Two missiles were launched towards Kuwait and three towards Bahrain, according to the US military, which also said Iran deployed three attack drones targeting civilian vessels in the region.

The US Central Command (Centcom) said all incoming missiles and drones were intercepted and destroyed before reaching their targets.

In response, US forces carried out what the military described as “self-defence” strikes against a military ground control station on Qeshm Island, located in the northern part of the strategic waterway.

The flare-up began after the US launched a Hellfire missile at the engine room of a Botswana-flagged vessel after its crew allegedly ignored warnings and continued towards the oil hub of Kharg Island, through international waters.

The ship, M/T Lexie, was disabled.


Only hours earlier, Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, told Congress that there had been a breakthrough in previously stalled talks, suggesting Iran was now willing to negotiate on aspects of its nuclear programme which it had previously refused to discuss.

At one point, he declared: “The war is over.”