Middle East crisis live: US has carried out strikes on ‘every military target’ on Iran’s Kharg island, Trump says
Trump says US has carried out attacks Iran's Kharg islandDonald Trump said the United States carried out strikes against “every military target” on Iran’s Kharg Island export hub.“For reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island,” the US president wrote on Truth Social.“However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.”ShareUpdated at 00.43 CETKey eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureQatari authorities evacuated parts of Doha’s Msheireb district, which includes government offices and a Google GOOGL.O office, early on Saturday, witnesses said.The witnesses also said authorities evacuated parts of Doha’s education city, which is home to branch campuses of six U.S. universities.The evacuation orders come after Qatar’s interior ministry said authorities were evacuating a “number of specified areas as a temporary precautionary measure,” without providing details on the areas.It came about an hour before authorities reported missile interceptions in Qatar, Reuters reports.ShareIsraeli strikes in Gaza killed four Palestinians, including two 17-year-olds, in two separate attacks, Palestinian medics said, with violence continuing in the West Bank and Gaza even as Israel expands its offensive across the region.Israeli forces killed two in the West Bank city of Nablus on Thursday, according to Palestinian officials, while the death toll in Lebanon reached 773, its Health Ministry said on Friday.The Israeli military told Reuters it was not aware of the earlier airstrike reported in Gaza, which paramedics said killed three people, including two 17-year-old males.Separately, one Palestinian was killed and several other people were wounded in Israeli tank shelling near a police checkpoint in western Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, medics said.ShareFive US air force refueling planes were struck and damaged on the ground at Prince Sultan airbase in Saudi Arabia, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing two U.S. officials.The planes, which were hit during an Iranian missile strike on the Saudi base in recent days, were damaged but not fully destroyed and are being repaired, the Journal said, adding no one was killed in the strikes.ShareUpdated at 00.57 CETAt least 12 medical personnel were killed in an Israeli strike on a healthcare center in the town of Borj Qalaouiya in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese state news agency reported, citing the health ministry.The health ministry said the death toll was preliminary, with rescue operations underway to search for missing persons.ShareTrump says US has carried out attacks Iran's Kharg islandDonald Trump said the United States carried out strikes against “every military target” on Iran’s Kharg Island export hub.“For reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island,” the US president wrote on Truth Social.“However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.”ShareUpdated at 00.43 CETInterim summaryWe are pausing our live coverage for now, thank you all for reading along. Here’s a brief recap of some of the key developments from the last few hours.
Several hours ago, at approximately 10pm local time, the Israeli military said it had launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran. Residents in the Iranian capital reported heavy explosions.
Israeli strikes have killed more than 100 children in Lebanon, according to the latest data from the Lebanese health ministry. A total of 773 people have been killed since Israel’s first strikes on the country on 2 March, with a further 1,933 people wounded, the ministry said in its daily report. It said 103 children had now been killed in the strikes, and a further 326 children have been wounded.
The Pentagon is moving additional Marines and warships to the Middle East, the Wall Street Journal and other outlets reported. US defence secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly approved a request from US Central Command for an element of an amphibious ready group and attached Marine expeditionary unit (MEU). There are differing reports about the size of the contingent to be deployed, but the group typically consists of several warships and 5,000 Marines and sailors. It is not yet clear what the MEU will be used for or where exactly it will be deployed. But, their presence gives commanders additional options for a range of contingencies, a source told CNN. Trump and his administration have repeatedly refused to rule out US boots on the ground in Iran.
Donald Trump rejected an offer from Vladimir Putin to move Iran’s enriched uranium to Russia, Axios reported. The offer was reportedly made during the phone call the two leaders held earlier this week. Trump has repeatedly stated that one of his key objectives in launching the war is to prevent Tehran from ever having a nuclear weapon.
But in his interview on Fox News Radio on Friday morning, Trump suggested that securing Iran’s highly enriched uranium is not currently a top priority: “We are not focused on that, but at some point we might be.” Previous reports have suggested that the US president is considering sending US troops into Iran to seize its uranium.
Trump also said he didn’t think “it’s going to be long when [the war is] over”. Asked when he might end it, Trump told Fox News Radio it would be up to him: “When I feel it, OK … feel it in my bones.”
Trump also said he believes that Russia might be helping Iran “a little bit”, before pointing to US support for Ukraine as possible justification. It come after the UK defence secretary, John Healey, said on Thursday that Putin’s “hidden hand” lies behind Iran’s military methods. Last week, the Washington Post and others reported that Moscow was providing Tehran with intelligence on US military assets in the region. Putin denied Russian involvement in a phone call with Trump, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Tuesday.
The UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, called for humanitarian aid to be allowed to pass safely through the strait of Hormuz as the US-Israeli war on Iran continues to disrupt one of the world’s most vital shipping routes. In a statement, Tom Fletcher said this will make it harder and more expensive to deliver critical supplies, including food and medicine. Only 77 ships have so far crossed through the critical waterway this month.
US vice-president JD Vance said the US knows Iran’s new supreme leader is hurt but does not known the full extent of his injuries. “We know that he’s hurt. We don’t know exactly how bad, but we know that he’s hurt,” he told reporters in North Carolina. It appeared to contradict his cabinet colleague US defence secretary Pete Hegseth’s claim earlier on Friday that Khamenei is “wounded and likely disfigured” as he questioned his ability to govern. At present, there is no proof for Hegseth’s claim.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said in a televised speech on Friday that his group is fighting an “existential” battle and is ready for a “long confrontation” with Israel as the war continues. Israel will be “surprised on the battlefield”, Qassem said, adding that “the enemy’s threats do not scare us”. Israeli threats to assassinate him are “worthless”, he added.
The US state department is offering rewards of up to $10m to anyone with information on Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei as well as nine “key leaders” of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Among the six figures named are new secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani and Esmail Khatib, the minister of intelligence. The others are listed only by their positions.
A British counter-drone unit has shot down “multiple drones overnight” following recent strikes on coalition bases in Iraq, the UK’s Ministry of Defence said. Overnight, UK Typhoon jets flew air defence operations over Bahrain for the first time, the MoD said in an update shared on X. It added: “British Typhoon and F-35 jets are now flying in defence of British interests and allies across Qatar, Cyprus, UAE, Jordan, and Bahrain.”
Qatar’s Ministry of Interior said that “a number of specified areas” are being evacuated “as a temporary precautionary measure, in the interest of public safety until the threat has subsided”.
The armed suspect who crashed into a large Michigan synagogue had lost four family members in an Israeli airstrike in his native Lebanon last week, an unnamed official told the Associated Press on Friday. Here’s our story on that.
Formula One is poised to cancel races scheduled for next month in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, as a result of the ongoing conflict in the region. The sport has not yet formally confirmed the grands prix will be scrapped but it is expected to announce their cancellation as soon as this weekend.
ShareUpdated at 00.08 CETUN official calls for humanitarian cargo to be allowed through strait of HormuzTom Fletcher, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, called on Friday for humanitarian aid to be allowed to pass safely through the strait of Hormuz as the US-Israeli war on Iran continues to disrupt one of the world’s most vital shipping routes.He said in a statement:
double quotation markWhen routes close and costs surge, the help we can deliver shrinks - and the people who need it most are the ones who lose it first.
So my message to the parties to the conflict and all those with influence over them is simple: humanitarian cargo must be allowed to pass safely through the strait of Hormuz.
The ongoing conflict has already caused a near halt in traffic through the strait, Fletcher said. (Earlier, we reported that only 77 ships have so far crossed through the critical waterway this month.)This, Fletcher added, will make it harder and more expensive to deliver critical supplies, including food and medicine.
double quotation markI am speaking directly with key parties, pressing for humanitarian supplies to be allowed to keep moving unobstructed through the strait.
ShareUpdated at 23.20 CETQatar issues temporary evacuation orders in some areasQatar’s Ministry of Interior has said that “a number of specified areas” are being evacuated “as a temporary precautionary measure, in the interest of public safety until the threat has subsided”.In a post on X, the ministry urged “everyone to rely on official sources for information and to adhere to the issued instructions.”ShareTrump rejected Putin offer to move Iran's uranium to Russia - reportDonald Trump rejected an offer from Vladimir Putin to move Iran’s enriched uranium to Russia, Axios reports citing sources.The offer was reportedly made during the phone call the two leaders held earlier this week. Trump has said of the call that he and the Russian president had a “very good” talk and that “[Putin] wants to be helpful on the Middle East”.“This is not the first time it was offered. It hasn’t been accepted. The US position is we need to see the uranium secured,” a US official told Axios.According to Axios, Iran has 450 kilograms of 60%-enriched uranium — enough for more than 10 nuclear bombs.Trump has repeatedly stated that one of his key objectives in launching war on Iran with Israel is to prevent Tehran from ever having a nuclear weapon.In his interview on Fox News Radio on Friday morning, Trump suggested that securing the highly enriched uranium is not currently a top priority:
double quotation markWe are not focused on that, but at some point we might be.
Previous reports have suggested that the US president is considering sending US troops into Iran to seize its uranium.ShareIsrael launches another 'massive' wave of attacks on TehranA couple of hours ago, at approximately 10pm local time, the Israeli military said it had launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran.In a post on its Farsi language page on X, the IDF said:
double quotation markThe Israeli army has now launched a massive wave of attacks against the infrastructure of the Iranian terrorist regime across Tehran.
Residents in the Iranian capital reported heavy explosions.ShareVance says Iran's new supreme leader is hurt but 'we don't know exactly how bad'US vice-president JD Vance has said the US knows Iran’s new supreme leader is hurt but does not known the full extent of his injuries.Responding to question from CBS News in North Carolina about whether Mojtaba Khamenei had been hurt by a US airstrike, Vance said:
double quotation markWell, it’s not totally clear, actually. It’s obviously a very chaotic environment over there. And you have the Israelis striking, you have, obviously, the United States striking a number of targets. So we know that he’s hurt. We don’t know exactly how bad, but we know that he’s hurt.
It appears to contradict his cabinet colleague US defence secretary Pete Hegseth’s claim earlier on Friday that Khamenei is “wounded and likely disfigured” as he questioned his ability to govern. At present, there is no proof for that claim.As we’ve been reporting, no images have been released of Khamenei since an Israeli strike at the start of the war that killed much of his family, including his father and wife, on 28 February. He was hurt in that attack, Tehran’s ambassador to Cyprus confirmed on Wednesday, and there has been much speculation about the full extent of his injuries and speed of his recovery. The first comments in his name were read out on state TV, rather than delivered live or on video, on Thursday.ShareUpdated at 21.55 CETHezbollah leader says group is ready for 'long confrontation' and Israeli threats to assassinate him are 'worthless'Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said in a televised speech on Friday that his group is fighting an “existential” battle and is ready for a “long confrontation” with Israel as the war continues.Israel will be “surprised on the battlefield”, Qassem said, adding that “the enemy’s threats do not scare us”.
double quotation markThis is an existential battle, not a limited or simple battle.
Qassem added that Israeli threats to assassinate him are “worthless”.
double quotation markWe have given many opportunities for political solutions, but the Israeli aggression has not stopped.
Our involvement in the conflict at this time is aimed at weakening Israel’s position in order to reach a better agreement.
There is no solution except through resistance; otherwise, Lebanon will face extinction.
ShareUpdated at 21.30 CETF1 expected to cancel Bahrain and Saudi GPs due to Middle East conflictThe Formula 1 races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, both scheduled for next month, are set to be cancelled, Sky News reports.A grand prix was due to be held in Bahrain on 12 April, followed by Saudi Arabia the following weekend on 19 April.BBC News hears the same, reporting that, “With the deadline to start shipping the freight needed for the event looming, and no sign of imminent resolution to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, it has been deemed as too great a risk to staff.”Both countries have experienced Iranian retaliatory strikes on their territory.Official confirmation of the decision is set to be announced in the next 48 hours.Neither race will be replaced on the F1 calendar, cutting the season to 22 grand prix events.ShareUpdated at 23.12 CETUS state department offers $10m for information on Iran's supreme leader and other senior officialsThe US state department is offering rewards of up to $10m to anyone with information on Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei as well as nine “key leaders” of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).Among the six figures named are new secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani and Esmail Khatib, the minister of intelligence. The others are listed only by their positions.In a post on X, the US state department said: “Your information could make you eligible for relocation and a reward.”ShareUpdated at 20.34 CETPentagon moving additional Marines and warships to Middle East - reportsThe Pentagon is moving additional Marines and warships to the Middle East as Iran steps up its attacks on the strait of Hormuz, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing three US officials.US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has approved a request from US Central Command for an element of an amphibious ready group and attached Marine expeditionary unit (MEU), typically consisting of several warships and 5,000 Marines and sailors, the officials told the WSJ.According to the WSJ, the Japan-based USS Tripoli and its attached Marines are now headed for the Middle East. Marines are already in the Middle East supporting the Iran operation, the officials said.CNN also hears about the MEU deployment to the region from three officials familiar with the matter.It is not yet clear what the MEU will be used for or where exactly it will be deployed.Per CNN’s report: “These units have traditionally been used for missions like large-scale evacuations and amphibious operations that require ship-to-shore movements, including raids and assaults. They also have a ground and aviation combat component and some units are trained for special operations.”Their presence gives commanders additional options for a range of contingencies, one of the sources told CNN.Donald Trump and his administration have repeatedly refused to rule out US boots on the ground in Iran.ShareUpdated at 20.30 CET
