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The US said it took out more than a dozen mine-laying Iranian vessels on Tuesday, after Tehran vowed to block the region’s oil exports, saying it would not allow “even a single litre” to be shipped to its enemies through the chokehold Strait of Hormuz.
In a post late on Tuesday on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump, who had earlier warned Iran of intense consequences “at a level never seen before”, said Washington has taken pre-emptive measures to respond to the threat Tehran had levelled.
“I am pleased to report that within the last few hours, we have hit, and completely destroyed, 10 inactive mine laying boats and/or ships, with more to follow!” he wrote.
The US Central Command in a later post on X confirmed that the number had risen to 16 mine-laying vessels. The attacks came as concerns grew following Tehran’s warning, which Washington says would further destabilise global energy markets and international shipping.
Tuesday, which marked day 11 of the US and Israel’s war on Iran, saw some of the most intense attacks yet, according to residents of the Iranian capital. The sentiment was also echoed by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth who in a briefing on Tuesday promised that US attacks on Tuesday would be more intense.
Iran has continued to retaliate throughout the day, firing multiple barrages of missiles and drones at Israel and neighbouring Gulf states, many which host US bases. Many across the region, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait reported attacks from Iran on Tuesday.
The conflict’s effects rippled across the Middle East and beyond. Iranian leaders ruled out talks with the US, citing a lack of sincerity and a “bitter experience” with Washington, threatened Trump and launched new attacks against Israel and Gulf Arab countries.
Meanwhile, Israeli attacks are continuing to heavily target Lebanon on a daily basis, as the IDF looks to eliminate what it says are Iran-backed Hezbollah members, institutions and infrastructure across the country.
Lebanese officials say Israeli attacks on the Lebanese cities of Tyre and Sidon on Tuesday killed at least seven people and injured dozens more. It comes in addition to the latest released death toll figures from a day prior, where Beirut detailed that at least 397 people were killed during the war so far.
The UN voiced its concerns with the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the already economically struggling Lebanon, after it said that its investigations have uncovered that at least 667,000 people were internally displaced by Israeli attacks over the course of the last two weeks.
The US also updated its casualty figures on Tuesday as Iranian forces continue to target US warships in the region, regional bases, embassies and diplomatic missions. The Pentagon says the death toll continues to stand at seven, with some 140 others having sustained injuries – all of them service members.
The war shows no signs of letting up, as Iran and Israel announced an exchange of fire early on Wednesday, as hostilities enter the 12th day. Kuwait said it has intercepted eight Iranian drones early on Wednesday, as Saudi announced it too had destroyed five drones targeting its Shaybah oil field.
Israel says it has fired a new strike barrage targeting multiple positions in Tehran and Lebanon on Wednesday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country will continue to fight for as long as it takes until Iran, and its regional proxies, can no longer pose a threat on his nation.
His comments contradicted Trump’s remarks, in which the US president said the joint operations were going well and “significantly ahead (of schedule)” and assured Republican lawmakers that he expects the war to end “very soon”.