Iran claims attacks in strait of Hormuz; Houthis announce blockade of Red Sea shipping route – Middle East crisis live

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US forces bombed targets in the south and west of Iran overnight , while Iran targeted US sites in Bahrain, Kuwait ⁠and Jordan and a tanker was hit in ⁠the strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the ​Gulf.

Two oil tankers carrying Saudi crude to Asia reversed course in the Red Sea on Tuesday after threats from Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis .

Donald Trump said the Houthis had not yet shut the Bab el-Mandeb , the “Gate of Tears” strait leading ⁠into the Red Sea, and threatened to act against them if they did. “So far it hasn’t happened,” Trump said. “If something like that happens, we take care of it.”

Trump renewed his threats to again attack Iran’s nuclear facilities at Natanz “pretty soon“, which he said in June 2025 had been “totally obliterated” after the US military bombed the facility.

Defense secretary Pete Hegseth faced questions over the war with Iran, which he estimated has cost $37.5bn so far , as Republicans prepare a $95bn budget package to fund the military, along with other White House priorities.

Trump pledged to help Lebanon “a lot” during a White House meeting with the country’s leader, Joseph Aoun. Trump made the surprise announcement that he’d allow American carriers to resume direct flights to Lebanon for the first time in 40-plus years after the US suspended the route.

Oil prices gained more than 2% on Tuesday , with Brent crude hovering above $91 a barrel.