Trump calls Strait of Hormuz 'something that we don't need'
Trump told reporters that he is talking to countries about policing the Strait.
President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israel strikes attack targeting military and government sites, officials said.
Iranian state television confirmed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among those killed in Tehran on the first day of strikes. His son Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen on Sunday to succeed him.
Iran is responding to the operation with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, regional U.S. bases and multiple Gulf nations. Israel is also intensifying its long-running strike campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.
(Read previous Iran live updates here.)
Watch special coverage on Nightline, "War with Iran," each night on ABC and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
Key Headlines
- IRGC declares it continues efforts to 'pursue and kill' Netanyahu
- CENTCOM calls Iranian claims US targeted Gulf countries a 'lie'
- War with Iran ‘will certainly’ end in next few weeks: Secretary Wright
- Pentagon identifies 6 Air Force airmen killed in KC-135 refueling aircraft crash
- Trump repeats calls for other countries to help with Strait of Hormuz
Cargo and container ship hit by projectile in Strait of Hormuz, British military says
A cargo and container ship came under attack this morning in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations agency.
A fire was reported on one of the ships, after it was hit by an unknown projectile, UKMTO said in a warning posted on X this morning.
“The vessel has requested assistance and the crew are evacuating the vessel," officials said.
The latest incident happened about 11 nautical miles north of Oman.
Earlier in the morning, a “suspected projectile” hit a container ship also in the Strait of Hormuz. U.K. Maritime Trade Operations says in a post on X, that that they received a report of an incident around 1:58 UTC.
The ship was about 25 nautical miles northwest of Ra’s al Khaymah, UAE when it was hit.
Crew members from both ships are said to be safe and accounted for.
-ABC News' Dragana Jovanovic, Colm O'Molloy and Marcus Moore
Netanyahu to Iranian people: 'You must act'
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!"
Trump says US targeting 'inactive' mine laying boats in Hormuz Strait, 10 already 'completely destroyed'
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 team on its way to Gulf to aid in defense
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.