US shoots down seven Iranian boats as Tehran blasts South Korean vessel

The US has shot down seven Iranian boats after Tehran blasted a South Korean vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.

The operation comes just hours after Iran launched a series of assaults across the region, causing the United Arab Emirates to shoot down missiles over its waters.

Donald Trump confirmed that American helicopters had taken down seven "small boats" today, adding "it's all they (Iran) have left".

Earlier today, US military chiefs said all threats across the key maritime passageway had been countered.

Iran's military claimed it fired warning shots at an American vessel in the strait - an "entirely false" claim which the US denied.

However, a fire and subsequent explosion on a vessel controlled by South Korean shipping company HMM was recorded, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

Taking to Truth Social to wage another war of words against the Islamic Republic, the US President confirmed the military action.

"Iran has taken some shots at unrelated Nations with respect to the Ship Movement, PROJECT FREEDOM, including a South Korean Cargo Ship," he said.

The Commander-in-Chief added: "Perhaps it's time for South Korea to come and join the mission! We've shot down seven small Boats or, as they like to call them, 'fast' Boats. It's all they have left.

"Other than the South Korean Ship, there has been, at this moment, no damage going through the Strait."

The 47th President added that the Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine will convene a news conference to deliver updates on the war on Tuesday morning.

"We have initially confirmed that there have been no casualties among our nationals as of the first check," a South Korean official said.

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Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates said that it had intercepted a number of Iranian rockets fired their way as well.

As a result, several flights headed towards the UAE were diverted to Oman's capital, Muscat.

Other aircraft hovered over Saudi Arabia while further attacks from Tehran fuelled widespread travel chaos across the region.

Earlier today, the UAE said its air force was fending off missile and drone attacks after a major oil port erupted into flames due to a drone attack.

Furjairah is the nation's largest port and oil storage facility. Earlier this afternoon, the Fujairah Government Media Office said civil defence teams were working to control the blaze.

The UAE's defence ⁠ministry later confirmed it had intercepted 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones fired by Iran.

An official said: "The ministry of defence affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country, in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability and safeguards its interests and national capabilities."

The Islamic Republic claimed it did not have any intention to target the Emirates.