LIVE: Iran drone attack sets oil tanker on fire

A fuel tanker is burning in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route, after it was hit by two drones, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have claimed, according to Iranian state media.

The IRGC claimed the Honduras-flagged ‘Athen Nova’ tanker, was working in ‘unison’ with the US and was targeted as it travelled across the strait.

The strait is crucial for transporting oil and prices have surged after Iran forced a near-closure of the route.

Three British and America ships were also hit by the IRGC in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz on Sunday as Iran continues to seek revenge for the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

A major oil refinery at Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, was shut earlier on Monday after being hit by a drone as motorists in the UK face warnings of potential ‘record prices at the pumps’.

Diners at a popular restaurant in Dubai were caught on video running for cover after a loud bang as Iranian attacks continue to rock the Middle East.

Dubai has been targeted by Iranian missiles and drones since Saturday and residents are on edge, with footage appearing to show diners confusing a ceremonial cannon, which notifies when people can break their Ramadan fast, with an explosion.

Iran has stepped up its attacks on Gulf states across the Middle East in retaliation over the US-Israel war which resulted in the death of its supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei on Saturday.

Qatar’s defence ministry said it shot down two Iranian fighter jets and intercepted seven missiles and five drones following widespread attacks across the country.

While Bahrain announced its air defences have intercepted 70 missiles and 59 drones in the latest wave of attacks

Qatar’s state-run energy firm was targeted, forcing it to stop gas production and Saudi Arabia halted operations at its huge Ras Tanura oil refinery which caught fire earlier today.

The latest onslaught comes after Iran rejected an ultimatum by Donald Trump to lay down its weapons after two days of fighting and launched new attacks on Israel and across the Middle East.

The Kuwaiti army says a naval soldier has died today during an ‘operation’ by the country’s armed forces.

Sergeant Walid Majid Sulaiman was killed, marking the first death of a solider from a Gulf country since the outbreak of conflict

The US State Department has urged Americans in the Middle East to sign up for security updates.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said 49 senior Iranian regime leaders have been killed by US strikes.

‘Killing terrorists is good for America. 49 of the most senior Iranian regime leaders – including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei – have already been wiped off the face of the Earth so far in the opening strikes of Operation Epic Fury,’ she wrote on X.

US Central Command posted footage of recent strikes against Iranian vessels in the Gulf of Oman.

‘Two days ago, the Iranian regime had 11 ships in the Gulf of Oman, today they have ZERO,’ Central Command wrote on X.

‘The Iranian regime has harassed and attacked international shipping in the Gulf of Oman for decades. Those days are over.

‘Freedom of maritime navigation has underpinned American and global economic prosperity for more than 80 years. US forces will continue to defend it.’

Senegalese immigrant Ndiaga Diagne, 53, murdered two people and wounded 14 more when he sprayed bullets at partygoers at a bar in Austin, Texas, early Sunday.

Investigators believe the slaughter at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden was meant as payback for US-Israeli air strikes on Iran.

Two US State Department employees were injured by an Iranian drone strike on a hotel in Bahrain, according to a State Department cable reviewed by The Washington Post.

‘Two US DOW personnel were injured,’ the cable said.

The cable, which was sent on Sunday, did not provide additional details on what hotel the employees were at.

The Crowne Plaza hotel in Manama was stuck Sunday morning.

The US Embassy in Bahrain advised US citizens in Bahrain that hotels might be a target for attacks, and encouraged citizens s to avoid hotels in Manama.

The US Virtual Embassy in Iran issued a security alert on Monday advising Americans to shelter in place or leave the country immediately.

‘Due to ongoing military operations, Americans are advised to shelter-in-place. If safe to do so, Americans should leave Iran now by land,’ the embassy said.

‘If you cannot leave, find a secure location within your residence or another safe building. Have a supply of food, water, medications and other essential items.’

The embassy also advised citizens to have a plan for departing Iran that does not rely on US government assistance, as well as to avoid demonstrations, keep a low profile and stay aware of their surroundings.

Officials warned that the Iranian government may restrict or prevent departures from Iran, and US-Iranian dual nationals must exit Iran on Iranian passports.

As of Monday, the Armenian land border at Agarak/Norduz is open, and Turkish land border crossings with Iran are open for entry by Turkish and third country nationals.

A key Israeli diplomat has suggested that Israel and the US will continue to strike Iran for ‘as long as it takes’

Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, said the civilian impact at home, including deaths, is part of the ‘sacrifice’ for future generations.

‘We all know those we have lost, despite the sacrifice, we are determined,’ he said. ‘We will not stop until we achieve our objectives.’

At least nine people were killed in Beit Shemesh in Israel when an Iranian missile hit a residential area.

Four American troops have so far been killed.

The US and Israel have given separate answers about how long they believe the conflict will last.

On Sunday, in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Donald Trump said it would last four weeks.

But earlier today he said the US ‘projected four to five weeks, but we have capability to go far longer than that’.