Middle East crisis live: US launches new wave of strikes; UAE says two tankers in strait of Hormuz hit by Iranian missiles

The brief

US and Iran continue to engage in a series of strikes and counterattacks in the Middle East. The US has launched a new wave of strikes against Iran, targeting its attack capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Bahrain's air defences have intercepted and destroyed Iranian aerial attacks, while the UAE has reported that two of its tankers were hit by Iranian cruise missiles in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in one Indian crew member killed and eight injured. The situation remains tense, with the US and Iran asserting control over the vital energy route. The conflict has led to a rise in global oil prices, with Brent crude oil increasing to $81.92 a barrel.