.png?width=1200&auto=webp&trim=0%2C100%2C0%2C100)
The US and Iran have traded strikes on ships, the latest round of attacks since the conflict flared a week ago after a period of relative calm.
US Central Command, which oversees the nation’s military in the Middle East, said it struck three Iranian oil tankers, including one off the coast of Kharg Island, near the nation’s oil export hub, after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy ships.
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, said: “Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of yours.”
The IRGC responded by threatening intensified strikes against US military vessels in the region, and later said it targeted three tankers that Tehran claimed were on unauthorised routes in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as as three US-linked vessels in other areas.
The exchange of attacks followed an escalation in the past week that threatens to deepen a conflict that has continued since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February.
Read MoreUS aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln leaves Thailand after five-day port visit
Iran claims strike on US ship in Strait of Hormuz as fighting escalates
Trump gets testy and calls Iran war ‘small potatoes’ when pressed on length of fight
US strikes three Iranian oil tankers in response to attacks on warships
Key Points
- US and Iran trade strikes
- Watch: US strikes three Iranian oil tankers in response to attacks on warships
- Trump gets testy and calls Iran war ‘small potatoes’ when pressed on length of fight
- US carrier Abraham Lincoln departs Thailand after respite visit
Comment: We are now in the age of the Energy Wars
10:30 , Dan Haygarth
The Falklands are just the beginning – we are now in the age of the Energy Wars
Israeli military says it strikes southern Lebanon after Hezbollah launched drones
10:30 , Dan HaygarthThe Israeli military said it was striking southern Lebanon early on Sunday in retaliation for Hezbollah firing two drones at Israeli soldiers stationed in a part of the region it has declared a security zone.
The Israeli military had issued an evacuation warning to areas near a building in Arab Salim town in South Lebanon, saying it will strike it as it is used by Hezbollah.
There was no immediate comment from the Iran-backed group.
On Friday, the Israeli military said it struck weapon storage facilities intended to be used by Hezbollah in south Lebanon.
Since 2 March, Israeli strikes have killed more than 4,300 people in Lebanon.
Iranian death row prisoner smuggles out desperate plea to the world: Do not forget about us
10:00 , Dan HaygarthFrom behind the bars of a brutal Iranian prison, a political dissident awaiting execution describes life behind bars – and says the war with the US has made carrying out executions easier for the regime. Alex Croft reports.
Iranian death row prisoner smuggles out plea to the world: Do not forget about us
A fuel tanker explosion in west Iran kills 11 and injures 7, report cites fault brakes
09:30 , Dan HaygarthA fuel tanker exploded in western Iran, killing 11 people and injuring seven others, state media said.
IRNA reported late Saturday that the tanker hit other cars before bursting into flames near a traffic police station close to the Kurdish city of Sanandaj, some 400 kilometers (248 miles) west of the capital, Tehran. The report cited a faulty brake system.
The injured were transferred to hospitals.
In 2018, a similar road accident between a fuel tanker and an intercity passenger bus near Sanandaj killed 15 people and injured four.
Road and traffic accidents annually leave more than 17,000 dead in Iran. Experts blame the high fatality rate on unsafe vehicles, disregard for traffic rules, and inadequate emergency services.
Watch - 'Small potatoes': Trump says Iran conflict isn't a 'big thing' for US
09:15 , Dan HaygarthIn full: Trump gets testy and calls Iran war ‘small potatoes’ when pressed on length of fight
09:00 , Dan HaygarthPresident Donald Trump has backed up comments from his vice president and insisted the Iran conflict is a relatively minor operation, rather than a full-on war.
"I call it a military conflict because it's small potatoes for us,” the president told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday. “It’s not a big thing.”
When pressed by Rachel Scott of ABC News about the record-setting deployments of certain service members as part of the fight, the president lashed out, repeatedly asking, “How long were we in Vietnam?”
President Trump claimed the U.S. had successfully stopped Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and alleged U.S. satellite intelligence would spot any future threats from the country the moment they arose. The U.S. had “essentially taken over” Iran, the Republican said.
The question of whether the fight is a war has profound implications.
Read more below.
Trump calls Iran war ‘small potatoes’ amid questions about prolonged campaign
US carrier Abraham Lincoln departs Thailand after respite visit
08:45 , Dan HaygarthThe US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln left Thailand on Sunday after a five-day port visit, ending a respite from an extended deployment that included operations in the Middle East, the US Navy said.
“We would like to thank the people of Thailand for their incredible hospitality,” US Navy Captain Dan Keeler, the Abraham Lincoln’s commanding officer, said in a statement.
Naval deployments typically last for six to nine months, but during times of conflict that can be extended.
The nuclear-powered Lincoln, with roughly 5,000 personnel, was involved in the U.S. naval blockade and combat operations in the war with Iran and — according to Democratic lawmakers — set a modern-day record for consecutive days at sea.
Accompanied by other US naval vessels, the Lincoln arrived early on Wednesday in Thailand, the United States' only treaty partner in mainland Southeast Asia, during a visit that Thai officials said would last five days.
Busloads of sailors and Marines wearing civilian clothes, many smiling and waving, started arriving at a hotel in the resort city of Pattaya, about 150 km (93 miles) southeast of Bangkok, shortly after their ships docked.
US and Iran trade strikes
08:26 , Dan HaygarthThe US and Iran have traded strikes on ships, the latest round of attacks since the conflict flared a week ago after a period of relative calm.
US Central Command, which oversees the nation’s military in the Middle East, said it struck three Iranian oil tankers, including one off the coast of Kharg Island, near the nation’s oil export hub, after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy ships.
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, said: “Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost — taking out three of yours.”
The IRGC responded by threatening intensified strikes against US military vessels in the region, and later said it targeted three tankers Tehran that it claimed were on unauthorised routes in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as as three US-linked vessels in other areas.
The exchange of attacks followed an escalation in the past week that threatens to deepen a conflict that has continued since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran in February.
"Do not be deceived by the 'terrorist' U.S. military and refrain from any suspicious movement aimed at passing through unauthorised waterways," the IRGC Navy said in a statement carried on Iranian state TV. "Otherwise, you will be targeted."
Tasnim, the semi-official Iranian news agency, had reported that four US missiles hit a tanker in the area of Kharg's anchorage. Tasnim quoted local sources as saying there were no casualties and the tanker's crew was being evacuated.
No American personnel were harmed, Central Command said.
What happened in suspected US strike which hit Iran wedding killing five people?
08:24 , Dan HaygarthAt least five people were killed in a suspected US attack that hit a wedding in Iran after Tehran and Washington exchanged the heaviest strikes between them since July.
The Iranian Red Crescent (IRC) has asked the International Criminal Court to investigate the incident, calling for “an independent, impartial, thorough, and effective investigation” due to the “civilian character of the location”.
Iran has accused the US of “war crimes”, but the US maintains that it does not target civilians.
Below we look at how the attack took place and what both parties have said about it.
What happened in suspected US strike which hit Iran wedding killing five people?
.png?width=1200&auto=webp&trim=0%2C100%2C0%2C100)
