Iran live updates: US launches airstrikes against Iran, official says

A U.S. official confirmed that U.S. forces are currently conducting airstrikes in Iran.

The official said the airstrikes had been underway for the last couple of hours.

At 3 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching an additional round of strikes against Iran to continue degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.  

The strikes are taking place as American forces prepare to resume the naval blockade against Iranian ports and coastal areas. The blockade goes into effect at 4 p.m. ET.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran that if hostilities continue Israel will be more aggressive, he said in a message to Iran's leaders at the Negev Conference.

"We are prepared for any scenario. I can tell you only one thing, and I will say this to the leaders of Iran: Do not count on it being quiet if you attack us. Do not count on a rerun. Because it will not be a rerun, and that was already powerful enough. This will be a different event, much more powerful," Netanyahu said.

Three Liberia-flagged oil tankers were attacked in separate incidents off Oman’s coast on Tuesday, leaving three crew members missing and six injured, Oman’s Maritime Security Center said.

The tanker AL BAHYAH, owned by UAE-based AL BAHYAH INC, was attacked off Oman’s Musandam governorate. Eighteen crew members were evacuated by nearby vessels, while three remained missing, Oman’s military media authority said in a statement.

In a separate incident, the Liberia-flagged tanker MOMBASA B was attacked off Musandam, causing it to lose propulsion, the center said. All 21 crew members were evacuated by nearby vessels, including six who suffered injuries of varying severity.

A third Liberia-flagged tanker, STOLT MAGNESIUM, was attacked off Oman’s South Al Sharqiyah governorate, outside Omani territorial waters. The attack caused a fire in the vessel’s engine room. All 23 crew members aboard had been evacuated and were in good health, according to Oman.

The statements did not identify the cause of the attacks or attribute responsibility. An Omani navy vessel was monitoring developments in the incidents off Musandam, according to Oman.

Kuwait said its air defenses are currently confronting missile and drone attacks, with explosions being the result of interceptions.