Latest developments in Middle East war

Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:

Trump awaits Iran response

United States President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday evening that he was expecting Iran’s response to his latest proposal on a deal to ending the Middle East war by “tonight.”

Kharg oil slick

Satellite images appeared to show an oil slick spreading off the coast of Iran’s Kharg Island, a key oil export terminal for the Islamic republic.

The Conflict and Environment Observatory, a non-governmental organisation, said on X that the “original source remains unclear, meanwhile it’s drifting south and seems unlikely to be addressed appropriately.”

Qatar PM meets Vance, calls for Iran talks

Qatar’s prime minister called on Friday for renewed diplomacy on an agreement with Iran as he met in Washington with Vice President JD Vance.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met with Vance and discussed Pakistani-led efforts to broker a permanent peace amid a shaky ceasefire.

Hezbollah strikes

Hezbollah said it launched missiles and drones at military bases in Israel in retaliation for a recent attack on Beirut and ongoing strikes in the south, where Lebanese authorities reported 11 people killed on Friday.

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 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 were seeking 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 strategic 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.

Trump announces 3-day ceasefire in Russia-Ukraine war

“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.”

‘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 (UAE) on Friday said an Iranian missile and drone attack on the country had resulted in three moderate injuries.