Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claim complete control of the Strait of Hormuz as Israel launches new strikes, with the Middle East conflict entering its fifth day.

PARIS: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards declared they have “complete control” of the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Any vessels attempting to pass risk damage from missiles or stray drones, the Guards warned.

US President Donald Trump stated the US Navy is prepared to escort oil tankers through the vital Gulf shipping route.

The Guards also claimed to have launched over 40 missiles at US and Israeli targets in a new wave of strikes.

Iran will hold a three-day state funeral starting Wednesday evening for slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Israel’s defence minister warned any successor would be a “target for assassination”.

Missiles launched from Iran triggered air raid sirens across large parts of Israel, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

The alert was lifted after several minutes with no immediate reports of casualties.

Sri Lanka reported an Iranian frigate with 180 crew was sinking just outside its territorial waters.

The Sri Lankan foreign minister said ships and aircraft were sent to rescue 30 sailors from the frigate, the Iris Dena.

Admiral Brad Cooper, the top US commander in the Middle East, said nearly 2,000 targets have been struck in Iran.

“We have severely degraded Iran’s air defences and destroyed hundreds of Iran’s ballistic missiles, launchers and drones,” he said in a video message.

An explosion was heard in Beirut as Israel and Hezbollah traded strikes.

Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes on two towns south of Beirut killed six people and wounded eight.

Lebanese state media later reported Israeli strikes hit a hotel in a Beirut suburb and a building in Baalbek, where five people were reportedly killed.

Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said it intercepted two cruise missiles south of Riyadh.

State media reported nine drones targeting the kingdom were also intercepted.

Qatar reported it dismantled two spy cells linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

Ten suspects were arrested for espionage and sabotage activities, the nation’s press agency said.

Israel’s military stated it launched a “broad wave of strikes” on Iran, hitting “dozens” of targets including security command centres in Tehran.

A drone attack caused a fire by the US consulate in Dubai.

The US State Department allowed non-emergency personnel to leave Saudi Arabia and Oman due to safety risks.

The United States said it arranged charter flights to help Americans evacuate from several Middle Eastern countries.

Asian equity markets were hit by panic selling, with Seoul shares collapsing more than 12%, while oil prices rose.

 The Sun Malaysia