War in the Middle East: latest developments
Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:
- Blasts in Tehran -
Warplanes could be heard overhead in northern districts of Tehran, shortly before three loud explosions rang out, an AFP correspondent in the Iranian capital said.
The blasts were heard after dark, during rain, and it was not immediately possible to identify what had been hit.
- Iraq condemns targeting Gulf, Jordan -
Iraq condemned the targeting of the Gulf states and Jordan, a day after these countries issued a joint statement demanding Baghdad act to prevent attacks from its territory.
An Iraqi foreign ministry statement "affirms the government's categorical condemnation" of any such aggression, adding that it was prepared to "work jointly to address them (attacks) responsibly and swiftly".
- Taking control of Iran oil an 'option' -
US President Donald Trump said taking control of Iran's oil was an "option", comparing it to the deal Washington made with Venezuela after toppling Nicolas Maduro.
"It's an option," Trump told reporters at a cabinet meeting, saying that the United States had done "very well" with Venezuela's reserves.
- Trump claims tanker 'present' -
Iran allowed 10 oil tankers to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz as a "present" to show it was serious about negotiations to end the war, US President Donald Trump said.
Referring to cryptic comments earlier this week about a "gift" from Tehran, Trump said Iran allowed eight "big boats of oil" to transit the waterway earlier this week, followed by two others later on.
- Lebanon UN complaint -
Lebanon will file a complaint with the UN Security Council over Israel's attacks in the country, the prime minister said, as Israel continues to strike as part of a campaign against Hezbollah.
- 'Extremely' ahead of schedule -
Trump said US military operations against Iran were "extremely" ahead of schedule, citing an original timeframe of four to six weeks for the war that began nearly a month ago.
"We estimated it would take approximately four to six weeks to achieve our mission. Twenty-six days in we're extremely, really, a lot ahead of schedule," Trump told his first cabinet meeting since the start of the conflict.
- Witkoff touts 'strong signs' -
US envoy Steve Witkoff said there were "strong signs" Iran could be convinced to make a peace deal, confirming that Washington had passed a 15-point plan to Tehran through mediator Pakistan.
- 'Repay loyalty with loyalty' -
Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi movement, warned of a "military response" should the Middle East war require it.
"As the people of Yemen, we repay loyalty with loyalty," the Houthi leader said. The Houthis, a key part of Iran's so-called "axis of resistance", have so far refrained from joining the war.
- Iran answers US proposal -
Iran has responded through unnamed intermediaries to a 15-point US plan to end the war and is now awaiting Washington's reply, the Tasnim news agency said.
The exact contents of the US plan, conveyed to Iran via Pakistan according to Pakistani officials, are not officially known.
- 'Kill Americans' -
The EU accused Russia of providing intelligence support to Iran in the Middle East war to "kill Americans", calling on the United States to increase pressure on Moscow.
"We see that Russia is helping Iran with intelligence to target Americans, to kill Americans, and Russia is also supporting Iran now with the drones so that they can attack neighbouring countries and also US military bases," the European Union's top diplomate Kaja Kallas said.
- Five killed in Lebanon -
Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed at least five people, Lebanese state media said, as Hezbollah militants claimed they had staged a new wave of attacks on Israel.
The Israeli military announced, meanwhile, the killing of a soldier in fighting in south Lebanon, raising to three the total number of troops killed since Hezbollah drew Lebanon into war with Israel.
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