Iran‑US Gulf clash sparks Indian seafarer ban and Pakistan red‑line warning

In the early hours of 18 July, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched drones and missiles at U.S. installations in Kuwait and Bahrain, striking the Sheikh Isa air base, a fuel depot and a desalination plant. Kuwait reported a fire at the plant and temporarily halted airport operations. The United States said its regional air defenses intercepted most of the attack, while Tehran claimed precise hits.

Amid the heightened danger to commercial shipping, India’s Directorate General of Shipping ordered a ban on deploying Indian seafarers on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The directive follows several deadly missile strikes that have killed more than a dozen Indian crew members, prompting the government to activate the highest security alert and coordinate naval escort missions.

Pakistan, invoking its recent mutual‑defence pact with Saudi Arabia, warned Tehran that any Houthi‑backed missile strike on Saudi territory would be treated as an attack on Pakistan. The warning comes as Iran‑backed groups continue to target Saudi sites, raising fears of a broader regional confrontation.