Trump says countries who need oil should secure Strait of Hormuz and claims Iran has been ‘beaten’ as Iran renews attacks across gulf: Live updates

US President Donald Trump has doubled down on his demand that countries that need oil should help combat Iran‘s efforts to shut the Strait of Hormuz.

Just hours after saying he hopes the UK, China and other nations will send warships, Trump said in a post on Truth Social countries ‘that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage’.

On Thursday, Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to keep blocking the strait, which is a key trade artery for around 20 per cent of the world’s oil. 

It comes after  Trump said last night that the US had ‘totally obliterated’ all military targets in ‘Iran’s crown jewel’, Kharg Island.

Iran retaliated by striking a major oil hub in the UAE, with plumes of black smoke seen billowing into the skies above the port of Fujairah following a drone attack today.

Former Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki, has also threatened to ‘capture’ US forces if they make an attempt to seize oil infrastructure in Kharg Island. 

Follow our live updates on the conflict in the Middle East below. 

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Trump renews calls for other countries to help ‘take care’ of Hormuz Strait

Donald Trump has made a further plea for countries to join efforts to prevent Iran from shutting off the Strait of Hormuz.

He said in a post on Truth Social that countries ‘that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage’.

‘Several drones’ hit Kuwait international airport

Several drones have struck Kuwait’s international airport today and hit its radar system but did not injure anyone, the country’s civil aviation authority has said.

‘Kuwait International Airport was targeted by several drones this evening, which struck its radar system,’ the authority said.

‘Thankfully, no injuries were recorded.’

Six arrested for spreading ‘false news’ on attacks in Bahrain

Several people have been arrested in Bahrain for allegedly posting videos and spreading misinformation about Iranian attacks on the country.

‘Six people were arrested and referred to the public prosecution for posting videos about the effects of the Iranian aggression, praising its hostile actions and spreading false news,’ the country’s interior ministry has said.

By James Fielding

Tourist attractions in ‘ghost town’ Dubai desperate to attract customers during the drone and missile attacks from Iran are offering free admissions – including ‘camel hugging therapy’.

Visitors are invited to ‘release your stress with a private encounter with our cuddliest animals’ at the Camel Farm set in the dunes of Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve, 30 minutes outside the city, an experience which normally costs around £6.

Italian owner Luca Lombardi announced on Instagram: ‘We have a gift for you. In this stressful time it’s easy to be affected by fear, anxiety and depression and we firmly believe relaxation is a fundamental right.’

Read the full story below:

Iran threatens US companies in region if energy facilities hit

Iran will target American companies in the region if its energy facilities are attacked, foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has said.

The US military struck Kharg Island on Friday, from which nearly all of Iran’s oil is exported, with President Donald Trump saying every military target had been ‘obliterated’ but its energy facilities had been spared.

‘Our Armed Forces have already answered that they would retaliate if our oil and energy infrastructure are attacked,’ Araghchi told MS NOW.

Iran ‘will attack any energy infrastructure in the region which belongs to an American company or an American company is a shareholder,’ he added.

Iran detains 33 people accused of gathering intelligence for US and Israel

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has detained 33 people in Iran on suspicion of gathering intelligence on military sites for the US and Israel.

The arrests were made following allegations the suspects were collecting images and information from military and law enforcement centres, local media has reported.

‘No problem’ with Iran’s supreme leader despite injury reports

There is ‘no problem’ with Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei after US officials reported he was wounded, the country’s foreign minister has said.

On Friday, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said he believed Khamenei, who took power after his father was killed in a strike at the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran, ‘is wounded and likely disfigured’.

However, today Abbas Araghchi claimed ‘there is no problem with the new supreme leader. He sent his message yesterday, and he will perform his duties.’

IN PICTURES: US Air Force personnel load up B-1 bombers ahead of Iran strikes

US Air Force military ground personnel have loaded missiles onto B1 bomber jets on the tarmac at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.

Fairford is one of two bases, along with the Diego Garcia facility in the Indian Ocean, that the UK has given the US permission to use for ‘specific defensive operations into Iran’.

The B-1 bombers are part of a growing fleet that have arrived at the UK base in recent days ahead of anticipated airstrikes in the Middle East.

Injuries reported after drones target airbase in Kuwait

Two drones have targeted an airbase in Kuwait housing US military staff, injuring Kuwaiti personnel and causing damage, the defence ministry said on Saturday.

‘Three members of the armed forces sustained minor injuries’ after the attack on Ahmed Al-Jaber Air Base, spokesperson Colonel Saud Al-Atwan said in a statement.

The base is near Camp Arifjan, a major US facility.

US citizens told to leave Iraq immediately

Americans should leave Iraq immediately, the US embassy in Baghdad has said in an updated security alert.

It follows an overnight missile attack on the embassy’s building.

‘US citizens choosing to remain in Iraq are strongly encouraged to reconsider in light of the significant threat posed by Iran-aligned terrorist militia groups,’ the embassy said.

By Will Potter, US Senior News Reporter

Donald Trump‘s changing narratives around his conflict with Iran are being driven by a complex tug-of-war among top aides in the White House and leading figures in his base, insiders say.

The Trump administration has offered varying assessments in recent days over how the war has progressed, with Trump declaring this week the US has ‘already won’ before Pete Hegseth admitted: ‘This is only the beginning.’

Insiders say the conflicting messaging coming from the White House is the result of differing factions fighting for Trump’s ear, with some close advisers warning that the war could cost the president politically heading into the midterms.

Read the full story below:

Protesters descend on central London after Israel closed Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem

Protesters have gathered outside Parliament for the Dhuhr prayer after Israel closed the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during Ramadan.

Israel has restricted the size of public gatherings as Iran and Hezbollah fire missiles at the country daily.

Demonstrators have argued that the mosque is an exclusively Muslim place of worship and therefore its access should not be limited.

Key Updates
  • UK considering ‘a range of options’ after Trump asks allies for help to open Strait of Hormuz

  • Israel and Lebanon to hold direct talks ‘in coming days’ as death toll mounts

  • Trump says ‘US will bomb the hell out of Iran’ and pledges to open Strait of Hormuz

  • Iran MP threatens to ‘capture’ US troops if Washington gains control of Kharg Island

  • Critical UAE port hit by drone is one of the Middle East’s biggest oil facilities

  • US Embassy in Baghdad had warned of potential attacks

  • Trump posts video following strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island





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