Topic analysis

'We are at the edge of a battlefield': BBC reports near Strait of Hormuz

The BBC's senior international correspondent Orla Guerin has travelled to the edge of the Strait of Hormuz in Oman, which Iran has put a stranglehold on since the war broke out. The critical artery is normally used for 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas. By leaving ships stranded in the waterway, Iran is reducing the global supply of oil, driving up prices and creating fear among consumers as well as amplifying pressure in the international community. Filmed by Lee Durant, edited by Jake Lapham BBC reports from the funerals of three journalists killed by a targeted attack in southern Lebanon. Israeli forces have been instructed to destroy the crossings over the Litani river that were being used by Hezbollah to send reinforcements. Displaced Palestinians were told to secure their tents to prevent them being blown away as a storm swept through the enclave. Dan Johnson hears from Iranians at a crossing in north-west Iran about their thoughts on the war and regime. BBC Verify explains how we verified a video of a fire at an oil depot in Iran. The footage demonstrates the flow of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf since the US-Israeli military offensive began against Iran on 27 February. Trade at the Middle East's biggest port has been hit hard since Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz began. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has hit back at President Trump's criticism of the UK response to the conflict in Iran. Footage shows flames tearing through the building in the early hours of Sunday, following more attacks on the gulf state. Social media footage shows flames leaping into the air and plumes of smoke above the city's skyline. Video filmed by a witness and verified by the BBC shows a drone crashing close to the airport. Explosions rocked the capital overnight as its busiest airport was hit by airstrikes. Some residents in the Beirut suburb of Dahieh have left their homes amid ongoing air strikes by Israel. The BBC's Nick Marsh examines how unrest in the Middle East will impact living costs around the world. Iranians fleeing their country have told the BBC what life under bombardment has been like. The Israeli military said it began "a wave of strikes” hours after telling civilians living in a large swathe of southern Lebanon to leave their homes immediately. From the Israeli town of Metula on the border with Lebanon, the BBC's Jon Donnison heard what sounded like a full-on gun battle. Ben Chu has been looking at what’s happened to marine traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, a key trade passage. The UK Government advised British nationals to "shelter in place and register your presence" with all flights from Dubai suspended until further notice. Strikes on Iran's capital, Tehran, continue after the initial combat operations were jointly launched by the US and Israel on 28 February.