Trump demands help to reopen Hormuz; Key oil port hit again

Thank you for reading the blog. That’s all from here for tonight. We’ll be back after midnight with another Need to Know blog with live coverage of the conflict in the Middle East.

• The crucial UAE port of Fujairah has been attacked for the second time in recent days, halting oil loading.
• The European Union is considering assisting the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Donald Trump asked other countries for help. Iran has effectively blockaded the strait, causing oil prices to surge.
• The Iranian women’s soccer team is set to fly out of Malaysia after a fifth member of the team changed her mind after seeking asylum in Australia, returning to the team.
• Transport Minister Catherine King says Australia “won’t be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz”.
• US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Sunday (Monday AEDT) that he expects the US war with Iran to end within “the next few weeks”.

• The International Energy Agency says emergency stocks of oil “will be made available starting from the end of March”.

• Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has denied US President Donald Trump’s claim that Iran asked for a ceasefire.