The United States military says it has destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying ships in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in the growing conflict across the Middle East.
The action came after Donald Trump warned Iran not to deploy sea mines in the crucial shipping route used for global oil transport.
At the same time, three commercial vessels in the area were reportedly damaged by unknown projectiles, raising fears about the safety of international shipping.
Elsewhere in the region, four people were injured after two drones fell near Dubai International Airport in the Dubai. Authorities confirmed that air traffic was not affected despite the incident.
Iran has continued launching strikes across the region, with attacks reported in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait.
Meanwhile, Israel has carried out renewed air strikes in Iran and Lebanon, including a reported strike on an apartment building in central Beirut.
Earlier, Iran’s police chief warned that anyone attempting to protest against the government would be treated “in the same way we deal with the enemy,” signaling a potential crackdown on internal dissent as the conflict intensifies.
