US-Iran war updates: Trump lashes European countries for not ‘stepping up’ as Iran strikes Kuwaiti oil tanker

That’s all for today’s coverage of the US-Iran war.

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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says his country will be “unpredictable” and refused to rule out a decision to put US troops on the ground in Iran.

“You can’t fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do or what you are not willing to do - to include boots on the ground,” Hegseth said.

“Our adversary right now thinks there are 15 different ways we could come at them with boots on the ground. And guess what? There are.

“Maybe we don’t have to use them at all. Maybe negotiations work. Or maybe there’s a different approach. The point is to be unpredictable in that - certainly not let anybody know what you’re willing to do or not do.”

US Defence Secretary says “regime change has occurred” in the US’ war against Iran in a Pentagon press conference on Tuesday.

“This new regime, because regime change has occurred, should be wiser than the last,” Hegseth said.

“Our job is to ensure that we compel Iran to realize that this new regime, this regime in charge, is in a better place if they make that deal. . . We’re working hand in hand, but the primary effort is a deal.

“We want that deal to be accomplished, if at all possible, if not, then we’re prepared to continue.”

The Israel Defence Force has launched airstrikes targeting “terror infrastructure of the terror organisation Hezbollah” in the Lebanese capital city of Beirut on Tuesday.

Airstrikes were also reported in Iran’s capital city, Tehran.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will push ahead with their first state visit to the United States late next month.

“Their Majesties’ programme will celebrate the historic connections and modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence,” a statement from Buckingham Palace said on Tuesday.

The move comes as many UK lawmakers, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have refused to enter the war alongside the US against Iran.

“This is not our war and we’re not going to get drawn into it,” Starmer said on Monday.

“What we have done is taken defensive action: so we’ve had our pilots up in the air since an hour or two after this war started, defending British lives, British interests and, of course, our allies in the region.”

US President Donald Trump has lashed out at European countries on social media on Tuesday, again criticising them for not ‘stepping up’ in the US’ war against Iran.

“All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT,” he said on Truth Social.

“You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us.

“Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil.”

A desalination plant on Qeshm Island in Iran has been hit by a US-Israeli airstrike, according to CNN, who cited the semi-official media agency ISNA.

“Drinking water on Qeshm Island is supplied by desalination plants,” an official from the Iranian Ministry of Health.

“Unfortunately, one of the island’s desalination facilities was targeted and has been fully taken offline, as it cannot be repaired in the short term.”

About 100 million people depend on desalination plants for drinking water in the Persian GUlf, according to AP.

It’s the second report of an attack on the Qeshm Island plant since the war began — the first was on March 7.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country’s war with Iran is “definitely beyond the halfway point”, according to The Australian.

“In terms of missions, not necessarily in terms of time,” Netanyahu said on Newsmax.

“We’ve achieved a lot of things. . . We’ve really downgraded this regime.”

AP is reporting three Chinese ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz after negotiations, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

The unnamed ships were let through after “coordination with relevant parties”, according to Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

“We appreciate the assistance provided by the relevant parties,” she said.

“The Strait of Hormuz and waters nearby are an important route for international goods and energy trade.

“China calls for an immediate end to hostilities to restore peace and stability in the Gulf.

Iran has been without internet for 32 consecutive days, according to watchdog NetBlocks.

The regime-imposed ban is the longest in the country’s history, outlasting a previous ban to quell anti-government protests in January.

“Extended digital isolation is bringing new challenges for Iranians, from expired domains and accounts to unpatched servers on a degrading national intranet,” a NetBlocks statement said.