Smoke rises above Bahrain worldwide airport and tankers attacked in Gulf of Iraq as oil costs surge to $100 a barrel: Live updates

Speaking at a rally in Kentucky on Wednesday evening, Mr Trump said his administration was working to keep oil flowing, telling supporters the United States had already ‘won’ the conflict with Iran.

A major fire hit Bahrain’s Muharraq Island – home to Bahrain’s International Airport – after an Iranian attack in the early hours of Thursday.

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry has urged locals ‘to remain in their homes, close windows and ventilation openings, as a precautionary measure against possible exposure to smoke from the ongoing fire being combated.’

The government department described the fire as impacting oil tanks in the vicinity.

The nearby airport has jet fuel tanks, while other oil tanks belonging to the kingdom’s oil industry are in the area.

Bahrain has moved some of its aircraft from the area of the airport early on Wednesday.

The Iranian strike comes as the US military’s Central Command published video showing its strikes targeting Iranian military aircraft.

Iran has also targeted Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, the world’s busiest for international travel.

Sir Keir Starmer has warned the government will not tolerate profiteering or unfair practices as a result of the rising oil prices

The Prime Minister says he will not hesitate to step in if customers are ripped off.by companies amid the conflict in the Middle East.

Prices have seen an increase after Iran launched retaliatory strikes following attacks by the US and Israel, pushing up energy costs and sending home heating oil bills soaring.

Before visiting Northern Ireland today, the Prime Minister said ‘global instability has real impacts on the lives of working people across the UK’.

Threats from Tehran have choked shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil and gas supplies.

On Wednesday, the International Energy Agency said it would release 400 million barrels of oil onto global markets, including 13.5 million from the UK, to prevent short-term market disruption.

Prices reached near four-year highs above 100 US dollars a barrel on Monday, before falling on Tuesday as US President Donald Trump signalled the war could soon be over.

Early on Thursday, the price of Brent crude oil – the international benchmark – topped 100 dollars per barrel (£74), while the US crude oil price rose to about 95 dollars (£71) a barrel.

This is the moment 25 crew members were evacuated from a boat engulfed in flames after being hit by an explosive-filled Iranian boat.

Authorities have confirmed at least one person has died so far as a result of the attack, according to AlJazeera.

This is the moment oil tankers were engulfed by flames after being hit by explosive-filled Iranian boats.

The boat was one of a number of ships carrying Iraqi oil supplies hit by the country on Wednesday/

More than 1,100 children have been reportedly killed or injured as the conflict continues across the region, according to UNICEF.

This includes 200 children reportedly killed in Iran, 91 in Lebanon, four in Israel and one in Kuwait, the charity said.

The humanitarian organisation has called for all parties to minimise harm to civilians.

Their full statement below:

Ten days into the intensifying conflict in the Middle East, the situation is becoming catastrophic for millions of children across the region.

Since 28 February, more than 1,100 children have been reported injured or killed in the violence.

This includes 200 children reportedly killed in Iran, 91 in Lebanon, four in Israel and one in Kuwait. These numbers will likely climb as the violence intensifies and spreads.

Widespread disruption to education has left millions of children out of school across the region, while hundreds of thousands of children have been displaced by unrelenting bombardment.

Civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and water and sanitation systems – upon which children depend to survive – have been attacked, damaged, or destroyed by parties to the conflict.

Nothing justifies the killing and maiming of children, or the destruction and disruption of essential services that children depend on.

Grave violations against children in armed conflict can constitute violations of international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

UNICEF reiterates the Secretary-General’s call on parties to the conflict to end the fighting and engage in diplomatic negotiations.

UNICEF also calls on parties to take all necessary precautions in the choice of means and methods of warfare to minimize harm to civilians, including by avoiding the use of explosive weapons that disproportionally affect children.

The region’s children – all 200 million of them – are counting on the world to act quickly.”

By Sam Lawley

This is the moment oil tankers erupt into flames after being struck by explosive-filled Iranian boats.

Iran‘s campaign to restrict the world oil supply has seen it block the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway and allegedly lay down mines to target commercial vessels.

And the Middle Eastern country on Wednesday warned the world to prepare for oil to hit $200 a barrel, after it attacked three cargo ships in the Strait.

Footage has now been released of an Iranian strike and sees a huge orange flash in the middle of the water, followed by rapidly spreading flames.

A faint outline of a ship can be made out, lit red by the growing inferno, with clouds of black smoke billowing into the night sky.

The oil fire continues to swell as more of the vessel is set ablaze, with flames reaching hundreds of feet into the air in a short time.

The boat was one of several ships carrying Iraqi oil supplies hit by the country’s Middle East neighbour on Wednesday.

The Iranian attack saw one crew member killed and triggered a rapid response from Iraqi authorities.

The price of Brent crude oil has risen to $100 (£74.79) a barrel, an increase of nine per cent in Asia.

Oil prices show no signs of easing despite several countries, including the UK and US, vowing to release millions of barrels in emergency reserves.