Middle East Latest: US jets disable Iranian tankers

Paris – The latest developments in the Middle East war:

US jets fire on Iranian-flagged tankers 

US forces fired on and disabled two Iranian-flagged tankers that attempted to violate the American blockade of Iran’s ports, the US military said on 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.

Iranian media reports new clashes with US 

Iranian media reported fresh “sporadic clashes” with US naval forces in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, following a flare-up the night before.

“For the last hour, sporadic clashes have taken place between the Iranian armed forces and American vessels in the Strait of Hormuz,” the Fars news agency said.

An Iranian official said on Friday that US attacks overnight in and near the Strait of Hormuz struck an Iranian cargo vessel, leaving five crew missing and wounding 10.

US awaits Iran response to peace deal offer 

The United States was awaiting Iran’s response to its latest proposed peace deal on Friday, after both sides accused the other of triggering an overnight clash that rattled markets and revived fears of a return to fighting.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a response was expected on Friday but that Iran must not control the Strait of Hormuz, where the flare-up took place. “Iran now claims that they own, that they have a right to control, an international waterway… That’s an unacceptable thing that they’re trying to normalise,” Rubio said.

Hezbollah says Israeli bases targeted 

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.

In a statement, the group said it targeted a base south of the Israeli city of Nahariya. The Israeli military had said earlier that sirens sounded in several northern cities.

Meanwhile, an Israeli strike on south Lebanon killed a member of Lebanon’s civil defence, the rescue organisation said.

Source says Saudi Arabia banned US use of bases, airspace 

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.

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly said it will not allow its territory and airspace to be used to attack Iran.

EU bans fuel surcharges but may use US jet fuel amid shortage fears 

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. In new recommendations, EASA said: “A potential introduction of Jet A in Europe or in other parts of the world would not generate safety concerns provided that its introduction is properly managed.”

UAE reports new Iran attack 

The United Arab Emirates on Friday said an Iranian missile and drone attack on the country resulted in three moderate injuries.

“The UAE air defence systems engaged 2 ballistic missiles and 3 UAVs launched from Iran, resulting in 3 moderate injuries,” the defence ministry said on X.

Iran creates agency to collect Hormuz tolls: report 

Iran has created an authority to approve transit through the Strait of Hormuz and to collect tolls from vessels, a shipping journal said Friday, even as Washington pushed for a deal to reopen the strategic waterway that Tehran has closed.