Donald Trump has issued another bombastic warning for Iran, threatening to seize the key strategic Kharg Island after striking the country “hard”.
“The United States will be hitting Iran (Whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti Aircraft, and all other forms of Defense, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT,” he wrote on Truth Social.
“At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela,” he added.
It came after Iran declared the ceasefire with Washington “practically meaningless” after US forces fired 49 Tomahawk missiles on Wednesday.
Both sides traded strikes for the second day in a row, throwing leaving a fragile ceasefire in jeopardy.
Tehran condemned the “illegal and criminal attacks” by the US - which they claimed violate the UN Charter - and warned US leaders will be held responsible.
US Central Command (Centcom) said it launched “self-defence strikes” on targets across Iran overnight, including military surveillance and air defence sites.
In response, Iran launched strikes targeting 18 US airbases in the Gulf region, forcing the Kuwaiti government to temporarily shut its airspace and Bahrain to sound air sirens.
Read MoreTrump said to rage that he will ‘bomb the s***’ out of Iran
Where are US and UK military bases in the Middle East as Iran launches new strikes?
Trump to Iran: I just took your oil
Key Points
- Trump says US will Iran very hard tonight - and seize Kharg Island soon
- US president: I don't think America has the stomach for more war
- Mapped: Where is Kharg Island?
- Explained | Is Kharg Island Iran’s Achilles Heel? Why Trump has designs on tiny oil hub in the Persian Gulf
- Iranian official promises 'hell' to US
- US military launches more strikes on Iran, targets 'surveillance capabilities'
Trump: I don't think America has the stomach for more war
14:28 , Alex CroftAs we reported earlier, Donald Trump is once again training his sights on Iran's oil infrastructure hub Kharg Island.
But speaking to Fox News, the US president said he was not sure Americans have the appetite for a major escalation in the war.
"We are talking to them and all, but you know, look, my preference has always been - take Kharg Island ... my preference would be that. I don't know that America has the stomach for it," he said.
Trump said the U.S. will attack Iran again with intensified strikes on Thursday night but he would rather not hit bridges and power plants.
"There will be more bombing tonight. It will be bigger - bigger, more powerful," he said on the "Fox & Friends" program.
Despite plans for more strikes, Trump said the U.S. is still talking with Iran to reach a deal.
Tanker with Indian crew hit near Oman in suspected third US strike this week
14:16 , Alex CroftIndia's shipping ministry has said that all 20 Indian crew members were safe after a suspected US strike on the asphalt tanker Jalveer off Oman on Thursday.
The incident coms after two similar strikes involving Indian crews in the region this week.
Three Indian sailors died in a US strike on the Settebello tanker off Oman a day earlier.
The Guinea-Bissau flagged Jalveer sent a distress call while off Oman's port of Shinas after a fire broke out around its engine room and funnel, British maritime risk management company Vanguard said.
An Indian shipping ministry official said the crew were being evacuated in coordination with the Royal Navy of Oman.
The ship was attacked by the U.S. Navy, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters.
"The cause of the fire has not been disclosed; however, ...this was likely the result of U.S. operations to blockade Iranian ports," British maritime security company Ambrey said.
14:02 , Alex CroftIs Kharg Island Iran’s Achilles Heel? Why Trump has designs on tiny oil hub in the Persian Gulf
13:56 , Alex CroftKharg sits 16 miles from the coast in the northern end of the Gulf and just northwest of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important shipping route that Iran has effectively closed to pile pressure on the US.
While US forces could likely seize Kharg quite quickly, analysts say that an occupation is more likely to expand and prolong the war than it is to deliver a decisive victory or leverage in negotiations.
Iran has fortified the island with additional surface-to-air missiles and laid traps including anti-personnel and anti-armour mines in the waters surrounding it, CNN has reported, citing people familiar with US intelligence.
Our April explainer on Kharg Island, by foreign affairs reporters James Reynolds and Maira Butt:
Is Kharg Island Iran’s Achilles Heel? Why Trump has designs on tiny Gulf oil hub
Trump: We will hit Iran very hard tonight - before seizing Kharg Island soon
13:39 , Alex CroftDonald Trump has returned with another bombastic warning for Iran, stating the US military will strike it “VERY HARD TONIGHT”.
The US president added that his forces will be “taking Kharg Island and other oil infrastructure points” in the “not too distant future”.
“[We will] assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America,” he added.
3 Indians were killed on tanker shot by US military, Indian official says
13:34 , Alex CroftAn Indian official said Thursday that three Indian mariners were killed on board a tanker targeted by the U.S. military over allegedly violating America’s blockade on Iran.
Sarbananda Sonowal announced the three mariners’ killing on X in the attack on the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello.
“Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after two bodies were recovered,” he wrote. It wasn’t clear where the third body was.
Read more here:
3 Indians were killed on tanker shot by US military, Indian official says
India summons US diplomat after two Indian sailors killed in US attacks
13:10 , Alex CroftIndia has summoned a top American diplomat in New Delhi after two Indian seafarers were killed and another was reported missing after US struck a commercial tanker off the coast of Oman.
Deck cadet Aditya Sharma and engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya were killed, while chief engineer Patnala Suresh was reported missing following the incident on Wednesday.
The US military's Central Command said a US aircraft "fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces".
Centcom said it disabled the Palau-flagged oil products tanker Settebello as it transited the Gulf of Oman, adding that it had "violated the ongoing blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran".
Kremlin calls on US and Iran to exercise restraint
12:47 , Alex CroftThe Kremlin on Thursday called on the United States and Iran to exercise restraint and continue negotiations to end their war.
The two sides have been exchanging attacks as US president Donald Trump threatened further escalation following a renewal of conflict this week.
The attacks by the US overnight on Wednesday were the latest development in an escalating exchange of strikes that threatens to reignite a full-scale war, which was paused in early April when the two sides agreed to a fragile ceasefire.
Watch: Trump says his 80th birthday wish is for 'peace for the world'
12:47 , Alex CroftKremlin calls on US and Iran to exercise restraint
12:26 , Alex CroftThe Kremlin on Thursday called on the United States and Iran to exercise restraint and continue negotiations to end their war.
The two sides have been exchanging attacks as US president Donald Trump threatened further escalation following a renewal of conflict this week.
The attacks by the US overnight on Wednesday were the latest development in an escalating exchange of strikes that threatens to reignite a full-scale war, which was paused in early April when the two sides agreed to a fragile ceasefire.
Talks intensify between US and Iran
12:05 , Alex CroftThe US and Iran were exchanging messages on details of a memorandum after reaching a political understanding, three Iranian sources and a European official have told Reuters news agency.
Some issues still had to be discussed in detail, including a mechanism for the release of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds.
"This war, from a military standpoint, is a dead end. The Americans could not achieve their goals by attacking Iran. There has been progress in negotiations," said one of the Iranian sources.
Trump has repeatedly said a deal is close, but US officials did not immediately comment on the latest status of the indirect negotiations.
Iran and US must halt renewed attacks: Turkish foreign minister
11:21 , Alex CroftWe’ve heard from Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan, who said on Thursday that Iran and the United States must stop their renewed attacks and return to negotiations to avoid any further escalation.
Speaking in Sofia, Fidan said the recommendation to both sides from Turkey, which is in close contact with Washington, Tehran, and mediators Pakistan, was to aim to conclude talks over a peace deal.
Iran-US talks edge to interim deal
11:20 , Alex CroftEfforts to reach a preliminary deal between Iran and the U.S. have intensified, three Iranian sources told Reuters news agencyon Thursday.
It comes despite strikes launched by both sides, with the US having launched 49 Tomahawk missiles overnight.
Washington and Tehra are discussing a mechanism over releasing frozen Iranian funds.
Iranian cargo ship struck by US projectile, says Iran official
10:58 , Alex CroftAn Iranian cargo barge was hit by a US projectile in the Gulf of Oman early on Thursday, the Iranian governor of Sirik county said, according to Mehr news agency.
The 150-ton cargo barge, owned by locals from Sirik and carrying essential goods from the Omani port of Khasab, was hit about 5 nautical miles off Khasab, the Iranian official said.
They added that all five crew members were rescued by passing vessels and taken to Oman.
Trump to Iran: I just took your oil
10:33 , Alex CroftThe Independent’s White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg reports:
President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed the United States has been secretly removing massive amounts of crude oil from Iranian control on a nightly basis under cover of darkness as he downplayed inflation data showing prices have spiked at over four percent for the second consecutive month — the highest level in three years.
The president was working his way though a meandering, stem-winding set of remarks at an Oval Office bill signing ceremony when he made the bizarre boast after being asked to respond to Consumer Price Index data showing the inflation rate rose 4.2 percent year-on-year in May, driven by the Iran war’s impact on energy costs. Inflation was at 2.4 percent before the war started on Feb. 28, and since then, soaring prices have hammered working Americans at the gas pump, grocery store and in other consumer goods.
He replied: “I love it; the numbers were great — you know what I really love? I love the inflation.”
Trump then claimed inflation would plummet “as soon as this war is over” and then said he would tell reporters “something you don’t know.”
“Do you know we've been taking out millions of barrels of oil? Nobody knows it. You know who doesn't know about it? Iran, until right now,” he claimed.
“We took out the other night 22 ships late at night with no lights, because they don't have any radar, because we blasted the crap out of it. We took out this way,” he said, re-emphasizing the “I drink your milkshake”-like oil grab.
He later added that inflation was “going to come down like a rock” because of the “millions of barrels” being spirited through the Strait of Hormuz “every night.”
“I wanted to say it so badly, but I didn't want to ruin it, but it was very hard, but millions of barrels of oil has come out. That's why it's at $85, $90 a barrel, instead of $250,” he said.
Watch: US targets Iran’s ‘surveillance capabilities’ in latest round of strikes
10:10 , Alex CroftItalian PM: Europe must be ready to impose fresh sanctions on Iran
09:48 , Alex CroftWe’re just hearing from Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, who is speaking to Rome’s Chamber of Deputies ahead of the next European Council.
Europe, she says, should be ready to impose new sanctions on Iran if it stays “on the wrong path”.
We’ll bring you more quotes from Ms Meloni as they come in.
US-Iran talks still on track says diplomatic source - report
09:26 , Alex CroftTalks between the US and Iran are still on track after overnight negotiations, CNN is reporting, citing a diplomatic source.
Despite renewed strikes, US officials have continued to claim a peace deal is on the cards with Tehran.
The US and Iran traded air attacks for a second straight day on Thursday, with President Donald Trump vowing further strikes if Tehran does not immediately agree to a peace deal.
The US president has grown increasingly frustrated with Iran for its failure to agree to a peace proposal.
Tanker suffers fire off coast of Oman - UKMTO
09:06 , Alex CroftA tanker experienced a fire in the engine room 21 nautical miles northeast of Oman's Sohar on Thursday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency cited local authorities as saying.
No environmental impact has been reported, UKMTO added.
India’s embassy to Oman said it had learnt of an incident involving a vessel of Shinas port, in a post which appeared to be about the same situation.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the local authorities for further details,” the embassy said.
Wizz Air sees earnings drop after £43 million hit from Iran war
08:45 , Alex CroftWizz Air has revealed its annual profits slumped after taking a 50 million euro (£43.1 million) hit from the Iran war but hailed “resilience” after flying a record number of passengers.
The low-cost airline said it could not provide an outlook for the year ahead partly because of the volatility stemming from the conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
It reported an operating profit of 139.7 million euros (£120.6 million) for the year to the end of March, down 16.6% on the year before.
The company’s net profit was almost entirely wiped out, from 213.9 million euros (£184.6 million) to 1.3 million euros (£1.1 million) year on year.
Read more:
Wizz Air sees earnings drop after £43 million hit from Iran war
Child suffers injuries after Iranian drone debris falls in Bahrain
08:25 , Alex CroftBahrain's Interior Ministry said that an 11-year-old girl suffered minor injuries after debris fell from Iranian drones that were intercepted and destroyed.
Several vehicles caught fire and homes were damaged in Hamad Town and the capital Manama, he said.
The ministry published pictures showing fire fighters trying to put out blaze in several homes.
Kuwait resumes air traffic after Iranian attacks
07:58 , Alex CroftKuwait resumed air traffic on Thursday and Kuwait International Airport returned to normal operations after a temporary suspension prompted by Iranian attacks, the civil aviation authority said.
Kuwait had closed its airspace and suspended air traffic earlier on Thursday as a precautionary measure following Iranian attacks, diverting flights to alternative airports.
Watch: US strikes oil tanker violating Strait of Hormuz blockade
07:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarAmerica’s emergency oil reserve is about to hit lowest level since Reagan era
07:10 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarPresident Donald Trump's ongoing war with Iran is draining America's emergency supply of crude oil — which is just days away from hitting its lowest level in more than 40 years, according to a report Wednesday.
Since March, Trump has tapped 66 million gallons of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to keep exports flowing and prevent Americans from seeing their price at the pumps reach new heights, Fortune said.
The reserve dipped to a 3-year low of 349.2 million barrels on June 5 and is being depleted at a rate of nearly 9 million barrels a week.
More here.
Trump’s Iran war pushing US emergency oil reserve to lowest level since Reagan era
India summons US diplomat after two Indian sailors killed in US attacks
07:00 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIndia has summoned a top American diplomat in New Delhi after two Indian seafarers were killed and another was reported missing after US struck a commercial tanker off the coast of Oman.
Deck cadet Aditya Sharma and engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya were killed, while chief engineer Patnala Suresh was reported missing following the incident on Wednesday.
The US military's Central Command said a US aircraft "fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces".
Centcom said it disabled the Palau-flagged oil products tanker Settebello as it transited the Gulf of Oman, adding that it had "violated the ongoing blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran".
Kuwait reopens airspace
06:50 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarKuwait's civil aviation authority has reopened its airspace after it was temporarily shut this morning due to Iranian strikes.
Kuwait's international airport is working normally and flight shave resumed as per schedule, the aviation authority said.
US asks citizens to leave Iraq
06:32 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe US state department has urged its citizens in Iraq to maintain the highest level of vigilance, and to leave the country if possible.
It warned of travel disruptions or sudden airspace closures without notice amid renewed attacks between the US and Iran.
The embassy said the US mission in Iraq remained operational despite some employees being ordered to leave.
Saudi Arabia lifts 5-year ban on Lebanese imports
06:25 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarSaudi Arabia announced Wednesday the end of a ban it imposed on Lebanese imports five years ago, marking a major step in attempts to rebuild relations between Lebanon and Gulf countries.
The kingdom slapped a ban on Lebanese fruits and vegetables in 2021, saying they were being used to smuggle drugs. In one notable case, Saudi Arabia announced it had seized over 5 million pills of the amphetamine drug Captagon hidden in a shipment of pomegranates coming from Lebanon.
Months later, the wealthy Gulf country extended the ban to all Lebanese products after Lebanon's then- Information Minister George Kordahi publicly criticized Saudi Arabia's war against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen.
More here.
Saudi Arabia lifts 5-year ban on Lebanese imports, marking a thaw in Gulf-Lebanon ties
Hezbollah supporters at a rally in Lebanon
06:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar
Israel's defence minister says Iran war 'far from over'
06:07 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIsraeli defence minister Israel Katz has said that the country's military actions against Iran are “far from over”, The Guardian reported.
Katz warned during a ceremony in Jerusalem that if Iran attacks Israel again, “it will suffer a severe blow”.
The two countries exchanged fire earlier this week — the first time since the US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire in April.
US issues advisory after Iran attacks Jordan
05:58 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe US state department has issued a travel advisory warning its citizens in Jordan to seek overhead cover and shelter after Iran said it fired missiles at US bases in Jordan.
"Remain indoors and pay attention to local announcements and alerts," the state department said.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard said it fired 12 ballistic missiles to target the US military’s F-35, F-15, and F-16 fighter jets at the Al-Azraq airbase and control centre in Jordan.
Oil prices jump to $94 a barrel
05:27 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarOil prices jumped this morning as Tehran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed after the US launched additional strikes against Iran, and as president Donald Trump vowed even more attacks if no peace deal is secured.
Brent futures rose $1.48, or 1.59 per cent, to $94.58 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude climbed $1.71, or 1.90 per cent, to $91.74.US crude futures gained more than $3 earlier in the session.
Israeli military says two 'launches' fell near its troops in Lebanon
04:35 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe Israeli military said this morning that two "launches" were identified falling adjacent to an area where Israeli troops are operating in southern Lebanon, after sirens sounded in several areas of northern Israel.
Earlier, the military said Home Front Command had issued a precautionary directive after detecting "launches" from Lebanon toward several communities in northern Israel, urging residents to enter protected spaces.
Watch: US targets Iran’s ‘surveillance capabilities’ in latest round of strikes
04:30 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarIranian official promises 'hell' to US
04:20 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarA Revolutionary Guard official has promised "hell" to the US in response to Washington's latest attacks on Iran.
“Are you making the sacred Strait of Hormuz unsafe?! We will make the region hell for you from all over Iran,” Majid Mousavi, the aerospace force chief with the Guard, said.
“This is the response to the audacity of the Americans in the region, God willing,” he added.
Bahrain sounds air raid sirens
04:13 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarBahrain sounded air-raid sirens this morning and urged the public to remain calm and head to the nearest safe space.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had launched counterattacks on 18 US military targets at airbases in Kuwait and Bahrain.
Iran had fired drones and missiles at Bahrain yesterday as well in retaliation against a US attack.
Kuwait is responding to missile and drone attacks
04:07 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarThe Kuwaiti military this morning said it was responding to missile and drone attacks and urged the public to take shelter.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had launched counterattacks on 18 US military targets at airbases in Kuwait and Bahrain.
Kuwait closes airspace after Iranian attack
04:03 , Alisha Rahaman SarkarKuwait's aviation authorities have announced the temporary closure of its airspace due to Iranian attacks this morning.
It said all flights have been diverted.
