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Doha, Qatar: While US President Donald Trump threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if it fails to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, Iran warned of retaliatory attacks on regional infrastructure if US President follows through on his ultimatum.
Saudi Arabia declared several Iranian embassy staff as persona non grata ordering them to leave the country within 24 hours.
Stay tuned for live updates:
12:55pm Doha Time
British Maritime Trade Operations reports cargo ship targeted off Sharjah Coast
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported receiving a notification of an incident 15 nautical miles north of Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates.
According to the statement, the master of a cargo ship reported an explosion caused by an unknown projectile near the vessel.
The authority confirmed that all crew members are safe, while local authorities are investigating the incident. It advised ships to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.
Ships in or near the Strait of Hormuz have been under attack since Iran closed this vital waterway in response to US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28.
12:10pm Doha Time
Bahrain says it intercepts 145 missiles, 246 drones since start of Iranian aggression
Bahrain’s defence forces say they have intercepted and destroyed 145 missiles and 246 drones since the Iranian aggression began.
In a statement, the Bahrain Defence Force said its air defence systems were continuing to counter “successive waves” of attacks, which it attributed to Iran.
It said the interceptions had taken place since the start of what it described as an ongoing escalation.
The statement urged the public to exercise caution, avoid damaged areas or suspicious objects, and refrain from filming military operations or impact sites.
It added that the use of “ballistic missiles and drones to target civilian infrastructure and private property constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law”.
11:15am Doha Time
UAE air defenses responding to missile, drone attacks from Iran
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense announced Sunday that its air defenses are responding to missile and drone attacks coming from Iran.
The ministry said in a statement that the sounds heard in various parts of the country are the result of intercepts by both ballistic missile defense systems and fighter jets targeting drones and missiles.
11am Doha Time
Saudi Defense Ministry announces detection of 3 ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh
The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced Sunday that three ballistic missiles were detected heading toward the Riyadh region, noting that one missile was intercepted, while the other two fell in an uninhabited area.
This was stated by Major General Turki Al Maliki, the official spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense.
11am Doha Time
Six dead, one missing after Qatar helicopter crash: Ministry of Interior
The Ministry of Interior announced that within the framework of the ongoing search and rescue operations for the missing persons following the helicopter crash in the state's territorial waters, search efforts have resulted in finding six out of seven who were on board.
"The death of those who were found has been confirmed, while specialized teams continue their intensive operations to find the last missing person," it added.
This comes after a search and rescue operation began after a Qatari helicopter that had technical malfunction during a routine duty crashed in the regional waters of the State.
9am Doha Time
Trump says will 'obliterate' Iran power plants unless Hormuz opens within 48 hours
US President Donald Trump on Saturday gave Iran a 48-hour deadline to open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping traffic or face the destruction of its energy infrastructure.
"If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
