(AFP) – The latest developments in the Middle East war:
– **Growing calls for de-escalation**
The United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Saudi Arabia have called for de-escalation in the Middle East following reported attacks on the United Arab Emirates. Britain’s Prime Minister stated that the “escalation must cease,” while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on X that “Tehran must return to the negotiating table and stop holding the region and the world hostage.”
– **Iran says attacks are response to US**
A senior Iranian military official did not deny the fresh strikes but stated on state television that the Islamic Republic had “no pre-planned programme to attack the oil facilities in question.” The official added, “What happened was the product of the US military’s adventurism to create a passage for ships to illegally pass through” the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that “the US military must be held accountable for it.”
– **UAE returns to remote teaching**
The United Arab Emirates’ education ministry ordered all schools to return to remote teaching for the remainder of the week following fresh attacks on the country by Iran.
– **US says destroyed Iran boats**
US forces destroyed six Iranian boats and shot down missiles and drones fired at US Navy and commercial vessels by Tehran’s military, according to a top US admiral. Admiral Brad Cooper, the head of US Central Command, reported that US Apache and Seahawk helicopters hit “six Iranian small boats threatening commercial shipping.” US forces also “effectively engaged” all of the missiles and drones directed at both US and commercial ships. Tehran denied that its boats were destroyed, asserting, “The US claim that it sank a number of Iranian war boats is false.”
– **Trump: ‘no damage’ in Hormuz**
President Donald Trump downplayed tensions after US warships entered the Strait of Hormuz, claiming Iran had “taken some shots” but caused no harm aside from damage to a South Korean vessel. “Other than the South Korean Ship, there has been, at this moment, no damage going through the Strait,” Trump stated on his Truth Social platform.
– **UAE hit**
The United Arab Emirates reported it was targeted by Iranian strikes, including one on its vital Fujairah energy hub that injured three Indians. The UAE’s foreign ministry termed these attacks a “dangerous escalation and an unacceptable transgression,” asserting that the country reserves the “right to respond.” A senior Iranian military official, however, stated that Iran had “no plans” to attack the UAE following the incidents.
– **Two injured in Oman**
Two people were injured in Oman, specifically on its coast along the Strait of Hormuz, when a residential building was targeted, according to state media. The Oman News Agency reported that two expatriate workers were moderately hurt, and four vehicles were damaged in the strike on Bukha.
– **Israel on high alert**
An Israeli military official announced that the army remained on high alert and was closely monitoring the situation following the US admiral’s report of the destroyed Iranian boats and shot-down missiles.
– **US destroyers in Hormuz**
US destroyers entered the Gulf as part of a mission to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, as confirmed by the US military. Following this announcement, Iranian state television reported that the Islamic Republic’s navy had fired cruise missiles, rockets, and combat drones near the US ships after issuing multiple warning shots.
– **’No ships crossed Hormuz’**
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards denied any commercial ships had transited the Strait of Hormuz, contradicting the US military’s assertion that two US-flagged merchant vessels had passed through the vital waterway under escort. “The claims of American officials are baseless and completely false,” the Guards stated in a communication on Telegram.
© 2024 AFP
