Iran has responded to US president Donald Trump’s address on the Middle East conflict by launching fresh missile strikes targeting Israel and Gulf Arab states, reports Breaking News.
The action highlights Tehran’s firm stance against Washington’s push for a ceasefire, while it continues to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz, reports Breaking News.
At the same time, the UK is preparing to hold discussions with nearly 35 countries on how to reopen the vital shipping route, through which around 20% of global oil and gas flows during peacetime.
The group of nations — including all G7 members except the United States, along with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain — had already signed a declaration last month urging Iran to stop obstructing the strait, reports Breaking News.
The upcoming talks will focus on “diplomatic and political measures” aimed at restoring maritime traffic once the conflict subsides.
While Washington has said Iran should permit free passage through the strait, Mr Trump recently stated it is not America’s responsibility to enforce this and encouraged nations reliant on Hormuz oil to “build some delayed courage” and “take it”, reports Breaking News.
In the same address, Mr Trump warned that the US would strike Iran “extremely hard over the next two to three weeks”, while also claiming that key American strategic goals were close to being achieved.
Shortly before the 18-minute speech began on Wednesday, explosions were reported in Dubai as air defence systems intercepted an incoming Iranian missile barrage, reports Breaking News.
Less than 30 minutes after the speech ended, Israel confirmed its forces were attempting to intercept further incoming missiles.
Air raid sirens were also activated in Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s 5th Fleet, immediately following the address, reports Breaking News.
Following a joint declaration in March condemning Iranian attacks on civilian commercial vessels and urging Tehran to halt such actions, the 35 signatory countries were scheduled to meet virtually on Thursday, led by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
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Although most of the oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz is destined for Asia, only Japan and South Korea from the region are expected to take part in the discussions, reports Breaking News.
The New York-based Soufan Centre think tank said after the address: “Trump’s message was that the United States can sustain its own economic and energy ecosystem, while countries dependent on regional exports will either have to buy from the United States or manage the Strait themselves.
“While Trump explicitly thanked US allies in the Persian Gulf for their cooperation and allyship, an expedited US withdrawal without securing the strait will leave many of these countries, whose economies are dependent on energy exports, in the lurch,” reports Breaking News.
No country has indicated a willingness to attempt reopening the strait by force while the conflict continues. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the group would consider all possible diplomatic avenues.
“Will assess all viable diplomatic and political measures we can take to restore freedom of navigation, guarantee the safety of trapped ships and seafarers and to resume the movement of vital commodities,” he said, reports Breaking News.
Bahrain, which currently holds the presidency of the United Nations Security Council, has also been working to bring the crisis before the global body.
Although Iran has allowed limited ship movement through the strait, it remains largely restricted, while repeated attacks on Gulf Arab energy facilities have driven oil prices sharply higher and contributed to wider economic strain, reports Breaking News.
Rising energy costs and volatility in stock markets have increased domestic pressure on Mr Trump, who used his address to defend the war effort while suggesting it may soon conclude.
He paid tribute to fallen American service members and said: “We are going to finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast. We’re getting very close,” reports Breaking News.
The US has proposed a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran, but Mr Trump did not mention these diplomatic efforts or his earlier April 6 deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
More than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran during the conflict, while 19 fatalities have been reported in Israel. Over two dozen deaths have occurred in Gulf states and the occupied West Bank, along with 13 US service members, reports Breaking News.
In Lebanon, more than 1,200 people have been killed and over one million displaced, according to authorities, while 10 Israeli soldiers have also lost their lives there.
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