The Middle East enters a new war phase as Saudi Arabia intercepts attacks. Also, Iran is getting intelligence from Russia and launched a broad-scale strike. Iran rejected Trump’s succession remarks. On the other hand, the US is planning to boost weapons production. The global crude oil price is also increasing rapidly. Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war as of Friday:
Saudi Arabia intercepts attacks
Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted a ballistic missile fired at one of its air bases, while state media reported that a drone attack targeting an oil field near the border with the United Arab Emirates had also been thwarted.
The world’s largest oil exporter earlier reported at least two drone strikes this week targeting the Ras Tanura refinery in eastern Saudi Arabia.
Russia feeding Iran intelligence
The White House played down a report that Russia is assisting Iran in targeting US forces in the Middle East. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told 60 Minutes that American commanders were fully aware of the situation.
The Washington Post reported that Russia had supplied Iran with the locations of US military assets, including ships and aircraft.
Israel launches ‘broad-scale’ strikes
The Israel Defence Forces said it had launched a “broad-scale wave of strikes” on targets in Tehran, while Iranian state television reported an explosion in the western part of the capital.
The Israeli military also detected a new barrage of Iranian missiles headed towards Israel after explosions were heard in the commercial hub of Tel Aviv.
Iran rejects Trump’s succession remarks
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, condemned US interference after President Donald Trump said he should be involved in selecting the successor to slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
Iravani said Iran’s leadership would be determined strictly through constitutional procedures without foreign involvement.
US to boost weapons production
Trump said major US defence companies had agreed to quadruple production of advanced weapons during the seventh day of the war with Iran.
The US military said it had struck more than 3,000 targets during the first week of the conflict.
Oil prices surge
Global crude prices jumped amid fears that the conflict could disrupt energy supplies. The benchmark Brent crude rose to $92.69 per barrel, gaining 8.5 per cent in a single day and nearly 30 per cent over the week.
Rockets strike Baghdad airport complex
Rockets targeted the airport complex in Baghdad, which hosts a military base and a US diplomatic facility.
A group calling itself Saraya Awliyaa al-Dam claimed responsibility, saying the attack was carried out as part of the Tehran-backed Islamic Resistance in Iraq.
Trump to attend return of fallen troops
Trump said he would attend the arrival of the remains of six US soldiers killed in an Iranian drone attack on a base in Kuwait — the first American deaths in the war.
The troops were killed when a drone struck a US command centre in Port Shuaiba.
UN peacekeepers wounded in Lebanon
Several Ghanaian members of a UN peacekeeping force were wounded after their base in southern Lebanon was hit, according to state media.
Israel has been carrying out strikes in southern Lebanon as part of its conflict with the Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Trump demands ‘unconditional surrender’
Trump called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender”, saying it was the only acceptable outcome to end the war. He also promised to help rebuild Iran’s economy if it complied.
UN chief condemns ‘unlawful attacks’
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticised what he described as “unlawful attacks” across the Middle East and warned that the conflict risked spiralling out of control and damaging the global economy.
Shipping through Hormuz collapses
Only nine commercial vessels have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since Monday, according to data from MarineTraffic analysed by AFP.
Around 20 per cent of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally transits the strategic waterway.
France deploys helicopter carrier
France has deployed a helicopter carrier to the Mediterranean in response to the war, according to the French military.
Paris had already announced earlier this week that it would send its flagship aircraft carrier and a frigate to the region.
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