Iran threatens to block more trade routes as US launches fresh strikes

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Iran threatens to block more trade routes as US launches fresh strikesImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, President Donald Trump has threatened to strike Iran's energy infrastructureByElla KiplingPublished7 minutes agoIran has threatened to block further trading routes in the region, as the US launched a fresh wave of strikes on military targets. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said the Strait of Hormuz would remain shut until the US ends its "acts of aggression" and said other regional oil and gas export channels could also be closed. The warning came as the US military's Central Command (Centcom) said it had carried out drone, air and navy strikes on Iran on Wednesday morning, in addition to a seven-hour operation overnight.

President Donald Trump vowed to strike Iran's bridges and power plants next week if the country does not return to talks. "I'll save the energy targets for last, but ultimately we'll hit energy targets," Trump said in an interview on Special Report with Bret Baier that aired on Tuesday night. The escalation in rhetoric comes after Trump said a 20% toll he had threatened to impose in the Strait of Hormuz would be replaced by "massive" trade and investment deals with Gulf states.

The Details

A renewed US blockade on Iranian ports was imposed on Tuesday evening, which stops vessels from transiting to and from Iranian ports and coastal areas. In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned the US that it should "expect the closure of other oil and gas export routes that serve the interests of the United States and its allies". It did not elaborate on which routes could be affected.

Meanwhile, Iran's state-run broadcaster reported that the country's army had carried out separate attacks on US targets in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain. The US allies also said they intercepted drones and missiles launched from Iran. Watch: The clash between US and Iran for control of the Strait of Hormuz Published14 hours agoStrait of Hormuz 'faultline' exposes weakness of the US-Iran deal Published16 hours agoOn Wednesday morning, Centcom said it had begun launching a new wave of strikes, which were designed to "further degrade military capabilities Iranian forces have used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz".

The new attacks follow a seven-hour wave of US military strikes on Iran on Tuesday evening which hit "dozens" of Iranian military targets near the Strait of Hormuz, Centcom said. Tuesday's strikes killed at least seven Iranian military personnel were killed in US strikes on a base in the southeastern city of Bampur, Iran's army said. Meanwhile, Tehran fired missiles and drones on US targets in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, Iranian state-run television IRIB reported.

In the early hours of Wednesday, Kuwait's military said it was intercepting Iranian attack drones, while Bahrain activated air raid sirens.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.