Iran claims strike on oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Friday that they had struck a Togolese-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, according to a statement carried by the state news agency IRNA.
“The oil tanker ‘Trend’, flying the Togolese flag, was targeted and intercepted after a fire broke out on board,” the statement said, referring to an attempt to “illegally pass” through the strait.
On Thursday evening, the UK Maritime Security Agency (UKMTO) had reported a “security incident in the Strait of Hormuz, 16 nautical miles (29.5 km) north-east of Khasab, Oman.”
However, the UKMTO had not provided any details about the vessel in question, and it is not known whether this is the same vessel referred to by the IRGC.
US clears way for $24.3 billion fighter jet sale to Saudi Arabia
The U.S. State Department on Thursday approved the potential sale to Saudi Arabia of 48 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets manufactured by U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin, in a deal estimated at $24.3 billion, as the kingdom becomes increasingly involved in the Middle East war.
A sale would mark a significant policy shift from the U.S., potentially altering the balance of military power in the Middle East and testing Washington's definition of maintaining its ally Israel's "qualitative military edge."
Saudi Arabia made a direct appeal for the jets in early 2025 to U.S. President Donald Trump and has long been interested in Lockheed Martin's fighter.
The estimated $24.3 billion sale, which still needs congressional approval, would include 48 of the military aircraft and 49 Pratt & Whitney engines along with communications equipment, spare parts and other support items, the State Department said.
Read more here.
Israeli gunfire causes a fire in a house in Hadatha
Also this morning, an Israeli military drone dropped a stun grenade on the Sousseh area, on the outskirts of Haris (Bint Jbeil) where several artillery shells also struck the area, situated right on the edge of the so-called "Yellow Line."
A military force comprising eight military vehicles also advanced into the area, frightening residents who were on the outskirts of the village, before withdrawing.
In Hadatha, intense artillery fire struck several homes, causing a fire in one of them.
During the night, Israeli forces carried out a powerful demolition on the outskirts of Kounin and Beit Yahoun (Bint Jbeil.)
Israel continues attacks on Mansouri
On Friday morning, the Israeli army carried out a major demolition in Mansouri, a coastal village in the district of Sour, where occupying forces have been conducting operations of this kind almost daily in recent weeks.
The village, split in two by the so-called "Yellow Line" which marks the boundaries of the areas occupied by Israel in the south – had already been targeted during the night by sustained artillery fire.
After midnight, an Israeli Apache helicopter carried out sweeping fire on the village, audible as far as neighboring towns, whilst dozens of shells rained down on several of its neighborhoods. Israeli military vehicles were also spotted moving from Bayyada towards Mansouri.
Series of overnight Israeli air strikes on southern Lebanon
During the night from Thursday to Friday, the Israeli air force carried out a series of raids on several areas in southern Lebanon, targeting Wadi Slouqi, Qantara, Bani Hayyan, and Tallousa in the Marjayoun district, as well as Nabatieh Fawqa, using high-explosive missiles, reports our correspondent in the region.
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