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France 24
France 24
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FRANCE 24

Middle East live: Iran says it closed Strait of Hormuz, US rejects claim

A small boat moves along the shoreline where an a cargo vessel, tugboat and industrial barge are all anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran,June 1, 2026.
A small boat moves along the shoreline where an a cargo vessel, tugboat and industrial barge are all anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran,June 1, 2026 © AP

Iran Guards say targeted bases in Bahrain and Kuwait

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Thursday that they had struck bases in Kuwait and Bahrain in response to the latest US strikes.

"During two waves of operations, eighteen important targets belonging to the US Army in the bases of Ali and Ahmad Ahmad Air Force (were hit)," the Guards said in a statement quoted by state-run IRNA, adding that they also "hit and destroyed Sheikh Isa air bases".

Iranian media earlier reported that Iran had attacked the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

US military says completed new wave of strikes

The US military said on Wednesday that it had "completed" its latest wave of strikes against Iran, targeting "Iranian military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense sites across Iran."

"US Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy assets fired precision munitions on Iranian targets that posed a threat to US forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters," Central Command, which oversees forces in the region, posted on X.

Bahrain sounds its missile alert sirens as Iran says it will retaliate for new US airstrikes

US military denies Iran's claim that Strait of Hormuz is closed

The US military on Wednesday denied Iran's claim that the Strait of Hormuz had been fully closed in response to the latest US strikes.

"TRUTH: Commercial ships are continuing to transit in and out of the Strait of Hormuz tonight," US Central Command, which oversees forces in the region, posted on X.

Twenty-two countries tell Iran to stop attacks 'on our soil'

Twenty-two countries including the United States and European nations warned Iran on Thursday to stop attacking people "on our soil".

"Attempts to kill, kidnap, harass, intimidate, or otherwise attack people on our soil, undermines national sovereignty and international norms. These actions must stop immediately," they said in a joint statement.

US military says none of its warships struck in Strait of Hormuz

No US warships have been struck ​in ‌the Strait ⁠of Hormuz, the US military ‌said on Wednesday, after Iran's ⁠state media said initial reports indicated US ​ships near the strait ‌were targeted by missile and drones launched ‌by Iranian armed forces.

Commercial ships also ​continue to transit in and out of the Strait of ​Hormuz, the US ​Central Command ​said in a separate post on ​X after Iran's top joint military command said the strait was closed ⁠for the passage of any ⁠vessels.

Iran's state media denies contact between Iranian officials and Trump

Iran's ⁠state ​media cited ​a senior official as denying on Thursday ​that ‌Iranian ⁠officials were in

contact ‌with U.S. President ⁠Donald Trump in the wake ​of US attacks ‌on areas in southern Iran.

"Trump's ‌false claim that ​Iranian officials contacted him is a cover ​to evade ​war with ​Iran," the unnamed ​official was cited as saying.

Trump tells Fox News that he spoke directly with Iran officials

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday evening that Iranian leaders telephoned him directly and asked him to stop a bombing wave that was under way, Fox News reported.

Fox said that in an interview Trump said US forces hit Iran with 49 Tomahawk missiles in the new bombing raid early Thursday Iran time.

If Iran does not accept US terms for ending the three-month old war, "President Trump said, quote, 'Will bomb the S out of them tomorrow night,'" said Fox News reporter Trey Yingst, who spoke to the president.

Iran says will target any vessel traffic in Strait of Hormuz

Iran's military command said Thursday it will target any ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz, after it struck two vessels attempting to pass through the strategic waterway.

"Any vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz will be targeted" the Khatam al-Anbiya command said, according to Tasnim news agency, adding that the strait is now "completely closed to all types of vessel", following fresh US airstrikes against Iran.

The Iranian navy, quoted by state television IRIB and the Mehr agency, said that "two ships attempting to illegally pass through the Strait of Hormuz were hit".

Iran announces closure of Strait of Hormuz after US attacks

Iran's ⁠top ​joint ​military command announced the closure ​of ‌the ⁠Strait ‌of Hormuz on ⁠Thursday,

including oil tankers ​and commercial ‌ships, saying any ‌vessel that ​will attempt passage will be ​shot ​at.

Yesterday's key developments:

  • The US military said Wednesday it has begun another round of strikes against Iran after President Donald Trump said more were coming. The escalating attacks threatened to derail efforts to end the war, with Trump warning that Tehran would “pay the price” for stalled negotiations.
  • US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged differences with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview excerpt released Wednesday, saying the Israeli leader had "gotten some things wrong" in the Middle East war.
  • Lebanon 's health ministry said Israeli airstrikes on the country's south on Wednesday killed 12 people, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the Lebanese to join Israel 's fight against Hezbollah .

Please find all the latest updates from Tuesday, June 9 here.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AP and AFP)

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