Iran has launched a coordinated wave of missile and drone strikes against US military installations in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, dragging America’s Gulf allies directly into the widening conflict as Washington continues its aerial bombardment of Iranian targets. The sixth day of renewed hostilities has shattered a fragile preliminary deal, sending oil prices soaring and raising fears of a broader regional war.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on US military facilities across three Gulf nations, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing confrontation with Washington.

The Iranian military said it targeted the Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan, a US military logistics centre in Kuwait, and the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, according to state media reports. In Bahrain, local media reported at least ten explosions near Naval Support Activity Bahrain in Juffair, home to the US Fifth Fleet. Tehran claimed the attacks hit the Sheikh Isa base in Bahrain, destroying several warehouses containing weapons and spare parts for US warships and aircraft.

The IRGC said it also targeted the deployment area of MQ-9 drones at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, resulting in several UAVs being destroyed or damaged. In Jordan, the Iranian Army said it targeted communications systems, fuel storage facilities and a fixed radar site at Azraq Air Base using attack drones. Iranian media reported that shelters housing US F-15, F-16, F-35 fighter jets and MQ-9 strategic drones were destroyed at the base.

US allies under fire

The attacks have placed America’s Gulf partners in an increasingly precarious position. US allies in the region reported attacks, with Kuwait’s military saying it intercepted Iranian drones and Bahrain sounding air raid sirens. Bahrain’s interior ministry told citizens to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.

Jordanian media reported explosions and the activation of air raid sirens near Azraq Air Base. The Iranian military described its operations as retaliation for what it called overnight US attacks on Iran’s southern cities and coastline.

“The eighth wave of Operation Nasr 2 targeted a C-RAM early-warning radar and an area used by US personnel at Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait,” the IRGC said in a statement. The force warned that retaliation would continue if the US carried out further attacks, and stated that any further military action by Washington would face “unexpected” responses.

US strikes intensify

The Iranian attacks came as the United States escalated its own military campaign. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American fighter jets, drones and naval vessels carried out a seven-hour operation on Iran, hitting dozens of military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and along Iran’s coast.

“US forces struck Iranian command centers, air defense, missile, and drone sites, as well as coastal observation posts,” CENTCOM said in a statement. The strikes included the port city of Bandar Abbas and Greater Tunb Island, targeting coastal defence systems and cruise missile storage and launch facilities.

US President Donald Trump has warned that American forces will target Iran’s power plants and bridges next week unless Tehran returns to negotiations.

“We will destroy all of Iran’s power plants and all of its bridges,” Trump said. He also issued a fresh warning to Iran, saying Tehran “better behave” as the United States intensified military operations.

Strait of Hormuz remains closed

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil passes, remains closed. Iran’s IRGC declared that the strait would remain closed “until the end of America’s evils”.

The IRGC also warned the US that it should “expect the closure of other oil and gas export routes that serve the interests of the United States and its allies”. Iran has threatened to block further trading routes in the region, with the Revolutionary Guard warning it could halt all oil and gas exports from West Asia.

The disruption has sent shockwaves through global energy markets. Brent crude oil prices surged to around $86 per barrel, having previously spiked to nearly $120 per barrel during the peak of the Iran-Israel conflict. The International Energy Agency has warned that the world has just weeks to avoid a major economic shock from the Hormuz disruption.

Regional fallout

The conflict has placed Gulf nations in an impossible position. Many countries in the region are both allies of the US and maintain relations with Iran, making the risk of a widespread conflict a direct threat to regional stability. Rather than shaping the course of events, Gulf states increasingly appear to be absorbing the consequences of the US-Iran confrontation.

Iran has insisted it only targets US interests, but its military command spokesman said any collaboration by Gulf countries with the US would be considered “an act of war”. The IRGC has urged Kuwait to remove foreign forces to safeguard its national security.

Iran-backed Iraqi militias have also threatened to join the war. Abu Mujahid al-Assaf, an official of Kataib Hezbollah, said that any new war against Iran would trigger an “immediate and certain” response from the Iraqi resistance. US War Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to disarm Iran-aligned militias responsible for more than 600 attacks on US personnel.

What happens next?

The latest exchanges came after US President Donald Trump warned Iran it had “better behave” or face further military action should Iran not return to negotiations. Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, told state media Tehran had “no reason” to abide by any agreement that did not benefit the country.

As the sixth day of renewed hostilities strains their preliminary deal to end the war, the region finds itself on the brink of a wider conflict. The United States has reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, while Iran continues to target US allies in the Gulf.

For the Gulf nations caught in the crossfire, the stakes could not be higher. With oil prices climbing, air raid sirens sounding, and citizens being told to seek shelter, the region’s most stable states are now on the front lines of a war they did not choose.

The United States Embassy in Accra has announced a temporary suspension of visa processing and most consular services from July 20 to July 31, 2026, as it undertakes scheduled maintenance works at its Consular Section. The Embassy says normal public services will resume on August 3, 2026.

Thousands of Ghanaians planning to travel to the United States will face delays as the US Embassy in Accra temporarily suspends visa processing and most consular services for 11 days due to scheduled maintenance at its Consular Section.

In a public notice shared on its social media platforms, the Embassy announced that the Consular Section will be temporarily closed to the public from July 20 through July 31, 2026, to facilitate maintenance of its facilities. Normal public services will resume on August 3, 2026.

“During this period, we will be unable to process visas and other consular services, except in life-or-death emergencies,” the Embassy stated.

Life-or-death emergencies only

The Embassy clarified that life-or-death emergencies will be the only exception during the maintenance period. Applicants with urgent travel needs related to serious medical emergencies, deaths in the family, or other critical situations may still be able to receive assistance.

All visa appointments originally scheduled within the affected period, the Embassy confirmed, have been rescheduled. Applicants are advised to check their email and the Embassy’s official communication channels for revised appointment dates and times.

Document collection schedule

For applicants who have received email confirmation that their passport or Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is ready for collection, the Embassy has designated two specific dates for document pick-up during the maintenance closure.

Affected individuals have been advised to visit the Embassy on July 23 or July 30 between 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to collect their documents. No document collection will be possible outside these designated windows.

Adult passport renewals continue

In a welcome development for applicants, the Embassy clarified that adult passport renewal applications submitted through the Embassy’s drop box service will continue to be processed during the maintenance period, despite the temporary closure of the Consular Section.

This means that while walk-in services will not be available, the Embassy’s internal processing of passport renewals will proceed uninterrupted.

Embassy urges applicants to stay informed

The Embassy encouraged all applicants to monitor its official communication channels for updates and to adhere to the revised appointment schedules as normal operations resume in early August.

“Applicants should check their email regularly and follow the Embassy’s social media pages for the latest information,” the notice stated.

The Embassy also reminded applicants that visa application fees remain valid and that rescheduled appointments do not require additional payment.

Impact on travel plans

The 11-day suspension comes at a time when demand for US visas remains high among Ghanaian travellers, students and businesspeople. The closure is expected to affect hundreds of applicants who had scheduled appointments during the maintenance period.

The US Embassy in Accra processes thousands of visa applications annually, including student visas, tourist visas, business visas and immigrant visas. Ghana consistently ranks among the top African countries for US visa applications, with many Ghanaians travelling to the United States for education, tourism and business.

The Embassy has not disclosed the specific nature of the maintenance work, but such closures typically involve upgrades to IT systems, security infrastructure, or physical facilities at the consular section.

A reminder of the importance of planning ahead

The temporary suspension serves as a reminder for travellers to plan their visa applications well in advance of their intended travel dates. The Embassy has previously advised applicants to allow sufficient time for processing, which can vary depending on the type of visa and the volume of applications.

The US Embassy in Accra is one of the busiest diplomatic missions in West Africa, serving not only Ghanaian applicants but also nationals from several neighbouring countries who are processed through the Accra post.

Background

The United States and Ghana maintain strong diplomatic and economic ties, with the US being a top destination for Ghanaian students and professionals. The Embassy in Accra plays a crucial role in facilitating people-to-people exchanges, business travel and family reunification.

The suspension of consular services is a routine occurrence at diplomatic missions worldwide, often necessary for system upgrades and maintenance that cannot be carried out while services are operating.

The Embassy expressed appreciation for the public’s understanding and cooperation during the maintenance period.

“We look forward to serving you again when we resume full operations on August 3, 2026,” the notice concluded.

For affected applicants

If you have a visa appointment scheduled between July 20 and July 31, 2026, you should check your email for rescheduling notifications.

If you are awaiting the collection of your passport or CRBA, you should visit the Embassy on July 23 or July 30 between 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. If you have a life-or-death emergency during the closure period, you should contact the Embassy through its emergency hotline.

Here are the top 10 headline stories dominating Ghana’s newsstands today, Thursday, July 16, 2026

1. Cabinet Approves Sweeping Overhaul of Mining Laws

Papers: The Business Analyst, Insight, Daily Democrat, The Chronicle, Daily Graphic, The Ghanaian Times

Cabinet has approved a comprehensive review of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), with the revised bill forwarded to Parliament for consideration. Key reforms include reducing mining leases from 30 to a maximum of 20 years, creating a new medium-scale mining category, abolishing the reconnaissance licence in favour of a single prospecting licence capped at five years, and mandating community development agreements for every lease. Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah announced the reforms at the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency.

2. GoldBod Signs GH¢8.4 Million Deal to Rescue Galamsey-Hit Water Plants

Papers: The Business Analyst, Daily Democrat

The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has signed a GH¢8.4 million agreement with Ghana Water Limited to rehabilitate the Bonsa, Daboase and Sekyere Heman Water Supply Systems in the Western and Central Regions. GoldBod CEO Sammy Gyamfi said the Board conducted an independent technical assessment before approving the project, reaffirming GoldBod’s commitment to responsible mining, environmental sustainability and improving the lives of Ghanaians.

3. Informal Cross-Border Trade Hits GH¢31 Billion – GSS

Papers: The Business Analyst, The Ghanaian Times

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has reported that informal cross-border trade has reached GH¢31 billion, highlighting the significant role of unrecorded trade in Ghana’s economy. The figure underscores the challenges of monitoring and regulating informal trade flows across Ghana’s borders.

4. NPP Annuls Elections in Three Ashanti Constituencies

Papers: Daily Guide, The Archives

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has annulled constituency executive elections in three constituencies in the Ashanti Region. The decision follows irregularities and disputes over the electoral process, dealing a blow to internal party democracy ahead of the 2028 elections.

5. Miracles Aboagye: “EOCO Never Quizzed Me on GH¢55m”

Papers: Daily Guide

Dennis Miracles Aboagye, who was arrested by EOCO over alleged GH¢55 million public funds diversion, has reportedly stated that investigators never questioned him about the alleged stolen cash. Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has boycotted the Bank of Ghana Governor’s briefing over the media ban, escalating tensions between Parliament and the central bank.

6. Government to Earn GH¢550 Million from KGL in 2027

Papers: Daily Guide

The government is projected to earn GH¢550 million from KGL in 2027, according to reports. The revenue is expected to come from the strategic partnership between the government and the Ghanaian investment firm.

7. NCA Ends NGIC’s Exclusive 5G Monopoly, Opens Market to Competition

Papers: The Daily Searchlight

The National Communications Authority (NCA) has ended NGIC’s exclusive 5G infrastructure monopoly, opening Ghana’s wholesale 5G market to greater competition. The decision is expected to drive down costs and improve service delivery in the telecommunications sector.

8. 112 Pump-Action Guns Seized in Anti-Galamsey Crackdown

Papers: The Chronicle

Lands Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah announced that 112 pump-action guns have been seized as part of the government’s intensified crackdown on illegal mining (galamsey). The seizure underscores the growing militarisation of illegal mining operations and the government’s commitment to enforcing mining laws.

9. NPA Launches “Responsible Mining” Drive

Papers: The National Enquirer

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has launched a “Responsible Mining” drive aimed at promoting best practices in the mining sector. The initiative is part of broader efforts to regulate the industry and mitigate the environmental impact of mining activities.

10. NEIP, Venture Capital Trust Fund to Establish GH¢100m Adwuma Fund

Papers: The Archives

The National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) and the Venture Capital Trust Fund are set to establish a GH¢100 million Adwuma Fund to support entrepreneurship and job creation. The fund is expected to provide financing for small and medium-sized enterprises across the country.

Also making headlines:

• President Mahama to lead Atta Mills 14th anniversary commemoration
• Majority and Minority clash over Bank of Ghana Governor’s appearance before Parliament
• Achimota Forest regains original status as government revokes E.I.144
• 17 doctors battling mental health conditions – report
• COCOBOD clears GH¢162 million cocoa bills debt to non-DDEP holders
• ECG to deploy 500 Revenue Mobilisation Units nationwide
• Establish Customary Land Secretariats to curb land disputes – traditional leaders told
• Russia-Ghana cooperation featured in Insight newspaper with article by Konstantin Kosachev