Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and any transit through the waterway will face “harsh measures”, according to state media, reports UK-based daily The Independent.

It added that shipping “to and from ports of allies and supporters of the Israeli-American enemies” is prohibited through any corridor or to any destination. Three container ships of mixed nationalities were forced to turn back after warnings.

The passage, through which one fifth of the world’s oil and gas passes, has remained largely closed since the outbreak of hostilities. It comes as Donald Trump is considering sending another 10,000 troops to the Middle East, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

The forces would likely be sent within striking distance of Iran and Kharg Island, a key oil export hub off in the Persian Gulf. Despite the escalation, Germany’s foreign minister on Friday said the US and Iran have had indirect negotiations and that representatives plan to meet shortly in Pakistan.

Trump said he would again extend the deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face the destruction of its energy plants, after Tehran had earlier rejected a 15-point US proposal to end the fighting as unfair.

Iran's response to a US peace proposal aimed at ending the war in the Middle East is expected later on Friday, according to a source briefed on the matter.

President Donald Trump and top White House officials have been told via interlocutors that Iran's counter-proposal would likely arrive later today, the source said.

America has said that negotiations have been taking place while Iran has publicly rejected the claims and insisted it will fight until “complete victory”, accusing the US of making the statements in order to ease oil prices.

G7 foreign ministers demand an end to attacks on civilians in Iran war

The foreign ministers of the G7 group of nations called on Friday for an immediate stop to attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Iran war.

In a joint statement seen by Reuters and agreed on the second day of a G7 meeting in France - this year's host country - ministers wrote: “We focused on the value of diverse partnerships, coordination, and supporting initiatives, including to mitigate global economic shocks such as disruptions to economic, energy, fertilizer and commercial supply chains, which have direct impacts on our citizens.”

The ministers also reiterated the need to restore safe and toll-free freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The G7 members are the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, along with the European Union.

Protests erupt as Philippines declares energy emergency with only 45 days of fuel left amid Iran war
Protests have erupted across the Philippines in response to the fuel crisis sparked by Iran’s hold of the Strait of Hormuz, which has largely halted oil and gas shipments.

The country declared an energy emergency on Wednesday amid fears that fuel will run out as the Iran war rages on.

On Tuesday, the country’s energy secretary Sharon Garin said the country had about 45 days of fuel supply left.

Taxi drivers have told Sky News that they are operating at losses if they go to work because the price of fuel has risen so high.

Iran hackers claim breach of FBI director's personal accounts

Iran-linked hackers have publicly claimed the breach of FBI Director Kash Patel's personal inbox, publishing photographs of the director and his purported resume.

A Justice Department official confirmed to Reuters that Patel's emails were compromised but did not go into detail. The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A DOJ official told Reuters that the material published by the Iran-linked hacker group appears authentic.

Sun News/ra