Trump notifies Congress: US is at renewed war with Iran

US President Donald J Trump - Photo collected.

The US has launched new military action in the Middle East after President Donald Trump reportedly notified Congress America is at war with Iran once again. Military officials have confirmed they are launching new strikes against Iran, with President Trump telling CNN: "We're going to take out Pickaxe Mountain. Tell the Iranians we're coming."

As tensions between Iran and the US skyrocket again, renewed fears have erupted the Middle East may be dragged into a regional conflict, with Iran reportedly launching attacks against sites in Bahrain and Jordan overnight. Earlier on Monday, the President has also claimed on Truth Social the Strait of Hormuz "will remain open, with or without Iran" by installing a blockade on Iranian ships or their customers. He added a 20% fee on "all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the world". The developments come after a peace deal between the two nations collapsed last week (July 8).

- Late last night, President Trump said he had notified Congress the US is 'at war' with Iran. That notification allows the President to conduct military operations for 60 days without Congressional approval.

- Trump also said US forces will be the 'guardian angel' of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles a fifth the world's oil, by charging a 20 per cent fee on those using it. It is unclear who pays the fee and where the 20 per cent figure has come from.

- In the early hours, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it had completed a five-hour airstrike of key Iranian targets Bushehr, Chah Bahar, Jask, Konarak, Abu Musa, and Bandar Abbas to 'further degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping'.

- They targeted 'coastal defense systems, missile and drone sites, and maritime capabilities', CENTCOM added.

- UAE's ministry of defence has also confirmed one man died and eight were wounded when a Iranian strike hit two tankers sailing in Omani waters. Officials from the UAE condemned the 'brazen' attack.

- Explosions from the strike were reportedly heard in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

- President Trump and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have continued to signal more fighting will occur in the next few days. It marks a stark departure from late June, when a ceasefire was agreed. - express.com.uk via Samsung News