The US military is currently "not ready" to escort tankers through the critical Strait of Hormuz because all its assets are focused on striking Iran, Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Thursday.

Wright's comments came as an attack on two oil tankers off Iraq killed at least one person, and oil prices briefly soared past $100.

Since launching the war on Iran, US President Donald Trump has sought to calm the markets by offering US Navy escorts for oil tankers and reinsurance facilities for shipping companies -- but no escorts have so far taken place.

Eight Islamic and Arab countries on Thursday condemned Israel for keeping Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem closed during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Israel has shut all holy sites in east Jerusalem's Old City for security reasons after it began airstrikes with the United States against Iran that have sparked a regional war.

The closure coincides with Ramadan, when tens of thousands of Palestinian Muslims would normally pray every Friday at the mosque -- the third holiest site in Islam.

Tens of thousands have fled the Gulf to escape the Middle East war, but Bangladeshi migrant workers say they have little choice but to return to earn a living.

At Dhaka airport, lines of workers hugged family members and said tearful goodbyes before boarding flights back to their jobs abroad.

"It's natural to be scared, to feel sad as I am going back," said Mohammed Sakib, 28, flying to Saudi Arabia, leaving his new wife and extended family behind.

"Who knows what might happen?"

LONDON, March 12 (Reuters) - The war in the Middle East is creating the biggest oil supply disruption in the history of the global market, the International Energy Agency said on Thursday, a day after the agency agreed to release a record volume of oil from strategic stockpiles.

Middle East Gulf countries have cut total oil production by at least 10 million bpd - a volume equal to almost 10% of world demand - as a result of the conflict, the agency said in its latest monthly oil market report. Without a rapid restart of shipping flows, these losses are set to increase, IEA said.

ROME, March 12 (Reuters) - An Italian military base in Iraqi Kurdistan was struck by a missile overnight though no injuries were reported, the Italian defence ministry said on Thursday.

"A missile hit our base in Erbil. There are no casualties or injuries among the Italian personnel. They are all fine," the ministry said on X shortly after midnight on Thursday.

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has been in constant contact with senior military commanders over the incident, the ministry added.

Torn between hope and fear, a Tehran resident in her 30s agrees to share her thoughts with AFP about the ongoing war and daily life.

We are withholding her identity for her protection. Here is an edited transcript of the conversation:

- How is daily life in Tehran? -

People left in waves, especially those who were next to targets.

President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States had heavily bombed military targets on Iran's oil hub Kharg Island and the US Navy would soon begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

Several top Iranian officials joined a defiant pro-government rally in Tehran, meanwhile, marching alongside demonstrators waving banners reading "Death to America" and "Death to Israel."

As the United States intensified its bombing of Iran, Tehran launched a new wave of drone and missile attacks on Israel and its Gulf neighbours.

JAKARTA, March 12 (Reuters) - Indonesia and Australia are planning to expand their security cooperation to include Japan and Papua New Guinea, Jakarta's Defence Minister said on Thursday after a meeting with his Australian counterpart.

Three crew members believed to be trapped aboard a Thai bulk carrier hit by projectiles while travelling through the crucial Strait of Hormuz were yet to be rescued on Thursday, the vessel's owner said.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday they had struck the Thai-registered Mayuree Naree, as well as a Liberia-flagged vessel, in the strait because the ships had ignored "warnings".

The Thai ship was struck Wednesday morning while transiting through the Gulf waterway, after departing Khalifa port in the United Arab Emirates.

Filipino sailor George Miranda was racing to help a stricken vessel aboard the tugboat Mussafah 2 when he last spoke to his wife and young daughter.

The 46-year-old, whose small ship was struck by a pair of missiles this week in the Strait of Hormuz, is the only seafarer from the Philippines known to be missing in the Middle East war, the government says.