The US Central Command (Centcom) announced that a large number of Iranian warships, including 16 minelayers, were destroyed in American attacks during the night in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Chief of the Joint Staff of the US Armed Forces, General Dan Caine, stated during a briefing at the Pentagon that the destruction of the Iranian Navy is among the three key objectives of the “Epic Rage” operation.

US President Donald Trump has previously threatened to destroy any Iranian ship that tries to mine the Strait of Hormuz – a key international shipping channel in the Middle East where cargo ships are targeted.

Footage released by Centcom on Platform X shows ships of various sizes exploding after being hit by missiles.

Iran is again targeting targets in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates…

Iran claims to have launched the 35th wave of operations, and here in Qatar the incoming fire was intercepted a few hours ago.

Saudi Arabia has shot down missiles aimed at a military air base and drones targeting its main oil field.

The United Arab Emirates said early this morning that it was also responding to the rocket barrage, and Bahrain warned residents to seek shelter.

Iran has said it fired on military installations there and on a US base in Kuwait – neither country has confirmed the reports.

Earlier, Great Britain announced that a suspected unknown missile hit a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire and forcing the crew to evacuate.

UKMTO earlier reported a separate incident elsewhere in the Strait of Hormuz – a cargo ship was hit by an “unknown missile”.