Latest developments in the US-Iran war

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they seized an unmanned US submarine on Tuesday, as Tehran maintains its stranglehold on the strategic Strait of Hormuz waterway six months into the Middle East war.

Here are the latest developments in the conflict:

- Iranian tanker attacked -

Iran's Tasnim news agency said "a small Iranian tanker was targeted by a missile attack" from the US, around six kilometres off Kharg Island.

It came shortly after local media reported that several blasts were heard on the Gulf island, which is where the majority of the country's oil is exported from.

Iranian media also reported two explosions in the southern port of Jask.

- Iran threatens US bases -

The chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Ali Abdollahi, on Tuesday warned Tehran would attack US bases in the region if Iranian oil tankers were hit.

"The US aggressor army has given Iranian oil tankers an evacuation warning to hit them, so I announce that any attack on Iranian oil tankers will result in the targeting of US bases in the region by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Abdollahi said, according to state TV.

- Rubio blames Iran for Yemen fighting -

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that "the Iranian hand" was behind attacks launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia.

"The Houthis in many ways are agents and proxies of the Iranians. I think behind some of this is clearly the Iranian hand," Rubio said in response to a question about the wave of attacks, which wounded dozens.

The Houthis have launched a new offensive to seize land near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which controls entrance to the Red Sea, as the Yemeni civil war reignited after a four-year ceasefire.

- Guards say seized submarine drone -

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement carried by state TV that they captured "one of the most modern, unmanned, and smart submarines of the US terrorist army at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz" in a complex operation.

Iranian state media reported that the unmanned underwater vehicle's main capabilities included "subsurface reconnaissance and surveillance, seabed mapping, mine detection and inspection of submarine cables and pipelines".

The US military however said one of its underwater drones "malfunctioned" more than a day earlier.

"An underwater drone operated by US forces malfunctioned more than a day ago. It was surveying regional waters in support of ongoing operations," US Central Command spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins said, without mentioning whether the device was seized by Iran.

- Iran thwarts drone attack -

The Guards said in another statement carried by state TV that they thwarted a drone attack on Tuesday.

"An advanced MQ1 drone was intercepted and destroyed by the IRGC's new advanced defence system, under the control of the country's integrated air defence network, over the Strait of Hormuz," it said, without saying who was behind the attack.

The model is used by only a few countries, including the United States.

- US sanctions Iran airlines -

Washington imposed sanctions on "all remaining Iranian airlines" that have yet to face such penalties, as Washington pushes to step up economic pressure on Tehran.

The US Treasury Department said its latest action takes aim at "36 targets for supporting Iran's aviation sector, which the regime uses to move weapons, personnel, and illicit cargo".

- 'Progress' in Iran-Oman talks -

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday there had been "significant progress" in talks with Oman over the administration of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which they have been discussing for weeks.

The Iranian foreign ministry said Araghchi "explained the latest status of Iran-Oman talks on the Strait of Hormuz, reporting significant progress" in a call with his Japanese counterpart.

- Lebanon strikes -

Israel conducted a wave of airstrikes in south Lebanon on Monday, killing 13 people including women and children, the Lebanese health ministry said, in an intensification of violence after a weeks-long lull.

But no strikes were reported on Tuesday as of early evening.