In Spain, fans are celebrating after a 2-0 victory over France, with all eyes now firmly on the World Cup final. The winner between the defending champions, Argentina and England will take on the 2010 champions.&nbsp;Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot after a brilliant move involving teenager Lamine Yamal. Pedro Porro added another goal as Spain booked its place in its first World Cup final since winning the title in 2010 with a 2-0 victory over France on Tuesday.&nbsp;"I am very happy with the team's attitude from start to finish. I think we played a great match. We did everything we had to do today to reach the final," said Pedro Porro, the Tottenham defender.&nbsp;But football has now produced an unlikely geopolitical moment. As the FIFA World Cup enters its final stages in the United States, one of Washington's biggest adversaries, Iran, has openly picked its favourite. And it is not just about football. It is also about politics, diplomacy, and a message to the world.&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/fifa-world-cup-2026-iran-says-spain-on-right-side-of-history-ahead-of-world-cup-final-1784201235152/embed&nbsp;Now, as all eyes turn to Sunday's final, Iran has publicly backed Spain, not only for its football but also for what it described as Spain's principled stand during one of West Asia's most turbulent periods.&nbsp;Spain's decision to formally recognise the State of Palestine and its refusal to provide military assistance to the United States and Israel during regional conflicts have significantly reshaped its diplomatic relationship with Iran.&nbsp;Also Read: '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/are-you-muslim-indian-man-stabbed-15-times-in-us-after-being-asked-about-religion-1784133567663">Are you Muslim?': Indian man stabbed 15 times in US after being asked about religion</a>&nbsp;In a post on social media, Iran congratulated Spain, saying it had chosen "the right side of history."&nbsp;"Spain's responsible conduct in opposing the Zionist-American coalition's flagrant human rights violations and military aggression against countries, including Iran, shows that ethics and awakened consciences still exist in the West. I commend Spanish officials for their stances," Iranian President Pezeshkian wrote on X.&nbsp;This is not the first time Tehran has publicly praised Madrid.&nbsp;In March, Tehran thanked Madrid for refusing to support US-led strikes, marking a rare moment of diplomatic warmth between a nation under bombardment and a European country resisting Washington's pressure.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup2026?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCup2026</a> | <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GoalFIFA2026?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoalFIFA2026</a> | Why is Iran publicly supporting Spain at the FIFA World Cup being played in the United States? This is more than a football story. It is a story of diplomacy, symbolism and geopolitics<a href="https://x.com/MollyGambhir?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MollyGambhir</a> has more <a href="https://t.co/czjbrnNtuB">pic.twitter.com/czjbrnNtuB</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2077439074324074576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Spain&#39;s responsible conduct in opposing the Zionist-American coalition&#39;s flagrant human rights violations and military aggression against countries, including Iran, shows that ethics and awakened consciences still exist in the West. I commend Spanish officials for their stances.&mdash; Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) <a href="https://x.com/drpezeshkian/status/2029259618984026499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Even Pope Leo XIV recently commended Spain's commitment to peace, dialogue, and international solidarity.&nbsp;However, Madrid's position has not gone down well with Washington. US President Donald Trump has ordered a complete freeze on all American trade with Spain, openly branding it a terrible partner in NATO.&nbsp;Iran's own World Cup campaign makes this moment even more significant. The national team arrived in the United States facing restrictions that no other team experienced, with its base camp shifted at the last minute to Mexico, staff denied visas, and players competing while their country remained under attack back home.&nbsp;The Iranian team left the United States in the last week of June, leaving behind a message in the locker room in Los Angeles thanking their hosts.&nbsp;The letter referred to the 168 people, most of them children, who were killed in a US airstrike on a school in Minab shortly after the US-led conflict with Iran began in February.&nbsp;That backdrop makes Tehran's support for Spain about far more than football. It is a gesture of solidarity towards a country willing to say no to Washington, expressed by a nation that knows exactly what saying no can cost. Football was supposed to be neutral ground. This World Cup appears to be something else.

Iran publicly backed Spain ahead of the FIFA World Cup final, linking its support to Madrid's diplomatic stance on West Asia and adding a geopolitical dimension to the tournament.

In Spain, fans are celebrating after a 2-0 victory over France, with all eyes now firmly on the World Cup final. The winner between the defending champions, Argentina and England will take on the 2010 champions. Mikel Oyarzabal scored from the penalty spot after a brilliant move involving teenager Lamine Yamal. Pedro Porro added another goal as Spain booked its place in its first World Cup final since winning the title in 2010 with a 2-0 victory over France on Tuesday. "I am very happy with the team's attitude from start to finish. I think we played a great match. We did everything we had to do today to reach the final," said Pedro Porro, the Tottenham defender. But football has now produced an unlikely geopolitical moment. As the FIFA World Cup enters its final stages in the United States, one of Washington's biggest adversaries, Iran, has openly picked its favourite. And it is not just about football. It is also about politics, diplomacy, and a message to the world. https://www.wionews.com/videos/fifa-world-cup-2026-iran-says-spain-on-right-side-of-history-ahead-of-world-cup-final-1784201235152/embed Now, as all eyes turn to Sunday's final, Iran has publicly backed Spain, not only for its football but also for what it described as Spain's principled stand during one of West Asia's most turbulent periods. Spain's decision to formally recognise the State of Palestine and its refusal to provide military assistance to the United States and Israel during regional conflicts have significantly reshaped its diplomatic relationship with Iran. Also Read: 'Are you Muslim?': Indian man stabbed 15 times in US after being asked about religion In a post on social media, Iran congratulated Spain, saying it had chosen "the right side of history." "Spain's responsible conduct in opposing the Zionist-American coalition's flagrant human rights violations and military aggression against countries, including Iran, shows that ethics and awakened consciences still exist in the West. I commend Spanish officials for their stances," Iranian President Pezeshkian wrote on X. This is not the first time Tehran has publicly praised Madrid. In March, Tehran thanked Madrid for refusing to support US-led strikes, marking a rare moment of diplomatic warmth between a nation under bombardment and a European country resisting Washington's pressure.

Iran publicly backed Spain ahead of the FIFA World Cup final, linking its support to Madrid's diplomatic stance on West Asia and adding a geopolitical dimension to the tournament.

Spain's World Cup final run takes a geopolitical dimension as Iran publicly backs Madrid | Gravitas

The United States launched a fresh wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday morning (3.30 PM IST), the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said, after Washington reinstated a naval blockade of the Islamic Republic, deepening the conflict between the two countries in what analysts fear could become a prolonged war.&nbsp;US forces "began launching a wave of strikes... designed to further degrade military capabilities Iranian forces have used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM said on X.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">At 6 a.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching a wave of strikes against Iran. The strikes are designed to further degrade military capabilities Iranian forces have used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2077338021733478617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The strikes came as the United States restored a naval blockade on Iranian ports and carried out its fourth straight night of attacks on Iran. The US military said it completed its latest operation at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, targeting dozens of military sites near the Strait of Hormuz and coastal areas.&nbsp;The latest escalation between Tehran and Washington has effectively ended the 14-point memorandum of understanding signed on July 17 to restore peace. The renewed conflict was triggered by Iran's attacks on commercial vessels attempting to bypass the designated route in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting both countries to race for control of the strategic waterway that carries nearly 20 per cent of the world's oil supply.&nbsp;President Donald Trump also warned that the United States would strike bridges and power plants in Iran "next week" unless Tehran returns to the negotiating table.&nbsp;More than 30 civilians have been killed in recent US strikes, Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Wednesday after four consecutive nights of attacks.&nbsp;The latest escalation also pushed oil prices higher on Wednesday. Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose 0.3 per cent to $85 a barrel in early ET trading, while West Texas Intermediate gained 0.5 per cent to nearly $80 a barrel.&nbsp;Meanwhile, India has strengthened measures to safeguard its citizens working in the maritime sector after a missile strike in the Strait of Hormuz killed an Indian sailor and injured 10 others.&nbsp;The Ministry of External Affairs has taken up the matter with Iran after two UAE-flagged commercial tankers carrying Indian crew members were hit in the strategic waterway. Indian authorities are also introducing a real-time monitoring system to track the movement and safety of Indian seafarers operating in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.&nbsp;&nbsp;(Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.)

The United States launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran after four consecutive nights of attacks and the reinstatement of a naval blockade, escalating the battle for control of the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States launched a fresh wave of strikes against Iran on Wednesday morning (3.30 PM IST), the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said, after Washington reinstated a naval blockade of the Islamic Republic, deepening the conflict between the two countries in what analysts fear could become a prolonged war. US forces "began launching a wave of strikes... designed to further degrade military capabilities Iranian forces have used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM said on X.

The United States launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran after four consecutive nights of attacks and the reinstatement of a naval blockade, escalating the battle for control of the Strait of Hormuz.

US launches fresh strikes after reinstating naval blockade of Iran as battle for Hormuz intensifies

A cargo ship sank in the Strait of Hormuz on July 14 amid the resumption of hostilities between Iran and the United States. A video released by Iran's Fars news agency shows the vessel with the name "Luni" etched on the hull going down. The ship had departed from India and was going to a port in the United Arab Emirates, according to MarineTraffic data. However, unlike some claims doing the rounds, the sinking is supposedly not linked to the ongoing war. The Iranian news agency reported that the ship collided with another vessel, which led to the sinking.&nbsp;The cargo ship soon filled with water, following which an emergency evacuation was carried out. According to reports, 23 crew members were rescued and taken to Qeshm Island on the southern coast. The circumstances surrounding the collision have not been revealed, nor has the other vessel involved in the collision been identified. The ship that went down was sailing under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Data placed the last recorded position of the vessel near the Strait of Hormuz at 2 pm IST, &nbsp;after it entered the area from the Gulf of Oman.<h2>Video of cargo ship sinking in Strait of Hormuz</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Cargo ship sinks near Strait of Hormuz amid Iran&#39;s warning to block more vital seaways . . . .<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/USIranWar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USIranWar</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/StraitOfHormuz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StraitOfHormuz</a> <a href="https://t.co/KkCLqpvc8l">pic.twitter.com/KkCLqpvc8l</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://x.com/WIONews/status/2077307879267447175?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Iran war resumes</h2>&nbsp;The incident happened on the same day the United States announced a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports and coastal areas. Fresh strikes were launched by the US CENTCOM, following which Iran responded with attacks on US bases in allied countries. United States struck Iranian missile and radar sites along the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, defending the action by saying that the aim was to reduce Tehran’s ability to strike commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;The MoU signed by the two countries last month has now collapsed. On July 8, 2026, US President Donald Trump declared that the landmark interim peace agreement was "over" following a series of acute maritime violations in the Persian Gulf. A total naval blockade was reinstated on July 14 on all Iranian ports and coastal areas, targeting any non-compliant vessels attempting to enter or depart. &nbsp;

A ship sank in the Strait of Hormuz on July 14, triggering theories about what had happened. However, according to the Fars news agency, there might not be a link with the war. Maritime data shows the vessel left India and was bound for the United Arab Emirates.

A cargo ship sank in the Strait of Hormuz on July 14 amid the resumption of hostilities between Iran and the United States. A video released by Iran's Fars news agency shows the vessel with the name "Luni" etched on the hull going down. The ship had departed from India and was going to a port in the United Arab Emirates, according to MarineTraffic data. However, unlike some claims doing the rounds, the sinking is supposedly not linked to the ongoing war. The Iranian news agency reported that the ship collided with another vessel, which led to the sinking. The cargo ship soon filled with water, following which an emergency evacuation was carried out. According to reports, 23 crew members were rescued and taken to Qeshm Island on the southern coast. The circumstances surrounding the collision have not been revealed, nor has the other vessel involved in the collision been identified. The ship that went down was sailing under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Data placed the last recorded position of the vessel near the Strait of Hormuz at 2 pm IST, after it entered the area from the Gulf of Oman. Video of cargo ship sinking in Strait of Hormuz

A ship sank in the Strait of Hormuz on July 14, triggering theories about what had happened. However, according to the Fars news agency, there might not be a link with the war. Maritime data shows the vessel left India and was bound for the United Arab Emirates.

Video shows cargo ship that left India sinking in Strait of Hormuz, link with war unclear

Kuwait reported missile attacks and explosions on Tuesday. Kuwait's army announced for the second time in less than half an hour that it was intercepting "hostile" targets. Iranian media Fars News said that the Iranian army carried out a new wave of attacks against the US military bases in Kuwait. No casualty has been reported yet.Iranian state media Fars claimed that waves of loitering attack drones struck communication systems, fuel storage facilities, Patriot air defence batteries, control towers, and ammunition depots at US military bases in Kuwait. It also claimed that the cruise missile was launched at a hostile US vessel in response to a US attack on military bases.&nbsp;"The General Staff of the Kuwait Armed Forces announces that any explosions are the result of the Air Defence systems intercepting hostile attacks," the army said in its statements, without providing further details.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oman-iran-containment-false-narrative-gulf-security-framework-1784041697752">Oman's foreign minister says 'containing Iran' was a false narrative to militarise the Persian Gulf</a><h2>Explosion in Kish and Qeshm Island</h2>Iranian state media reported explosions in Kish and Qeshm islands on Tuesday. Iran's Gulf island of Qeshm is situated near the Strait of Hormuz."Around 6:45 pm, the sound of several explosions was heard on Qeshm Island," Fars said. “In recent days, the Masan area of Qeshm has been attacked several times by the American enemy,” The Fars news agency reported, citing the island's governor's office.A US projectile has exploded near a critical water and electricity facility on Iran’s Kish Island, according to reports from Iran's Tasnim news agency. The strike occurred during an intense, five-hour U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) mission that targeted multiple strategic locations across southern Iran, including air defences. naval infrastructure, and coastal radar sites. The Kish Water and Engineering company reported that the facility remained operational, with reported damage in the parameters of the facility.

Kuwait reported explosions after its air defences intercepted hostile targets, while Iranian state media claimed strikes on US military bases and strategic sites in the Gulf.

Kuwait reported missile attacks and explosions on Tuesday. Kuwait's army announced for the second time in less than half an hour that it was intercepting "hostile" targets. Iranian media Fars News said that the Iranian army carried out a new wave of attacks against the US military bases in Kuwait. No casualty has been reported yet. Iranian state media Fars claimed that waves of loitering attack drones struck communication systems, fuel storage facilities, Patriot air defence batteries, control towers, and ammunition depots at US military bases in Kuwait. It also claimed that the cruise missile was launched at a hostile US vessel in response to a US attack on military bases. "The General Staff of the Kuwait Armed Forces announces that any explosions are the result of the Air Defence systems intercepting hostile attacks," the army said in its statements, without providing further details. Also Read: Oman's foreign minister says 'containing Iran' was a false narrative to militarise the Persian Gulf Explosion in Kish and Qeshm Island Iranian state media reported explosions in Kish and Qeshm islands on Tuesday. Iran's Gulf island of Qeshm is situated near the Strait of Hormuz. "Around 6:45 pm, the sound of several explosions was heard on Qeshm Island," Fars said. “In recent days, the Masan area of Qeshm has been attacked several times by the American enemy,” The Fars news agency reported, citing the island's governor's office. A US projectile has exploded near a critical water and electricity facility on Iran’s Kish Island, according to reports from Iran's Tasnim news agency. The strike occurred during an intense, five-hour U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) mission that targeted multiple strategic locations across southern Iran, including air defences. naval infrastructure, and coastal radar sites. The Kish Water and Engineering company reported that the facility remained operational, with reported damage in the parameters of the facility.

Kuwait reported explosions after its air defences intercepted hostile targets, while Iranian state media claimed strikes on US military bases and strategic sites in the Gulf.

Iran claims drone and missile strikes on US bases in Kuwait; explosions reported in Qeshm and Kish island

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Spain's World Cup final run takes a geopolitical dimension as Iran publicly backs Madrid | Gravitas

US launches fresh strikes on Iran amid intensifying battle for Hormuz control

Video shows cargo ship that left India sinking in Strait of Hormuz

Iran claims fresh strikes on US military bases in Kuwait as explosions rock Gulf