Washington (United States) (AFP) - Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:

- Iran attacks US, Israeli interests -

A military statement carried on Iranian state television said that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had launched a fresh wave of attacks on American steel factories in the UAE and Bahrain, as well as an arms factory in Israel.

The statement said the latest salvos were in response to attacks on its own steel industries.

- Pakistan petrol hikes -

Pakistan drastically raised fuel prices in response to spiking global prices caused by the Iran war, the country’s petroleum minister said.

Petrol will see a 42.7 percent increase effective on Friday, while diesel will be hiked 54.9 percent.

- US aircraft carrier leaves Croatia -

The USS Gerald R. Ford departed Croatia after docking for five days, the US Navy said while not specifying a destination.

The ship played a major role in US-Israeli strikes on Iran, but sailed to Crete and Croatia following a fire in its laundry facilities on March 12 that injured two sailors and damaged some 100 beds.

- ‘Alarming’ displacement risk -

The head of the International Organization for Migration told AFP that there are “very alarming” prospects for prolonged mass displacement in Lebanon – where Israel and Hezbollah are at war.

“There are parts of the south that are being completely flattened… even if the war ends tomorrow, that destruction remains and there needs to be a rebuilding,” Amy Pope said.

- Trump touts bridge attack -

US President Donald Trump said the tallest bridge in Iran had been destroyed, hours after he promised to bomb the country “back to the Stone Ages”.

- Houthis launch missile targetting Israel -

Houthi rebels, based in Yemen and allied with Iran, launched a fourth missile attack on Israel, after stepping into the war last week.

The Israeli military said earlier it had detected a missile launched from Yemen.

- ‘Maximum effort’ -

Iraq is exerting “maximum effort” to prevent any escalation on its territory, the foreign ministry said, after the US embassy in Baghdad warned of possible attacks in the city by pro-Iran armed groups.

Earlier, the US embassy warned that “Iraqi terrorist militia groups aligned with Iran may intend to conduct attacks in central Baghdad in the next 24-48 hours”.

- US Baghdad centre hit -

A drone attack targeted the US diplomatic and logistics centre in Baghdad’s international airport complex, causing a fire but no injuries, two Iraqi security sources told AFP.

- ‘Immediate’ reopening -

Around 40 countries called for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Britain’s foreign minister said.

“Iran is trying to hold the global economy hostage in the Strait of Hormuz. They must not prevail. To that effect, partners today called for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait and respect for the fundamental principles of freedom of navigation and the law of the sea,” Yvette Cooper said in a statement after international talks.

- Force in Hormuz -

The secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council called for the UN Security Council to authorise the use of force to protect the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks.

“We call upon the Security Council to assume its full responsibility and take all necessary measures to protect maritime routes and ensure the safe continuation of international navigation,” said Jassem al-Budaiwi.

- Blasts over Jerusalem -

Several blasts sounded in Jerusalem, AFP journalists said, after the military issued an alert over incoming Iranian missiles.

At least four blasts were heard as sirens rang out in the city, and the military warned residents to take cover after it “identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel”.

- China condemns -

China’s foreign minister Wang Yi said US and Israeli attacks on Iran were a violation of international law, Chinese state media reported, as he held calls with his EU, German and Saudi counterparts.

Wang also said the UN Security Council – of which China is a permanent member – “should prevent the escalation of conflict”, state broadcaster CCTV said, as the international body debates a draft resolution on the use of force in the Strait of Hormuz.

- Expelled -

Argentina expelled Iran’s diplomatic envoy, Mohsen Soltani Tehrani, following “false, offensive and baseless accusations” by Tehran, the foreign ministry said.

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