Trump calls Strait of Hormuz 'something that we don't need'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a message to the Iranian people on X on Tuesday, as the Israeli military begins a new round of strikes in Tehran.

"The Ayatollah is no more, and I know you don't want him replaced with another tyrant. So you must act. We are creating the conditions for you to do so," he said.

Netanyahu said Israel is their "best ally," and that in the coming days, "we will create the conditions for you to grasp your destiny."

"You asked for help and help has arrived," he said. "We will continue to hit with growing force the tyrants who terrorized you for decades."

"When the time is right, and that time is fast approaching, we will pass the torch to you," he continued. "Be ready to seize the moment!"

President Donald Trump said the U.S. is targeting "inactive" mine laying boats in the Hormuz Strait, saying it has already "completely destroyed" 10, in a post on social media.

"If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY! If for any reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before," Trump wrote in an earlier post.

Trump said the U.S. is using the same "technology and missile capabilities deployed against drug traffickers."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a team is on its way to the Gulf to "help protect lives and stabilize the situation," he said in a recorded message on X.

"No one in the world can yet say how long all of this will last, but it is important that the protection of life starts working effectively as soon as possible. Stability is important for us as well."

Zelenskyy said Ukraine is the most experienced when it comes to defending itself against drone attacks and without its help, it would be very difficult for its allies to "build strong protection."

"Those now seeking Ukraine’s help must continue to assist our own defense – first and foremost, our air defense. Last year we already proposed a drone agreement to the United States. This is the right way forward: to partner with us in the production and use of drones, and everyone now sees that there is no alternative to this approach," Zelenskyy said.

Tehran is not seeking a ceasefire and "the aggressor must be punished," Speaker of Iran's parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tuesday.

Ghalibaf said that the Islamic Republic will break Israel's "vicious cycle of war, negotiations, ceasefire, then war again," in a post on X.