Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on Thursday he plans to use the effective closure of the strategic waterway, through which 20% of the world's oil supplies passes, as leverage against the US and Israel. Speaking to Sky News' Wilfred Frost, Scott Bessent said: "My belief is that as soon as it is militarily possible, the US Navy, perhaps with an international coalition, will be escorting vessels through." He added: "There are, in fact, tankers coming through now, Iranian tankers, I believe some Chinese flag tankers have come through. So we know that they have not mined the straits." Iran war latest: follow live As the war nears the two-week mark, Mr Khamenei, in a fiery opening address, promised retaliation for US-Israeli attacks, saying he "will not refrain from avenging" the blood of their "martyrs" - as a new wave of Israeli strikes hit Beirut. Iran's bombardment of shipping traffic and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf had earlier pushed oil back above $100 a barrel, with stocks dropping worldwide on Thursday. The hike in oil prices came despite the shock announcement the previous day that developed countries would release 400 million barrels of oil from their ⁠strategic reserves - nearly half ​from the US. Read more:How Iran can block the Strait of HormuzWhat we know about the deadly school strike During the wide-ranging interview, Mr Bessant was interrupted and told by an aide: "The president wants you." He stayed in the situation room, an intelligence facility in the West Wing of the White House, for around two hours before resuming the interview. When asked if the escort had been discussed, he did not deny it, saying: "Your words, not mine." Speaking after the interview, Mr Frost said that while the market isn't expecting the safe passage of ships in any meaningful way in the days ahead, Mr Bessent's implication in the interview might suggest otherwise. Earlier on Thursday, the US energy secretary, speaking to CNBC, ruled out the possibility that the US will imminently take action to escort oil traffic through the strait. "It'll happen relatively soon but it can't happen now," Chris Wright said. "We're simply not ready." In the interview, Mr Bessent also mentioned that the war has so far cost the US around $11bn. Mr Frost asked the treasury secretary if there was a price that could cause him to confront US President Donald Trump and say the war is no longer affordable. He replied: "Absolutely not." The economic turmoil comes in the wake of a row between Washington and London. Mr Trump hit out at the UK again last week, saying the US does not need anyone to "join wars after we've already won" following its initial refusal to allow the US to launch its initial attacks on Iran from British bases. Sir Keir Starmer later granted the US use of British facilities for "defensive" action against Iranian missile sites. Questioned on the special relationship and whether Sir Keir had put lives at risk with his response to the Iran war, Mr Bessent, who has previously lived in London, said: "We delayed being able to fully implement the military plan, and I think that the main concern was the use of base Diego Garcia, and the US B-2s had to do a 37-hour round trip rather than, I think it's about a three, three-and-a-half-hour round trip and constantly refuelling. "So I think any delay causes an increase in risk." He added: "President Trump is the commander-in-chief of US forces. Being in the situation room with him, he so solemnly takes that leadership role in terms of his commitment to maintaining the lives of our servicemen. "Anything that upsets that, upsets him, and I think that's what got the very strong reaction." But Mr Bessent also recognised that the two nations have a "great historical relationship". When asked how unhappy Mr Trump is with the prime minister right now, he said: "Belatedly, the prime minister offered to put resources in the region. We have a long-term relationship." He noted that while there will be "some bumps in the road", he thinks the relationship will "eventually get back on track". On whether Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should testify to Congress, the US treasury secretary said: "That's a matter for Congress." He added: "If Congress requests for you to come, you should come." Lord Mandelson was sacked from his job as the UK's ambassador to the US over his links to Jeffrey Epstein. The ex-Labour cabinet minister has previously denied any wrongdoing over his relationship with the paedophile financier. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform had asked Andrew to cooperate with its investigation into Epstein's sex trafficking operations in November. He failed to respond to their request for an interview and has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein. The full interview of "The Master Investor Podcast with Wilfred Frost" is available to watch on YouTube or to listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Warner Brothers has 30 Oscar nominations in total, more than any of its rivals - and mainly thanks to these two films, with period vampire horror Sinners alone picking up a record-breaking 16 nods. But after a century of filmmaking influence, the studio is poised for a takeover so vast it could reshape Hollywood's structure, power dynamics, and even creative output. The Paramount Skydance deal, struck for an eye-watering $110bn, subject to reviews, would bring together two of the city's five legacy studios. Many in the industry are now looking to what happens after the Oscars ceremony. "This is a very exciting time for Warner Brothers," says Brian Welk, senior business reporter for entertainment site IndieWire. "They are most likely going to win best picture with one of their two films, and yet we don't know the future of what the film people in charge will be able to do moving forward, or will they still be around or still have that same autonomy?" Paramount, led by billionaire Larry Ellison's son, David, has political connections to Donald Trump's administration. The deal is still subject to approval from regulators, and both Democrats and Republicans have raised concerns it could result in higher prices and fewer choices for customers. Cinema operators have also said combining ​large Hollywood studios could cost jobs and reduce the ​number ⁠of films released in theatres. "These are two very aligned companies that have a lot of similar structures," says Brian. "They have two lots that are both in Hollywood. "There's many people who are wondering, are Paramount and Warner Brothers even going to keep both lots? Are they going to lay off thousands of people?" Deal could 'threaten livelihoods', union says On Thursday, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters labour union said it had warned the Department of Justice (DoJ) in a report that the proposed takeover posed a direct threat to film and television workers nationwide, including almost 15,000 of its rank-and-file members in the industry. It has called for the deal to be blocked unless "substantial and enforceable safeguards are put in place to increase domestic production and protect jobs". Read more:One Battle After Another is 'devastatlingly timely'CPS loses appeal over Kneecap terror charge "This merger threatens the livelihoods of the very workers who built these studios into industry giants," said Teamsters general president Sean M O'Brien. "We've seen what happens when corporations consolidate power: jobs disappear, production leaves American communities, and workers pay the price. "The DoJ has a responsibility to stop deals that eliminate competition and harm working families." Sky News has contacted Warner Bros and Paramount for comment. Asked about the deal and uncertainty in the industry at the Oscar Wilde Awards, hosted by the US-Ireland Alliance ahead of the Oscars, filmmaker JJ Abrams said things feel "shaky and unsettled" at the moment. The producer, best known for the Star Trek reboot and two of the new Star Wars films, continued: "I think it's not necessarily human nature to realise that things can settle and things can get better and I feel like staying hopeful is very important. Doing the best work you can is really important. "There are so many brilliant people here and I hope that, especially in Hollywood, that we're able to allow for production with tax incentives to remain here, for post-production to remain here. There's so much work and so much brilliant talent in the city that is really not getting a chance because productions are choosing to go elsewhere because of incentives. "So, I'm really hopeful that we are able to get to a place where movies and shows continuously and increasingly can be made here." While the deal is not set in stone yet, for Hollywood this is huge, not only in terms of the US film industry but the wider media landscape. Warner Brothers will be enjoying its moment in the sun at the Oscars on Sunday - but things could be very different for ceremonies to come.

Keir Starmer has already admitted that appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador was a mistake. But after the first batch of documents was released, Beth, Ruth and Harriet ask the big question: we still don't know how big that 'mistake' was - could it get worse with what is yet to come out about what the prime minister knew about Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein? In this episode we break down: What's in the first tranche of documents around Peter Mandelson's appointment (and what's still missing) The red flags raised before Mandelson was appointed and why the process looks so rushed What "developed vetting" actually is, and why it could become the key detail The growing political risk for Starmer, including questions around what was said in the Commons Peter Mandelson has consistently denied any criminal wrongdoing and he is cooperating with the police investigation. Plus, a powerful moment in parliament this week as Labour MPs Charlotte Nichols and Natalie Fleet speak about their own experiences as victims. How do their stories feed into the government's legal reforms? And what would the plans mean for justice, juries and the courts' backlog? Got a question for the burner phone? WhatsApp 07934 200 444 or email electoraldysfunction@sky.uk.

There were mutterings on the continent of the supposed dangers of the dominance of the Premier League after nine sides progress to the last 16 of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference Leagues, more than anyone else in Europe. Champions League results and fixtures However, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Chelsea all suffered damaging three-goal defeats on the road in the Champions League. Premier League champions Liverpool lost at Galatasaray, while Newcastle United and Arsenal only managed draws. Aston Villa spared the blushes of Premier League teams by narrowly beating Lille 1-0 in France in the Europa League. However, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace endured further disappointment. Forest were beaten at home by Midtjylland for the second time this season, while in the Conference League Palace failed to beat Cypriot side Larnaca, whose new boss had only had two training sessions with them. Despite such an overwhelmingly dissapointing week of results, England are comfortably in front in UEFA's coefficient rankings, with the top two nations earning an extra Champions League qualification spot. Italy have overtaken Spain and Germany to move into second. Former Spurs and Man City midfielder Michael Brown said results in the Champions League had been "a massive blow to English football" on Soccer Special - so why have the Premier League teams struggled so much? Arsenal sluggish again as Havertz rescues Gunners Kai Havertz's late penalty, converted at the home of his boyhood club, may come to be seen as crucial in Arsenal's tie with Bayer Leverkusen. The draw puts the Gunners in a strong position to advance from next week's second leg at the Emirates Stadium. Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal - Match report, analysisArsenal news & transfers🔴⚪ | Arsenal fixtures & scores But the performance preceding the equaliser was another which had Arsenal fans pining for more fluidity and creativity. Mikel Arteta's side struggled to turn possession into chances, mustering only six shots, by far their lowest total in Europe this season. Noni Madueke added some much-needed attacking threat from the bench. Arteta was grateful to have him. "To have a player with that ability when you need him, and to step in in the manner that he did, big credit to him," said the manager. But few others shone. It might be that the collective sluggishness of their performances simply doesn't matter. They are after grinding out results at a crucial point in the season, unbeaten in 12 games, alive on four fronts. Defensively, they continue to look a cut above the rest. Arsenal fans will just hope their side can find a little more fluency and cutting edge, and take some of the stress out of a season which has become a slog rather than a sprint.Nick Wright Deja vu for Liverpool as familiar failings strike in Istanbul Liverpool arrived in Istanbul for their first-leg last-16 showdown as strong favourites to progress to the quarter-finals, with Opta giving Arne Slot's side an 82.3 per cent chance of making the last eight. As it happened | Teams | StatsLiverpool news & transfers🔴 | Liverpool fixtures & scores The Premier League champions, who finished third in the league phase, were able to field a near full-strength lineup at the Turk Telekom Arena, but for the second time already this season struggled to impose their game on Galatasaray. Another familiar failing cost the visitors as Mario Lemina was left unmarked from a corner to head home the early winner and despite 15 attempts at goal, including a disallowed second-half effort, the misfiring Reds left the Turkish capital goalless and empty-handed. Liverpool are still given a 51.4% chance of making the quarters by Opta, but their lethargy by the banks of the Bosporus shows that just because an English team performed well in the league phase offers no guarantees of success come the knockouts.Rich Morgan Newcastle miss huge opportunity as inexperience punished It's still all to play for in Barcelona for Newcastle, but Tuesday night will go down in history as a major missed opportunity for Eddie Howe's side. As it happened | Teams | StatsNewcastle news & transfers⚫⚪ | Newcastle fixtures & scores The Magpies had more shots, more efforts on targets and a higher xG from open play before Lamine Yamal scored a late penalty that earned Barcelona a fortuitous lifeline. Despite the level score, when Newcastle travel to Barcelona next week, though, they will be major underdogs and they have themselves to blame. Howe's side were taught a harsh lesson. For all their positive play, the moment at which Newcastle should have turned the pursuit for a second into stewardship of their goal advantage was missed. Instead, Newcastle were frantic in the last minute, hoofing balls forward and failing to compose themselves as they sprinted towards the final whistle. Dan Burn was told by Howe to go up for a late free-kick opportunity, while second-half sub Anthony Gordon, who may have been better suited to start given the fact that despite illness played 30 minutes, added an unnecessary pace to the game that Newcastle needed to control. In many ways, Malick Thiaw's clumsy challenge on Dani Olmo symbolised Newcastle's erratic behaviour towards the end of play. Rather than standing up his man, the eagerness to 'get rid' overcame Thiaw who gave away the penalty. There was much positive to take from Newcastle's display, but a home advantage against last season's semifinalists wasn't fully taken advantage of.Will Bitibiri Yet another calamitous night for Spurs Where do you start with Tottenham? Igor Tudor's 17-minute experiment with Antonin Kinsky piles pressure on Spurs bossSpurs 'fragile' and 'weak' and Igor Tudor can't even say he deserves to stick aroundAs it happened | Teams | StatsSpurs news & transfers⚪ | Spurs fixtures & scores The 5-2 defeat at Atletico Madrid was shambolic, to say the least, with defender Micky van de Ven saying his side were in a "doomsday scenario" after conceding three goals in 17 minutes before goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who was brought in to replace Guglielmo Vicario, was substituted. "Everything that could go wrong went wrong," Van de Ven told Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport. "For 15 minutes we just conceded goals that you really can't do anything about." The game was done and dusted inside those calamitous 17 minutes and it was a fourth straight defeat for interim boss Igor Tudor, whose position is now under intense scrutiny despite only being appointed on February 14. So, where do Spurs go from here after losing a sixth straight game in all competitions for the first time in the club's history? While Tudor looks set to take charge against Liverpool at the weekend, it remains to be seen whether he will still be in charge for the return leg against Atletico next week in north London. With any hopes of Champions League progress in ruins, focus will now and should ultimately turn to avoiding an unthinkable relegation from the Premier League.Oli Yew Pep's attacking gamble backfires in Madrid It's not the first time Pep Guardiola has gambled tactically in a big game, and this one went horribly wrong in the Bernabeu for Man City. As it happened | Teams | StatsMan City news & transfers🔵| Man City fixtures & scores Going into the game, the Premier League side were heavy favourites against Real side missing several players, including top scorer Kylian Mbappe and England midfielder Jude Bellingham. Did that play into Guardiola's thinking with his ambitious attacking line-up? Did he think he could win this tie in the first leg with a team featuring Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo, Jeremy Doku and Savinho? What followed was a disaster for City as Real Madrid picked them apart with ease, Federico Valverde the beneficiary as his stunning first-half hat-trick put Guardiola's men on the brink of Champions League elimination. "Man City didn't have the answers to Real Madrid," former Man City midfielder Michael Brown said on Soccer Special. "Pep will be asked questions as to why he went so adventurous. "With Real Madrid missing so many players, did he just think he would go for it because it was their best opportunity? But to come away with a defeat like that, it was a disappointing night for City, and they now have a massive task to turn the tie around." Just four teams from 51 have qualified for the next round of a Champions League knockout game when losing the first leg by three or more goals. It's not just a massive task, it's a monumental task for City to turn the tie around, especially against the 15-time Champions League winners.Oli Yew Rosenior goalkeeper tinkering costs Chelsea Gambling with your goalkeeper has enough proof of concept now across the last few seasons to conclude it may be worth more risk than it's worth. As it happened | Teams | StatsChelsea news & transfers🔵 | Chelsea fixtures & scores A goalkeeping stable competing, unsure who is No 1, has proved to have implications on confidence. Rosenior is the latest to test the limits of the theory and at Paris Saint-Germain, the Champions of Europe, his decision backfired, resulting in a 5-2 drubbing. In a midweek where goalkeeper changes were already under scrutiny, Filip Jorgensen came in for Robert Sanchez in what was one of Chelsea's more important games of the season. After impressing against Aston Villa last week, however, the decision raised fewer eyebrows, especially given Sanchez's form. However, holding your nerve on the big stage is a real talent that takes time to cultivate. Jorgensen's howler cost Chelsea. His lax pass out of the back resulted in PSG taking a 3-2 lead. All last season's treble winners needed was an inch and they took a mile, creating a mountain for Rosenior's side to climb in the second leg.Will Bitibiri Are Villa - England's only winners - back on track? It's a ton of Aston Villa wins now for Unai Emery. This 1-0 victory in Lille was certainly not his most eye-catching but it will have been an encouraging victory for the Villa boss and an important one. His side have been searching for form, structure and confidence after a difficult recent run knocked their top-five push in the Premier League and ended their FA Cup prospects. They found all three in northern France. As it happened | Teams | StatsAston Villa news & transfers🔴⚪ | Aston Villa fixtures & scores In a hot atmosphere, they played with control and patience during a cagey first half. Ollie Watkins' excellent header on the hour will have breathed belief back into his game - although he did fluff a one-on-one opening soon after. Indeed, with Amadou Onana hitting the bar and Emi Buendia going close with a scissor-kick, Villa may feel they should have a bigger margin to take back to Villa Park. But Emery - who knows just what is required to succeed in this competition - will be buoyed by the signs the training ground time Villa have had over the previous 12 days or so has paid off. The return to action of captain John McGinn added to the feeling Villa may just be getting back on track. Ahead of a huge Premier League trip to Man Utd on Sunday - live on Sky Sports - it could be perfectly timed, too.Peter Smith When it rains, it pours for Forest Nottingham Forest fans have seen their team have 88 shots in their last four matches at the City Ground, amassing an xG of 6.44 and recording 126 touches in the opposition box. Remarkably, they have only been treated to one goal. Not even slashing the ticket prices could have softened the blow of Thursday night's defeat to FC Midtjylland for those in attendance. It was the second time this season Forest had lost at home to this opposition - and once again it was to another late goal. This time in torrential rain. Ange Postecoglou, Forest's second head coach of the season, was in charge for that game in October. His own fans chanted 'sacked in the morning' after his winless start stretched to a sixth game. Postecoglou was sacked a fortnight later. Vitor Pereira, the current boss, was met with boos after his fourth defeat in six. He may have bettered Postecoglou by winning his first game, but his record at Forest is nearly as bad. No side in Europe's top leagues has lost as many games in all competitions since he took over. As it happened | Teams | StatsEuropa League results and fixturesNottingham Forest news & transfers🔴⚪ | Nottingham Forest fixtures & scores Perhaps the most alarming issue for Pereira is that this performance against Midtjylland was all too familiar. Forest had 22 shots and more than enough opportunities to score, registering an xG of 1.7, yet once again left emptyhanded. It was a near carbon copy of the stalemate with Wolves that saw off Sean Dyche in mid-February. New manager, same problems. Surely, Forest cannot sack Pereira and reach for a fifth permanent hire of the season. When you consider all the chopping and changing at Forest it does not come as a great surprise that the players are not on the same page in the final third. Mixed messaging would be an understatement. Somehow, they need to snap this spinless streak. In a season that was meant to see Forest cement their place in the Premier League's top half, they are in danger of being relegated and could be dumped out of Europe in a week's time. When it rains, it pours for Forest.Zinny Boswell Palace slump to disappointing draw Only four English teams avoided defeat in Europe this week. Arsenal, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace. But somehow, the Eagles have walked away with the most disappointing result. Arsenal and Newcastle drew to strong opposition in in Bayer Leverkusen and Barcelona. Villa picked up a crucial away win. Even those who lost did so against tough opponents, two of those being Real Madrid and PSG. As it happened | Teams | StatsCrystal Palace news & transfers🔴⚪ | Crystal Palace fixtures & scores Yet, people would've been backing Palace to put in a strong showing as the gulf in class on paper between them and Larnaca was as big as any two teams in Europe this week. Regardless of the fact that Larnaca did beat Palace earlier in the competition, this was a chance to exact revenge. But if anything, this was poorer because that added motivation wasn't even remotely on display. People talk about players not playing for their manager. That has never been the case under Glasner. It probably isn't the case now. However, the dramatic end to his tenure is clearly impacting these players and it just feels like they are walking in slow motion towards the end of this chapter in the club's history.Callum Bishop

A metal battering ram known as "the big red key" was the first thing to enter their premises, followed by the scream of "Police!", and officers with helmets and shields. This was a punch into the organised distribution of class A drugs known as "county lines", described as "one of our most exploitative criminal models" by the man who co-ordinated this UK-wide crackdown. A total of 2,180 people were arrested but there were also nearly 800 children discovered who needed to be safeguarded; many are thought to have been exploited into selling drugs on the UK's streets. Sky News joined Hampshire Constabulary, along with their secret weapon, a police dog called Major, who can sniff out traces of cocaine and heroin even in a flat that reeked of cat faeces and weed. After watching her door being smashed open, a woman was led away in handcuffs and at first glance around the neglected property there seemed little trace of the criminal gang police suspected of using it as a base to prepare and distribute drugs. That was until a handgun was found in a drawer under the TV, one of 121 seized across the county, along with a bayonet and a machete. There was a set of scales for weighing drugs and, on the floor, a driving licence covered in white powder belonging to an Iranian man with a London address. Evidence was bagged up and intelligence shared with officers in London. This intensive week of action, happening in forces across the country, is designed to act as a disruptive shock to organised criminals in the drug-dealing business. Bodycam footage from other forces showed the discovery of cannabis farms, blocks of cocaine, large wads of money and on a raid in South Wales, a man trying to escape from his upstairs window wearing only his underpants. Police also seized swords, a crossbow, a gold bar, a gold suitcase and gold teeth. However, this nationwide week of action is one of many co-ordinated drugs busts that have gone before it - and the figures for arrests and the number of county lines closed, this time 335 across the UK, are remarkably similar to the numbers in previous operations. Despite seizing 10,500 wraps of class A drugs, 15,000 cannabis plants and £1.5m in cash, there is a question over whether it makes much of a dent in this industry. The key feature of county lines drug dealing is the use of dedicated and marketed deal phone lines, mostly for the supply of crack cocaine and heroin to addicts and often hand prepared and delivered by exploited children. According to the National County Lines Coordination Centre the number of lines each year across the UK has risen, from 4,503 in 2020/21 to 6,544 in 2024/25, driven by an increased number of local lines being opened - lines that do not cross police borders. However, with the increased threat of prosecution under modern slavery legislation, the number of children recorded as being used by these gangs has fallen, down 8% last year to 2,659. That runs alongside a drop in recorded knife crime and there was a 25% drop in hospital admissions for stabbings in the areas where large quantities of class A drugs originate. Read more from Sky News:UK's deadliest mass shooting 'still haunts many'Lab-grown foie gras and chicken get safety checks for UK dinner tables Paul Brogden, the Metropolitan Police commander who co-ordinated the week of action, told Sky News that county lines is stiil "one of our most exploitative criminal models, it's men of violence and also getting children drawn into really awkward and difficult situations in terms of drug dealing". But there are encouraging signs, he said, such as "seeing the age at which children are involved in county lines go gradually up". "Levels of violence associated with county lines is down, homicide rates are down, gun offending is down, so these are some impacts of the county lines programme beyond just closure of drug dealing lines," he added. These are all promising trends, and this will have been a bad week for some bad people - but where lines have been disrupted, it's likely more will reopen. It's a cycle of addiction and violence that is hard to break. What's more, criminals continue to evolve. Last year, there were only 89 social media lines reported; this year, that figure increased to 429.

It's about one thing only: Fashion. The world's most famous catwalk, it has the power to take a celebrity's style moment and elevate it into historical popular culture. So, as we get ready for the 2026 Academy Awards on Sunday, we're celebrating the red-carpet risk-takers and most memorable Oscar looks over the years.

John Healey also signalled that British forces needed to be ready in coordination with allies to evacuate UK nationals from the Middle East if the US and Israeli war with Iran worsens. He said he had spoken to his counterparts in the so-called E5 group of European powers, which includes Germany, France, Italy and Poland, on Wednesday to discuss the crisis. On the threat to oil tankers in the Gulf, the senior cabinet minister said the best way to unblock the vital waterway would be an end to the war between the US, Israel and Iran. Iran war latest: follow live However, as conflict rages and with tankers ablaze, he said he has asked his military planners to look at what the UK could offer alongside other nations to protect commercial tankers needing to pass through the Strait from attacks by Iranian drones, mines and missiles. This could include autonomous vessels that can counter mines. In addition, the British military has personnel based at a headquarters in Bahrain with expertise in commanding maritime security operations. The UK is already sending HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer, with significant air defence capabilities, to bolster its defences in the region. This ship could also potentially be an option if there is a move to protect shipping. Read more:US Navy to escort oil tankers through Strait of HormuzWhat we know about the deadly Iran school strike "Recognising the huge impact this potentially has on oil prices and the cost of living, there is an international imperative to try and see this resolved," Mr Healey said, referring to the disruption to the flow of tankers carrying oil and gas through the Strait. "I have - pre-positioned in the region - some autonomous mine hunting systems," the defence secretary told reporters, speaking after meeting with commanders at the permanent joint headquarters, PJHQ, in Northwood, in northwest London, which is the main headquarters overseeing British military operations around the world. "I have been talking to planners today about additional options we can bring to bear alongside allies should it be needed." However, Mr Healey stressed that this work was "early days". "You should not read into that that we have got some hard options poised to go. But… I am discussing additional options with our planners." Mr Healey said he had spoken with E5 defence ministers about greater coordination in the Eastern Mediterranean. He signalled this could also mean in any future evacuation efforts. "If this conflict worsens, we have to be ready should evacuations be required," he told commanders. The UK has placed RFA Lyme Bay, a vast support ship, on heightened readiness to deploy, in a sign of the kind of assets being readied. However, the options to assist in defending shipping through the Strait of Hormuz or conducting evacuations are more limited than they have been in the past following defence cuts. A decade ago, the Royal Navy had at least one major warship operating out of Bahrain and up to four minehunters - each one a large, crewed ship - as well as a huge support vessel. Today, there are no warships based out of Bahrain, with the last crewed minehunter, HMS Middleton, sent back to the UK for maintenance. It means the UK could only contribute to an effort to protect shipping in the Gulf alongside allies like the US and France.

Maverick McNealy set the initial clubhouse target after an opening-round 67 at the PGA Tour's flagship event, where play was halted for 20 minutes mid-round due to dangerous weather. Straka posted five birdies in his bogey-free start and Lee Hodges made four birdies in a six-hole stretch to also get to five under, with Theegala making it a four-way tie for the clubhouse lead having made a three-birdie start to his round. The Players LIVE! Latest news, updates, highlightsWhen is The Players on Sky Sports? Key TV timesGot Sky? Watch the PGA Tour on the Sky Sports app 📱Not got Sky? Stream golf and more with no contract 📺 Austin Smotherman also reached five under with one hole remaining when play was suspended at 7.37pm local time (11.37pm UK) due to darkness, with the American facing a 15-foot birdie putt for the outright lead when he returns on Friday morning. Former Players champion Justin Thomas birdied three of his last five holes to get within one of the lead, with Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Åberg and Xander Schauffele all in the logjam two off the pace. World No 1 Scottie Scheffler carded a level-par 72 as he looks to win the event for a third time in four years, as McIlroy - who only arrived on Wednesday afternoon due to a back issue and entered without a practice round - registered just one birdie in a two-over 74. "I don't feel like I'm that far away," McIlroy said. "No one went really low this afternoon, which I expected them to, just because the conditions were pretty benign. If I can go out and shoot a good one tomorrow, I feel like I'll be right in it for the weekend." McIlroy struggles after making late decision to play The defending champion said he was going to make a 'game-time decision' on whether to tee it up, having received daily treatment in the days leading up to the event and not hitting any club longer than a six-iron from his early exit at Bay Hill over the weekend until his warm-up on Thursday. McIlroy opened with three-straight pars before following back-to-back bogeys from the fourth with with a stunning approach from a fairway bunker into the par-four sixth, setting up a close-range birdie on his way to a front-nine 37. He bogeyed the par-five 11th after finding trees off the tee and then pitching out into thick rough, with McIlroy overcoming waywardness off the tee at the 12th to save par and avoid falling further behind. McIlroy produced an impressive up and down at the par-four 15th to prevent another bogey, having found a tough lie in the fairway bunker, then pulled his approach to the 16th, made a two-putt par at the 17th and scrambled a par up the last. "I would say the most discomfort was when the ball was below my feet or with chipping, getting down a little bit to it," McIlroy said. "Honestly, overall it was fine. Got a little bit tired at the end of the day, but yeah, it was actually all pretty good." Bunched leaderboard after opening day McNealy mixed six birdies with a lone bogey and was the pick of the morning starters, where scoring was a shot worse than the afternoon wave, while Straka grabbed his share of the lead after chipping in from off the par-five 16th green. Straka got up and down from the fairway to save par at the last and remain at five under, as Hodges birdied the same hole to share top spot, while Theegala's round was boosted with a hole-out eagle at the par-four 12th. Smotherman was one of four players who will return at 8.50am local time (12.50pm UK) to complete their opening round, having initially considered stopping earlier, prior to his third shot into the final hole. "Do I wish I hit the chip in the morning as well? Went back and forth," Smotherman said. "The fact I was even questioning it, I probably should have maybe backed off. I just hit it a little heavy and luckily it tumbled." Thomas is joined on four under by compatriots Cam Young, Russell Henley and Taylor Moore, while Tony Finau is within two of the lead despite carding five bogeys in his opening-round 69. A congested leaderboard sees 29 players within four strokes of the lead, with Scheffler - switching back to his old driver after trialling a different model last week - needing a final-hole birdie to avoid an over-par start. Who will win The Players? Watch throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Friday from 11.30am on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.