US Iran war highlights: Iran fires missiles towards Israel, explosive drone lands near US embassy in Baghdad

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US-Iran war LIVE updates: Here are some key points:

• US President Donald Trump stepped up pressure on Britain and France in particular to help secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively shut down, sending global oil prices surging.
• A drone sparked a fire Monday at a luxury hotel frequented by foreign diplomats in Baghdad's fortified Green Zone shortly before air defences foiled a rocket attack at the US embassy.
• A drone strike caused a fire at the Shah oil field in the United Arab Emirates, authorities said, as Iran continued its drone and missile strikes across the Gulf.
• Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli troops and vehicles in at least three Lebanese border towns, after the Israeli army announced it had begun limited ground operations in Lebanon.
• US President Donald Trump said that he does not know whether Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is still alive, adding that Washington was unclear whom it could negotiate with in Tehran.

A wave of drone and rocket attacks targeted the U.S. embassy in Baghdad early on Tuesday, Iraqi security sources told Reuters, describing it as the most intense assault since the attacks began, with at least five drones used.

A powerful explosion was heard in the Iraqi capital.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: The Iraqi security sources on Tuesday said that explosive drone landed near US embassy in Baghdad, Reuters reported, adding that smoke can be seen rising from the site.

A powerful blast was also reported in the capital early on Tuesday.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Israel's military on Tuesday said that missiles launched from Iran were heading towards its territory. It urged people in affected areas to head to shelters.

"A short while ago, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," the military said.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Iranian Foreign ​Minister Abbas Araqchi on Monday said his last contact with US envoy Steve Witkoff was before the conflict began on February 28, contradicting a report claiming that a direct communications channel between the two leaders was reactivated in recent days. "My last contact with Mr. Witkoff was prior to his employer's decision to kill diplomacy with another illegal military attack on Iran," the Iranian minister said in a post on X.

“Any claim to the contrary appears geared solely to mislead oil traders and the public,” he said. The remark comes after Axios reported that a direct communications channel between Witkoff and Araqchi was reactivated in recent days. The report citing a US official said Araqchi had sent text messages to Witkoff.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump said he had requested China to delay his scheduled meeting with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for about a month in view of the Iran war.

“We’re working on that right now. We’re speaking to China. I’d love to, but because of the war, I want to be here,” Trump said on Monday. The meeting between the leaders was set to begin later this month.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Hezbollah on Tuesday said it targeted Israeli troops in Khiam in south Lebanon. The development comes shortly after the Israeli military launched a ground operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Around 200 US soldiers have been injured in seven countries across the Middle East since the February 28 conflict against Iran, a US military official said on Monday. The injuries took place in seven countries in the Fulf: Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesman for US Central Command said.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: A repatriation flight carrying the second batch of Indian students stranded in war-torn Iran arrived in New Delhi earlier today. The flight with dozens of stranded Indians on board flew from Armenia capital Yerevan to New Delhi after a layover in Dubai. “Till the time I don’t see my family in Kashmir, I won’t feel like I have returned home,” said 23-year-old Labeeb Qadri who arrived at the Indira Gandhi International airport along with dozens of other students. Read More

US-Iran war LIVE updates: A loud explosion was heard in Iraq's capital Baghdad, AFP reported, adding that smoke could be seen near the city's heavily fortified Green Zone. The report said that the zone houses the US embassy and other diplomatic missions, as well as international institutions and government offices.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: The Israeli military on Monday said it was carrying out "limited" ground operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Israel's defence minister warned that those displaced in Lebanon would not return home until northern Israel was secure, AFP reported. Hezbollah, on the other hand, said it targeted a north Israel city where first responders reported a man was wounded.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Shrapnel from ballistic missiles fired by Iran and debris from the Israeli interceptors fell around Jerusalem's walled Old City and some of its most sacred Christian, Muslim and Jewish sites, Israeli police said on Monday. There were no casualties or major damage reported at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre or the Al-Aqsa compound.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump on Monday said it was unclear whether new Iranian leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei was still alive.

In a press briefing, the US President said, “A lot of people are saying that he's badly disfigured. They’re saying that he lost his leg... Other people are saying he's dead. Nobody is saying he’s 100% healthy, and he hasn’t hasn’t spoken.”

US-Iran war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he believes Iran wants to make a deal to end the US‑Israeli conflict with Tehran, but suggested it’s unclear who is speaking for Iran.

“We don’t know their leaders,” he said during an event at the White House, reported Reuters.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: US President Donald Trump said, “We attacked Kharg Island and literally destroyed everything on the island except the area where the oil is. We left the pipes. We didn't want to do that, but we could do that on 5 minutes notice. But for purposes of someday rebuilding Iran, we did the right thing.”

US-Iran war LIVE updates: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, “We will not participate in this war,” reported Reuters.

Several countries have already ruled out military involvement. Japan and Australia confirmed they would not send naval vessels to the strait, Greece said they would not join any operations, with Berlin noting it is “not a job for NATO.”

US-Iran war LIVE updates: The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announced that landing permission for aircraft at Dubai’s DXB and DWC airports is suspended until further notice.

“We write with reference to the prevailing situation within the region and in the interest of the safety of airlines, crew, passengers, employees and the public. Please be informed that landing permission for aircraft operating into DXB/DWC airport(s) in the Emirate of Dubai is suspended until further notice. The concerned authorities in the Emirate of Dubai will update you with regard to the removal of suspension of landing permission. Your continued support is very much appreciated,” the authority said in a statement.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: “Over the weekend, United States military forces executed large scale precision strikes on dozens of key Iranian military targets on Kharg Island,” the White House posted on X.

“Iran has NO ability to defend anything that we want to attack — There is nothing they can do about it!” President Donald Trump said, the post further added.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has appointed former chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mohsen Rezaei, as a military adviser, local media reported on Monday.

"General Mohsen Rezaei was appointed as military adviser by the order of commander-in-chief Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei," reported Mehr News Agency. Other outlets also reported the appointment.

Rezaei, 71, previously led the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of Iran’s military, and has held several senior positions within the country’s political system.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: In a written decree, Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has instructed that officials directly appointed by his slain father continue in their roles without requiring renewed appointments.

“Following inquiries from some managers and officials of bodies who were directly appointed by the martyred leader, I hereby announce that none of them need a renewal of their appointment for now,” the decree, released on Monday, said, reported Iran International.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said on Monday that hundreds of Iranian civilians have been killed in US and Israeli bombings, including more than 200 children, and accused neighbouring states of encouraging the violence.

“Reports claim that some neighbouring states which host US forces and permit attacks on Iran are also actively encouraging this slaughter. Stances should be promptly clarified,” Araghchi said in a post on X.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: Member countries of the International Energy Agency have stated they can release more emergency oil stocks later "as and if needed" as there will still be over 1.4 billion barrels remaining in their emergency oil stocks.

"Despite this huge release, we still have a lot of stocks left. This current stock release, once it is completed, will reduce the emergency stocks in IEA countries only by around 20%," Birol said in a video statement.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: A strike near Iraq's western border with Syria killed at least four fighters from the former paramilitary coalition Hashed al-Shaabi, two security officials told news agency AFP.

The fighters from the Hashed al-Shaabi -- or the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), now part of Iraq's regular army -- "were killed and three others were wounded" in the attack on a checkpoint at the entrance to the city of al-Qaim, the local official was quoted as saying.

A PMF official put the toll at five dead and blamed the United States for the strike targeting a checkpoint housing personnel from the PMF, alongside army and police personnel.

US-Iran war LIVE updates: The European Union on Monday imposed sanctions on Iranian company Emennet Pasargad over cyber-attacks targeting EU member states and partners, the Council of the European Union said.

In a statement, the council said the company unlawfully accessed a French subscriber database and advertised the data for sale on the dark web.

It added that “the Iranian company Emennet Pasargad has unlawfully gained access to a French subscriber database and advertised its contents for sale on the dark web. They also compromised advertising billboards to spread disinformation during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Additionally, the company compromised a Swedish SMS service, impacting a large number of EU citizens.”

Under the sanctions, those listed face an asset freeze, while EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing them with funds, financial assets or economic resources. Individuals listed also face a travel ban, preventing them from entering or transiting through EU territories.