US attacks oil tanker in strait of Hormuz as strikes reported in Tehran

The US has fired on an oil tanker attempting to reach Kharg Island in the strait of Hormuz as part of its blockade on Iranian ports, as Tehran came under attack for the first time in this latest round of strikes.

The US said on Thursday morning it had disabled an unladen oil tanker, during a fifth day of strikes, firing Hellfire missiles into the ship’s smokestack after it ignored multiple warnings.

On Wednesday evening, the US targeted coastal defences and missile sites, hours after a separate round of strikes that hit cruise missile storage and launch sites on Iran’s Greater Tunb Island in the morning.

The US also hit targets further north, with state media reporting strikes on the country’s capital, Tehran, and reports of air defences being heard throughout the city early on Thursday.

Iran responded with attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait. There was no immediate word on damage or casualties. Iranian officials say the recent days of US strikes have killed more than 35 people and wounded more than 300 others.

The escalating waves of attacks come days after the ceasefire between the two sides appeared to have entirely collapsed, with fears of a return ⁠to full-scale war.