Israel and Iran launch new strikes as war in the Middle East enters sixth day

Israel and Iran launch new strikes as the war in the Middle East enters a sixth day

Israel carries out attacks on Lebanon and Iran, saying it hit a missile launcher in Qom and an "aerial defence system" in Isfahan, with blasts also reported in Tehran

Iranian attacks were reported in Israel, with air raid sirens in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and explosions seen in the sky as strikes were intercepted

Meanwhile, the first flight organised by the UK government to bring citizens home from the region has been delayed by a technical issue

The flight from Oman was due to take off last night - but will now set off today. "It's a total farce," one passenger tells the BBC

In the US, lawmakers have voted against a measure that would have limited Donald Trump's ability to order more military action in Iran

Iran says US tanker on fire in Gulf

Iranian state television says its naval fighters have hit a US tanker this morning in the northern Gulf.

The ship was "hit by a missile in the north of the Persian Gulf" and is "currently on fire", the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement read on state television.

The IRGC said the group had "full control" over the Straits of Hormuz, which runs in between the Gulf to the Indian Ocean.

The incident has not been independently confirmed. The UK Maritime Trade Organisation (MTO) earlier said a tanker was struck off the coast of Kuwait this morning, in the northern Gulf.

It says: "The master of a tanker at anchor, reports witnessing and hearing a large explosion on the port side then seeing a small craft leave the vicinity.

"There is oil in the water coming from a cargo tank which could have some environmental impact, the vessel has taken on water, there are no fires reported and the crew are safe and well."

US torpedo hit Iranian ship 'without warning' - foreign minister

Let's return to big news from yesterday - the sinking of an Iranian ship near Sri Lanka by a US torpedo, fired from a submarine.

The ship, the Iris Dena, was carrying "almost 130 sailors", says Iran's foreign minister.

Abbas Araghchi also says the vessel - which he describes as "a guest of India's navy" - was struck by the US "without warning".

"The US will bitterly regret the precedent it has set," Araghchi says.

Yesterday, a spokesperson from Sri Lanka's navy said that 180 people were believed to be on board, according to the documentation of the ship.

Sri Lankan authorities say 32 people have been rescued and 80 bodies have been found so far. With the updated figure from Araghchi, this leaves around 18 people unaccounted for.