US war latest: Iran declares Strait of Hormuz closed and warns ships will face ‘harsh measures’

Three container ships of mixed nationalities were forced to turn back after warnings
Iran ’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and any transit through the waterway will face “harsh measures”, according to state media.

It added that shipping “to and from ports of allies and supporters of the Israeli-American enemies” is prohibited through any corridor or to any destination.

The passage, through which one fifth of the world’s oil and gas passes, has remained largely closed since the outbreak of hostilities.

It comes as Donald Trump is considering sending another 10,000 troops to the Middle East, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

The forces would likely be sent within striking distance of Iran and Kharg Island, a key oil export hub off in the Persian Gulf.

Despite the escalation, Germany’s foreign minister on Friday said the US and Iran have had indirect negotiations and that representatives plan to meet shortly in Pakistan .

Trump said he would again extend the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face the destruction of its energy plants, after Tehran had earlier rejected a 15-point US proposal to end the fighting as unfair.

US concerned about dwindling Tomahawk supply amid reports of dwindling supply
Some Pentagon officials are concerned about the “alarmingly low” supply of Tomahawk missiles remaining in the U.S.

military’s arsenal after firing 850 of the weapons into Iran , according to a report.

The rate at which the U.S.

military has used the Tomahawk missiles in President Donald Trump’s war in Iran , now in its fourth week, has prompted internal talks about increasing supplies, according to The Washington Post.

U.S.

officials told the newspaper that the number of Tomahawks left in the Middle East was “alarmingly low.” Another official told the outlet that the U.S.

supply of Tomahawks was closing in on “Winchester,” military slang that means almost out of ammunition.

Many of the Tomahawks, which can be launched from submarines and Navy warships, were used during the first days of the war, which began on February 28, people familiar with the matter told the Post .

Each missile is estimated to cost more than $2 million.

Oil prices soar past $110 a barrel again after Iran says Strait of Hormuz is closed
The cost of oil has surged again following Iran ’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz is “closed” and that any transit through the waterway will face “harsh measures”.

The price of Brent crude oil rose to $110 a barrel after the warning, the second highest level since the US begun its offensive against Iran last month.

The Strait of Hormuz provides the only passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, making it a crucial point for the oil industry.

Around 20 per cent of the world’s gas and oil is shipped through the waterway, with continued Iranian threats proving highly damaging for global trade.

Mother of child killed in Minab strike blames US at UN emergency meeting
The mother of two children killed on a strike in Minab, Iran on the first day of the war has blamed the US and Israel for being “the cause of this suffering” and called on the countries to be held to account, during a UN Human Rights Council debate on Friday.

“I call upon the Human Rights Council, its members, upon the responsible institutions, and upon all those who have a duty and ability to defend the lives of children, not to let this tragedy be forgotten,” the mother said via a video message.

She added: “No mother is prepared to hear the words 'your child isn't coming back'.”
UN rights chief urges US to conclude probe into deadly Iran school strike
The UN rights chief has urged Washington to conclude its investigation into a fatal strike on a primary school in Iran.

The statements came at an emergency debate at the Geneva council at a UN Human Rights Council meeting on Friday to discuss the attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh School, which killed more than 175 children and teachers on the first day of the war, according to authorities.

US military investigators have reportedly been looking into the attacks, but a report has not yet been released.

UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk called for Washington to conclude its probe as soon as possible and publish the results.

"There must be justice for the terrible harm done," he said by video link after meetings with US officials in Washington this week.

Watch: Iran can't hold world economy 'hostage', says Yvette Cooper
Three drones intercepted and destroyed in Riyadh, says Saudi defence ministry
Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry has said that three drones were intercepted and destroyed in its capital of Riyadh, in a statement on Friday.

Sirens were heard this morning amid reports of drone attacks.

The defence ministry said that debris fell in the vicinity of the military site but no injuries were reported.

Strikes on Iran to escalate and expand, says Israeli defence minister
Israel Katz, Israel’s defence minister, has warned that Iran will pay “heavy and increasing prices” for reportedly targeting Israeli civilians.

He promised that strikes on Tehran would escalate and expand to additional “targets and domains” that assist Iran in building and operating weapons against Israeli civilians.

More than 1,900 people killed in Iran, says Red Crescent
The Iranian Red Crescent has reported that more than 1,900 people have been killed since the war against Iran broke out on 28 February.

At least 20,000 people have been injured, it added in a statement on Friday.

UN calls for Lebanon's 'territorial integrity' to be respected
A United Nations official has said on Friday that Lebanon’s territorial integrity must be respected as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies.

“What we really need is for Lebanon’s territorial integrity, Lebanon’s sovereignty to be fully respected,” a representative said.

“We have seen increasingly worrying rhetoric concerning activities in southern Lebanon by the Israeli army and authorities”.

Iran closes Strait of Hormuz, says state media
The passage, through which one fifth of the world’s oil and gas passes, has remained largely closed since hostilities broke out.

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