At least four Iran-linked ships – including two that visited Iranian ports – crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday following the start of a blockade by the US. At least three others also crossed the key shipping channel
China’s foreign ministry condemns the blockade of Iranian ports as “dangerous and irresponsible”
The US military says it “will not impede” ships using the strait to go to and from non-Iranian ports. Iran says the blockade is a violation of its sovereignty
The first 24 hours of the US naval blockade of Iran’s ports have been notable for their inconsistency, writes our security correspondent – possibly because American forces were not yet ready for it
How the blockade works: The US isn’t likely to send warships to Iran’s ports, but instead could “interdict” vessels in the Indian Ocean, our security correspondent explains. At least 14 US warships are in the region, BBC Verify reports
Elsewhere, direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli officials are set to be held in the US later – the first such negotiations in decades
