US-Iran war live updates: Strait of Hormuz closed as Trump confirms US military strikes have resumed on Iran

The Strait of Hormuz has been shut, officials have confirmed.

Iran’s top joint military command announced the closure of the Strait on Thursday, including oil tankers and commercial ships, saying any vessel that will attempt passage will be shot at.

Reuters

The latest strikes on Iran come after President Donald Trump said Iran would “pay the price” for taking too long to negotiate a deal “that would have been great for them”.

Trump’s comments underlined his whipsaw approach to the war; earlier this week, he suggested a deal to end the conflict could be reached in a matter of days.

Iran has proved resilient despite weeks of heavy bombing earlier this year, and appears to be betting that its ability to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz – a crucial passageway for oil and natural gas – gives it a strong bargaining chip.

Still, both countries seemed to be looking for a way to end the conflict, if they could sell it as a win at home.

Several explosions were heard at the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas close to the airport, Iran’s IRNA agency reported. Iran’s Mehr agency said explosions had also been heard in the port of Gorgan, while Press TV said a location in Sirik had been hit by “enemy projectiles”.

The strikes come just a day after the US struck Iran following the crash of an army helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz that President Donald Trump blamed on the Islamic Republic.

The escalating attacks threatened to derail efforts to end the war, with Trump earlier warning that Tehran would “pay the price” for stalled negotiations.

Trump’s warnings at the White House and on social media came hours after Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan – all of which host American troops – came under Iranian fire. It was the second time this week that back-and-forth strikes have tested a two-month ceasefire. On Monday, Iran and Israel targeted each other.

The US military says it is striking “multiple targets” in Iran in another escalation of tensions, as it appears to make good on Trump’s threats to “hit [Iran] again”.

The US launched airstrikes against Iran on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) after blaming Tehran for the crash of the American attack helicopter, prompting new attacks from Iran and further widening the retaliatory strikes that threaten to derail efforts to end the war.

AP

Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the war in Iran. The US has confirmed it has struck “multiple targets” in Iran “in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression”.

Stay tuned as we bring you updates on the conflict as they come to hand.