Live Updates En español: guerra con Irán
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine speak about the fatal US plane crash.
• Strait of Hormuz: President Donald Trump said Friday he believes US Navy escorts for tankers through the critical waterway will happen “soon.” Separately, a senior Iranian official told CNN that Tehran is considering allowing some vessels to pass through, provided the cargo is traded in Chinese yuan.
• Marines heading to region: The Pentagon is deploying a Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East, a rapid response unit typically comprised of around 2,500 Marines and sailors, officials told CNN.
• Deadly plane crash: The US military said all six service members aboard a refueling aircraft were killed when it crashed Thursday in Iraq. The US said the incident was “not due to hostile fire,” but an Iranian proxy group claimed responsibility.
• More attacks: A strike killed at least one person in Tehran, where explosions were reported near large crowds marking Al Quds Day. At least 2,000 people in total are dead as a result of the war so far.
President Donald Trump said tonight the United States bombed “every military target” on Iran’s Kharg Island and threatened to attack the island’s oil infrastructure if Iran continues blocking ships from traversing the Strait of Hormuz.
“Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island. Our Weapons are the most powerful and sophisticated that the World has ever known but, for reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision,” Trump added.
CNN has reached out to US Central Command for more information.
Kharg Island is a five-mile-stretch of land off the Iranian coast that had seemingly been left untouched during the first two weeks of the war with Iran. The critical island handles roughly 90% of the country’s crude exports.
Trump grew irritated with Fox Radio host Brian Kilmeade in an interview that aired this morning for asking whether the US would go after Kharg Island, calling the question “foolish.”
“I can’t answer a question like that. … You shouldn’t be even asking it. It’s one of so many different things. It’s not high on the list, but it’s one of so many different things, and I can change my mind in seconds,” Trump said.
Experts have argued that attempting to capture or attack Kharg Island would require a significant number of ground troops — something the Trump administration has so far been reluctant to call in.
President Donald Trump on Friday said the US and Israeli objectives in Iran “might be a little different,” as the US-Israel war with Iran enters its third week.
“Well, I think they might be a little different, I guess, they’re a different country than we are. But he will tell you there’s never been a power like the power of the United States,” Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One.
Asked by reporters if he speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu daily, the president replied, “I speak to him a lot.”
Trump’s comments come as Israel says it continues to strike Iran into Friday night local time, with reported targets including Iranian security checkpoints in Tehran, government buildings and military weapon storage sites.
President Donald Trump told reporters tonight that he believes US Navy escorts for oil tankers through the critical Strait of Hormuz will happen “soon.”
“It’ll happen soon,” the president said when asked.
The president added, “Today, we’ve had some very, very big hits.”
Asked how long he believes the war with Iran will last, the president told reporters, “It’ll be as long as it’s necessary.”
The president also told reporters he has talked to Chinese leader Xi Jinping about the war — as Trump is expected to head to China later this month.
CNN’s Isa Soares spoke today with former U.S. Navy intelligence official Malcolm Nance about the escalating crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.
Pure economic warfare" being waged in Strait of Hormuz
Israel says it continues to strike Iran into Friday night local time as the war’s death toll rises.
US-Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 1,300 people, the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations said Wednesday. Over 2,000 people — including civilians and military personnel — have been killed in the region so far, according to CNN estimates.
Here are more of today’s headlines:
Iran mulls over strait traffic: Iran is considering allowing a limited number of oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, as long as the oil cargo is traded in Chinese yuan, a senior Iranian official tells CNN.
$10 million reward: The US government is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information on key Iranian leaders, including the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Oil prices reach higher: Global oil prices settled at the highest level today since July 2022 as anxiety about the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz continued across global markets.
Family torn apart: An Israeli strike killed nine family members, including five children, in south Lebanon. CNN’s Isobel Yeung visited the site of destruction:
Strike in Southern Lebanon kills five children
CNN's Isobel Yeung visited the site of a strike on a yoghurt factory in Irkay, Southern Lebanon. The area was struck overnight by Israel, who issued an evacuation order Thursday night. The IDF say they were targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. Nine people were killed in the strike, including 5 children.
US sends more personnel: The Pentagon is deploying a rapid response unit typically comprised of around 2,500 Marines and sailors, three officials familiar with the matter told CNN.
Trilateral talks: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the US sought to postpone the next round of trilateral talks aiming to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, citing the war in the Middle East.
Israeli strikes spike pollution: CNN found Israeli strikes at fuel facilities across Tehran last weekend spiked pollution levels, ignited fires and caused oil spills, which raised questions and sparked criticism by environmental experts and health officials.
Vance in North Carolina: Vice President JD Vance dodged a question during a speech about what he said to President Donald Trump about the Iran war, citing confidentiality and implying he could go to prison if he discussed it. He also told reporters Khamenei is “hurt,” but it’s unclear if the United States is responsible.
CNN’s Dana Karni, Max Saltman, Sophie Tanno, Catherine Nicholls, Frederik Pleitgen, David Goldman, Jennifer Hansler, Joseph Ataman, Isobel Yeung, Brice Laine, Sara Dadouch, John Towfighi, Natasha Bertrand, Katie Polglase, Pallabi Munsi, Billy Stockwell and Kit Maher contributed to this report.
Top Iranian officials including the country’s president and judiciary chief attended a rally in Tehran on Friday, near which military strikes took place.
