The U.S. has carried out what it called “self-defense” airstrikes against Iran, threatening a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

The strikes targeted missile launch sites and mine-laying boats in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil passageway in the Middle East that Iran has effectively closed amid the war, according to the U.S. Central Command.

“U.S. forces conducted self-defense strikes in southern Iran today to protect our troops from threats posed by Iranian forces,” CENTCOM spokesperson Tim Hawkins told the media Monday evening.

“Targets included missile launch sites and Iranian boats attempting to emplace mines,” the captain added.

Two Iranian boats were caught laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a senior US official told Fox News Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin.

“The US military eliminated both IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] vessels and also struck at a SAM (surface to air missile) site in Bandar Abbas that was targeting US warplanes,” Griffin wrote in an X post.

Bandar Abbas is a city located on the coast of the Strait of Hormuz and is home to a key Iranian naval base.

Iranian state media also reported explosions in other cities, according to CNN’s Brianna Keilar.

While two of Griffin’s sources said the strikes do not indicate the ceasefire is broken, it’s the latest example of the fraught relationship between the U.S. and Iran amid the nearly three-month war.

The Independent has reached out to the White House and the Defense Department for comment.

Trump wrote on Truth Social earlier Monday that negotiations to end the Iran war were “proceeding nicely.”

He warned that a peace agreement must “only be a Great Deal for all or, no Deal at all — Back to the Battlefront and shooting, but bigger and stronger than ever before — And nobody wants that!”

Trump said he spoke to the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain and said that “after all the work done by the United States to try and pull this very complex puzzle together, it should be mandatory that all of these Countries, at a minimum, simultaneously, sign onto the Abraham Accords.”

The Abraham Accords were a series of agreements brokered by the U.S. in Trump’s first term to normalize relations with Israel. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain were the first countries to join the accords.

When the U.S. and Israel began to launch strikes against Iran at the end of February, Trump had claimed Tehran posed an imminent threat to Americans with its nuclear ambitions.

On Monday, Trump vowed in a separate Truth Social post that any buried enriched uranium in Iran, which he calls nuclear dust, “will either be immediately turned over to the United States to be brought home and destroyed,” eradicated in Iran or “at another acceptable location”.

The RNLI came to the aid of the person who had fallen on the rocks on Monday afternoon

One person was rescued by emergency services on Bank Holiday Monday after falling on rocks.

Larne RNLI came to the aid of the person who had fallen on the rocks on Monday afternoon, May 25.

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat Terry at 2.03pm at the request of HM Coastguard following a report that someone had fallen on the rocks at Drains Bay near Larne, Co Antrim.

READ MORE: In pictures: Families enjoy Bank Holiday Monday fun in the sun in Co DownREAD MORE: Rescue operation after adult and child jetskiers get into difficulty off Co Down coast

Helm Willie Evans and crew members Jack Healy, Jordan McIlhinneyand Scott Leitch made their way to the casualties last reported location.

Weather conditions at the time were described as good with a southerly breeze and smooth seas.

On arrival the casualty was located on the rocks close to Drains Bay beach. In a joint operation with HM Coastguard Larne, several crew members went ashore to assist with casualty care.

Following an initial assessment by a member of HM Coastguard (an off-duty paramedic) the suspicion was that the casualty had broken their leg.

The casualty was then placed on a stretcher and taken aboard the lifeboat. They were then taken to a more accessible part of the shore where they were left in the care of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

Speaking following the call out, Larne RNLI Helm, Willie Evans said: “We would like to wish the casualty well.

“We would also like to commend the member of the public for raising the alarm, that is always the right thing to do’. Should you see someone in difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

WITH the internationally renowned Hay Festival happening about now, it’s timely that there are major developments taking place on the literary front in York.

The Press has kept readers up to date with the progress of Topping & Co and Lucius Books, exciting and significant enhancements to the book scene in York.

York has long been strong on bookshops, not just over the decades but over the centuries. Some readers may remember the characterful Pickering & Co, Booksellers, picturesquely situated at the junction of Shambles and Little Shambles, which had its origins in Victorian times.

To jog or rekindle bookworms’ memories, a presentation on Pickering & Co, Booksellers of the Shambles (and Goodramgate) is planned for Friday June 5 at 10.30am. The venue is Dringhouses Church Community Hall (St Edward the Confessor) on Tadcaster Road.

The event is run under the auspices of Dringhouses Memories, a group which meets from time to time in the church hall for an informal look at local history. At their meeting on Friday, June 5 they will be recalling some experiences from three decades of Pickerings bookshop in Shambles.

Many York people had part time jobs in the bookshop and former staff who might be interested would be very welcome. It’s informal and there’s no charge. The church has a small car park and several local buses stop close by.

Dorothy Reed,

Dorothy Reed (former Director of Pickering & Co),

Middlethorpe Drive,

York

—

Put effort elsewhere

IT is not often I agree with Christian Vassie but he and Nigel Cummings are correct in stating history cannot be changed and altering plaques isn’t something that should be undertaken.

The energy and effort put into futile efforts to erase links with the former Duke of York would be better spent addressing other issues in this city.

Matthew Laverack,

Lord Mayors Walk,

York

“At Children First, we are committing to do everything we can to protect children from online harm by campaigning for a public health approach that includes stronger regulation, delayed access to devices, better advice and support for parents and caregivers and investment in play, creativity and sport so children have real alternatives to being online.

Earlier on Monday, thousands of City fans lined the streets of Manchester to bid a final farewell to the departing Guardiola.

This season’s successful men’s, women’s and academy teams were driven on buses to Etihad Stadium, where they were greeted by a waiting crowd, before the entourage made its way to Co-Op Live for the ‘after party’.

All three teams celebrated their trophy victories on stage, with City women’s striker Khadija Shaw making the shock announcement that she has signed a new four-year contract to remain at the club.

Guardiola’s three children, as well as former captain Fernandinho, ex-sporting director Txiki Begiristain and goalkeeper Ederson – who left last summer – helped bring out all 20 trophies won under Guardiola.

Surprise appearances by current Bayern Munich boss Kompany and midfielder Jack Grealish, who spent a season-long loan spell at Everton, were loudly cheered by those in attendance.

Guardiola said goodbye for the final time in an interview with Oasis star Noel Gallagher.

“First of all, thank you so much for coming tonight to say bye,” said Guardiola.

“I feel tonight that really shows the connection this club has. [City chairman] Khaldoon Al Mubarak and all the people and all the City fans that were connected from the first minute.

“Thank you so much, I don’t have enough gratitude. Always, for the rest of my life, I will have you in my heart.”

Tributes were also paid to captain Bernardo Silva and defender John Stones, who will also be leaving the club this summer upon the expiry of their contracts.

Striker Erling Haaland said on stage: “It has been a pleasure to play with Bernardo and John – and of course Pep.

“We won a lot of trophies and I was happy to play with Bernardo and John because they are amazing footballers but even better people deep down.

“It has been an amazing journey, but we need to keep pushing and fighting even without them.”

Conde Nast Traveller shared the list, saying: “From traditional fishing villages to faded Victorian resorts to RSPB reserves, deserted coves and teetering cliffs, the charm of the coastal north can be found in the allure of the bracing walks, excellent seafood and prices that make Brighton seem positively larcenous in comparison.

“From Northumberland to Cumbria, these are the seaside towns and villages worth knowing now.”

Morecambe has been highlighted as one of the best seaside towns in the north of England by CN Traveller.

It’s around an hour and 10 minutes away from Bolton by car.

Morecambe offers the perfect coastal escape

The travel publisher shared: “Morecambe has staged one of the north’s quietest comebacks.

“Its sweeping bay, all shifting sands and improbable light with views of the Lakeland fells beyond, is the real draw, particularly at sunset when the sky seems to double in scale.

“The long promenade is made for ambling, punctuated by Eric Morecambe’s statue and a growing number of independent cafés like The Bow Window, which serves up fantastic pan-fried kippers with butter during the daytime.

“There’s a gentle, slightly nostalgic feel to the place, but it’s no longer stuck in the past.

5 perfect spots for a summer staycation

“One of the most pleasing strolls in any northern seaside town is along Morecambe’s Stone Jetty.

“Formerly a railway and shipping terminal, it’s now a walking route speckled with sculptures of gannets, razorbills, cormorants and even a Mythical Auk; rendered from marble and looking suitably haughty on its own stone plinth.”

Recommended reading:

Things to do and places to visit in Morecambe

Visit Lancashire has shared some recommendations for things to do while you’re in Morecambe:

• Go to the beach – fly kites, build sandcastles, and have a picnic
• Walk along the Promenade with an ice cream
• Visit the Eric Morecambe statue
• Check out The Tern Project
• Visit the Midland Hotel for a bite to eat and to see the art in the foyer
• Children can enjoy playing at Happy Mount Park
• Enjoy a show at The Platform theatre
• Shop along the Promenade or at Central Drive Retail Park

Other places in the list include Seahouses in Northumberland, St Bees in Cumbria, and Saltburn-by-the-Sea in Teesside.

What’s your favourite thing about Morecambe? Let us know in the comments below.

The Tuesday letters page has a hopeful theory on the new Kingdom Come game, as a reader is worried what Epic isn’t saying about Unreal Engine 6.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

New Horizons
Nice Reader’s Feature at the weekend, about Forza Horizon 6, that I pretty much all agreed with. I’d say the problem with Xbox is that not only did they not nurture the franchises they had but they didn’t create enough new ones. It was obvious for years that Halo was fighting a losing battle against Call Of Duty, and Gears Of War hasn’t been something anyone cares about since the third one.

That’s not unusual, nothing stays popular forever, but Forza Horizon’s success seemed to come by accident and had very little to do with Xbox who has instead spent all their time with weird little indie type games and stuff with not much mass appeal.

What they needed was an army of Forza Horizon type games: a mainstream idea done really well and with no equivalent on PlayStation. It all seems a bit late now but, like the reader says, maybe Fable with be good too. But for me Forza Horizon 6 is definitely game of the year so far and I’ll be interested to see if it stays that way.
Carlton

Dam it
That Unreal Engine 6 reveal was indeed very weird. All those amazing tech demos going back decades and the one for the next gen engine is Rocket League with slightly better grass. If that’s not a sign of things to come, in terms of the new consoles not having graphics that are much better, I don’t know what it is.

I am very grateful there didn’t seem to be any sign of AI nonsense but I’m secretly worried that the reason it was so low-key is because they’re not talking about all that yet. We’ll see, but I have this nasty feeling the AI floodgates are going to open soon and at the moment nobody wants to be the one that goes first. Microsoft will be the first, I’m willing to bet, but at the moment not even they’re brave enough to put their head above the trench.
Campbell

Sleeping giant
I have a hard time imagining Take-Two will release as many games as they say, but I hope it’s true because they seem like they could be a much bigger deal than they are. I know with Rockstar you don’t need to do anything else, but they easily could put out many more games than they do.

Three new IP in the next few years? And all those sequels and remakes? We’ll see but with nothing on the schedules at the moment I’m not that hopeful, especially as I seem to remember them saying this before and nothing happened but more NBA and wrestling games.
Corton

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Tortoise and the hare
I’m kind of surprised that Red Dead Redemption 2 has sold as well as it has. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s an amazing game and well deserves its place as the third best-selling game of all time. And surely any game by Rockstar is likely to do very well.

However, Red Dead Redemption 2 is not easily accessible given its length and the fact the violence and adult themes are likely to exclude younger players. It’s also a game that requires a certain level of dedication. I, myself, found it to be a bit of a slog at first and for a long while wasn’t convinced.

It’s only after really committed to it that I was able to appreciate what the game had to offer. Personally, I think the game is a masterpiece but from some of the online chatter opinion seems divided so it’s slightly crazy to see how well it’s sold and how it continues to sell.
matc7884

GC: The secret to its success is that it’s consistently sold well over time, even if it’s never been a chart topper to the same degree as GTA. It’s also been dirt cheap for the last several years.

Adult humour
Been playing Lego Batman over the weekend, with the boy, and it’s a riot. I don’t think he got a lot of the jokes, but he likes playing with his dad and smashing things to pick up Lego studs.

I think the success of these games is not just down to the co-op and the cute graphics but the fact that there’s a lot there for adults as well. Not only has my boy not seen any Batman film that isn’t a cartoon he definitely hasn’t seen American Psycho, but I got that visual gag and had a good old chuckle about it.

So well done on the game and I hope it doesn’t take too long for the next one (Harry Potter related, I would guess).
Loader

Sequel deliverance
There’s no way that new Kingdom Come game is Deliverance 3. You can tell just by the way they’re talking about it, let alone the fact that they can’t make two big games at the same time, between that and Lord of the Rings.

I am very interested to see what the game is though. Not just because I liked the previous games, but it’ll be interesting to see if they can make a good, and different, game but in a short period of time. Presumably it’ll be using the Deliverance 2 game map and probably a lot of other stuff from the game, and that really feels like something games should be doing a lot more in general.

This whole generation we’ve seen nothing but talk about how games take too long to make now, and I haven’t seen even the slightest attempt to try and fix this from any publisher. They just seem to be ignoring it and being happy with putting out far less games than they used to (well, they’re probably not exactly happy about it, but they’re not upset enough to do anything about it).

Maybe I’m expecting too much from Warhorse but if they can show that using an existing game to make another similar but different one works that could be a trend. So you basically make one game per franchise per generation and then lots of spin-offs from that.

Zelda: Majora’s Mask was basically that, so if the idea’s been around that long I’m not really sure what’s taking so long.
Kiff

Silent pessimism
Good luck to Bloober Team in making the Switch a haven for horror games but I can’t see it happening. The Switch does have horror games but I don’t get the impression many people buy them on Switch, it’s just not the sort of thing you get the console for.

But then again, I’ve never seen Bloober Team do anything good that isn’t Silent Hill related, so while I’m looking forward to their remake of the first game I’d need a lot more convincing about anything else they did, Switch or otherwise.
Bloodye

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Long version
Good tidings. I haven’t showered in two days in this sweltering heat, a potential biohazard in the making? But in less grim news, I’ve just completed my second playthrough of Resident Evil Requiem and what a triumph it was. I can’t stop thinking about it. Requiem is quite comfortably the best original entry in the series since the seminal Resident Evil 4 on the GameCube for me.

Rhodes Hospice is such a memorable location, I’d even go as far as predicting that gamers will look back on it down the years as an iconic setting in the series, alongside the Spencer Mansion, Racoon City Police Department, and Valdelabos (the Spanish village) and Salazer Castle from Resident Evil 4.

And I just love how idiosyncratic and reinvigorated the resident zombies are this time around. Capcom should be applauded for the fact that they’ve injected their classical infected with a renewed blood.

I can almost overlook the lack of traditional puzzles in the game due to the strategic puzzle-like element that permeates the hospice – in the way you can manipulate the zombies by observing their quasi-human routines and interacting with the environments to divert them from their mindlessly repetitive, and frankly tragic, behavioural patterns.

Weaponising the zombie patient with the splitting headache, for instance, to cause havoc on the other walking dead never loses its comical lustre. I read in the in-game lore that one of the singing zombies with the sonic attack shrieks was diagnosed with ‘main character syndrome’, and was in direct competition with the other performer of rather beautifully haunting singing, which made me laugh. Such a lovely worldbuilding detail that encapsulates the refreshingly campy and endearing personality of Resident Evil Requiem.

As for the Girl, she/it’s a genuinely ghastly and frighteningly adversary, and even more terrifyingly unpredictable in the Insane difficulty mode. Chunks, also known as the grotesque Michelin Man, inspires both awe and pity at how it miraculously writhes through the constrictive corridors of the care centre. Blister eads particularly fill me with dread, their agility and aggression is so ferocious they make the Crimson Heads from the original Resident Evil remake seem rather tame by comparison!

Whilst Leon’s secluded campaign doesn’t quite reach the lofty heights of Grace’s opening portion of the game, I vehemently disagree with some of the sentiments out there that Leon’s parts dilute the overall quality of the package.

I thought My Kennedy’s section was exquisitely engineered for the most part and very entertaining throughout. With some tense and very interesting tactical moments in the level design that were up there with Resident Evil 4 for inspired game design for me. And considering how fantastic the shooting mechanics were I never once felt fatigue from dispatching the zombies in the bombed out and depleted Raccoon city ruins.

I will concede, however, that had Leon’s parts adhered throughout the campaign to the incredible short burst, explosive catharsis of his supporting roles in the first half of the game, then Resident Evil Requiem would’ve easily been in the running for the best Resident Evil game for me.

But I must reiterate that I still admired the more open-ended design in Raccoon City and how audacious and pretty ambitious it was in the grand scheme of things, probably because I’m such a big fan of the critically under-appreciated The Evil Within 2. The high octane action set pieces and the return to the famous police station were also just… chef’s kiss.

I also don’t quite understand the complaints regarding the bosses, for me they were just fine, not amazing, other than an excellent close quarter fight towards the end, but certainly fun and roughly similar in quality with the bosses in Resident Evil 2 and 3 remake, Resident Evil 7, and Resident Evil Village.

The only exception to the standard really was Resident Evil 4, which I felt had some of the best boss design in gaming period – the Del Lago lake monster, El Gigante, Chief Mendez, Ramon Salazar, Verdugo, Jack Krauser, etc. – and the remake certainly reinforced that position.

So all in all, I was utterly enthralled by Resident Evil Requiem, and I can’t wait to see what the major DLC has in store for us. Also, PlayStation VR2 compatibility please!
GG

Inbox also-rans
Liked your review of R-Type Dimensions 3 but I though there was a R-Type Final 3? I never got around to getting it, but I’m sure I saw it listed.
Bonzo

GC: R-Type Final 3 Evolved is not really a sequel but a remastered PlayStation 5 version of R-Type Final 2, with some new levels. R-Type Final 2.5 would’ve been a more accurate name.

Is it true they’ve renamed Fairgame$ to Br€ak In? That would be hilarious.
Tom

GC: Sony registered the name Break In but it’s not clear what for, so it might be the new name for Fairgame$. Adding the euro symbol was just an online joke.

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

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Ruud, a two-time runner-up at Roland Garros, said: “As we know, there’s a bit of a heatwave at the moment and that can sometimes cause problems.

“It felt like it was a bit of a kind of heatstroke feeling. I experienced something similar some years ago when I played in Washington DC and I had to retire in the third set because I had that – that’s the only time I had that same feeling as I had today in the fourth set where I felt at times really dizzy, really tired and walking around like a zombie almost.

“Luckily, I was 2-1 up still and allowed myself to kind of lower the intensity a bit to get my pulse and body temperature down as much as possible in the fourth to see if there was any chance to finish in the fifth and have some extra energy. Luckily, that ended up working.”

Asked if he felt it was a mental victory or physical victory, the 27-year-old said: “It feels like a mental win.

“At times in the fourth [set] I was thinking ‘I have to book the flight home tomorrow and I’ll be watching from home on the sofa the next two weeks’. Luckily, that’s not the case.

“Physically, also, I’m proud because I never really gave in. I didn’t give up.”

The hall was once rented out by royalty to stay in while studying at the University of Cambridge

A historic hall in Cambridgeshire known for its peaceful grounds could be worth visiting with your family this summer. Madingley Hall and Gardens has a storied history and is open to the public, who can walk around its old corridors and gardens.

The hall was built in 1543 after John Hynde acquired the Shire Manor of Madingley. He built the hall to feature the south wing containing domestic buildings, a kitchen, and a garderobe. The east wing had a few rooms for sleeping and two large halls.

In 1861, the hall was rented out by Queen Victoria for her son, Edward, Prince of Wales, to stay in while he studied at Cambridge University. However, his stay was fairly short, as he returned home after the death of Prince Albert.

The hall, along with the surrounding park and farmland, was sold to Cambridge University in 1948 for £50,000. Today, the hall is open to the public to take a look around with tours available. It is also a popular venue for celebrations and corporate events.

If you are lucky with the weather, you could also spend some time in the extensive gardens with winding gravel paths. In 1756, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown was commissioned to design the garden with lawns and meadows.

The formal terraces and Croquet Lawn were added by Colonel Walter Harding between 1908 and 1914 with many of the trees he planted still a part of the estate’s tree collection to this day. In 1927, Ambrose Harding added the Yew Topiary Gardens.

After looking around the hall and gardens, you might want to treat yourself to an afternoon tea. This can be enjoyed in one of the hall rooms, at the terrace bar, or overlooking the gardens in the summer. The afternoon tea comes with finger sandwiches, fresh scones, and a range of sweet treats such as mini Victoria sponge cakes and macaroons.

A traditional afternoon tea costs £21.50 per person or £30 if you want a glass of sparkling wine with your meal. The afternoon teas are available on the last Sunday of each month and need to be booked in advance.

You could also visit the café where you can enjoy a coffee and a slice of homemade cake or a more substantial meal like a steak and ale pie or classic fish and chips. The terrace bar is also open for you to have a beer or glass of wine during your trip.

Madingley Hall and Gardens is around a 22-minute drive away from Cambridge via the A603. There is a car park on site that is free for visitors to use.