Morning update

Good morning Middle East Eye readers, 

Here are the latest developments from across the region: 

• A US attack on Iran’s Shalamcheh border crossing with Iraq killed at least two and wounded 11 others on Thursday, state news agency IRNA reported. Several other US strikes were reported across the country, including in Bushehr and Andimeshk.

• The US House of Representatives narrowly passed its version of a massive defence policy bill on Wednesday, despite Democrats' concerns about its huge price tag, the Iran war and a provision that would boost Pentagon ties to Israel.

• Yemen's Houthis claimed missile and drone attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea after declaring a maritime embargo on the kingdom, amid the US war with Iran. The kingdom's state media later confirmed that one of its vessels were struck, adding that all crew members onboard Encelia were safe.

• Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that one of three oil tankers were set ablaze after a blast while attempting to pass through a mined route south of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the statement, the two other tankers turned back following this incident.

• The US Department of State has urged citizens to "exercise caution and heightened vigilance" amid the escalating conflict in the region. It instructed Americans to be prepared for flight cancellations and potential travel disruptions, and cautioned that US facilities across the world may be targeted.