War in the Middle East: latest developments
The latest developments in the Middle East war:
- US jet fires on tankers -
US forces fired on and disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers that tried to violate the American blockade of Iran's ports, the US military said Friday.
A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet "disabled both tankers after firing precision munitions into their smokestacks, preventing the non-compliant ships from entering Iran," US Central Command said in a post on X that included footage of the strikes.
US forces have now forcibly halted four ships they said sought to violate the blockade, in place since April 13.
- 'Europe to share Iran burden' -
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Europeans to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.
"The world has to start asking itself, what is it willing to do if Iran tries to normalise a control of an international waterway? I think that's unacceptable," he said after meeting Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.
"If one of the main reasons why the US is in NATO is the ability to have forces deployed in Europe that we could project to other contingencies, and now that's no longer the case, at least when it comes to some NATO members, that's a problem, and it has to be examined," he added.
- Hormuz control like 'atomic bomb' -
"The Strait of Hormuz represents an opportunity as precious as an atomic bomb," said Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader.
"Indeed, having in one's hands a position that allows you to influence the global economy with a single decision is a major opportunity."
- Qatar PM to meet Vance -
The prime minister of Qatar, a key intermediary, was in Washington Friday to meet Vice President JD Vance to discuss Iran, a source familiar with the matter said.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani plans to speak to Vance about "US-Qatar relations and the situation in Iran, with a focus on LNG markets and regional stability", the source said on condition of anonymity.
- Hezbollah targets Israel bases -
Hezbollah on Friday said it launched missiles at a military base in northern Israel in retaliation for Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs, despite a truce.
The group said it targeted a base south of the Israeli city of Nahariya.
Meanwhile, an Israeli strike on south Lebanon killed a member of Lebanon's civil defence, the rescue organisation said.
- 'Saudi banned US use of bases' -
Saudi Arabia prohibited the United States from using its airspace and bases on its territory to launch operations for its brief bid to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, two Saudi sources told AFP on Friday.
But the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, said Washington's access to Saudi airspace and bases would continue for other uses.
- EU bans fuel surcharges -
The European Union said on Friday that airlines must not charge customers extra fuel fees after they have already bought tickets, as aviation fuel costs soar amidst fears of shortages because of the Middle East war.
The EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) meanwhile cleared the way for the use of Jet A, a US-produced aviation fuel only used in Europe for return flights from the United States.
- UAE reports new Iran attack -
The United Arab Emirates on Friday said an Iranian missile and drone attack on the country had resulted in three moderate injuries.
