Iran-US war latest: Washington and Tehran trade strikes as shipping through Strait of Hormuz ‘plummets’
The United States and Iran have continued to trade strikes, as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was at a near standstill on Thursday.
More airstrikes were launched against Iran early today, after Donald Trump said recent Iranian attacks on ships in the strait signalled the end of the ceasefire.
Tehran accused Washington of a strike near a nuclear power plant after the US military said it had struck dozens of sites across Iran overnight.
Iran's deputy governor of Bushehr province told state media a US projectile struck the area surrounding Iran’s Bushehr power plant, shortly after reports of explosions in the southern coastal region.
The official said several locations in Bushehr province, including the perimeter area of the nuclear facility, were hit in US attacks, without specifying when.
Iran also launched fresh strikes on Kuwait and Bahrain in response to the wave of US attacks overnight.
The latest flare-up in the four-month conflict kicked off following attacks on three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, which the US has blamed on Iran.
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Over 30 ships transit the Strait of Hormuz: tracker
A total of 31 ships have transited the Strait of Hormuz in the last 24 hours, despite hostilities resuming in the region, according to the Hormuz Strait Monitor.
ICYMI: Netanyahu declares the war in Iran is not over
Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the war in Iran is “not over” as he again vowed that “with or without an agreement, Iran will not possess nuclear weapons.”
The Israeli prime minister said the US military was “a tremendous force multiplier” for Israel, The Times of Israel reported.
“Alongside old challenges, new ones continue to emerge. Old axes collapse, and new ones arise.
“We are preparing for every scenario. We know one thing: we must always remain stronger than our enemies.”
We reported earlier that defence minister Israel Katz said his country was prepared to “alert and prepared for the resumption of the campaign”.
US prepared to strike Iran tonight if necessary: report
American forces are prepared to strike Iran tonight if necessary, several officials told CNN.
However, the US is trying its hand at diplomacy first, the officials said.
Crews on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, stationed in the Arabian Sea, south of Iran, have loaded fighter jets with weapons and equipment, CNN reported.
Fighter pilots have also carried out routine defensive operations, according to the outlet.
After weeks on hold, deal between Israel and Lebanon is progressing, says US official
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Israel tells US of new plot to kill Trump: report
Israel has shared intelligence with the US that it said indicates a new plot to kill President Donald Trump, people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal.
Trump has had a target on his back ever since he launched an airstrike that killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of the elite Quds Force with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, during his first term.
As hostilities with Iran resumed, Trump told reporters, “I’m No. 1 on the list for killing”.
The Independent has reached out to the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., and the White House for comment.
Fox News host says Rubio needs to 'take the lead' in Iran negotiations
Fox News host Brian Kilmeade has said US Secretary of State Rubio needs to “take the lead” in negotiations with Iran.
Kilmeade suggested sidelining US envoys Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, and Steve Witkoff.
“I don't think that Witkoff and Kushner should be the ones doing this. They're business guys. They have not been effective in Ukraine, not been effective in Gaza. They have not been effective in this”, the TV host said.
“We have a State Department for a reason”, he added. “Marco Rubio, even Democrats admit, has been looked at as a genius, internationally…he should take the lead on this. Because you can’t do this like a business deal. You have to understand the history of the region and how distrustful the Iranians have been”.
US military 'fact checks' Iran's claim that it controls Strait of Hormuz
The US military has issued a “fact check” on Iran's claims that it controls the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iranian state media claims that transit through the Strait of Hormuz is only permitted through routes designated by Iran”, US Central Command wrote on X.
CENTCOM then refuted the claim.
“Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz. Since early May, U.S. forces have helped facilitate the successful transit of more than 800 commercial vessels and 380 million barrels of crude oil through the vital international trade corridor,” the US military wrote.
US still determined to reach resolution with Iran
The US is still engaging in technical talks with Iran and is committed to finding a resolution, an official has said.
A US official reiterated its oft-stated vow that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon, telling CNN: “The United States is still committed to finding a resolution, and technical talks continue. Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon,” the official said.
They added that the memorandum of understanding is “performance-based,” and Iran’s actions “constitute failed performance at an unacceptable level.
“Iran’s attacks on these innocent vessels are acts of terrorism.”
Watch: US forces strike 90 military targets along Iran’s coastline
Trump floats US troop removal in Europe over Iran and Greenland tensions
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, President Trump suggested the US might realign or pull back US troops in response to his frustrations over European leaders’ handling of the Greenland and Iran crises.
The Republican said “a lot’s going to depend on Greenland,” the Nato ally the US has been pushing to take over despite firm protests from Denmark and numerous other European nations.
Trump also claimed “a lot’s dependent on Iran”, reiterating his regular criticisms that Europe didn’t do enough to support the original US war effort.
“When they had a chance, an opportunity to help, they chose not to”, the president said. “But we’re sort of forgetting about that”.
