- Qom bridge hit -

The United States and Israel launched an attack on a bridge near the Iranian city of Qom, south of Tehran, the deputy governor of the province said, according to state TV.

The reported attack came hours ahead of a deadline imposed by US President Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face the destruction of its bridges and energy plants.

- Trains cancelled -

Train travel to and from Iran's second city of Mashhad was cancelled until further notice after Israel warned Iranians not to use railways until 1730 GMT, local media reported, citing the governor.

- Istanbul shootout -

One gunman was killed and two others were wounded in a shootout with police outside the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, the local governor said, adding two officers were lightly wounded.

There was no immediate link made with the war in the Middle East, but Israeli and US diplomatic missions in the region and elsewhere are on heightened alert for any attacks against them.

- Avert 'tragedy', Iran urges -

Iran's ambassador to Kuwait urged Gulf states to find a way to avert a "tragedy" as the clock ticked down on Trump's deadline.

Iran has vowed to retaliate with strikes against infrastructure across the region if its own is destroyed.

Meanwhile, Iran's ambassador to Pakistan said efforts to end the war were approaching a "critical" stage.

- Blasts in Tehran -

An AFP journalist in Tehran heard a series of blasts coming from the north of the city, without being able to determine what was hit.

Local Iranian media reported that explosions rocked the capital and that 18 people, including two children, were killed in strikes in the Alborz province neighbouring Tehran.

Due to reporting restrictions, AFP is not able to independently verify tolls in Iran.

- Iran synagogue destroyed -

US-Israeli strikes early Tuesday "completely destroyed" the Rafi-Nia synagogue in Tehran, local media reported.

Iran has a small Jewish community, with the majority having fled in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic revolution.

- Iraqi fighter killed -

A strike killed a fighter from the former paramilitary coalition Hashed al-Shaabi, or Popular Mobilisation Forces, in Iraq near the border with Syria, the alliance said, blaming the United States and Israel.

- Bridge closed -

Traffic across King Fahd Bridge, a major artery connecting Saudi Arabia and the island nation of Bahrain, was temporarily closed as a precaution, authorities said, following the issuance of security alerts in the area.

- Saudi petrochemical complex -

Overnight attacks on Saudi Arabia hit a petrochemical complex in an industrial area in the eastern city of Jubail, a witness who requested anonymity told AFP, hours after similar installations in Iran were struck.

Earlier, the Saudi defence ministry said air defences intercepted and destroyed seven ballistic missiles launched toward the country's east.

- Hormuz vote at the UN -

The UN Security Council is to vote Tuesday for a resolution addressing Iran's threats to the Strait of Hormuz, diplomatic sources told AFP.

The latest draft, seen by AFP, demands Iran end attacks on commercial vessels and halt "any attempt to impede transit passage or freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz".

Tehran has virtually closed the key waterway since US-Israeli strikes targeting Iran on February 28, sending global oil and gas prices soaring.

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