BANGKOK, March 11 (Reuters) - Twenty crew have been rescued from a Thai ship hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz but three crew remain missing, Thailand's Transport Ministry said on Wednesday.

The ministry said the crew had abandoned the vessel in a lifeboat and were rescued by the Omani navy. It said an explosion occurred in the stern of the ship and caused a fire in the engine compartment, where the remaining three crew members had been working.

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by David Stanway)

By Angelo Amante and Giuseppe Fonte

ROME, March 11 (Reuters) - Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday delivered her strongest criticism yet of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, describing it as part of a growing and dangerous trend of interventions "outside the scope of international law".

The International Energy Agency said on Wednesday its member countries would unlock 400 million barrels of oil from their reserves to ease the impact of the Middle East war, the biggest such release ever.

The coordinated release was the sixth in the history of the organisation, which was created to coordinate responses to major supply disruptions after the 1973 oil crisis.

BEIJING, March 11 (Reuters) - China "does not agree" with attacks on Gulf states and condemns all indiscriminate attacks on civilians and non-military targets, said Guo Jiakun, spokesperson at the Chinese foreign ministry, at a regular press conference on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo and Ethan Wang; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)

Airlines in the Asia-Pacific region, including Qantas, Air India and Cathay Pacific, have hiked fares -- or will soon -- to factor in surging jet fuel prices spurred by war in the Mideast.

The average world price of aviation fuel reached $173.91 a barrel on Monday, according to the benchmark Platts index, nearly double the levels of January and well above crude oil.

This is explained by refining costs, but also by the fact that kerosene is a lower priority than petrol or diesel, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

By Bo Erickson

HEBRON, Kentucky, March 11 (Reuters) - Twelve days into the Iran war, U.S. President Donald Trump is refocusing on domestic issues, traveling to Kentucky on Wednesday to promote his economic plans as Republicans urge him to address rising concern over the cost of living.

MOSCOW, March 11 (Reuters) - Russia is constantly in touch with the Iranian leadership and willing to contribute to efforts to stabilise the region, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

"Here I can only say that we are in constant contact with the Iranian side and with the Iranian leadership," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"As President (Vladimir) Putin has said, Russia is always ready to do what it can to restore peace and stability in the region."

VATICAN CITY, March 11 (Reuters) - Pope Leo on Wednesday lamented the death of numerous civilians in the ongoing Iran war and also expressed closeness to people in Lebanon, saying the country, targeted by Israeli strikes, was going through a "great trial."

Leo, the first U.S. pope, called on pilgrims in his weekly audience in St. Peter's Square to pray for peace.

"Let us continue to pray for peace in Iran, and throughout the Middle East, especially for the many civilian victims, including many innocent children," said the pontiff.

A Thai bulk carrier travelling in the crucial Strait of Hormuz was attacked Wednesday, with 20 crew members rescued so far, the Thai navy said.

Photos shared by the Royal Thai Navy showed heavy black smoke billowing from the hull and superstructure of the Thai-registered Mayuree Naree, with life rafts floating in the water.

The vessel "was attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz" after departing Khalifa port in the United Arab Emirates, the navy said in a statement.

"The specific details and cause of the attack are currently under investigation," it added.

DUBAI, March 11 (Reuters) - Two drones came down in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) on Wednesday, injuring four people, Dubai's media office said, as attacks on infrastructure across the Gulf continued on the 12th day of the Irancrisis, which has caused widespread disruption to global air traffic.

"Authorities confirm that two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) a short while ago," the media office posted on X, adding that air traffic is operating as normal.