Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:
Iran warns UAE
Iran’s military warned the United Arab Emirates on Saturday against allowing attacks from its territory on two disputed islands in the Gulf, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The Abu Musa and the Greater Tunb islands, which are controlled by Iran but claimed by the UAE, have long been a source of dispute between the two countries.
Arab nations slam Israel on Syria
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry condemned on Saturday Israel’s strikes on Syrian army camps as “aggression”, joining other Arab nations and Turkey in calling on the international community to intervene.
The Turkish foreign ministry earlier called the Israeli attack “a dangerous escalation” that must be stopped, while Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait all joined in condemning the Israeli strikes.
Iran’s Hormuz offer to Japan
Iran is willing to help Japanese ships sail the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global fuel supplies, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Kyodo News in an interview published on Saturday.
In the telephone interview conducted on Friday, Araghchi denied closing the passageway, saying instead that countries attacking Iran face restrictions while others were being offered assistance.
He added that Iran was prepared to ensure safe passage for Japan.
Israel strikes Tehran
The Israeli military said it launched strikes on “regime targets” in Tehran early Saturday.
The military earlier said it had “identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel” at least three times within six hours.
Iran targets Indian Ocean base
Iran recently fired two ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing US officials.
Neither missile hit the target, which is around 4,000 kilometres (2,500 miles) from Iranian territory, but the launch suggests that Tehran has missiles with longer ranges than previously thought, the report said.
Contacted by AFP, the Pentagon declined to comment.
Israel strikes Lebanon
The Israeli military said it launched a wave of strikes on Lebanon’s capital Beirut early Saturday targeting the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, after urging residents of several areas to evacuate.
Lebanese state media said an Israeli air strike hit a house in a southern town, killing one person and wounding two others.
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Saudi Arabia intercepts more drones
The Saudi defence ministry said it had intercepted dozens of drones overnight in the country’s east.
Neighbouring Kuwait’s military said its air defence systems were responding to a missile and drone attack on Saturday.
US eases Iran oil sanctions
The US Treasury temporarily lifted sanctions on Iranian oil already loaded onto vessels, allowing deliveries until April 19.
It follows the easing of sanctions for Russian oil already at sea, as Washington seeks to stem a global supply crunch caused by the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Iran said earlier it had “no surplus crude oil” to offer to international markets, after the US Treasury chief previewed the temporary lifting of sanctions.
War ‘winding down’?
US President Donald Trump said Friday that he was considering “winding down” military operations against Iran and that the Strait of Hormuz would need to be “guarded and policed” by other countries which use the vital waterway.
But he ruled out reaching a ceasefire agreement with Iran.
Britain OKs base use
Britain has authorised the use of its bases by the United States to strike Iranian sites threatening the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, the government said.
Since the war began on February 28, Britain has let US forces use two bases for defensive operations and has deployed air assets to support allies targeted by Tehran’s regional retaliatory campaign, prompting criticism from Trump.
More US Marines?
The United States is deploying additional Marines to the Middle East, US media reported, possibly signalling a coming ground operation.
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