Iraqi PM al-Zaidi speaks with Trump as Baghdad tries to stay out of Iran war

▲ Escalating

Iran reports tanker fires in Hormuz as Trump says US may have to 'destroy' the rest of Iran

On Thursday Trump said the US may have to destroy the rest of Iran and that people will 'know soon enough', while Iraq's prime minister spoke with him by phone as Baghdad tries to stay out of the conflict. On Wednesday Iranian forces said five oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire in separate incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, amid fears of a new US attack. Indirect talks continue, and one report says Iran is reviewing 'concrete proposals' on its nuclear programme.

• Iranian forces say five oil tankers and a tugboat caught fire in several incidents in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. Earlier, the IRGC said four vessels struck naval mines on a prohibited route, which is its own account.
• Trump confirmed a US strike on an Iranian anti-aircraft facility on Tuesday, while Iran called Washington's reply to its Hormuz plan unconvincing.
• Iraq's top diplomat urged armed groups not to join any Iranian retaliation for US attacks.
• After Democratic midterm wins, Khamenei said US policy toward Iran will not change, and Speaker Qalibaf said Washington should not attack Iran again.
• South Korea will send patrol aircraft and a bomb-disposal team near Hormuz, and rules out military intervention. The US also sanctioned Indian and Turkish firms over alleged help for Iranian tankers.