An Iranian warship has been sunk by a US submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka as the Iran war spills beyond the Middle East.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the US was behind the attack on the IRIS Dena, which has left around 140 people feared dead.
It is the first time a US submarine has sunk an enemy warship since the Second World War.
Sri Lankan navy and defence ministry sources say at least 101 people are missing, according to Reuters, while a number of bodies have already been recovered.
Speaking at a briefing on Wednesday, Mr Hegseth also said: “Iran tried to kill President Trump and President Trump got the last laugh.”
In a further major development, Turkey said that Nato air defences destroyed a ballistic missile fired from Iran as it headed into Turkish airspace.
Earlier, the Israel Defense Force said one of its F-35 fighter jets shot down a manned Iranian warplane in Tehran, in what has been reported to be the “first dogfight of the war”.
It came after Iran launched overnight drone attacks across the Gulf. A CIA station at the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia and the US Consulate in Dubai have been struck.
Meanwhile, a Government charter flight will be available on Wednesday evening for British nationals wanting to leave Oman amid the conflict in the region.
Follow the latest updates below...
Key Points
- NATO downs Iranian missile fired towards Turkey
- Pete Hegseth: Iran tried to kill Trump
- Submarine attacks Iranian warship off Sir Lanka
- Supreme Leader Khamenei's funeral postponed
- IDF hit dozens of targets in Tehran
- Government arranges flight to rescue stranded Britons
- Many flights cancelled - but some now going ahead
- Energy bills could rise by £500 a year, experts warn
Hegseth - US 'investigating' school strike
14:07 , Tom PlacePete Hegseth has said that the US is investigating a bomb strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls school in Minab.
Hegseth said: “All I can say is we’re investigating that. We of course never target civilian targets, but we’re taking a look and investigating that.”
Iranian state media have said that up to 168 people and 95 injured by the strike, though these figures have not been verified.
Dan Caine - US expanding deeper into Iran territory
13:57 , Tom PlaceGeneral Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said that US Central Command is making steady progress into Iranian territory.
Caine said: "Drone shots are down 73% from the opening days, the progress has allowed CENTCOM to establish localised air superiority across the southern flank of the Iranian coast and penetrate their defences with overwhelming precision and firepower.
"We will now begin to expand inland, striking progressively deeper into Iranian territory and creating additional freedom to manoeuvre US forces."
At least 80 people dead in US submarine attack
13:55 , Tom PlaceSri Lanka's deputy foreign minister has told local television that at least 80 people were killed in the US submarine attack on an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean earlier today.
The frigate was heading back to Iran from a port in eastern India, he said.
Hegseth - We killed leader of unit that tried to assassinate Trump
13:52 , tom placePete Hegseth has said that US forces have killed the leader of a unit that tried to assassinate Donald Trump.
Hegseth said: “Yesterday, the leader of the unit who attempted to assassinate President Trump has been hunted down and killed.
"Iran tried to kill President Trump. And President Trump got the last laugh."
Hegseth confirms Iranian ship sunk by US torpedo
13:48 , Tom PlacePete Hegseth has confirmed that the US sunk an Iranian ship in the Indian Ocean earlier today, saying they “thought it was safe in international waters".
"The first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War Two. Like in that war... we are fighting to win,” he added.
Hegseth - 'It is not a fair fight'
13:38 , Tom PlacePete Hegseth has said that US and Israel forces are winning the conflict again Iran “decisively, devastatingly and without mercy”.
The US defence secretary reiterated his claim that the “two most powerful air forces in the world will have complete control of Iranian skies, uncontested air space” within a week.
Hegseth said: “I stand before you today with one unmistakable message about Operation Epic Fury. America is winning. Decisively, devastatingly and without mercy.
“We will fly all day, all night, day and night, finding, fixing and finishing the missiles and defence industrial base of the Iranian military.”
“Finding and fixing their leaders and their military leaders. Flying over Tehran, flying over Iran, flying over their capital, flying over the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), Iranian leaders looking up and seeing only US and Israeli air power. Every minute of every day until we decide it’s over. And Iran will be able to do nothing about it.”
Referring to the Iranian regime, Hegseth added: “They are toast, and they know it.
“This was never meant to be a fair fight and it is not a fair fight. We are punching them while they’re down, which is exactly how it should be.”
Pete Hegseth: Iran tried to kill Trump
13:18 , Alastair LockhartUS Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is delivering a press conference on American and Israeli military action against Iran.
He claimed an Iranian leader behind an attempt to assassinate President Donald Trump has been killed.
He added that the US and Israel would have complete control of Iran’s skies within a week.
The secretary also confirmed reports that a US submarine sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka.
Malta-flagged container ship hit off coast of Oman
13:07 , Alastair LockhartA container ship has been hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz near Oman, it has been reported.
The vessel is believed to have been travelling under a Maltese flag.
A fire reportedly broke out in the engine room, though the full extent of the damage is not yet clear.
British maritime risk management company Vanguard said no environmental impact was reported.
British navy agency UKMTO also said no injuries were reported.
Iranian warship 'sunk by US submarine'
12:59 , Alastair LockhartThe attack which sank an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka was carried out by a US military submarine, an anonymous American official has told Reuters.
Earlier, Sri Lankan authorities said they had rescued 32 people who were on board the ship and recovered several bodies from the sea
US military 'carried out strike on Iranian warship off Sri Lanka coast'
12:54 , Alastair LockhartThe US military carried out a strike which sank the Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka, the Reuters news agency has reported.
The agency cites three American officials as sources.
More than 100 people are still missing following the strike on the ship, though the figure may be higher.
US-UK response 'special relationship in action', says PM
12:47 , Alastair LockhartPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said letting the US use UK bases and British jets shooting down drones in the Middle East “is the special relationship in action”.
He added that “hanging on to President Trump’s latest words is not” after the American president criticised him for not initially allowing US planes to use British airbases for its strikes on Iran.
UK service personnel under threat amid Iran conflict, says John Swinney
12:40 , Alastair LockhartService personnel and others from the UK are facing "acute security threats" amid the conflict in the Middle East, John Swinney has said as he reiterated calls for a diplomatic solution.
Scotland's First Minister said the US-Israeli attack on Iran at the weekend is "not compatible with an international rules-based system" and that the whole world is facing a "very grave situation" as a result.
Mr Swinney said that it is "absolutely paramount" that there is an immediate move towards finding a diplomatic solution.
He told the Press Association: "I'm deeply concerned by the situation in the Middle East.
"I think the original intervention by the United States and Israel is not compatible with an international rules-based system.
"And as a consequence of all of that, we now see that people from this country, service personnel from this country, are now facing acute security threats as a consequence of that intervention, and the world as a whole is facing a very grave situation.
"So the need for us to move to a diplomatic solution immediately is absolutely critical."
PM tells Commons Middle East conflict requires 'cool head'
12:30 , Alastair LockhartSir Keir Starmer said at Prime Minister’s Questions that the crisis in the Middle East requires a "cool head" as he defended his response to the situation.
The Prime Minister has come under fire from US president Donald Trump over his initial refusal to allow British bases to be used in the attack on Iran.
The Government has also been criticised for failing to protect RAF Akrotiri from a drone attack.
Sir Keir told the Commons he was focused on protecting British lives and helping to get people stranded in the Middle East back home. He added that a range of military assets including F-35 jets were already in the region.
British Airways announces two flights from Oman to Heathrow
12:22 , Alastair LockhartBritish Airways announced it will operate two further flights from Muscat, Oman, to London Heathrow, departing on Friday and Saturday.
The airline said in a statement: "We remain unable to operate flights from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv.
"The UK Government advice has now been updated to note that 'commercial options are available to depart the region, and if your presence in the UAE is not essential, you may wish to consider departing, if you judge you can access these options safely'.
"We have scheduled further flights from Oman (Muscat) to London Heathrow departing on March 6 and 7.
"Flights are for BA customers with an existing booking who are in Oman or the UAE. If you wish to travel on one of these flights, please contact us via our dedicated phone line on +44 203 467 3854."
Starmer - The situation is 'serious and volatile'
12:13 , Tom PlaceKeir Starmer has said that the situation in the Middle East “remains serious and volatile”, while speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday afternoon.
Starmer said: “This Government will be resolute in our focus, protecting British lives, bringing our people home, and safeguarding our national interest.”
NATO downs Iranian missile fired towards Turkey
12:08 , Tom PlaceTurkey's defense ministry has said that Nato have intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iran that was heading into Turkish airspace.
A statement said the missile was detected after passing through Iraqi and Syrian airspace, with Nato air defences in the eastern Mediterranean shooting it down. No casualties or injuries have been reported.
The ministry said: “While Türkiye stands for regional stability and peace, it is fully capable of safeguarding its territory and its citizens, regardless of the source or origin of any threat.
“All necessary steps to defend our territory and airspace will be taken decisively and without hesitation. We reiterate that our right to respond to any hostile act directed against our country is reserved.
“We call on all parties to refrain from actions that could further escalate the conflict in the region.”
Pictures - unexploded missile lands in Syria
11:58 , Tom PlaceRemarkable pictures have emerged of of civilians in northern Syria standing next to an unexploded Iranian missile
The images, taken by Reuters, show the missile after it fell near Qamishli International Airport, close to the Turkish border.
Update from Sri Lankan officials -140 people thought missing
11:50 , Tom PlaceSri Lankan officials have provided an update following the sinking of Iranian frigate Iris Dena earlier this morning, with a spokesman confirming that the Sri Lankan navy has recovered several bodies that are thought to be part of the crew.
The spokesman said that no other ships were observed in the area, while an air force spokesman also said no aircraft were seen in the area when the ship sent out it’s distress call.
The secretary of the country’s defence ministry, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuiyakontha, has told BBC Sinhala that around 140 people are thought to be missing.
Supreme Leader Khamenei's funeral postponed
11:42 , Tom PlaceThe state funeral for Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's has been postponed, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency.
The three-day funeral was due to begin later today in Tehran, but a statement from the Islamic propagation coordination council of Tehran province said the funeral was delayed to allow time for expanded infrastructure due to “overwhelming demand”.
The statement read: “The Tehran Grand Mosque was scheduled to host our dear people from tonight for a farewell to the pure body of the martyred cleric and our great Imam, but due to the overwhelming demand from across the country and the widespread desire of the people for a grand attendance at this ceremony, as well as the need to provide the necessary infrastructure, the event has been postponed.
“Given the high volume of requests to attend this ceremony and the need to prepare adequate facilities to host the people, it was decided that the event would be held at a more suitable time.”
Iran continues to attack countries across the Gulf
11:36 , Tom PlaceThe Saudi Arabian defence ministry have said that they have intercepted a second attempted drone attack on a major oil refinery.
The Ras Tanura oil refinery, thought to be the biggest in Saudi Arabia, was already attacked on Monday, with some operations being halted after a drone attack caused a fire at the complex.
In an online statement, the defence ministry said: “Attempted attack on Ras Tanura refinery. Initial estimates indicate that the attack was carried out by a drone and did not result in any damage.”
Meanwhile, Iran has continued to fire strikes at the UAE and Qatar.
The United Arab Emirates defence ministry say they have intercepted three ballistic missiles and 121 drones today, while eight drones fell inside the country, while Qatar's defence ministry said it had intercepted two cruise missiles and 10 drones today.
Hezbollah launches drone strikes - as Israel orders civilians to leave
11:17 , Tom PlaceHezbollah has said it has launched a wave of drone strikes against the headquarters of Israel Aerospace Industries in central Israel.
The group said it fired “a swarm of attack drones” in response to “the criminal Israeli aggression that targeted dozens of Lebanese cities and towns.”
Meanwhile the IDF has told civilians living south of Lebanon's Litani river to head north immediately ahead of "military action" against Hezbollah in the area.
An IDF statement said that anyone located near Hezbollah operatives, facilities, or weapons was putting their life at risk.
The statement said: “For your own protection, you must vacate your homes immediately.
“Any building or home utilized by Hezbollah for military purposes is a legitimate target and may be engaged.”
Submarine attacks Iranian warship off Sir Lanka
11:07 , Tom PlaceA submarine has reportedly attacked an Iranian ship off the coast of Sri Lanka.
Search and rescue operations were launched by the Sri Lankan navy after they received a distress call from the Iris Dena, an Iranian navy frigate with around 180 sailors onboard.
Sri Lankan foreign minister Vijitha Herath told parliament that 32 injured sailors were taken to a hospital in the port of Galle in the south of the country.
At this stage, there is no further information on who launched the attack, or what exactly was the cause of the sinking.
Iran close to choosing new leader - as Khamenei funeral to be held today
10:29 , Tom PlaceReports have emerged from Iran that the Iranian assembly of experts is close to choosing a new supreme leader.
Ahmad Khatami, a member of the assembly, said on state TV: “The Supreme Leader will be identified in the closest opportunity, we are close to a conclusion, however the situation in the country is a war situation.”
While Khamenei did not officially declare who would succeed him, his son Mojtaba Khamenei has been tipped as a likely successor.
The news comes as a funeral ceremony is set to be held in Tehran for supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed when US-Israeli attacks began on Saturday.
According to state media, the ceremony is reported to begin at 10pm local time (6.30pm GMT) at the prayer hall of the Grand Mosalla of Tehran, and will last three days before the funeral procession.
Trump - Starmer isn't Churchill
10:05 , Tom PlaceSir Keir Starmer is set to face the a grilling in the Commons this afternoon over his decisions on the Middle East war.
US president Donald Trump launched a fresh personal attack on Starmer on Tuesday after he refused to allow initial US strikes on Iran from British bases.
Trump said he was “not happy with the UK” over the extent of its support, adding that “this is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with”.
Downing Street has insisted the US remains a “staunch” ally despite Trump’s latest remarks.
Carney: Strikes appear ‘inconsistent with international law’
09:44 , Tom PlaceCanada’s prime minister Mark Carney has said that the US/Israeli strikes on Iran appear to be “inconsistent with international law”.
Carney was speaking to reporters during an official visit to Sydney, where he said that despite initially supporting the strikes, he did so “with regret”.
Carney said: “We were not informed in advance, we were not asked to participate.
“Prima facie, it appears that these actions are inconsistent with international law.”
He continued: “We support efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and to prevent its regime from further threatening international peace and security.
“We do, however, take this position with regret because the current conflict is another example of the failure of the international order.”
UK sending warship to Cyprus after base hit by drone
09:28 , Tom PlaceKeir Starmer has confirmed that the UK is sending a warship to protect British military personnel in Cyprus, as the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate.
HMS Dragon, one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 air defence destroyers, has been deployed after RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus was hit by a drone.
Trump 'does not care' if Iran play at World Cup
09:23 , Tom PlaceUS President Donald Trump has said he “does not care” if Iran participates in the summer World Cup.
Amid the ongoing US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Trump said to Politico: "I really don't care. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They're running on fumes.”
Iranian warplane shot down in Tehran
09:08 , Tom PlaceThe IDF have said that an Israeli F-35 fighter jet has shot down a manned Iranian warplane in Tehran.
The statement comes shortly after a large explosion was reported in eastern Tehran by Iranian state media and an AFP news agency reporter this morning.
Posting on social media, the IDF said: “This is the first shootdown in history of a manned fighter aircraft by an F-35 “Adir” fighter jet.”
Reports suggested a Iranian YAK-130 was the downed plane, in what The Jerusalem Post called the first fighter jet dogfight of the war.
US forces 'shooting all of the things that can shoot at us'
09:01 , Tom PlaceUS Central Command have shared details of the scale of their attacks on Iran so far, saying they have struck almost 2,000 targets since launching a joint bombing campaign with Israel.
Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US Central Command, said that the first 24 hours of the operation had been nearly double the scale of the “shock and awe” strikes that began the US-led Iraq War in 2003, with the mission involving more than 50,000 troops, 200 fighter jets, two aircraft carriers and bombers.
He added that American forces have destroyed 17 Iranian ships, sinking the entire Iranian navy, and have severely degraded Iran's air defences and hundreds of its ballistic missiles, launchers and drones.
“In simple terms, we're focused on shooting all of the things that can shoot at us,” he said.
Next Iranian leader will be 'target for elimination'
08:44 , Tom PlaceIsrael's defence minister Israel Katz has said that whoever is appointed as the leader by the “Iranian terror regime" will be unacceptable.
Israel Katz posted: “Every leader appointed by the Iranian terror regime to continue and lead the plan to destroy Israel, to threaten the United States and the free world and the countries of the region, and to suppress the Iranian people, will be an unequivocal target for elimination.
“It does not matter what his name is or the place where he hides.”
Citing Iranian officials, the New York Times has reported that Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, the son of the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has emerged as the frontrunner to replace his father.
Many flights cancelled - but some now going ahead
08:35 , Tom PlaceDozens of flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted to the Middle East are cancelled for the fifth straight day on Wednesday - but a limited amount of flights in and out of the region are now taking place.
More than 3,000 flights a day across the region have been cancelled, with wider long-haul routes also affected due to airspace closures.
As of 8am on Wednesday, 31 flights out of Heathrow to the Middle East have been cancelled, but a number of flights remain on the schedule, and 14 arrivals from the region are still currently expected to go ahead to bring stranded Britons back home.
Government flight to rescue Britons stranded in Oman
08:26 , Tom PlaceThe UK government has chartered a commercial flight out of Oman to help British nationals leave the region.
The first flight specifically arranged by the UK government is scheduled to leave Muscat International Airport on Wednesday night at 11pm local time, taking the most vulnerable people first.
The Foreign Office have told British nationals in Oman to fill out a form for a seat on the flight, and urged people not to go to the airport unless called.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has said that there are an estimated 300,000 British citizens currently in Gulf countries.
Civilian death toll in Iran over 1000
08:16 , Tom Place1,097 civilians have been reported killed in Iran since February 28, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
181 or those killed were children under the age of 10 years old, the agency.
HRANA also said that there have also been 5,402 civilian injuries, including 100 children.
Attacks have hit military bases, medical centres and residential areas, and hundreds more reported deaths are being reviewed.
Energy bills could rise by £500 a year, experts warn
08:11 , Tom PlaceDonald Trump’s war on Iran could send energy bills for millions of households in Britain spiralling by £500 a year, leading economists are warning.
The Resolution Foundation said that many families were looking forward this year to a rise in living standards.
However, it stressed that this could be knocked off course by the full-scale conflict which has erupted in the Middle East after the US/Israeli attacks on Iran.
IDF hit dozens of targets in Tehran
08:03 , Tom PlaceIsrael has hit a number of military targets across Tehran overnight, according to a Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) spokesman.
The strikes targeted the headquarters of Basij, a paramilitary force linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, as well as missile launch pads, logistical facilities and defence systems.
Posting on Telegram, the force confirmed that Israel's air force struck "dozens of command centres of the Iranian terror regime" in Tehran, with munitions dropped on Basij and internal security command centres.
The IDF said last night that they were targeting "the Iranian terror regime's launch sites, aerial defence systems and additional infrastructure".
The IDF has also begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure in the Lebanese capital of Beirut, and have issued a warning for civilians in16 villages and towns in south Beirut to evacuate.
Smoke has been seen rising from the southern suburb of Dahiyeh, a known Hezbollah stronghold.
What's happened overnight?
07:41 , Michael HowieHere are some of the key developments:
* Israel and the US have targeted sites deep inside Iran, with Tehran carrying out strikes around the Gulf.
* The Israeli military said early on Wednesday it had begun a wave of strikes targeting Iranian launch sites, aerial defence systems and infrastructure.
* Israel also continued to target the pro-Iran Hezbollah group in neighbouring Lebanon. An evacuation warning was issued to 16 villages in southern Lebanon, urging them to leave their homes.
* In Israel, air raid sirens sounded early on Wednesday warning of Iranian missiles, and loud blasts as the missiles were intercepted shook buildings, said witnesses.
* US Admiral Brad Cooper, Washington’s top commander for the Middle East, said the country’s assault on Iran is ahead of schedule with more than 2,000 Iranian targets hit.
* Iran says deaths from the attacks had reached 787 on Tuesday
* The US military has identified four of the first American soldiers killed in the war against Iran
* Iran fires retaliatory drone strikes on multiple Gulf nations. The CIA station at the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia and a car park next to the US Consulate in Dubai have been struck by drones.
Good morning
07:29 , Michael HowieGood morning and welcome to our coverage of the conflict in the Middle East as it enters a fifth day.
We’ll bring you all the major developments as the day progresses.
