Two Iranian missileshave struck a US warship intending to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, state news agency Fars has claimed.
The warship was turned back after it was struck while sailing near Jask island, local sources told the agency, after Tehran earlier warned it would attack any US boats that entered the Strait of Hormuz.
The attack has not yet been confirmed by the US or other independent sources. Only Fars, a news agency closely affiliated to the IRGC, has reported the attack.
Iran’s warning came after Donald Trump vowed to free commercial ships stranded in the waterway as part of so-called “Project Freedom”.
Trump had pledged to guide ships out of the “restricted waterway” from Monday morning to “free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong”.
Iran had afterwards warned that “any foreign armed forces, especially the aggressive US army, will be attacked” if they approach the Strait.
Trump said the operation came as the US held “very positive discussions” with Iran, who reportedly issued the US president a one-month deadline for negotiations on its proposed deal to reopen the strait and bring an end to the war.
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What is Fars news agency?
Fars news agency describes itself as “Iran’s leading independent news agency”.
But in reality, it is known to be closely affiliated to Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
It is generally described as a “semi-official” news agency of the Iranian government – meaning it generally acts as a government-aligned, state-sanctioned news outlet.
Fars news agency reported that two Iranian missiles have struck a US warship in the Strait of Hormuz – we are waiting on other sources to help confirm this.
Breaking: Iranian missiles hit US warship in Strait of Hormuz, state media reports
Iranian forces fired two missiles at a US warship intending to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Fars news agency has reported.
The warship was turned back after ignoring Tehran’s warning that any US vessels entering the strait will come under attack.
The two missiles struck the vessel when it was sailing near Jask island, local sources told Fars.
But this attack is yet to be confirmed by independent sources or by the US – it is only the IRGC-affiliated news agency that has reported it so far.
Trump says ‘Project Freedom’ will guide ‘innocent bystander’ ships through Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump has promised the U.S. will guide ships through the blocked Strait of Hormuz from Monday as part of a “humanitarian gesture” dubbed Project Freedom.
In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump warned ships from “innocent bystander” countries not involved in the war he started with Iran in February were running low on food and other supplies.
“Countries from all over the World, almost all of which are not involved in the Middle Eastern dispute going on so visibly, and violently, for all to see, have asked the United States if we could help free up their Ships, which are locked up in the Strait of Hormuz, on something which they have absolutely nothing to do with,” the president wrote late Sunday.
Oisin Mcilroy reports:
Trump says US will guide ‘innocent bystander’ ships through Strait of Hormuz
Thousands of U.S. troops and dozens of aircraft are to be deployed to assist in the effort – Iran has already threatened retaliationAlex Croft
Iran reviews US response to its peace proposal
Officials in Iran are reviewing the US response to its peace proposal, which envisaged an end to the war and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
A ceasefire was agreed four weeks ago to allow for negotiations, and US and Iranian officials held one round of talks. But attempts to set up further meetings have so far failed.
Iranian state media said on Sunday Washington had conveyed its response to Iran's 14-point proposal via Pakistan, and that Tehran was now reviewing it.
Neither side gave further details.
Tehran envisages ending the war on all fronts – including Israel's attacks on Lebanon – and resolving the standoff in the Strait of Hormuz, while leaving talks on Iran's nuclear programme for later.
Washington wants Tehran to give up its stockpile of more than 400 kg (900 pounds) of highly enriched uranium, which the United States says could power a bomb.
Dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities is one of the Trump administrations crucial goals in the war.
Iran's unveils new map of Strait of Hormuz under their control, state media says
Iran's Revolutionary Guards navy have issued a new map of the area of the Strait of Hormuz under its control on Monday, state media reported.
The area starts in the west with a line between the westernmost tip of Iran's Qeshm island to the United Arab Emirates' Umm al Quwain emirate.
In the east, the area stops at a line between Iran's Mount Mobarak and the UAE's Emirate of Fujairah.
It was not immediately clear if and to what extent their claimed area of control has changed.
We’re working to bring you an image of the map.
Iran condemns UAE's exit from OPEC as 'vengeful'
Any exit from OPEC as a "negative or vengeful reaction toward members is not constructive," Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday.
The United Arab Emirates said last week it will leave OPEC effective 1 May, stripping the oil cartel of its third-largest producer and further weakening its leverage over global oil supplies and prices.
Mr Baghaei added Iran would retain its commitments within OPEC and blamed the UAE for demonstrating "inappropriate behaviour" in assisting Israel and the US during the war against it.
US navy will be attacked if it enters Strait of Hormuz – Iran
As we earlier reported, Iran has warned the US against entering the Strait of Hormuz, after Donald Trump said his navy would begin to free stranded commercial ships in the waterway.
We can now bring you more from Iranian officials.
Tehran’s forces would "respond harshly" to any threat, it said, ordering commercial ships and oil tankers to refrain from any movement in the absence of coordination with Iran's military.
"We have repeatedly said the security of the Strait of Hormuz is in our hands and that the safe passage of vessels needs to be coordinated with the armed forces," Ali Abdollahi, the head of the forces' unified command, said in the statement.
"We warn that any foreign armed forces, especially the aggressive US army, will be attacked if they intend to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz."
Nato countries have 'gotten message' from Trump, says Rutte
European nations have "gotten the message" from Donald Trump and are now ensuring that agreements on the use of military bases are being implemented, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte said on Monday.
Trump has accused some Nato nations of not doing enough to support the United States in the Iran war, and announced on Friday plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany.
"Yes, there has been some disappointment from the US side, but Europeans have listened," Mr Rutte told reporters at a European Political Community summit in Armenia.
"They are now making sure that all the bilateral basing agreements are being implemented," he said.
Nato member Spain has said that military bases on its territory cannot be used for the war with Iran. But Mr Rutte said other Nato countries such as Montenegro, Croatia, Romania, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Britain, France and Germany were implementing requests for the use of bases and other logistical support.
Israel issues evacuation threat in Lebanon
The Israeli military has ordered residents to evacuate the municipalities of Qana, Debaal, Qaaqaait al-Jisr and Srifa in southern Lebanon.
Those asked to flee must move at least 1,000m away from their residences to open areas, the Israeli military said this morning.
The warning comes after reports that Israeli forces bombed the towns of Khiam and Qantara overnight.
Israeli forces also dropped flares over Braachit during the night and shelled the outskirts of the towns of Safad El Battikh, Yater, Majdel Selm, and Chaitiyeh, according to state media.
US evacuates 22 crew members on seized Iranian ship to Pakistan
The US has evacuated 22 crew members held aboard an Iranian container vessel to Pakistan and will hand them over to Iranian authorities on Monday, Pakistan's foreign ministry said.
The ministry described the move as a "confidence-building measure".
"The Iranian ship will also be backloaded to Pakistani territorial waters for return to its original owners after necessary repairs," the ministry said in a statement.