, court and coroner reform—but it is a practical first step.”

He urges members of the public to attend and allow their voices to be heard: “We would like for the public to hear what the Bill proposes and ask questions directly. This meeting is also an opportunity for residents to share their own experiences of collisions, dangerous road behaviour, enforcement and the wider impact on families and communities. Road safety affects all of us, and the public’s voice should help shape the action Bermuda takes next.”

Casati dynasty confirmed for inaugural Freestyle Legends Tour in Bermuda

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Casati dynasty confirmed for inaugural Freestyle Legends Tour in Bermuda

The newly minted Freestyle Legends Tour has secured a major coup for its maiden event in Bermuda, with the world-renowned Casati kitesurfing family confirmed as the headline attraction.

Brothers Lorenzo and Leonardo Casati, who have heavily dominated the global Big Air and freestyle divisions, will lead the roster for the highly anticipated showcase at the Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa from February 4-6, 2027.

Family Affair: Former King of the Air Lorenzo Casati will headline the Bermudian showcase alongside his brother and father. Source: IKSURFMAG

The announcement marks a historic gathering for the sport, bringing together two of extreme kitesurfing’s most formidable forces.

Lorenzo, the 2025 GKA Big Air World Champion and a two-time Red Bull King of the Air winner, will share the water with his younger brother Leonardo, the reigning 2026 Big Air World Champion.

Adding further pedigree to the Atlantic showcase is the inclusion of their father, Renato Casati. A pioneer of early Italian kitesurfing, Renato has served as the architect behind his sons’ meteoric rise, travelling full-time as their coach and support system.

Organizers emphasized that bringing the trio to the island perfectly reflects the overarching vision for the newly launched series, which seeks to look beyond traditional contest structures.

“The Freestyle Legends Tour is about far more than competition,” a tour spokesperson said.

“It’s about celebrating the athletes, the families, the journeys, and the stories that have shaped our sport. Having Lorenzo, Leonardo, and Renato together in Bermuda perfectly reflects what we stand for.”

Dubbed “The Home of Freestyle Legends,” the custom, invite-only tour aims to create a global ecosystem connecting elite riders with premium hospitality experiences.

Further details regarding additional world-champion riders, luxury travel packages, and ticketing will be unveiled by organizers in the coming weeks.

LIVE: Tinée Furbert running for PLP Deputy Leader

Gary Foster Skelton
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LIVE: Tinée Furbert running for PLP Deputy Leader

Tinée Furbert has announced her candidacy for deputy leadership of the Progressive Labour Party.

During a press conference at Grotto Bay this morning, the St George’s South MP and Minister of Youth, Social Development & Seniors says the community has already seen her doing the work of leadership – and that her record of work can be checked by all.

Below is the full speech delivered by Tinée Furbert…

Good morning, everyone.

I want to thank you for being here this morning. To my family, my colleagues, my branch, supporters, and members of the media, thank you for taking the time to be present today.

I learned responsibility before I ever held a title.

I am the eldest of three, and when I was young, there were moments in my home when I had to help care for my sisters. I cooked meals, checked homework, and learned early that when people are depending on you, you do not wait for perfect conditions. You show up, you steady yourself, and you do the work.

That lesson has stayed with me through every part of my life, through my clinical work, through the Senate, through Parliament, through the Ministry, and through my service to this Party.

Last night, I stood before members of the Progressive Labour Party and announced my candidacy for Deputy Leader. Today, I stand before Bermuda to say why.

The Deputy Leader of this Party supports the Leader chosen by the Party, steps in when needed, stays connected to the branches, helps keep members informed, engaged, and heard, and brings steady counsel to the leadership table.

That role is essential, and I am standing for it because our members and our country deserve leadership that is already doing the work required of it.

Bermuda is asking real questions right now.

Seniors are asking whether they can age with dignity in the country they helped build. Families are stretched between rising costs, caregiving, childcare, and uncertainty. Young people are asking where they fit. Caregivers are doing quiet, demanding work every single day. Persons with disabilities are asking for systems that see them, include them, and support equal opportunity.

Members of our Party, our delegates, and our branches are also asking whether leadership is listening, not only during campaigns or conferences, but consistently, between elections, in the communities, and in the moments when people need to know they have not been forgotten.

The Deputy Leader must be close enough to hear all of that and disciplined enough to help act on it. That is the work I have tried to do in every role I have held.

In my clinical career, I worked with persons with disabilities, seniors, vulnerable adults, and children. That work taught me to listen carefully, to look beyond what is immediately visible, and to understand that people’s lives are rarely simple.

I brought that into the Senate. I brought it into Parliament. I brought it into the Ministry. And under my ministerial leadership, working with dedicated public officers, community partners, and colleagues, that same approach has helped move serious work forward.


Bermuda’s Plan to End Homelessness was tabled, resourced, and set in motion.

The Dementia Integrated Care Pathway was advanced with the Bermuda Health Council because families caring for loved ones with dementia deserve a system that works together.

Bermuda’s first National Disability Register was launched so we can better match services to actual need.


Mental health support for Financial Assistance clients was expanded from six sessions to twenty-four because people in crisis deserve sustained support.

The Rental Support Programme Hardship Fund provided one hundred and forty thousand dollars in support to more than one hundred and forty individuals and families facing emergency hardship.

Astor House opened last month, providing transitional housing for men reintegrating after incarceration with structure, accountability, and a real chance to rebuild.

The Family Preservation Programme, the Child Safeguarding Framework, the Zone-In youth programmes, and the Mary Prince Women’s Entrepreneur Conference with UN Women and UNDP were all built through partnership, and each continues to serve people.

That is my record, and it can be checked because it has been done.

But today is not only about listing work. It is about what that work says about how I lead. I believe leadership must stay close to people. It must be steady enough to make decisions, humble enough to listen, and disciplined enough to follow through after the announcement has passed.

That is what I believe the Deputy Leader role requires.

A Deputy Leader should be present in the branches between conferences and between elections, listening to what members are carrying and bringing that back to the leadership table.

A Deputy Leader should strengthen the team, supporting the Leader chosen by this Party with loyalty, discipline, and honest counsel.

A Deputy Leader should be able to step in when called upon because she already understands the work, the people, and the responsibility.

That is the work I have been doing.

I have served in an acting capacity as Party Leader. I have been a Branch Chairperson, a Branch Secretary, and a caucus representative on the Central Committee for six years. I have stood beside candidates on the canvassing trail, supported colleagues in the House, and shown up when it was visible and when the cameras were off.

I am asking the delegates of this Party to look at the record. Verify it. Ask the people who were there, ask the people who have worked with me, and ask the people who have called me and know I answered.

Then decide whether this is the steadiness, service, and follow-through they want in the Deputy Leader of the Progressive Labour Party.

I have stood in, stepped up, and supported this Party in every room that required it. That is what a Deputy Leader does, and that is what I intend to keep doing with the full weight of the role behind me.

Before I close, I want to return to where I began. I learned leadership making dinner for my sisters when I was young. I learned it sitting with a senior who had no one else to call. I learned it listening to families who needed more than
sympathy. I learned it driving home after a late session, knowing that tomorrow I would show up again.

That is what present means to me: a practice carried out every single day.

On Wednesday evening at 6:00pm, I invite the community to join me at Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club for food and conversation. Strong leadership begins with listening, and I intend to keep listening.

Thank you.

Bermudian duo impress at British Milers Grand Prix

Bermuda Broadcasting Newsdesk
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Bermudian duo impress at British Milers Grand Prix

Bermuda’s middle-distance prospects Nirobi Smith-Mills and Jake Brislane delivered a pair of highly encouraging performances to secure top-six finishes at the prestigious British Milers Club Grand Prix in Watford.

Battling tricky, windy conditions at Woodside Stadium, both athletes made significant statements against elite international fields during their European summer campaigns.

In the Men’s 800m ‘C’ race, Nottingham Trent University student Nirobi Smith-Mills claimed a hard-earned third place on the podium. Smith-Mills expertly negotiated a dense pack, digging deep over the final 200 metres to clock 1:49.09—just missing out on second to Ireland’s Bobby More (1:48.98), while England’s Harry Forman Wilshaw took the win in 1:48.51.

Stepping up in distance, Warwick University’s Jake Brislane produced an incredibly disciplined display in a cagey Men’s 3000m showcase. Contending with strong headwinds along the back straight, Brislane stuck with a fast lead pack to cross the line in 8:16.00, sealing a strong sixth place overall in a race won by local favourite James McMurray (7:53.48).

The impressive showings mark another excellent step forward for both young Bermudians as they continue to test themselves against top-tier continental competition.

Opinion: Solar investors ‘outraged’ by hikes in power bills

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Opinion: Solar investors ‘outraged’ by hikes in power bills

Opposition MP says our energy policy needs more structure

Statement by Dwayne Robinson, Shadow Home Affairs Minister:

 Bermuda needs a national direction when it comes to our energy policy.

After a two-week extension, the consultation on the draft National Electricity Sector Policy (NESP) ended on May 21, 2026.

The draft NESP 2026 was said to be “nearly final” in a column written by the Minister of Home Affairs. When will this plan be finalised?

The recent increase of the Fuel Adjustment Rates by $2.17 shows that though Government can dull the impact with its fuel duty relief, which is supported by the One Bermuda Alliance, it cannot truly protect the consumers from increased costs.

More must be done on a structural level to ensure affordability and sustainability of our energy sector going forward.

We welcome the Minister’s pivot from her predecessor’s steep renewable targets to a more reasonable transitional timeline.

However, with the recent fee structure implemented by Belco to provide greater transparency of its billing has caused backlash from Bermudians who have invested in solar energy.

Though Belco has gone through great lengths to explain the change and has a thorough explanation on their website, many have reached out to my colleagues and I, in outrage.

They feel that they were led to invest in solar energy by the Government’s strong push toward renewable energy and given a raw deal by this new facility charge change.

Some have said it will increase their bill to amounts higher than before they installed their solar panels.

How will this impact the Government’s renewable energy targets? We need to ensure that efforts to move towards renewable energy are supported and not discouraged.

Just like my comments during the debate on the Electricity Amendment Act 2026, as legislators, we must be aware of unintended consequences.

A ministerial directive from May 2, 2025 put this fee restructure into motion and we are seeing the unintended consequences of good intentions.

The escalating cost of electricity in Bermuda remains a top concern on the doorstep. During a cost-of-living crisis Bermudians cannot afford any additional burdens.

We are glad the Government has worked on the Draft NESP 2026, with consultation from the public, now we need to see the final version.

The One Bermuda Alliance believes a national plan will help give direction to Bermuda’s energy sector and will be a great step in providing clarity to Bermudians on our island’s energy future.

Trump says the US will take out Pickaxe Mountain in Iran

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Trump says the US will take out Pickaxe Mountain in Iran

Pickaxe Mountain, located near Iran’s heavily damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility, is a heavily fortified site that hosts two deeply buried tunnel complexes

International News via Reuters:

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said that the U.S. would take out Pickaxe Mountain in Iran, as he warned that Washington would continue to hit the country hard.

“We’re going to take out Pickaxe Mountain. Tell the Iranians to be ready,” Trump said in an interview on the Hugh Hewitt Show.

“We’re watching (Pickaxe Mountain) closely. We see no activity there. They’re not doing well with their nuclear situation. Every time we hear about it, we blow it up. So they don’t like talking about it. But we’ll probably give Pickaxe a shot relatively soon,” Trump said. 

Pickaxe Mountain, located near Iran’s heavily damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility, is a heavily fortified site that hosts two deeply buried tunnel complexes that experts assess as beyond the reach of the most powerful bunker buster bombs in the U.S. arsenal.

Trump earlier on Monday said the United States was reinstating its blockade of Iranian shipping in the Gulf and would ensure the Strait of Hormuz stays open — for a fee — after the two sides exchanged more missile and drone attacks.

“We’re going to hit them very hard tonight and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow. And there’s not a damn thing they can do about it,” he said on the Hugh Hewitt Show.

Reporting by Ismail Shakil, Daphne Psaledakis, Christian Martinez and Jonathan Landay; Editing by Caitlin Webber and Michelle Nichols

U.S. military renews strikes on Iran while tankers come under attack in Strait of Hormuz

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U.S. military renews strikes on Iran while tankers come under attack in Strait of Hormuz

U.S. Central Command said it began strikes at Trump’s direction just after the U.S. president told the “Hugh Hewitt Show” that Iran would be hit “very hard tonight, and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow

International News via Reuters:

The U.S. military carried out a third consecutive night of strikes against Iran on Monday as President Donald Trump reinstated a blockade of Iranian shipping and proposed charging a 20% fee to guard the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Central Command said it began strikes at Trump’s direction just after the U.S. president told the “Hugh Hewitt Show” that Iran would be hit “very hard tonight, and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow. And there’s not a damn thing they can do about it.” He later told reporters at the White House that the U.S. was attacking Iranian capabilities in the strait.

The UAE Ministry of Defense later said Iranian cruise missiles struck two Emirati oil tankers, the Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, while transiting the southern lane of the strait in Omani territorial waters, wounding one crew member and injuring eight others. 

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said a tanker had been hit by an unknown projectile while travelling 40 nautical miles northeast of Oman’s Qalhat and that all crew were safe.

Reuters could not immediately verify whether the UKMTO report referred to the same incident as the one reported by the UAE Ministry of Defense. Iran has not commented on the latest attacks.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said two “offending” supertankers had been hit and disabled in the strait after ignoring repeated warnings and turning off navigation systems, Iranian media reported.

The IRGC’s statement did not name the vessels or say whether they were the same tankers cited by the UAE ministry. But it accused the U.S. of “inciting vessels to use an illegal route” and warned that cooperation with the “aggressor enemy” would result in damage, delays in reopening the waterway and a global energy crisis.  

Bahrain’s air defense systems intercepted and destroyed Iranian aerial attacks over the kingdom, Nabeel Alhamer, media adviser to Bahrain’s king, said in posts on X.

“The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. We are reinstating THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE,” Trump had said earlier on Monday on Truth Social.

“The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT’, but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped.” 

Iran’s top joint military command said the U.S. had no role in determining the future of the waterway and would not be allowed to intervene. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi wrote on X that Tehran was the guardian of the strait and would remain so “forever”, adding in response to Trump’s comments that: “20% is of course too much. We will be fair.” 

‘HOSTILE’ U.S. VESSEL 

Soon after the U.S. military announced renewed strikes on Iran, Iranian media reported explosions in the port city of Bandar Abbas, Iran’s Kish and Qeshm islands and on Abu Musa Island in the Gulf.

Iran’s Fars news agency said residents in the city of Jam in Iran’s Bushehr province also heard several explosions but that the exact location of the blasts was not clear. No casualties were reported. Iranian media reports of explosions continued for more than three hours.

Iran’s southwestern Khuzestan province was hit by U.S. projectiles early on Tuesday, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported, citing a provincial security official, adding that four people were wounded and rescue operations were underway. A loud explosion was also heard in Iran’s southern city of Bushehr, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency.

Iran’s state TV cited the Iranian army as saying that it targeted a “hostile” U.S. vessel with cruise missiles and U.S. facilities and equipment in Kuwait with drones. Iranian media also said Iran’s Revolutionary Guards shot down a U.S. MQ-1 drone over Hormuz, while sirens sounded early on Tuesday in Bahrain – home to another U.S. military base.

The incidents, which followed earlier exchanges of missile and drone attacks, extended the hostilities that followed Iran’s announcement at the weekend that it was closing the vital waterway, casting further doubt on an interim deal to halt the war and driving oil prices higher.

The U.N. shipping agency pushed back against Trump’s proposal, saying it opposes any fees for straits used in international navigation and stressing that there is no legal basis for introducing mandatory tolls on strait transits.

Trump has previously suggested the U.S. could charge tolls on shipping through the strait, but has not done so and it remains unclear whether he would follow through this time.

The U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center said the blockade would take effect at 2000 GMT on Tuesday and apply to all vessel traffic regardless of flag, covering the entire Iranian coastline including ports and oil terminals. 

It said the measure would not impede neutral transit passage through the strait to or from non-Iranian destinations, and that humanitarian shipments would be permitted subject to inspection.

The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and U.S. Consulate General in Dubai have cancelled consular appointments from July 13 to 15 due to the regional security situation, the embassy said in a security alert.

$250 MILLION A DAY 

Before the conflict began in February, around a fifth of the world’s oil and gas traffic passed through Hormuz daily, delivering more than 15 million barrels of fuel to global markets worth at least $1.2 billion. If the U.S. were to impose a 20% fee, it could generate around $240 million a day.

The war, launched by the United States and Israel, has destabilised the Gulf and spread across the region, with Iran attacking U.S. bases in multiple countries. Thousands of people have been killed in the war, mainly in Iran and Lebanon.

Oil prices jumped more than 9% on Monday, with Brent futures posting their biggest single-day dollar gain since April 2, and their highest settlement since June 12. U.S. crude futures made their largest daily gain since April 29 to settle at their highest since June 15.

U.S. officials said around 20 vessels had been escorted through the strait in the previous 24 hours, although ship-tracking data showed little traffic moving. MarineTraffic said on Monday that vessel activity through the strait declined by about 52% between July 10 to 12 compared to the previous week.

Additional reporting by Menna Alaa El Din, Jonathan Saul, Enas Alashray, Ahmed Elimam, Eman Abouhassira and Andrew Mills, Writing by Ros Russell, Hugh Lawson, Matt Spetalnick and David Morgan; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan, Timothy Heritage, Sanjeev Miglani, Lincoln Feast and Michael Perry.

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