US and Iran trade strikes for third day as Khamenei buried
The US launched fresh airstrikes on Iran for a third consecutive day, as Iran buried former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei amid ongoing conflict over the Strait of Hormuz.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
The United States and Iran have exchanged strikes for a third consecutive day, as the conflict over the Strait of Hormuz deepens and Iran buries its former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The US military said it hit dozens of targets across Iran in a five-hour mission, focusing on coastal defence systems, missile and drone sites, and maritime capabilities. US Central Command reported that over the previous 48 hours it had struck 170 Iranian targets, mainly near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated by attacking US military facilities in neighbouring Gulf states, including Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and for the first time, Syria. Kuwait reported damage to a power plant and water desalination stations. Iran also fired cruise missiles at two UAE supertankers in the strait, killing one crew member and wounding eight others. The violence follows the breakdown of a fragile ceasefire that was agreed in June. The truce was based on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that both sides interpreted differently, particularly over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran insists the MOU gives it authority to manage shipping through the waterway, while the US says Iran has no such right. The dispute has led to a cycle of attacks and counter-attacks. President Donald Trump said the US would reimpose a naval blockade on Iranian ports and initially proposed charging a 20% levy on cargo passing through the strait. He later reversed that plan, saying Gulf states would instead make trade and investment deals with the US. Oil prices rose to around $85 a barrel, up from below $70 before the conflict. Meanwhile, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was buried in the city of Mashhad after a week of funeral ceremonies. His son, Mochlaba Khamenei, has become the new supreme leader but has not been seen in public since his father was killed on the first day of the war. Mourners chanted slogans against the US and Israel, and hardliners called for revenge. The US and Israel have both warned of further strikes. Israel's defence minister said it was prepared to attack Iran again with greater force. Analysts say neither side wants a full-scale war, but the situation remains highly volatile.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | Channel 5 | BBC NEWS | BBC One | Sky News |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iran attacked oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, including two UAE supertankers, killing crew members. | · | |||
| President Trump proposed a 20% fee on cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, but later reversed the plan after oil prices surged and calls from Gulf leaders. | · | |||
| The US hit 170 Iranian targets over 48 hours, mainly near the Strait of Hormuz. | · | |||
| A clause in a US-Iran memorandum of understanding is interpreted differently by both sides, contributing to the escalation. | · | · | ||
| Iran retaliated by striking Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. | · | · | ||
| Iran retaliated with drone attacks on US military sites in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. | · | · | ||
| Oil prices rose to around $85 per barrel following the escalation. | · | · | ||
| An American sea drone struck an Iranian submarine in port, marking its first use in combat. | · | · | · | |
| Iran has spent 35 years preparing the Strait of Hormuz with fast patrol boats, mines, drones, and anti-ship missiles. | · | · | · | |
| Iran's former supreme leader was buried in Mashhad after a week of funeral proceedings. | · | · | · | |
| President Trump declared the ceasefire with Iran is over. | · | · | · | |
| President Trump threatened to target the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site in Iran. | · | · | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
BBC News provided the most comprehensive coverage, blending on-the-ground reporting from Iran, analysis of the MOU's ambiguity, and reactions from both officials and ordinary Iranians. The tone was neutral and factual, with a focus on the diplomatic and economic implications of the escalating strikes.
- “The US says it has hit 170 Iranian targets over the previous 48 hours, mainly near the Strait of Hormuz.”
- “Everything goes back to the poorly worded memorandum of understanding.”
- “We're hitting them very hard. We had a deal yesterday or the day before yesterday it was all done and then they broke up that deal immediately.”
Sky News focused on military analysis and the regional impact, with a military analyst explaining the MOU's clause five and the tactical situation. The coverage also highlighted the threat to Gulf states and the economic consequences, including oil price rises and the potential for further escalation.
- “The ceasefire seems to be in the rearview mirror, looking forwards.”
- “Clause five is the interesting one. Again, it's meant to be generic, but Iran has interpreted that as they are in control of the straits.”
- “Donald Trump confirmed last night's attacks and said that there will probably be more attacks by the US on Iran tonight.”
5 News provided a very brief summary, simply stating that US forces launched strikes for the third night and that the ceasefire had broken down. It offered no analysis, quotes, or additional context, making it the most minimal coverage.
- “US forces have launched strikes on Iran for the third night in a row.”
- “A ceasefire between the two nations broke down last week.”
BBC One West's coverage included a report from Washington highlighting President Trump's U-turn on the proposed 20% toll, as well as the use of a US sea drone against an Iranian submarine. The tone was slightly more critical, noting the unpopularity of the conflict and the lack of strategy.
- “Donald Trump U-turns again dropping a plan to charge cargo ships for using the Strait of Hormuz.”
- “An American sea drone used for the first time in combat struck an Iranian submarine in port last night.”
- “The White House said the artist should refrain from weighing in on things they clearly know nothing about.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.