From 29m agoUS launches fresh strikes on Iran as tankers hit in Hormuz straitWelcome to our continuing live coverage of the crisis in the Middle East.The US carried out a third consecutive night of strikes against Iran on Monday and two tankers came under fire in the strait of Hormuz after Donald Trump said Washington was reinstating its blockade of Iranian shipping in the Gulf and would ensure that the strategic waterway stayed ⁠open, but for a fee.US Central Command said it began ⁠strikes at the president’s direction just after he said Iran would be hit “very hard tonight and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow”, later saying the US was attacking Iranian capabilities in the strait.Soon after, the United Arab Emirates said Iranian cruise missiles struck ⁠two Emirati oil tankers while transiting the southern lane of the vital energy transit route in Omani territorial waters, killing one crew member and injuring eight.With the US-Iran memorandum of understanding in a shambles after fighting reignited between them last week, Trump claimed the strait was open and would stay open “with or without Iran”. The president also announced the US would start charging fees on ships transiting through the waterway, claiming a 20% fee would be levied “for any and all costs necessary” to provide security and safety for vessels.Iran’s top ‌joint military command said the US had no role in determining the strait’s future and would not be allowed to intervene. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said on X that Tehran would “forever” be the guardian of the strait, adding over Trump’s comments: “20% is of course too much. We will be fair.”An explosion at Bandar Abbas naval base in Iran as US attack drones hit. Photograph: US Central Command/APIn other developments: