US-Iran War Live: US launches new strikes on Iran to curb attacks on Strait of Hormuz shipping

The United States is supporting efforts by Iraq and Syria to rebuild a crude oil pipeline linking the two countries, a US State Department official said.

Washington expects American companies to play a key role in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the pipeline. Once operational, the route could provide oil producers with an alternative export corridor, reducing dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint off Iran's coast.

The US military said it has resumed its naval blockade against vessels travelling to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas, marking another escalation in the conflict with Tehran.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the blockade officially resumed at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

The military also disclosed the scale of its regional deployment, saying more than 20 US Navy warships and hundreds of military aircraft are currently operating across the Middle East.

The announcement came as American forces continued military operations against Iran, with CENTCOM saying earlier that it had launched another round of strikes aimed at degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

• US launches fresh strikes on Iran: The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it has begun another round of strikes on military targets in Iran to degrade capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
• More strikes target 'emerging threats': A US official told Reuters that American forces carried out a limited number of additional strikes against military targets in Iran to eliminate what were described as "emerging threats."
• Blockade to resume: CENTCOM said the latest strikes come as US forces prepare to resume a naval blockade on Iranian ports and coastal areas. The blockade is scheduled to take effect at 4 p.m. ET.
• IRGC claims retaliation: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted weapons and military equipment storage facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait in response to recent US attacks.
• Kuwait air base targeted: The IRGC also claimed responsibility for striking a drone launch ramp at Kuwait's Ali Al Salem Air Base, calling it retaliation for US military action against Iran.
• Iran issues oil export warning: The IRGC warned that "as long as US evil stays in the region, not a drop of oil and gas will be exported from the region."
• Hormuz warning: The IRGC said continued US military action would only delay, not prevent, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. "US aggressions will have no result other than delaying the opening of Hormuz Strait," it said.
• Iran asserts sovereignty: Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister said, "We will exercise our sovereignty on the Strait of Hormuz whatever that costs," adding that the waterway is "part of Iran's national security."
• Kuwait intercepts barrage: Kuwait's armed forces said they intercepted one ballistic missile, five cruise missiles and 33 drones launched towards the country on Tuesday evening.
• Kuwait blames Iran: The Kuwaiti military accused Iran of targeting several vital and civilian facilities, saying debris from intercepted missiles and drones caused material damage in multiple locations.
• Navy vessel hit: Kuwait said one of its Navy vessels was struck during the attack, while four armed forces personnel were injured.
• Trump drops Hormuz fee plan: A day after proposing a 20 per cent fee on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz, US President Donald Trump withdrew the plan, saying Gulf nations would instead make "massive" trade and investment commitments to the United States.
• Trump credits US military: Trump said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all shipping except vessels linked to Iran and credited the US military with securing the strategic waterway.
• Iran mocks proposal: Responding to Trump's earlier fee proposal, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, "20 per cent is of course too much. We will be fair."
• Conflict widens across Gulf: The latest exchanges mark another sharp escalation in the US-Iran conflict, with military operations and retaliatory threats spreading beyond Iran to Bahrain and Kuwait.