US-Iran strikes: latest developments

The United States launched a third night of strikes on Iran as President Donald Trump reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports and proposed that all ships pay a fee to the United States to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Here are the latest developments:

Jordan says shot down missiles, explosions in Bahrain

Jordan's army said Tuesday it had shot down four missiles from Iran, as Tehran pressed attacks on US allies in response to American strikes.

"Four missiles intercepted and shot down after entering Jordanian airspace from Iranian territory," the army said.

Explosions were also heard in the Bahraini capital on Tuesday morning, an AFP journalist said, after sirens sounded for the third time since dawn.

UAE says Iran attacked ships, tanker hit off Oman

The United Arab Emirates said Tuesday that Iran attacked two ships in the Strait of Hormuz with missiles, killing one crew member and wounding eight. The oil-rich country is a top US ally in the region and has reported multiple missile and drone strikes from Iran.

A missile also hit a tanker just off the Omani fishing port of Limah, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Tuesday. "A tanker has reported being hit by a missile while transiting outbound on the southern route. Authorities are investigating," the British organisation said in a statement.

Oil prices rise again

Oil prices jumped again Tuesday after the latest US strikes against Iran.

The key West Texas Intermediate and Brent North Sea Crude contracts both rose about 2.5 percent to $80.15 and $85.37 a barrel respectively.

China calls for Hormuz strait safe passage

China called on the United States and Iran on Tuesday to restore safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. "Restoring normal and safe passage through the strait as soon as possible is a shared aspiration of the international community," foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a news briefing, adding that Beijing would "make unremitting efforts to help de-escalate" the crisis.

US to reimpose blockade on Iranian ports

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said that following President Donald Trump's orders, it would reimpose a blockade on Iranian ports beginning at 2000 GMT on Tuesday.

Washington had eased its blockade after the warring sides reached an interim agreement in June to end the conflict, but Trump vowed to snap it back after the fresh flare-up in fighting.

President Donald Trump said Monday the United States was "taking over" the Strait of Hormuz and would be paid for its operations.

Trump posted on his Truth Social network that the United States "will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% of all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security" through the strait.

Iran rejects US takeover of strait

Iran's military warned on Monday that it would not allow the United States to "interfere" in the management of the Strait of Hormuz. 

A spokesman for the Khatam Al-Anbiya military command said in a video message that Tehran "under no circumstances will allow... the United States to interfere in the management" of the strategic waterway. The spokesman warned Gulf countries that any cooperation with the United States would be considered "an act of war".

US strikes kill two in Iranian oil city

US strikes killed two people on Monday in southwestern Iran in an oil-producing region near Kuwait and Iraq, the Iranian Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported. 

"At this time, two people have been reported dead and three wounded," the agencies said, citing a Khuzestan province official. Media and residents also reported having heard explosions near Bandar Abbas and the island of Qeshm, Mehr news agency said.

US Central Command later confirmed it used one-way attack sea drones for the first time to strike the port.

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© Agence France-Presse