US President Donald Trump has said he will keep ‘bombing the hell’ out of Iran amid threats from Tehran to kidnap American troops following overnight strikes on its vital oil export hub 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.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that US ‘hideouts’ in the UAE are ‘legitimate’ targets after Trump attacked the export terminal.
It comes after Donald Trump said last night that the US had ‘totally obliterated’ all military targets in ‘Iran’s crown jewel’, Kharg Island.
Today he appealed to countries including the UK to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz as he claimed Iran has been ‘totally obliterated’.
Follow our live updates on the conflict in the Middle East below.
Trump says ‘US will bomb the hell out of Iran’ and pledges to open Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump has pledged that the US will ‘keep bombing the hell out of Iran’ as he hit out again at the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and called for the UK’s help.
In a new post on Truth Social, Trump claimed ‘many countries’ are set to send ‘war ships’ to ensure shipping can resume in the strait.
Following a series of strikes overnight which targeted military infrastructure on Kharg Island, the President added that Iran is now ‘totally decapitated’.
Many Countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe.
We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s Military capability, but it’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close range missile somewhere along, or in, this Waterway, no matter how badly defeated they are.
Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area so that the Hormuz Strait will no longer be a threat by a Nation that has been totally decapitated.
In the meantime, the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water. One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!
Critical UAE port hit by drone is one of the Middle East’s biggest oil facilities
Fujairah, which is one of the largest oil facilities in the Middle East, has been hit by a drone strike.
It is also a significant location, situated on the Gulf of Oman, for the refuelling of ships.
Due to its locale, ships are not required to travel through the Strait of Hormuz to reach it.
It comes as Tehran has launched several attacks on vessels passing through the strategic passage in recent days.
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.
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