Welcome to our live coverage of the US and Israel’s war with Iran.
Israel said the war against Iran was entering its “decisive phase” on Saturday, as explosions rocked cities across the Middle East, with strikes on the US embassy in Baghdad and a major Emirati energy facility.
Black smoke rose above Washington’s embassy in Iraq, in what was the second time it has been targeted since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, and plunged The Gulf into a conflict that has sent shockwaves through the global economy.
Millions have been displaced by waves of drone, missile and aerial bombing, while more than 1,200 people have reportedly been killed in Iran, with little sign of the conflict slowing down as it entered its third week.
Clouds of dark black smoke were also rising Saturday from Fujairah, home to a major Emirati oil storage and export terminal, shortly after Iran’s military warned UAE civilians to avoid port areas.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said the war was entering a “decisive phase”, even if he cautioned that it would “continue as long as necessary”.
Yet, despite facing superior US and Israeli firepower, Iran appears determined to fight on. It has launched missile and drone attacks against at least 10 of is neighbours and has choked off traffic through the vital Strait of Hormuz.
On Saturday, Mr Trump urged other nations to send ships to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, the critical chokepoint for global oil supplies disrupted by the Mideast war.
Read on for more updates
