**Paris (France) (AFP)** – Iran claimed total control of the key energy transit Strait of Hormuz Wednesday, the war’s fifth day, as Israel hit Iran with fresh strikes and advanced into Lebanon against Tehran-backed Hezbollah militants. Here are the latest developments:
**- Israel plans ‘one or two’ more weeks of strikes**
Israeli media said the military was planning “at least one or two more weeks of operations in Iran, during which it aims to hit thousands more Iranian regime targets,” the Times of Israel reported after a briefing to the nation’s military reporters. Earlier, the Israeli military said it had begun a fresh wave of strikes on Tehran, as an AFP journalist reported a fresh explosion in the northeast of the Iranian capital. The army said it had struck “dozens” of targets, including security command centres in Tehran and a missile facility in Isfahan in western Iran, and had shot down an Iranian fighter jet over the capital.
**- Khamenei funeral postponed**
The funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that was due Wednesday evening has been postponed, state television announced, “in anticipation of unprecedented turnout.” A new date will be announced later, it said.
**- Iran ‘trying’ to appoint successor**
Iran is “trying” to quickly appoint a successor to Khamenei as supreme leader, despite the ongoing US-Israeli bombardment, state TV reported.
**- Guards claim control of Hormuz**
The Revolutionary Guards said Iranian forces had “complete control” of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for world oil and gas supplies, and any vessels seeking to pass risked damage from missiles or stray drones. Trump had said Tuesday the US Navy was ready to escort oil tankers through the crucial Gulf shipping route.
**- Ship in Hormuz struck**
A container ship transiting Hormuz was struck by an “unknown projectile,” causing a fire in the engine room, the UK maritime agency said, the fourth reported attack in the waters within 24 hours.
**- Iran state media say 1,000 killed**
Iran’s official IRNA news agency said Wednesday US-Israeli strikes had killed 1,045 military personnel and civilians since the start of the war. AFP was not in a position to independently verify the toll.
**- Israel orders Lebanon evacuations**
The Israeli army said it had begun strikes in southern Lebanon after ordering people living south of Lebanon’s Litani river to evacuate, as the military expanded its campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. Lebanese state media said Israeli forces had entered the southern Lebanese town of Khiam, about six kilometres from the border. On Monday, Hezbollah attacked Israel from Lebanon after Khamenei’s killing. Since then, Israeli strikes in multiple areas have killed at least 11 people. Hezbollah said it had struck an Israeli army vehicle in south Lebanon, after firing a missile and drones at Israel overnight.
**- Iran launches missiles at Israel**
Sirens wailed in Jerusalem after the Israeli military said it had detected missiles launched from Iran at Israel.
**- NATO, Turkey warn Iran after missile intercepted**
Turkey warned Tehran after a missile headed toward its airspace was intercepted. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told his Iranian counterpart in a phone call that “any steps that could lead to the spread of conflict should be avoided,” a foreign ministry source said, after NATO defence systems shot down a missile launched from Iran heading toward Turkey. NATO condemned the ‘targeting of Turkey’.
**- UAE, Qatar intercept drones, missiles**
The UAE’s defence ministry said Wednesday its air defences “successfully engaged today with 3 ballistic missiles and detected 129 drones, of which 121 drones were intercepted.” Qatar’s military said it had been targeted at dawn by 10 drones and 2 cruise missiles from Iran, with all of the projectiles intercepted by its forces.
**- Spain PM hits back at Trump**
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hit back at President Donald Trump’s criticisms of Madrid’s refusal to let US planes use its bases to attack Iran. “No to war,” he said, a day after Trump threatened to sever all trade with Spain. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to Sanchez to “express France’s European solidarity,” his office said.
**- Stocks firm up after tumble**
European stock markets steadied after steep losses across Asian stock markets, where rising oil prices rattled investors. Earlier, the Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock exchanges reopened sharply lower after a two-day trading suspension over Iran’s missile and drone attacks across the Gulf.
burs/yad/jj
© 2024 AFP
