Iran-US war latest: Furious Trump hits out at ‘leakers’ after reports US is low on precision missiles

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Caine has privately told other top US officials that the country needs to find an off-ramp from the Iran war, according to CNN, which cited three sources familiar with the matter.

Caine’s talks with advisers to US President Donald Trump are just to make clear the limitations and pitfalls of different military options, according to the sources.

Joseph Holstead, a spokesperson for Caine, told CNN, “We do not discuss the Chairman’s confidential conversations with the President, the Secretary, or other senior leaders, nor do we comment on anonymous, agenda-driven characterizations of those conversations by sources who were not privy to them”.

A White House official praised Caine, telling the outlet: “The General always provides accurate, unbiased information and a host of options to the Commander-in-Chief, who ultimately makes decisions based on what he feels is best for US national security”.

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

An American prisoner in Iran has spoken out about what he describes as “poor” conditions.

Reza Valizadeh, a US citizen and journalist, said in a voice memo sent to CBS News this week, “Because of the poor quality of prison food, most prisoners refuse to eat the meals provided by the prison”.

Valizadeh is reportedly one of five US citizens detained in Iran. Two of these Americans, including Valizadeh, are inside the infamous Evin Prison.

“Medical care in the prison is almost non-existent”, Valizadeh said. “The prison’s doctors are rude, unmotivated and lack professional competence. As a result, most prisoners avoid seeking medical treatment unless they have no other choice”.

The other American in Evin Prison is Kamran Hekmati, who is believed to have recurring cancer, CBS News reported, citing his US-based advocate Kieran Ramsey from the nonprofit Global Reach.

“Kamran Hekmati, an Iranian American prisoner, was guaranteed medical leave for cancer treatment. However, after only one month and before the end of his approved 45-day medical furlough, he was ordered back to prison.

“This happened, even though his leave should have been extended so he could begin chemotherapy”, Valizadeh said.

US Central Command said it has redirected 51 ships during its blockade of Iranian ports.

American forces have also disabled two ships and boarded two more.

The British pound has dropped against both the euro and U.S. dollar on Friday, as markets weigh the talks in the Middle East.

Sterling was 0.1 per cent lower against the dollar at £1 – $1.3438. Against the euro, the pound was similarly lower at one euro per 85.76 pence.

Investors are cautious about diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war and reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz, especially as tensions flared up again in the Middle East, Reuters news agency reports.

An attack by Yemen’s Houthis on southern Saudi Arabia wounded 11 civilians on Thursday, a military official said, as the kingdom warned that coordinated attacks by the Houthis and Iran-backed Iraqi militias were imminent.

Brent crude futures were last slightly lower on the day at $82.16 per barrel.

Amnesty International says a mass funeral for 112 members of the al-Hasayna and Abu Sharia families in Gaza City underscores a pattern of Israeli attacks that have wiped out entire multi-generational families.

Writing on X, Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s senior director for research, advocacy, policy and campaigns, said the victims’ remains were recovered months after an Israeli strike on 23 November 2023 that reportedly killed more than 300 Palestinians.

She said recovery efforts had been delayed by Israeli restrictions on the entry of heavy equipment needed to clear rubble, with thousands of bodies still believed to be trapped beneath collapsed buildings.

“Israel must urgently allow access to Gaza for UN bodies and independent human rights investigators to preserve evidence, in line with the ICJ’s orders,” she added, using the acronym for the International Court of Justice.

Progress is being made between Iran and Oman on ⁠the Strait of Hormuz and “we expect a deal soon,” a US official told ⁠Reuters.

Once ⁠a deal is announced to restore ⁠commercial shipping without impediments, the ​United ⁠States will ‌lift its blockade of Iranian ports, the official said.

“There ‌is progress between ‌Oman and Iran on the Strait, and we expect ⁠a deal soon.

“Once the deal is announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments, the United States will lift the ‌blockade of Iranian ​ports.

“As always, U.S. ‌actions will ⁠continue to be performance-based and ⁠tied to Iran’s implementation ‌of its ​commitments.”

Brent crude rose $1.31 on Friday to trade at $83.80 per barrel, after settling up more than $3 in the previous session.

The dollar was mostly flat as of the ​Asian ⁠afternoon on Friday, trading little changed at 158.365 yen, after gaining 0.4 per cent on Thursday.

The economic ramifications of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are much discussed. But so far, the risk of ecological damage following a long blockade of ships has been overlooked.

Our recent research shows that the more than 1,500 commercial vessels that have been laid up in the Persian/Arabian Gulf since February pose a significant environmental threat because they have been accumulating marine biofouling species on their hulls.

As the strait reopens, these ships may spread these organisms to ports they visit, potentially causing an international biosecurity “super-spreader” event.

Such incursions of alien marine plants, animals, parasites and diseases affect native ecosystems and wild fisheries as well as aquaculture stocks and coastal industries. They can lead to significant environmental damage and economic losses.

Chad Hewitt, Gregory Ruiz , Ian Davidson & Mario Tamburri write: