Drones and rockets have been launched at the US embassy in Iraq’s capital Baghdad, in what’s been described as “the most intense assault” since attacks started.
The United Arab Emirates has reportedly reopened its airspace after closing it due to missile and drone threats from Iran.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump says he’s “not happy” with the UK after PM Keir Starmer said it would not be drawn into a “wider war” over Iran.
Trump repeats his call for other nations, particularly Nato allies, to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, and says he has been surprised more world leaders were not “eager” to be involved in the key oil shipping route.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says this war “is not a matter for Nato”, while Nato says “allies have already stepped up to provide additional security in the Mediterranean”
Meanwhile, leaders of the UK, Canada, France, Germany and Italy issued a joint statement, saying a significant Israeli ground offensive in Lebanon would have “devastating humanitarian consequences”
Earlier the Israeli military said it had begun “a wide-scale wave of strikes” in the cities of Tehran, Shiraz and Tabriz.
European leaders condemn escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah
The leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy and the UK are urging Israel and Lebanon to begin negotiating a “sustainable political solution”, following what they say is “deeply alarming” humanitarian situation in Lebanon.
In a joint statement, they call on Lebanon’s Hezbollah to disarm and cease attacks on Israel, condemning the group for the “decision to join Iran in hostilities”.
It goes on: “A significant Israeli ground offensive would have devastating humanitarian consequences and could lead to a protracted conflict. It must be averted.”
The statement came during reports of Israeli air strikes across Beirut overnight, which Lebanon’s National News Agency say were localised to southern neighbourhoods.
On Monday, Israel’s military said its troops had begun “limited and targeted ground operations” against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political and military group backed by Iran, and has been designated a terrorist organisation by countries that include the UK and US.
Strikes on Iraq continue into Tuesday
Iraq has been hit by a series of strikes this week, which have continued into early Tuesday morning.
On Monday, a drone sparked a fire at a luxury hotel in Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, which is home to government buildings and where foreign embassies are located.
On Tuesday morning, the US embassy, which is located in the Green Zone, was targeted. A security official told AFP “three drones and four rockets attacked the embassy, with at least one drone crashing inside it”.
A witness told Reuters they saw at least three drones flying towards the US embassy. Two were shot down but a third struck inside the embassy compound, Reuters reports.
Iraqi security sources told AFP it was “the most intense assault since the attacks began”.
