Live updates: Iran fires missiles across Gulf as war continues

Iran fired missiles and drones at targets across the Gulf, while Israeli and the United States hit targets across the Islamic Republic. 

President Donald Trump said in social media posts there were no reports of Iran planting explosives in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s oil is shipped. 

According to the Associated Press, U.S. said it took out more than a dozen minelaying Iranian vessels Tuesday to help prevent any attempt to close the waterway.

U.S. Embassy in Baghdad warns of kidnapping threat, urges citizens to leave

8:15 a.m. ET: The Associated Press reported that the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad urged U.S. citizens on Wednesday to leave Iraq, referencing the risk of attacks and kidnappings.

“There have been attacks against U.S. citizens and U.S. interests in Iraq, and Americans face risk of kidnapping,” a statement obtained by the AP said. “American businesses, hotels frequented by foreigners, and other facilities in Iraq, including those with U.S. ties, have been attacked.”

Since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, triggering the ongoing war in the Middle East, Iran and Iran-backed Iraqi militias have launched dozens of missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases and diplomatic facilities, energy and communications sites in Iraq, particularly in the semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region.

The AP noted that Iraq’s airspace is closed, with land borders open to cross into Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

“Americans should strongly consider departing via one of these overland routes if they believe it is safe to do so,” according to the statement.

US Central Command says Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks have ‘dropped drastically’

7:30 a.m. ET: In an X post Wednesday, US Central Command says Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks have dropped. “Since the first 24 hours of Operation Epic Fury, Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks have dropped drastically,” the post said.

Pentagon says about 140 troops injured in Iran

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The Pentagon said about 140 U.S. service members have been wounded in the conflict with Iran.

According to the Associated Press, the numbers are the first indication of the toll of injuries sustained by U.S. troops after retaliatory rocket and drone strikes from Iran that also killed seven soldiers in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

RELATED: About 140 US troops injured in Iran so far, officials say

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in an emailed statement to the Associated Press that “the vast majority of these injuries have been minor, and 108 service members have already returned to duty.” Eight U.S. service members are currently “severely injured,” Parnell added.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday during a news briefing that today will be the most intense day yet of U.S. strikes inside Iran.