Arabic version: تصادم بين الولايات المتحدة وإيران حول الملاحة في مضيق هرمز
Tensions remain high as Iran and the United States clash over maritime control in the Strait of Hormuz. NATO discussions in Turkey focused on the freedom of navigation in the key waterway, which Iran published a response to, criticising the meeting as “baseless and politically motivated”. The US Central Command denied Iran’s statements that passage through the waterway is “only permitted through routes designated” by Tehran, and said Washington helped “facilitate the successful transit of more than 800 commercial vessels and 380 million barrels of crude oil”.
According to Middle East Eye, Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been buried in his hometown of Mashdad following a week-long funeral procession, state media reported. The burial took place during renewed US attacks on the country. A US official said that “technical talks” with Iran are continuing, despite renewed tensions. This came following comments made by Trump at the NATO summit in Ankara, where he declared that the ceasefire with Tehran was “over”. Iranian ambassador to Germany Majid Nili warned European politicians against abetting US attacks on Iran, saying: “If the warmongering American attack on transport corridors goes unpunished and uncondemned today, tomorrow they will easily target other corridors from which you, too, benefit.”
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem reportedly survived an Israeli attack that occurred on Thursday west of Gaza City, according to Al Arabiya television. State media reported that an Israeli drone targeted a truck early on Friday in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, resulting in the wounding of two people. Demolition operations continued in southern Lebanon, with multiple blasts heard in Nabatieh’s Khiam.
Officials have reported a mix of diplomatic, military and political developments across the region, with ongoing technical talks described by a US official even as military actions and public warnings were reported in multiple locations.
