Reports indicate Tehran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz to vessels from nations it considers non-friendly
A number of tankers near the coasts of Iraq and Kuwait, as well as a significant port in Oman, are said to be on fire. This comes as the ongoing US-Israeli military operation against Iran causes major disruptions in global energy markets.
Separate attacks early Thursday targeted at least two oil tankers near Iraq’s Umm Qasr port, and fires at Oman’s Salalah port persisted overnight.
President Donald Trump has announced that the US has “virtually destroyed Iran,” while also emphasizing his intention to continue the campaign until he can “finish the job.”
In response, Tehran has asserted that its forces have successfully overwhelmed enemy air defenses, thereby increasing the vulnerability of Israeli and US military bases in the Middle East.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that its most recent retaliatory strikes were carried out in coordination with Hezbollah. Israel’s subsequent strikes on Lebanon have reportedly resulted in the collapse of entire buildings and the deaths of at least 634 people in the last ten days, according to the local health ministry.
Continuous updates are available in our live coverage below. Our earlier reports can be found here.