Iran's military has warned US forces not to enter the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump said the United States would start helping to free ships stranded in the Gulf by the US-Israeli war ⁠on Iran.

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris is to discuss the economic impact of the ongoing war in the Middle East at a two-day summit of EU finance ministers, which begins later today.

Such is the electoral kicking the UK Prime Minister and his Labour Party is expected to receive on Thursday night that it has attracted its own nickname: "Starmergeddon".

The Taoiseach has welcomed a US plan to escort ships from the Strait of Hormuz.

Dutch authorities will attempt to repatriate two sick people from a cruise ship battling a suspected outbreak of hantavirus that has already claimed three lives, the vessel's operator has said.