UK warns Israel over ‘deeply alarming’ Lebanon offensive
Britain has warned Israel not to pursue a ground offensive in Lebanon where the humanitarian situation is "already deeply alarming".
A joint statement issued by the UK alongside Canada, France, Germany and Italy, urged the Israeli government to seek an "immediate de-escalation" with Lebanese representatives.
The allies also called for an end to "unacceptable" attacks targeting civilians.
It came in response to Israel's announcement that the IDF had begun a "ground manoeuvre" to try to "destroy the terror infrastructure" of Hezbollah. The force said the intervention is a "limited and targeted" operation. Advertisement
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Britain's joint statement read: "A significant Israeli ground offensive would have devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a protracted conflict. It must be averted.
"The humanitarian situation in Lebanon, including ongoing mass displacement, is already deeply alarming."
Lebanon was dragged into the conflict in the Middle East on March 2 when Iran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
12:47am
That's all for today
Thank you for joining our coverage of the Iran war. Here's a summary of what happened today:
Britain and several other Western nations warned Israel not to pursue a ground offensive in Lebanon after the Israel Defence Forces announced it had begun a "limited and targeted" operation against Hezbollah
Donald Trump attacked Sir Keir Starmer's "terrible" leadership as he revealed the PM said he needed to consult his "team" over whether to send warships or minesweeper boats to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz
Leaked audio revealed that Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, survived US and Israeli air strikes because he stepped outside for a walk in his garden minutes before his home was hit by missiles
Israeli intelligence claimed the Islamic Republic no longer has the capability to make new missiles
Sir Keir said Britain will not be drawn into a wider war with Iran as Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, said there was "no appetite" for an expansion of the bloc's operations in the Middle East
Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, dispelled reports that he is in contact with Steve Witkoff, the Trump administration's US special envoy to the Middle East
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatened to destroy the oil and gas facilities if Kharg Island is struck
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12:07am
UAE temporarily closes air space
The UAE has temporarily closed its air space as an "exceptional precautionary measure" as the country came under renewed attack by Iran, the UAE's state news agency said.
The general civil aviation authority (GCAA) announced the closure after the UAE's air defences intercepted several Iranian missiles and drones earlier in the evening.
The ministry of defence confirmed that several explosions heard across the country were caused by air defences and fighter jets downing ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones and loitering munitions. Advertisement Advertisement
Before the latest wave of attacks, the ministry said it had intercepted 21 drones and six ballistic missiles throughout the day.
It is unknown how many projectiles comprised tonight's bombardment.
11:39pm
Pictured: Iranian missile embedded in roof in East Jerusalem
Part of missile embedded in roof in East Jerusalem
11:27pm
Iran launches missile attack at Israel
Iran has launched missiles at Israel amid fears Tehran is widening its strike range within the Jewish state.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said its air defences were working to intercept the missiles.
Although most of Iran's missile and drone attacks have been confined to the northern areas of Israel, there are signs the Islamic Republic is broadening its aim to include Jerusalem.
On Monday, large missile fragments fell near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the building housing the Knesset, Israel's parliament.
People take shelter in Tel Aviv as Iran fires missiles at Israel - Ohad Zwigenberg/AP
11:13pm
Emboldened Iranian regime likely to retain power
Iran's regime will likely remain in place despite aggressive strikes against its officials and military targets by the US and Israel, US intelligence assessments say. Advertisement Advertisement
Multiple officials told The Washington Post that there is little probability of a regime change scenario that would see an end to the Islamic Republic or the election of a democratic government, which has been openly advocated by both Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Rather, the analysts say, a significantly weakened but more hardline "rump IRGC regime" will take hold with the new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei and a more powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) acting as partners.
Despite loss of dozens of military leaders and the degradation of its nuclear, naval and missile capabilities, the new government would be emboldened by the belief it survived standing up to Donald Trump, the officials told The Washington Post.
However, the regime will be "degraded enough that we're in a better place than we were", one official said.
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The US president has been given "very sobering briefings" on this assessment and was told before giving the go-ahead to begin strikes that the IRGC would likely become stronger as a result, the analysts said.
"It wasn't just predictable," they told The Washington Post. "It was predicted. He was told in advance."
10:26pm
Trump delays China trip because of Iran war
Donald Trump is expected to delay his visit to China by a month amid the ongoing war with Iran.
The US president said he requested that his long-awaited meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing in April be postponed, choosing instead to remain in Washington DC, while the conflict in the Middle East continues.
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"I'd love to, but because of the war, I want to be here. I have to be here," Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday.
"And so we've requested that we delay in a month or so, and I'm looking forward to being with them.
We have a very good relationship. But because of the war... it's very simple. We have a war going on."
Trump in the Oval Office
The postponement highlights how the war is beginning to affect the president's foreign and domestic policy agenda, forcing him to shelve one of the most consequential diplomatic meetings of his second term.
The summit with Xi was expected to focus on ongoing trade tensions, Taiwan and the global energy supply - issues now overshadowed by a conflict that has entered its third week.
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10:20pm
IDF kills Hamas commander
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) killed a Hamas commander after it claimed the terror group violated the ceasefire in Gaza.
Kamal Ayash, a commander with the group's anti-tank unit, was killed in a strike in the Gaza Strip as the Iran war tests the fragile truce between Israel and Hamas, an Iranian proxy group.
The IDF claimed the attack was in response to an alleged incident where a Hamas member fired at soldiers deployed in the Strip on Saturday.
As Israel continues to bombard Iran and its proxy groups, including Hezbollah, the country has also begun renewed strikes against Hamas even though a ceasefire was agreed in October to end the two-year conflict. Advertisement
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The IDF said it had also killed six more Hamas militants on Sunday, alleging they were part of a cell that was planning to "carry out a terror plot" against Israeli troops.
Two of the slain Hamas members were involved in the October 7 attacks, the IDF claimed.
09:33pm
Pictured: IDF strikes devastate Beirut
The Israeli military said earlier today it had begun what it described as "limited ground operations" against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, to add to its air strikes.
A resident and a worker inspect the devastation in Beirut - AFP via Getty
09:12pm
Iranian foreign minister dispels reports of contact with Trump administration
The Iranian foreign minister has dispelled reports that he is in contact with Steve Witkoff, the Trump administration's US special envoy to the Middle East.
A US official had said Abbas Araghchi was in contact with Mr Witkoff, according to Axios. Advertisement Advertisement
The report stated that a direct communications channel between the pair had been reactivated in recent days, in what would have been the first direct communication between the two countries' governments.
But Mr Araghchi said: "My last contact with Mr.
Witkoff was prior to his employer's decision to kill diplomacy with another illegal military attack on Iran.
"Any claim to the contrary appears geared solely to mislead oil traders and the public."
09:07pm
Trump: I will have the honour of taking Cuba
Donald Trump has said he believes he will have the "honour of taking Cuba".
The US president suggested that he "can do anything" with the island given it is a "very weakened nation right now".
He said: "I think Cuba sees the end. You know, all my life I've been hearing about the United States and Cuba, when will the United States do it?
"I do believe I'll have the honour of taking Cuba - that's a big honour.
"Taking Cuba in some form, yeah. I mean, whether I free it, take it - I can do anything I want with it, if you want to know the truth?
"They're very weakened nation right now."
The US president admires a model stealth bomber aircraft in the Oval Office - Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
08:57pm
'When they say Death to America, you should believe them'
Donald Trump has said the Iranian regime would have used a nuclear weapon on America if they had the capacity.
The US president warned about the threat of the Islamic Republic, suggesting it was the "bully of the Middle East".
He said: "When they say 'Death to America', you should believe them because...if they had a nuclear weapon, they would've used it.
"But they never had the chance, I never gave them the chance to use it.
"I spoke to one of the former presidents who I actually like... and he said 'I wish I did what you did'.
Other presidents, somebody should have done it.
47 years this went on. They call Iran the bully of the Middle East."
He added that Iran was a "shell of itself" and that it was the "bully that got beat up".
08:48pm
Trump: We could wrap this war up in a week
Donald Trump has said he could end the war on Iran this week, but suggested it would likely last longer.
The US president told reporters that he does not think that the conflict will end within the next seven days.
Asked if the war could be ended this week if Iran was "totally obliterated", Mr Trump replied: "Yeah, sure."
Pushed to answer whether it will end over the next seven days, he said: "I don't think so, but it'll be soon, and we're going to have a much safer world when it's wrapped up."
08:43pm
Britain used to be the 'Rolls-Royce of allies', laments Trump
Donald Trump has lamented the decline of the UK which the US was once considered the "Rolls-Royce" of allies.
The US president said Sir Keir Starmer's response to the war on Iran was "very disappointing", reiterating his criticism from earlier today.
He told reporters at the Oval Office: "The UK was sort of considered the Rolls Royce of allies, right? When you say they were the oldest and they were going to be there, and I said [to Sir Keir] it would be really helpful if you'd send over a couple of ships, and if you have some minesweepers, which they do, [it would be] very helpful.
"And the Prime Minister is a nice man.
I think he's a very nice guy. He says, 'Well, I'd like to ask my team.' I said, 'You don't have to worry about a team. You're the Prime Minister, you can make a decision.'
"'Well, I have to speak to my people.' I said, 'You don't have to speak to anybody.' So it's very disappointing.
"And then after we obliterated them, destroyed their military, the whole thing, and it became a much safer zone, he said, 'We're going to send over two aircraft carriers.'
"I said, 'I don't want them any more.
I don't want them after we win. I want them before we start. I don't need your aircraft carriers after we've already won.' So, you know, those things are very disappointing."
Donald Trump was passed a model aircraft commemorating 'Operation Midnight Hammer' during his press briefing in the Oval Office - Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
08:37pm
Trump: I have no idea who we're talking to in Iran any longer
Donald Trump has said he no longer knows which leader he is dealing with in Iran.
The US president told reporters at the Oval Office that identifying the head of the Iranian government was his "biggest problem" because "they're all gone".
He said: "If you believe that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon, then you have to absolutely love what I've done, because in two weeks, we have decimated them.
"They have no Navy, they have no air force, they have no anti-aircraft weapons, they have no leadership.
The leadership is gone.
"But then they set up a new leadership to go and name a new leader, and that leadership is gone. And now they think maybe the son is gone. They're all gone.
"My biggest problem is I have no idea who we're talking to, because nobody ever heard of any of these people.
They're all dead. But we did a job for the world, not a job for us, for the whole world."
08:30pm
I am behind the war on Iran, insists JD Vance
JD Vance has insisted he is behind the Trump administration's war on Iran.
The vice president said he was in favour of preventing the Iranian regime from obtaining a nuclear weapon, despite previously being critical of US involvement in foreign wars.
Mr Vance told reporters: "You're trying to drive a wedge between members of the administration, [and] between me and the president.
"What the President said consistently, going back to 2015 - and I agreed with him - is that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon."
Pushed on his previous criticism of foreign interventions, Mr Vance said: "I think one big difference is that we have a smart president, whereas in the past, we've had dumb presidents.
"And I trust President Trump to get the job done, to do a good job for the American people, and to make sure that the mistakes of the past aren't repeated."
08:30pm
Pictured: Emergency services examine a devastated house in Israel
A projectile damaged a home in central Israel earlier today.
A member of the media works near emergency personnel inspecting the damage inside a house in Rishon LeZion, Israel - Tyrone Siu/Reuters
08:11pm
Britain urges Israel to to abandon 'deeply alarming' offensive on Lebanon
Britain has joined forces with four other countries to urge Israel to abandon its "deeply alarming" ground operation in Lebanon.
A joint statement from the leaders of the UK, Canada, France, Germany and Italy warned that the IDF's attacks would have "devastating humanitarian consequences".
They added that their military operation "could lead to a protracted conflict".
The statement said that the leaders were "gravely concerned by the escalating violence in Lebanon" and called for "meaningful engagement by Israeli and Lebanese representatives to negotiate a sustainable political solution".
Earlier today, the IDF launched "limited" ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon as part of Operation Roaring Lion.
08:06pm
IRGC threatens to destroy all oil and gas facilities if Kharg Island hit
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened to destroy the oil and gas facilities if Kharg Island is struck.
A spokesman for the force told Fars News Agency: "If America commits aggression against the Kharg Island facilities and the island's oil terminal, all oil and gas facilities of the aggressor country will immediately be reduced to a pile of ashes."
The island is a key five-mile strip of land which serves as a hub for exporting about 90 per cent of Iran's oil.
07:58pm
Iranian foreign minister accuses Hegseth of 'contravening international law'
The Iranian foreign minister has accused Pete Hegseth of "moral bankruptcy" and an "ignorance" of international law.
Abbas Araghchi suggested that the US defence secretary should "review the Hague Convention" after comments he made on Friday, adding that if he did not he would "join Netanyahu as a war criminal".
Mr Hegseth has been criticised for stating that there would be "no quarter" for US enemies during a press briefing at the Pentagon.
The term "no quarter" is a military phrase that means combatants would not be taken as prisoners of war but executed instead.
Mr Araghchi said:
07:42pm
Iran and US 'in direct contact in recent days'
A direct communications channel between America and Iran has been reactivated in recent days, it has been reported.
The channel is between Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy to the Middle East, and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, has reopened, an official told Axios.
It is the first direct communication between the two countries since the war started more than two weeks ago.
07:29pm
Starmer: I've stood by my principles at every stage of this war
Sir Keir Starmer has claimed he has stood by his principles throughout the war on Iran by always basing his decisions on a "level-headed assessment of the British national interest".
In a video published on social media, the Prime Minister stated that the decision to send British troops to war was the most "serious responsibility" for a leader.
He insisted that service personnel deserve a "thought-through plan" and a "legal basis" before being sent to a conflict.
The Prime Minister said: "I have been attacked by some for my decision not to join the offensive against Iran.
"But at every stage I have stood by my principles that our decision should be based on a calm, level-headed assessment of the British national interest."
In the caption on the social media post, Sir Keir added: "I will always make decisions in the national interest. That's why we did not join the offensive action against Iran.
"Reform and the Tories would've rushed us into war without a plan to get us out."
07:13pm
Pictured: Emergency services respond to a strike on Israel
A projectile launched by Hezbollah devastated parts of the city of Nahariya in northern Israel.
First responders reported that a man was wounded in the attack.
Hezbollah said in a statement that its fighters targeted Nahariya "with a barrage of rockets and a swarm of attack drones".
Firefighters work at the site of a strike in the northern Israeli city of Nahariya - Odd Andersen/AFP
06:55pm
Fire at UAE oil field 'caused by a drone attack'
A fire at an oil field in the United Arab Emirates was caused by a drone attack, it has been confirmed.
Authorities in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the country, said they were dealing with a blaze at the Shah oil and gas field.
The city's media office confirmed that the cause was a drone attack, before adding that no injuries had been reported.
UAE officials said their air defence intercepted Iranian missiles and drones this morning
The Shah field is ?one of the world's largest oil sites, containing tens of billions of barrels of oil.
06:36pm
'No appetite' in EU to expand Middle East mission, says bloc's foreign policy chief
The vice president of the EU Commission has said there is "no appetite" for an expansion of the union's current mandate in the Middle East.
Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, insisted that there was a "clear wish" among foreign ministers that the naval mission not broaden "for the time being".
The current operation, called Aspides, was launched in February 2024 in response to Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. On Monday the bloc's foreign ministers discussed expanding the mission to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Ms Kallas said: "There was in our discussions a clear wish to strengthen this operation, but for the time being, there was no appetite in changing the mandate of the operation."
She added that the EU is working for "diplomatic solutions" for the Strait of Hormuz, but maintained that "this is not Europe's war".
Kaja Kallas speaks during a closing press conference at an EU Energy and Foreign Affairs ministers meeting in Brussels, Belgium - Omar Havana/Reuters
06:17pm
Iranian president: Talk of war ending 'meaningless' until no more future attacks
The president of Iran has insisted that talk of the war ending is "meaningless" until there are guarantees that there will be no more attacks in the future.
Masoud Pezeshkian also said the global community should "condemn this invasion" as a "medieval act in the 21st century".
He wrote on X: "In my conversation with Emmanuel Macron, I emphasised that Iran did not begin this atrocious war. Defending against invasion is a natural right, one which we are good at.
"Using the American bases against Iran in the region, with the purpose of disturbing our relations with our neighbours, should be stopped.
"Peace and stability in the region, cannot be achieved while disregarding the Zionist-American invasion in our country.
The Islamic Republic of Iran will not surrender to bullies.
"We expect the global community to condemn this invasion and convince invaders to respect international laws. Commencing a war in order to conquer, based on false information, is a medieval act in 21st century.
"Speaking of ending the war is meaningless until we ensure there will be no more attacks in our land in the future."
05:58pm
More British jets in Middle East than any point over past 15 years, says MoD
The UK now has more jets in the Middle East than at any point over the past 15 years, the MoD has confirmed.
It is Britain's greatest military presence in the region since the end of its involvement in the Iraq War in spring of 2011.
05:39pm
Watch: Trump praises Macron and savages Starmer
Donald Trump said Emmanuel Macron had been an "eight" out of 10 before savaging Sir Keir Starmer for a lack of support for the war on Iran.
The US president criticised the Prime Minister, telling reporters at the White House that Britain "should be involved enthusiastically" in the mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
05:30pm
We don't know if Khamenei is dead or not, says Trump
Donald Trump has said his administration is "not sure" if Mojtaba Khamenei, the new supreme leader of Iran, is dead or not.
The US president told reporters at the White House: "A lot of people are saying that he's badly disfigured.
"They're saying that he lost his leg, one leg, and he's been hurt very badly.
"Other people are saying he's dead. Nobody's saying he's 100 per cent healthy, and he hasn't spoken, because the [former] ayatollah would sit and he'd spew hate from a form of a throne, not as nice as a throne - I like the English throne much better.
"It was a fancy chair, but he'd spew hate from his chair.
But you'd see him a lot, right? This one we haven't seen at all, so that could be for a lot of different reasons. We don't know if he's dead or not."
05:23pm
Trump: Starmer relies on his advisers too much
Donald Trump has criticised Sir Keir Starmer by suggesting he relies on his advisers too much.
The US president pointed to the Prime Minister's desire to consult "his team" during the war in the Middle East.
Asked whether he had heard from his own advisers about the expected duration of high fuel prices, Mr Trump replied: "I don't need advisers to tell me that - I know what it is.
"You know, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom yesterday told me: 'I'm meeting with my team to make a determination.'
"I said: 'You don't need to meet with the team.
You're the Prime Minister, you can make [up] your own [mind]. Why do you have to meet with your team to find out whether or not you're going to send some minesweepers to us or to send some boats?'
"I said: 'You don't have to meet with your team.' It's the same thing here. I can tell you that when this is over, oil prices are going to go down very, very rapidly.
So is inflation, so is everything else."
05:16pm
Putin fears the US not Europe, says Trump
Donald Trump has said Vladimir Putin fears the US but not Europe.
The US president suggested that the Russian leader is only concerned by "the military that was built by me in the first term", rather than Nato as a whole.
He said: "We've been protecting these countries for years with Nato, because Nato is us. You can ask Putin.
"Putin fears us. He has no fear of Europe whatsoever.
He fears the United States of America and the military that was built by me in the first term."
Mr Trump added that the US does not "need" its Nato allies.
05:09pm
Trump: Britain should be 'enthusiastically' helping to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Donald Trump has insisted that the UK should be involved "enthusiastically" in the mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The US president said that, while he expected Britain to be "involved" in some capacity, he was "not happy" with Sir Keir Starmer.
Asked about which allies would support the US's mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, he told reporters at the White House: "I told him [Sir Keir], you know, we requested two aircraft carriers, which they had, and he didn't really want to do it.
"And then right after the war essentially ended, meaning they [Iran] were obliterated, he said: 'I would like to send the aircraft carriers.'
"I said: 'I don't need them after the war has ended and won. I need it before the war.'
"So I was not happy with the UK, [but] I think they'll be involved [with the Strait of Hormuz]. Yeah, maybe, but they should be involved enthusiastically."
05:02pm
Trump renews criticism of Starmer
Donald Trump has attacked Sir Keir Starmer for not providing military support for the war in Iran.
Speaking about Nato allies, the US president said: "I've been saying for years that if we ever did need them, they won't be there, not all of them, but they won't be there.
"I was very surprised with the United Kingdom, because the United Kingdom two weeks ago, I said, 'Why don't you send some ships over?' And he [Sir Keir] really didn't want to do it.
"I said: 'You don't want to do it?
We've been with you. You're our oldest ally, and we spend a lot of money on Nato and all of these things, to protect you.'
"We're protecting them. We're working with them on Ukraine.
Ukraine's thousands of miles away, separated by a vast ocean. We don't have to do that. We did it, well Biden did it.
Mr Trump added: "We don't need to work with them in Ukraine.
And then they tell us they have a mine ship around and they don't want to do it. I think it's terrible."
04:45pm
Israeli authorities fear Iran now targeting Jerusalem
Large missile fragments fell near some of the holiest sites in Jerusalem on Monday, raising fears that Iran is now targeting the city.
In Jerusalem's Old City, a large section of a missile measuring several feet across landed in a narrow alley near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the site where Christ is believed to have been crucified.
Police also cordoned off a small area of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, the third-holiest site in Islam, apparently after small shrapnel shards hit the site.
Fragments also landed near the Knesset in the west of the city, which is also close to Benjamin Netanyahu's office, and the rear section of a missile also went through the roof of a home in Silwan, in Palestinian East Jerusalem.
It is not known whether the missiles were targeted at the city or intercepted above en route to a different target. However, there have been a number of salvos now that appear to have been directed at Israel's capital.
It was previously thought that Tehran would not target Jerusalem because of the risk of damaging Islamic holy places.
But earlier today, reports emerged that the government is placing mobile bomb shelters around the city.
The small above-ground concrete boxes are common near Gaza and in the far north of Israel, where people have a very short amount of time to find shelter because of the proximity of Hamas and Hezbollah respectively.
Israeli security forces inspect a house in Palestinian East Jerusalem where a fragment of an Iranian missile crashed into the rooftop - Mahmoud Illean/AP Photo
04:29pm
Trump: I've known for a long time allies wouldn't be there if we needed help
Donald Trump has said he has known "for a long period of time" that America's allies would not be there if it needed help.
The US president insisted that the "level of enthusiasm" in support for the war on Iran matters to him.
He told reporters: "Numerous countries have told me they're on the way. Some are very enthusiastic about it, and some are in. Some are countries that we've helped for many, many years... and the level of enthusiasm matters to me.
"We have some countries where we have 45,000 soldiers, great soldiers, protecting them from harm's way, and we have done a great job.
"And when we want to know, 'Do you have any mine sweepers?', [they respond] 'Well, we would rather not get involved, sir'."
Mr Trump added: "They sure would rather not get involved...
I've been a big critic of all of this protecting of [other] countries, because I know that we'll protect them, [but] if we ever needed help, they won't be there for us. I've just known that for a long period of time."
Donald Trump speaks to reporters alongside Mike Johnson, US Speaker of the House of Representatives, at the White House - Alex Wong/Getty Images
04:22pm
We have attacked manufacturing plants to prevent future missiles, says Trump
Donald Trump has said the US has taken out three manufacturing plants today to prevent future Iranian attacks.
The US president told reporters: "Since the beginning of the conflict, we've struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran, and these have been mostly commercial and military targets.
"We've achieved a 90 per cent reduction in their ballistic missile launches and a 95 per cent reduction in drone attacks.
"The missiles are trickling in now at very low levels because they don't have too many missiles left.
"We've also attacked the manufacturing plants where they manufacture the missiles and the drones, and that's going on today. We just hit three of them."
04:20pm
Trump mocks Iran for being 'literally obliterated'
Donald Trump has mocked Iran by saying "they're doing quite well" aside from being "literally obliterated".
He told reporters at the White House: "Our powerful military campaign to end the threats posed by the Iranian regime continued in full force over the past few days - they have been literally obliterated.
The air force is gone. The Navy is gone. Many, many ships have been sunk.
"They're war-fighting ships, but I guess they didn't know how to use them.
Anti-aircraft is decimated. Their radar is gone, and their leaders are gone. Other than that, they're doing quite well.
"They've been a terror for 47 years, and now, I guess the world through the United States, with the help of Israel, is doing what should have been done many years ago."
04:13pm
Britain 'cannot be at the whims of the ayatollahs' on energy security
The UK cannot allow itself to "be at the whims" of the ayatollahs when it comes to energy security, a Foreign Office minister has said.
Stephen Doughty told MPs that Britain would work with European countries to "bring together a viable and collective plan" to restore access to the Strait of Hormuz. "Here in the UK, we cannot allow ourselves to be at the whims of whether it's the ayatollahs or indeed, Vladimir Putin, when it comes to our energy security. "We've already acted alongside other countries to release those emergency oil stocks, which I set out, at a level that is completely unprecedented."
He added: "But of course, we ultimately do have to reopen the Straits of Hormuz to ensure stability in the market but that isn't a simple task.
"So I repeat again we're going to work with allies, including European partners to bring together a viable and collective plan to restore freedom of navigation."
04:04pm
Foreign Secretary raises surging oil prices with US
Yvette Cooper has raised the issue of energy security and the impact of surging oil prices with the Trump administration, a minister has confirmed. Stephen Doughty, a Foreign Office minister, said the Foreign Secretary was speaking to Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, on the "very crisis". Speaking in the Commons, he told MPs: "The Foreign Secretary was in Riyadh in recent days showing support for our partners across the region who face continuing strikes.
"She discussed the impact of Iran's actions with GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) foreign ministers and the importance of maintaining energy security and supply, and as we speak, she's on a call with secretary of state Rubio, on this very crisis."
03:49pm
Debris from intercepted missiles damages home in Jerusalem
Fragments from intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles caused damage in the heart of Jerusalem earlier today.
A large piece of one of the projectiles hit a home in the eastern part of the city, Israel's Fire and Rescue service said.
There have also been reports of fragments from missiles landing near the Knesset - the Israeli parliament - the National Library of Israel, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Wedding guests make their way into a bomb shelter after sirens wailed of an impending attack on Jerusalem earlier today - John Wessels/AFP
03:31pm
Watch: US military takes out Iranian targets
US Central Command has released more footage of its attacks on Iran.
It said: "Thousands of Iranian military targets have been struck by US forces to neutralise threats posed by the Iranian regime now and into the future."
03:22pm
Analysis: It is telling that Germany chooses to be undiplomatic with Trump
When Friedrich Merz first reacted to the air strikes that killed Ali Khamenei on Feb 28, he struck a supportive tone.
"This is not the time to lecture our partners and allies," the German Chancellor said the day after the attack on the "mullah" and "terrorist" regime.
Other European leaders questioned the legality of the strikes and some refused the use of their military bases, including Britain, as rifts opened up among Nato allies.
But Mr Merz said: "There is never a right time to do something like this but there is a time when it is too late."
When the German conservative headed to the White House later that same week, he was criticised further for not defending fellow EU leader Pedro S?nchez, who refused the US the use of Spanish bases for the attacks on Iran, from a Trump tirade.
Since then, Mr Merz has lost a key state election in a year where he faces another four. The anti-migrant opposition AfD is poised to do well, which will heap pressure on his coalition government.
Mindful that most Germans oppose the attacks, Mr Merz has sought to put clear water between himself and Mr Trump. Last week he said the president was "wrong" to ease sanctions on Russia to curb rising crude oil prices, and he accused the US and Israel of not having a plan to end the war.
When Poland's foreign minister was asked about the US call for help to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, he tactfully said such requests could be made through Nato channels if a member felt under threat.
It is telling that, when asked the same question, Germany chose to be as undiplomatic as possible.
03:13pm
Merz distances himself from US war on Iran
Friedrich Merz has backpedalled significantly to distance himself as far as possible from Donald Trump.
The US president's demand that Nato allies help out the US in its war on Iran has been given short shrift from Berlin.
"This war has nothing to do with Nato," Mr Merz's spokesman declared emphatically. "It is not Nato's war."
"It is not our war; we did not start it," added German defence minister Boris Pistorius later.
"What does Donald Trump expect from a handful or two handfuls of European frigates to achieve there in the Strait of Hormuz, which the powerful American Navy cannot manage alone?" he asked.
Mr Merz originally downplayed criticism of the US after it launched air strikes that killed supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Feb 28.
03:01pm
Pictured: IDF troops gather on Lebanese border
The IDF began what it described as "limited ground operations" against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon earlier today.
Israeli soldiers gather on the border with Lebanon in Upper Galilee, northern Israel - Odd Andersen/AFP
02:55pm
'Which side do you stand on?' Iranian security chief asks Gulf states
The head of Iranian security has questioned countries in the Persian Gulf by asking them "which side do you stand on?".
Ali Larijani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, accused Iran's neighbours of "weak excuses" used to justify the US-Israeli military offensive.
He said: "Some countries have gone as far as saying that Iran has become their enemy because it targeted American bases and American and Israeli interests in their territories.
"Is Iran being asked to stand idly by while US bases in your countries are used to attack it?
These are weak excuses.
"Today's confrontation is between America and Israel on the one hand, and Muslim Iran and the resistance forces on the other. Which side do you stand on?"
02:44pm
Iranian security chief makes plea to Muslim neighbours
The head of Iranian security has appealed to its neighbours to "think about the future of the Muslim world".
Ali Larijani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, has called on countries in the Persian Gulf to "reflect" about the military offensive on Iran, while accusing the US and Israel of being "untrustworthy" to the Middle East.
He said: "Think about the future of the Muslim world. You know that America is untrustworthy and that Israel is your enemy.
"Stop for a moment and reflect on yourselves and the future of the region.
Iran offers advice to you and does not seek to dominate you.
"The unity of the Islamic Ummah, if achieved fully, is capable of guaranteeing security, progress and independence for all its countries."
The Arabic word Ummah refers to the Muslim community throughout the world.
02:37pm
More than 200 Iranian children killed in US-Israeli bombings, says foreign minister
More than 200 Iranian children have been killed by the US and Israeli strikes, the country's foreign minister has said.
Abbas Araghchi also called on Iran's neighbours to clarify their position amid reports they are encouraging the attacks.
He wrote on X: "Hundreds of Iranian civilians have been killed in US-Israeli bombings, including over 200 children.
"Reports claim that some neighbouring states which host US forces and permit attacks on Iran are also actively encouraging this slaughter. Stances should be promptly clarified."
02:31pm
Trump 'absolutely right' to call on Europe to do more, says White House
Donald Trump is "absolutely right" to call on Europe to help the US reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the White House press secretary has said.
Karoline Leavitt told reporters that European allies were "benefitting" from the US-Israeli war against Iran, and so they should support the US in the Persian Gulf.
She said: "If you think about Europe, their [Iran's] ballistic missile capability, that the US military is currently wiping out, was a direct and imminent threat to our European allies, as well as our bases in the region, which is why President Trump took this action in the first place.
"These countries are absolutely benefitting from ensuring that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon... so I think the president is absolutely right to call on these countries to do more, to help the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, so we can stop this terrorist regime from restricting the free flow of energy."
02:17pm
Pictured: Emergency services respond to strikes on Iran
An apartment block was turned to rubble after US-Israeli missiles struck Tehran earlier today.
Emergency services begin to clear debris from a strike on a residential building - Majid Asgaripour/WANA
02:01pm
Zack Polanski: Starmer must come clean on 'defensive' use of British bases
Zack Polanski has called on Sir Keir Starmer to explain precisely how American planes taking off from Britain are being used in the war on Iran.
The Green Party leader urged the Prime Minister to provide more clarity on the "defensive" missions that US Air Force B52 bombers - based at RAF Fairfield in Gloucestershire - had been sent on.
He said: "The Prime Minister needs to explain clearly how planes loaded up with missiles, taking off from a UK base, are being used for defensive rather than offensive raids.
"The fact is these planes are part of Operation Epic Fury, a dangerous war of choice by the US.
"The British public do not support this war. So Keir Starmer must answer this: are B52 bomb carriers taking off from UK soil being used to inflict civilian casualties or damage civilian infrastructure in Iran?"
01:50pm
Trump: We're holding off devastating Tehran's infrastructure
Donald Trump has said the US military has tried to "hold off" devastating infrastructure in Tehran.
The US president suggested that America could "knock out" critical energy sites in the Iranian capital in "one hour", but that it would lead to "years of rebuilding and trauma".
He told PBS News Hour: "I left a lot of infrastructure in Tehran because if you did it, it's years of building.
"I could knock out the electric plants in one hour... but if I do that, that's years of rebuilding and it's trauma.
So I'm trying to hold off on that kind of thing," Mr Trump added.
01:41pm
Oil prices will 'drop like a rock' when the war ends, claims Trump
Donald Trump has claimed that oil prices will "drop like a rock" as soon as the war on Iran ends.
The US president suggested that the increase in fuel prices was a "small price to pay" after years of terror from the Iranian regime.
He told PBS News Hour: "The oil prices will drop like a rock as soon as it's over."
Asked about a time frame for this, Mr Trump added: "Well as soon as the war is over... I don't believe it will be long."
01:36pm
Pictured: Aftermath of strikes on Iran
An Iranian apartment block was devastated by the US-Israeli military offensive on Tehran earlier today.
A resident carries a dog as emergency services work at the site of a strike on a residential building - Majid Asgaripour/WANA
01:30pm
'We will not submit to lawless aggression,' insists an Iranian ambassador
Iran has pledged not to submit to "lawless aggression".
Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, Tehran's ambassador, branded the US and Israel "unscrupulous actors".
The body had been discussing human rights in Iran, particularly the crackdown on protesters in recent months, but the Islamic Republic's representative said the focus should instead be on the war.
He told the council: "The most urgent and fundamental human rights issue concerning Iran is the imminent threat to the lives of 90 million people, whose lives are in immediate and grave danger under the shadow of reckless military aggression.
"An aggression that is carried out by some of the most lawless and unscrupulous actors on the international stage."
01:17pm
Iranian and Chinese ships passing through Strait of Hormuz 'fine for now', says US
The US treasury secretary has said Iranian, Indian and Chinese ships passing through the Persian Gulf is "fine" for now.
Scott Bessent suggested that the Trump administration was content with Iran's current "natural opening" of the Strait of Hormuz, adding that it wanted to see the world "well supplied" with oil.
He told CNBC News: "We are seeing more and more of the fuel ships start to go through. The Iranian ships have been getting out already, and we've let that happen to supply the rest of the world.
"We've seen Indian ships go out now... ?[and] we believe some Chinese ships have gone out."
Mr Bessent added: "That should ?start ramping up before there are any of the flotillas or protective armadas in the Gulf.
So we think that there will be a natural opening that the Iranians are letting out.
"And for now, we're fine with that. We want the world to be well supplied."
01:00pm
Tanker sails through Hormuz hugging Iran's coast
A Pakistani tanker laden with crude oil has cleared the Strait of Hormuz, according to ship tracking data.
It is one of only a handful of vessels that have transited the waterway since Iran effectively blockaded it in response to the US and Israel launching their war more than two weeks ago.
The Karachi made the journey on Sunday and reached the waters of Oman's Sohar today, data show.
It hugged Iran's coast for most of the journey, a similar route taken by other ships leaving the strait.
12:54pm
Watch: Inside Israel's ground operations in Lebanon
12:47pm
Spain rules out sending ships to Hormuz to be involved in 'illegal' war
Spain has ruled out taking part in any military mission in the Strait of Hormuz - because it considers the war against Iran to be illegal.
The Leftist coalition government led by Pedro Sanchez has criticised the offensive and banned US aircraft using jointly operated bases in southern Spain.
Margarita Robles, the defence minister, rejected a demand ?by Donald Trump for military support to secure the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has de facto blocked.
"Spain will never accept any stopgap measures, because the objective must be for the war ?to end, and for it to end now," Ms Robles said.
12:31pm
Gamblers betting on the Iran war sent journalist death threats to change report
Gamblers betting on the war in Iran have threatened a journalist in a bid to change a report and cash in on missile attacks.
Emanuel Fabian, the military correspondent of the newspaper Times of Israel, has revealed that users on Polymarket sent him death threats to try and urge him alter a report about an Iranian missile launch.
Polymarket allows people to bet on the twists and turns of global geopolitics, including on air strikes and even the prospect of nuclear war.
Mr Fabian told Israel's Kan News: "Several days ago I reported about a missile that fell in an open area. It was just another report about one of the missiles that landed in Israel -- the most marginal detail in the world."
He said that he started receiving emails "to change my article -- to change that detail from 'a missile that fell in an open area' to 'interceptor fragments.' And those requests seemed strange to me."
He continued: "I tried to find out why they were doing this, and it turned out they had actually placed bets on Polymarket on whether Iran attacked Israel on a certain day."
The rules of that bet dictated that only a direct hit counts, not debris. "So they asked me to change it so they would win the bet," he said, adding that £12m was at stake.
Mr Fabian said that the messages quickly became more aggressive. "I started receiving actual threats against my life to change the reports.
And if I don't change it -- then various things will happen to me."
12:04pm
Three more Iranian footballers decide to return home
Members of Iran's women's football team at Kuala Lumpur International Airport today after three more gave up asylum in Australia to return home - MOHD RASFAN / AFP
11:59am
Iran's missile production fallen to zero, says IDF
Iran's missile production has dropped to zero, according to the IDF.
Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate said the Islamic republic no longer had the capability to make new missiles, because of successful attacks on its manufacturing base.
It also said it believed that 70 per cent of Iran's missile launchers had been destroyed.
That appears to be a downward revision from figures given out a few days ago, which claimed 80 per cent destruction.
Some of the launchers have been rendered inoperable having been buried inside tunnels by Israeli airstrikes.
The IDF said it had also destroyed 100 Iranian anti-aircraft batteries and a further 120 radars, enabling "absolute" air superiority.
There has been a reduction in the number of missile alerts in Israel in the last 24 hours, although cluster munitions continue to cause significant damage to property.
11:58am
What Telegraph readers are saying...
11:38am
Germany: 'This is not ?our war, we have not started it'
The German defence minister has rejected US demands for military support in the war against Iran, declaring it is "not our war".
"What does (...) Donald Trump expect a handful or two handfuls of European frigates to do in the Strait of Hormuz that the powerful US navy cannot do?" Boris Pistorius said today.
"This is not ?our war, we have not started it."
Mr Pistorius sought to downplay Mr Trump's warnings that such a stance would hurt Nato, saying it would not fall apart over these differences.
11:24am
Pictured: US spy plane lands at RAF base
United States Air Force Lockheed U-2 spy plane landing at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire - BNPS
11:13am
Starmer: I've not decided on sending warships to Strait of Hormuz
Britain is "not at the point of decisions" about whether to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz.
Sir Keir Starmer said he had held constructive talks with Donald Trump about how to reopen the key shipping route, which has been blockaded during the war in Iran.
The Prime Minister told a press conference: "It's a discussion. We're not at the point of decisions yet. It's obviously a difficult question, that goes without saying, in relation to how you safeguard maritime traffic.
"But we are discussing that with the US, with Gulf partners and with Europeans."
11:12am
Fuel duty rise to be kept under review
The Prime Minister said he would keep fuel duty "under review" as pressure grows for an about-turn on his current policy.
Under current proposals, a 5p cut to the tax introduced because of the Ukraine war will be removed in September.
"On fuel duty that is being held until September.
And I know people are urging me 'what are you going to do after September?' but that is six months away, there's obviously a lot of change that could happen in that period.
"And we need to keep the situation under review and we will keep the situation under review."
Sir Keir said the Government was "taking all necessary measures" to ensure adequate supplies of energy.
11:09am
Prime Minister: I have a good relationship with Trump
Sir Keir Starmer insisted he continued to enjoy a "good relationship" with Donald Trump and the US.
The special relationship between the UK and the US has been plunged into its worst state for many years by the Prime Minister's refusal to join American and Israeli strikes on Tehran.
Asked to score how good the relationship between the two countries on a scale of 1 to 10, Sir Keir replied: "It's a good relationship, we had a good discussion yesterday about the straits as you would expect.
"We're strong allies, have been for decades. But it is for me to act in what I consider to be the best interests of Britain and I have to keep that uppermost in my mind."
11:02am
Starmer declines to commit to energy price guarantee
Sir Keir Starmer declined to say whether he would introduce a new energy price guarantee in response to the Iran war.
A scheme rolled out by the previous Tory government capped the average energy bill at ?2,500 a year in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, this came to an end at the beginning of July 2023 as prices fell.
During a press conference in Downing Street, Sir Keir was asked whether he would introduce a similar scheme or instead force wealthier households to pay more.
He responded: "We're not ruling anything out, but it is very difficult to say at this juncture what the position will be in July which is when the current energy cap runs out, or what the position will be in September.
"And obviously our focus at the moment is de-escalating, dealing with the straits and trying to find a way to limit the impact."
10:58am
Trump lacks viable plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz, Starmer suggests
Sir Keir Starmer suggested Donald Trump did not have a viable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The US president has called on the Prime Minister to send warships to the key shipping route, which has been all but closed by Iran during the war.
Asked about Mr Trump's demand, Sir Keir said: "That's one of the pressing issues of the day, it's something I discussed with president Trump yesterday on the phone.
There have been discussions going on in relation to a viable plan.
"We want to make sure that that involves as many partners as possible, that's been our stated objective here, particularly talking to European partners, inevitably talking to Gulf partners and the US.
"We need a credible, viable plan because this is to say the least not easy and is not straightforward and therefore we have to make forward we have to make sure we've got that credible plan in place."
10:51am
Government announces ?53m in heating oil support
Sir Keir Starmer announced ?53m in government support for the poorest households using heating oil during the war in Iran.
The Prime Minister said his first priority was to protect Britons from the worst effects of soaring oil and gas prices.
Sir Keir insisted fuel duty would not rise until September and that the energy price cap would remain in place until the end of June.
He added: "As to what happens in three months, in six months, I'm not going to stand here and pretend to you that we know what the situation will be...
"The best way through this is to de-escalate and reduce the conflict because that is the most simple and effective way to deal with the cost of living, and that's where we're putting all our focus."
Sir Keir announced ?53m of emergency support on Monday morning for households using heating oil - Brook Mitchell
10:48am
Starmer: Britain will not be drawn into Iran war
Sir Keir Starmer has said Britain will not be drawn into a wider war with Iran[3].
The Prime Minister said he wanted to see the Middle East conflict[4] brought to an end "as quickly as possible" at a Downing Street press conference.
He refused to accede to Donald Trump's (www.telegraph.co.uk)