3 ships struck near Strait of Hormuz as war enters 12th day

Three ships were struck near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, a day after President Trump warned that the United States would intensify its bombardment if Iran continues to block shipments through the waterway vital to the world’s oil supply.

The vessels were struck by unknown projectiles, maritime security agencies said. Ship traffic through the narrow strait has effectively come to a halt.

Iranian drones also struck near Dubai International Airport as Tehran vowed to ramp up its attacks across the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new supreme leader, was wounded in the airstrikes that killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The younger Khamenei has not made any public appearances since his appointment earlier this week.

Alireza Salarian, Tehran’s ambassador to Cyprus, told the Guardian that Mojtaba Khamenei was hospitalized with injuries to his legs, hand and arm. Yousef Pezeshkian, son of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, said on social media that Khamenei was injured but “safe and sound.”

The Pentagon said Tuesday that 140 U.S. troops have been wounded in the ongoing conflict, including eight American service members who were “severely injured.”

And the death toll continues to rise. At least 1,230 people have been killed in Iran since the U.S.-Israeli strikes began on Feb. 28. Nearly 400 people in Lebanon have been killed and at least 12 in Israel, according to officials in those countries.

Seven U.S. service members have died in the war, according to U.S. Central Command.