Paris (France) (AFP) – Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:
– **’Maximum effort’**
Iraq is exerting “maximum effort” to prevent any escalation on its territory, the foreign ministry said, after the US embassy in Baghdad warned of possible attacks in the city by pro-Iran armed groups. Earlier, the US embassy warned that “Iraqi terrorist militia groups aligned with Iran may intend to conduct attacks in central Baghdad in the next 24-48 hours”.
– **US Baghdad centre hit**
A drone attack targeted the US diplomatic and logistics centre in Baghdad’s international airport complex, causing a fire but no injuries, two Iraqi security sources told AFP.
– **’Immediate’ reopening**
Around 40 countries called for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Britain’s foreign minister said. “Iran is trying to hold the global economy hostage in the Strait of Hormuz. They must not prevail. To that effect, partners today called for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait and respect for the fundamental principles of freedom of navigation and the law of the sea,” Yvette Cooper said in a statement after international talks.
– **Yemen missile**
The Israeli military said it had detected a missile launched from Yemen towards Israel’s territory, the fourth time it has detected such an attack since the start of the war, saying air defences were working to intercept it.
– **Force in Hormuz**
The secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) called for the UN Security Council to authorise the use of force to protect the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks. “We call upon the Security Council to assume its full responsibility and take all necessary measures to protect maritime routes and ensure the safe continuation of international navigation,” said Jassem al-Budaiwi.
– **Blasts over Jerusalem**
Several blasts sounded in Jerusalem, AFP journalists said, after the military issued an alert over incoming Iranian missiles. At least four blasts were heard as sirens rang out in the city, and the military warned residents to take cover after it “identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel”.
– **China condemns**
China’s foreign minister Wang Yi said US and Israeli attacks on Iran were a violation of international law, Chinese state media reported, as he held calls with his EU, German and Saudi counterparts. Wang also said the UN Security Council — of which China is a permanent member — “should prevent the escalation of conflict”, state broadcaster CCTV said, as the international body debates a draft resolution on the use of force in the Strait of Hormuz.
– **Bridge struck**
US-Israeli strikes hit the B1 bridge near Tehran, which had already been hit around an hour earlier, Iranian state TV reported, adding that the first strike had caused two civilian casualties. The later attack took place as emergency teams were deployed to the site to help victims of the first strike.
– **Expelled**
Argentina expelled Iran’s diplomatic envoy, Mohsen Soltani Tehrani, following “false, offensive and baseless accusations” by Tehran, the foreign ministry said.
– **’Wider war’**
UN chief Antonio Guterres warned that the Middle East conflict risked spiralling into a wider war, and called for an immediate halt to US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Iranian attacks on its neighbours. “We are on the edge of a wider war that would engulf the Middle East with dramatic impacts around the globe,” the secretary-general told reporters in New York.
– **Food disaster**
Italy’s foreign minister called for the establishment of a “humanitarian corridor” for fertiliser and other essentials through the Strait of Hormuz to avoid a food disaster, particularly among vulnerable nations in Africa.
© 2024 AFP
