U.S. sixth night hits Qeshm and Bandar Abbas after first same-day double wave since MoU

Thursday, July 16, 2026Confirmed

World Desk

What we know

Iran and the United States exchanged intensifying fire Thursday in a week-long escalation that largely unraveled June’s truce, Reuters reported. The U.S. military launched a sixth night of consecutive strikes “to further degrade Iranian military capabilities.” For the first time since the MoU, two big waves of U.S. airstrikes hit Iran in a single day Wednesday, mostly aimed at the southern coast.

Thursday evening projectiles struck Qeshm Island and near Bandar Abbas—home to Iran’s largest port and key navy and IRGC facilities. Tehran also disputed Trump’s claim that a U.S. citizen had been released.

What's confirmed

Sixth consecutive night announced (Reuters).
Wednesday double-wave first since MoU (Reuters).
Qeshm/Bandar Abbas Thursday hits (Reuters).
U.S. citizen release claim disputed by Tehran (Reuters).

What's still developing

Identity and status of the disputed American detainee/release case.

Sources

Reuters — Step-up attacks; double wave; citizen release dispute link