War returns to Iran with Israel, US strikes

The United Arab Emirates’ foreign ministry has issued a statement condemning the “treacherous” Iranian missile and drone attacks, Al Jazeera reports.

The ministry says it reserves its “full and legitimate right” to respond to the attacks, which it describes as a serious escalation that poses a direct threat to the country’s security.

The US military has destroyed six Iranian small boats and intercepted Iranian cruise missiles and drones fired by Tehran, as the US launched an operation to free up shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reports, citing US Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of Central Command (Centcom).

Cooper says he “strongly advised” Iranian forces to remain clear of US military assets as it launches the operation. He adds that a US blockade of Iranian ports also remains in effect and is exceeding expectations.

Omani state media reports that a residential building in the Bukha governorate was “targeted”, leaving two expatriates injured and damage to four vehicles.

“The competent authorities are investigating the facts, affirming their commitment to taking all measures to ensure the security and safety of citizens and residents,” the Oman News Agency says in a post on X.

Brent oil prices have shot up more than five per cent on intensifying tensions over the Strait of Hormuz as Emirati authorities said an energy installation had been struck by a drone, AFP reports.

Near 1535 GMT (8:35pm PKT), Brent oil futures have jumped 5.2pc to $113.78 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate rose 3.1pc to $105.11 a barrel.

The Fujairah Media Office reports that three Indian nationals have been injured following a drone strike on an oil terminal.

“The competent authorities in the Emirate of Fujairah announced that three Indian nationals sustained moderate injuries and were transferred to the hospital to receive the necessary treatment,” the office says on X, adding that updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

“The authorities also urged the public to obtain information only from official sources and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information,” the media office adds.

The UAE’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed on X that the sounds heard in various parts of the country are the result of the UAE air defence systems intercepting “ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones”.

“UAE Air Defences system are actively engaging with missiles and UAV threats,” the ministry said.

Hezbollah says its forces have clashed with Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon near the border, where Israeli forces are continuing to carry out operations despite a ceasefire, Al Jazeera reports.

In a statement, the group said Israeli troops had attempted to advance near the town of Deir Seryan, inside the Israeli-declared “yellow line” where residents have been told not to return, but its fighters “opened fire on the enemy force and engaged in heavy clashes with them”.

UAE’s defence ministry says four projectiles have been launched from Iran, three of which were intercepted and one fell into the sea, according to Al Jazeera.

Fujairah’s media office says a “large fire broke out” at the petroleum industrial site in the emirate after a drone attack from Iran, Al Jazeera reports.

This follows the UAE’s Defence Ministry saying four missiles were launched earlier.

Israel’s military has warned it will carry out attacks in the Lebanese towns of Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Mayfadoun, Qalaouiyah, Burj Qalaouiyah, al-Majadel and Srifa, and threatened their residents to immediately leave, Al Jazeera reports.

In a statement, the army’s spokesman demanded all residents of those villages move into open areas that are at least 1,000 metres away.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has rejected US claims that two merchant vessels recently crossed the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reports.

In a statement carried by the Tasnim news agency, the IRGC states no commercial vessels or tankers have crossed the waterway in the past few hours.

“Claims by US officials are baseless and complete lies,” the statement reads.

Brigadier General Hossein Mohebi, a spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has said that the system of managing the Strait of Hormuz is unchanged and that civilian and commercial vessels complying with the IRGC Navy transit protocols and using the designated route will be granted safe passage, state media reports.

The spokesperson, whose comments were carried by Press TV, warns, Any maritime activity that contradicts the IRGC Navy’s declared rules will face serious consequences, and violating vessels will be stopped by force.

“All shipping companies and cargo insurers are urged to follow IRGC advisories and official notices,” he adds.

Seoul says that an “explosion and fire” struck a South Korean ship in the Strait of Hormuz, AFP reports.

The foreign ministry says that around 8:40pm in Seoul (4:40pm PKT), “an explosion and fire occurred on a vessel operated by a South Korean shipping company … anchored in waters near the United Arab Emirates inside the Strait of Hormuz”, adding that there were “no casualties to date”.

Jordan has condemned Iranian drone attacks on an Emirati oil tanker, calling the incident “a blatant violation” of international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2817.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Affairs affirmed in a statement Jordan’s rejection and condemnation of this attack, emphasising Jordan’s absolute solidarity with the sisterly United Arab Emirates, and its full support for all steps it takes to protect its sovereignty, security, and the safety of its citizens,” the foreign ministry says.

Qatar’s foreign ministry “strongly condemns” an Iranian attack on an Emirati oil tanker, deeming it “a flagrant violation of the rules of international law and freedom of maritime navigation”.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs renews the State of Qatar’s categorical rejection of using the Strait of Hormuz as a bargaining chip, and its call to reopen it without conditions, and its affirmation that freedom of navigation in this vital passage is a firmly established principle that admits no compromise, and that the continued closure of the strait exposes the vital interests of the region’s countries to danger,” a statement reads.

Doha has emphasised the need for Iran to stop attacking Gulf nations, while also expressing solidarity with the United Arab Emirates.

The European Commission warns that airlines and member states should prepare for all scenarios as uncertainty persists over how long the jet fuel crisis will last, Anadolu reports.

Speaking at the commission’s daily press briefing in Brussels, spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen says the EU executive is coordinating closely with member states and industry stakeholders amid concerns over jet fuel supplies.

“I don’t think anyone knows how long this situation will last, so the best we can do and the most effective thing that we can do and that we are doing is to prepare for all eventualities,” Itkonen says.

She adds that close coordination and cooperation with EU member states and other stakeholders remained “absolutely crucial,” further stating that it is “the only way” for the bloc to take further action if necessary.

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UAE authorities have just sent a second message to mobile phones in Dubai, noting that the situation is now safe and residents may resume normal activities, Al Jazeera reports.

Earlier, authorities sent a mobile phone alert for a potential missile attack, nearly a month into a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East war.

It was the first alert to be sent by the authorities in recent weeks.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency reports that nearly 2,700 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon since March 2.

Citing Lebanon’s health ministry, Tasnim reports that 2,696 people have been killed and 8,264 others have been injured.

South Korea said it is verifying intelligence that a South Korean-flagged vessel was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, Yonhap News reports, according to Reuters.

Jassim Mohammed al-Badawi, secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has denounced “in the strongest terms” the Iranian attack on an Emirati oil tanker during transit in the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reports.

Two suicide drones hit the vessel as it sailed the seas.

“The continuation of these brutal Iranian attacks by targeting ships passing through the strait is piracy and serious extortion of the security of sea lanes and straits,” al-Badawi is quoted as saying in a statement on the GCC’s website.

“His Excellency expressed the GCC’s full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates and its support in all measures it takes to preserve its sovereignty, security and stability.”

UAE carrier Emirates says it has restored 96 per cent of its global network after widespread disruption and mass cancellations across the Middle East during the US-Israeli war on Iran, CNN reports.

Despite not reaching full normality, the Dubai-based airline says it carried around 4.7 million travellers during the conflict and is now operating across 72 countries.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says that Washington will be watching to see whether China steps up diplomacy with Iran to get Tehran to open up the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reports.

Bessent told Fox News Channel’s “America’s Newsroom” he would urge the Chinese to join the US in supporting the opening of the Strait.