Israel has announced a "wide-scale wave" of attacks against Iran and further attacks against Beirut while Iran continues to strike neighbouring countries in the Gulf region.

Thailand's navy says it is assisting after a Thai-flagged cargo ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, with 20 of the 23 crew members already rescued by Oman's navy.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reports that, in total, three cargo vessels have been hit by unknown projectiles in the strait today.

Overnight the US military said it destroyed 16 mine-laying Iranian ships in the strait

Israel has announced a further "wide-scale wave" of strikes against both Beirut and Iran after confirming that it struck targets in the Dahieh suburb Beirut earlier on Wednesday.

BBC reporter Alice Cuddy was at the scene of an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon which left a four-storey building ablaze, while Carine Torbey reports from a strike in central Beirut. 

Four people have been injured after two drones fell near Dubai International Airport, while the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman have all reported Iranian attacks.

Sources tell the BBC that the UK is prepared to support a coordinated release of collective International Energy Agency oil reserves as prices remain volatile due to the conflict. 

It comes as energy ministers in the G7 say they have given support "in principle" for the use of strategic energy reserves.

(Source: BBC)