Dubai (AFP) – Iran’s president said his country is fighting a “full-scale war” with the United States, as Washington expanded its strikes across the Islamic republic and Tehran hit Gulf states. Here are the latest developments on Monday:
More US strikes on Iran
US forces launched a new round of strikes against Iran, US Central Command said. The strikes, which began at 2000 GMT, are “designed to further degrade Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said.
Jordan intercepts Iranian missiles
Sirens sounded in the Jordanian capital Amman, an AFP correspondent said. Jordan’s army stated that air defenses had downed three Iranian missiles, with no injuries or damage reported.
Houthis announce Saudi blockade
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced a maritime embargo of Saudi Arabia after the two adversaries traded fire last week for the first time in years. The Houthis’ naval blockade, if enforced, could further strain Saudi Arabia’s economy by cutting off access to its Red Sea ports, which have been vital for oil exports redirected from the Strait of Hormuz.
UN warns of wider conflict
Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN secretary-general, warned that the Houthi threat against Saudi Arabia “leads to the risk of an even wider regional escalation.” Saudi Arabia condemned the Houthi announcement. A foreign ministry statement said Riyadh “continues to support the brotherly Yemeni people and their legitimate government.”
Vessel hit off UAE
A ship was struck off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency said, adding that the incident occurred 17 nautical miles east of Dibba, near the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump warning
President Donald Trump warned Iran it would pay “many times over” for every US soldier it killed after Washington announced over the weekend three new military fatalities and one service member missing in action. “Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!” Trump posted on his platform, Truth Social. “This directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and every Leader in the Military.”
Lebanon takes over ‘pilot zones’
The Lebanese army began taking charge of security in three southern villages, the United States said. The US State Department indicated that operations had started in “pilot zones” in Froun, Srifa, and Zawtar al-Gharbiya. It is the first test on the ground of a deal to secure an Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah. An Israeli military official stated that the Israeli army will adjust its troop deployment in one of the three zones the Lebanese Armed Forces will exercise sole security control over.
Iran in ‘full-scale war’ with US
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country was in a “full-scale war” with the United States and that Tehran should “accept the natural consequences of this resistance.”
Oil prices rise
Oil prices closed higher, driven by continued hostilities between Washington and Tehran, despite some signs suggesting negotiations between the two countries. The price of Brent crude from the North Sea, for September delivery, rose to $89.22 a barrel.
burs-ach/rmb/msp
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