West Asia war LIVE: At least 20 people killed in U.S.-Saudi strikes on Iran-backed groups in Iraq

July 29, 2026 20:00 Israel army accuses Hezbollah of truce violation, launching drone in south LebanonThe Israeli military accused Hezbollah of a “blatant violation of the ceasefire” on Wednesday (July 29), saying the Iran-backed militant group had fired a drone at an Israeli vehicle overnight in southern Lebanon.“Overnight (Wednesday), Hezbollah launched an explosive drone toward an IDF engineering vehicle in the area of Ali al-Taher Ridge within the Security Zone,” the military said in a statement, adding that the incident “constitutes a blatant violation of the ceasefire” and that no injuries were reported among Israeli soldiers.-AFPJuly 29, 2026 18:47 Iran state TV says U.

S. struck near Iraq borderIranian state television on Wednesday (July 29) said the United States struck a city in the country’s northwest on the border with Iraq.“A few minutes ago, an area in the Piranshahr border area was attacked by American enemy airstrikes,” state television reported, after Fars news agency quoted an official in West Azerbaijan province as saying a missile hit an uninhabited area, leaving no casualties.

-AFPJuly 29, 2026 17:56 U.S., Saudi strike Iraq alliance in expanding warU.

S. and Saudi forces said they struck an Iraqi militant alliance on Wednesday (July 29), as the West Asian war expands beyond its main focus in Iran to involve the Islamic republic’s proxies.The strikes follow a short lull in direct U.

S. attacks on targets in Iran, with Tehran’s allies in Yemen and beyond becoming increasingly drawn in.Iran, meanwhile, launched missiles at Jordan, in its first attack in the region since the pause in fighting with the U.

S. began.-AFPJuly 29, 2026 16:46 China in touch with Yemen's Houthis to allow ships to sail through Red Sea, sources sayChina has held direct talks with Yemen’s Houthi movement to enable its tankers to sail through the southern Red Sea without being attacked after the Iran-aligned militia pledged to prevent access to Saudi ports, six sources with ‌knowledge of the matter said.

The Houthis declared their blockade on July 20, opening a new front against the U.S. and its allies in the Iran war and expanding attacks on ⁠tankers carrying energy and other supplies to markets beyond West Asia.

Beijing has asked the Houthis directly to promise safe passage for its tankers, according to the sources, who included a senior Iranian official.-ReutersJuly 29, 2026 16:29 Jordan intercepts Iranian missiles as U.S.

, Saudi Arabia launch strikes against militias in IraqJordan’s air defences intercepted five missiles launched from Iran early on Wednesday (July 29), the country’s military said, hours after the U.S. military said it had knocked down an Iranian missile barrage launched against American forces in West Asia, shattering a brief pause in fighting.

The Jordanian military said the missiles had been “intercepted and destroyed.” Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency carried a statement from the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard saying the Guard’s Aerospace Force fired ballistic missiles at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base and the headquarters of the U.S.

military’s Central Command in Jordan.-APJuly 29, 2026 12:56 India strongly condemns recent attacks on maritime vessels in Strait of HormuzIndia described the escalation of hostilities in West Asia as “deeply concerning ” and strongly condemned recent attacks on several maritime vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, calling for the restoration of unimpeded navigation and trade through international waterways in the region.Terming West Asia a region of “immense importance” to India, Permanent Representative of India to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said that “after a brief pause in the ongoing conflict in the region, there has been a worrying resumption of attacks and escalation of hostilities.

This is deeply concerning, and India calls for an immediate de-escalation of tensions.”Read the full story belowIn UNSC, India strongly condemns recent attacks on maritime vessels in Strait of HormuzIndia emphasises that UNSC reform must not be hindered by a few divisive interests, calling for genuine progress in negotiations.July 29, 2026 12:46 Crude oil futures rebound over 3% as fragile truce gives way to fresh supply jittersCrude oil futures rebounded more than 3% to ₹7,845 per barrel on Wednesday (July 29, 2026), tracking gains in global benchmarks as renewed military escalation in West Asia revived fears of supply disruptions.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), crude futures for August delivery increased by ₹242, or 3.18%, to ₹7,845 per barrel, snapping a three-session losing streak.“MCX Crude oil for the August contract was trading with a positive bias at around ₹7,650 in early trade on Wednesday on renewed supply-disruption concerns,” said Aamir Makda, Commodity & Currency Analyst, Technical Research at Choice Broking.

Crude oil prices rebounded after Iran launched strikes on American forces in the region, triggering retaliatory action by the U.S. and Saudi military agai