Smoke rises above Bahrain international airport and oil prices surge to $100 a barrel as Iran launches fresh attacks: Live updates

Plumes of smoke have been seen rising near Bahrain airport today as oil prices surge to to $100 a barrel following Iranian attacks on ships in the Gulf overnight.

A video has emerged online showing smoke near the major airport as droves of travellers can be seen rushing towards the doors.

The cost of Brent crude rose by 9 per cent in Asia this morning to $100 (£74.79) a barrel hours after 32 countries agreed to release 400 million of barrels in the biggest move of its kind.

It comes as two oil tankers were set ablaze in Iraqi waters killing at least one crew member, while another ship was attacked off the Dubai port of Jebel Ali.

Iran yesterday warned the price of oil would hit $200 per barrel after three commercial vessels were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway which usually carries around a fifth of the worlds oil.

US President Donald Trump last night vowed to protect Hormuz insisting the world is going to see great safety and it is going to be very, very quickly.

Follow the latest updates on the US-Israel war with Iran

06:20

Moment oil tankers erupt into flames after being struck by explosive-filled Iranian boats

By Sam Lawley

This is the moment oil tankers erupt into flames after being struck by explosive-filled Iranian boats.

Iran's campaign to restrict the world oil supply has seen it block the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway and allegedly lay down mines to target commercial vessels.

And the Middle Eastern country on Wednesday warned the world to prepare for oil to hit $200 a barrel, after it attacked three cargo ships in the Strait.

Footage has now been released of an Iranian strike and sees a huge orange flash in the middle of the water, followed by rapidly spreading flames.

A faint outline of a ship can be made out, lit red by the growing inferno, with clouds of black smoke billowing into the night sky.

The oil fire continues to swell as more of the vessel is set ablaze, with flames reaching hundreds of feet into the air in a short time.

The boat was one of several ships carrying Iraqi oil supplies hit by the country's Middle East neighbour on Wednesday.

The Iranian attack saw one crew member killed and triggered a rapid response from Iraqi authorities.

Moment oil tankers erupt into flames after being hit by Iranian boats

Iran's campaign to restrict the world oil supply has seen it block the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway and allegedly lay down mines to target commercial vessels.

06:19