US, Iran war updates: Fears of militias, PM announces fuel powers, Israel’s first missile attack from Yemen

The US is ramping up its military presence in the Middle East, with the USS George HW Bush aircraft carrier set to deploy to the region.

The massive warship — effectively a floating airbase capable of carrying more than 80 aircraft — recently completed pre-deployment training and could soon join operations linked to the conflict involving Iran.

Multiple US officials say the carrier and its strike group are being positioned under Central Command as tensions escalate.

At the same time, guided missile destroyers USS Donald Cook and USS Mason have departed the US en route to the region, while another warship, USS Ross, has also left port, though its destination has not been disclosed.

The moves signal a significant build-up of American firepower as the war continues to intensify.

Five people have been injured after a ballistic missile was intercepted by air defences in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emeriates.

Abu Dhabi Media Office reported that five Indian nationals had been hurt by falling debris near the Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi.

It said emergency services were responding to two fires in the area.

Thailand has made a deal with Iran to allow its oil vessels safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

“An agreement has been reached to allow Thai oil tankers to transit safely through the Strait of Hormuz,” , Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said.

He said the development would alleviate concerns over fuel imports.

A missile reportedly fired from Yemen towards Israel has raised fresh fears the Middle East conflict is expanding.

If confirmed, it would mark the first launch from Yemen since the war erupted — a significant escalation.

The development comes just hours after Iran-aligned Houthi rebels warned they were ready to act if attacks on Iran and the so-called “axis of resistance” continued.

The group did not specify how it would intervene but its entry into the conflict would dramatically widen the war.

The Houthis have previously shown they can strike targets far beyond Yemen and disrupt major shipping routes in the Red Sea, while Iran-backed forces in Lebanon and Iraq have already joined the fighting triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Tehran weeks ago.

Gulf nations have sounded the alarm over fears Iran-backed militias could launch attacks across the region, raising the risk of wider instability as the Middle East war escalates.

In a rare joint statement, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Jordan condemned strikes on their territory, blaming direct attacks from Iran and operations carried out by proxy groups it supports.

Kuwait revealed that it had already foiled a plot to assassinate state leaders, arresting six suspects believed to be linked to Hezbollah — one of Iran’s most powerful regional allies.

Iran has long relied on proxy militias to extend its influence, with groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen forming a key part of its strategy, alongside networks operating in Iraq and Syria.

But since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began in late February, Gulf states say the threat has shifted closer to home — with missile and drone attacks, along with suspected sleeper cell activity, fuelling fears the conflict could spill deeper into the region.

A worker has been hurt in a drone attack on Oman’s Salalah port.

Officials said that a crane was also hit but had had limited damage.

Oman had served as a mediator between the US and Iran before the war.

Israel’s military says it has detected a missile launch from Yemen, marking the first such incident since the conflict began.

The strike comes after Iran-backed Houthi forces warned they could join the fighting.

In a statement, the military said it had “identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory, aerial defence systems are operating to intercept the threat”.

The alert was issued early Saturday as the war entered its second month.

It follows reports that Iran launched multiple missile barrages at Tel Aviv the previous day, triggering air defence systems and warning sirens late Friday and into Saturday.

At least 12 US troops have been injured in an Iranian strike on a military base in Saudi Arabia, with two in serious condition, a US official confirmed to Reuters. Earlier reports from Wall Street Journal suggested 10 personnel had been wounded.

The attack targeted Prince Sultan Air Base, a key US military installation in the region.

The incident follows the death of US Army Sergeant Benjamin N Pennington, 26, who was wounded at the same base earlier this month and died days later.

Since the conflict began, 13 American troops have been killed. More than 300 service members have been wounded, although the US Army said most have since returned to duty.

There is a threat to the safety of Australians in hotels in Dubai, the Australian government has warned.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a very specific warning in the early hours of Saturday, Australian time.

“We have reason to believe there are heightened risks around hotels in Dubai, including an ongoing threat in the vicinity of Le Meridien hotel on Airport Road, Dubai,” the department revealed via Smartraveller.

The department has already issued a “do not travel” warning for the UAE, which includes layovers or even transiting through Dubai International Airport.

“If you can secure a flight out of the UAE and it’s safe to travel to the airport, leave now while commercial flights are available. Don’t wait until it’s too late,” the warning says.

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Iranian state media report the country’s nuclear facilities have been attacked hours after Israel threatened to “escalate and expand” its military campaign against Iran.

A heavy-water plant and a yellowcake production plant were struck, IRNA reported.

Yellowcake is a concentrated form of uranium after impurities are removed from the raw ore.

Heavy water is used as a moderator in nuclear reactors.

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation said the Shahid Khondab Heavy Water Complex in Arak and the Ardakan yellowcake production plant in Yazd Province were targeted, the agency said.

The strikes did not cause any casualties and there was no risk of contamination, it said.

Israel also attacked the Arak plant last June.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said there was no increase in off-site radiation levels after the Ardakan site attack.

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