Latest developments in US-Iran war

DUBAI: US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it interferes with a potential deal with Iran concerning the Strait of Hormuz, following a report of a vessel being hit by a projectile in the strategic waterway. Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated on Tuesday that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until the US addresses Tehran's demands, including the removal of a naval blockade, lifting of oil sanctions, and unfreezing of Iran's assets abroad.

Ghalibaf will visit Iraq on Wednesday for discussions, as Baghdad grapples with pressure from Washington to disarm Iran-backed militant groups. Meanwhile, Iran-backed Houthis targeted an Aramco refinery in Jazan, Yemen, with drones, responding to airspace violations in the provinces of Saada and Hajjah. An unknown projectile struck a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, causing damage to the engine room and resulting in a crew casualty, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations.

In Iraqi Kurdistan, an explosion at a petroleum products depot injured 18 people, though there were no fatalities reported. US-Iran talks have been described as "very positive and active" by Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, though he acknowledged a lack of trust between the two nations. Trump reiterated his demand that Iran not acquire a nuclear weapon and threatened to bomb Oman if it obstructs the deal.

Iraq's federal government has pledged to investigate an attack on the office of the Kurdistan region's prime minister, blamed on Iran.