US central command says aircraft lost in ‘friendly airspace’, adding the crash was not due to hostile or friendly fire
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Middle East war creating ‘largest supply disruption in history of oil markets’
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Hello and welcome to our ongoing live coverage of the US-Israeli war on Iran and the impact it is having on the region and the global economy.
Here are the latest developments:
US Central Command said it is carrying out rescue efforts after it lost a military refuelling aircraft in “friendly airspace” in Iraq, while saying neither hostile or friendly fire were to blame. A statement said “rescue efforts are ongoing” after an incident involving two planes, the second of which landed safely.
A US official, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss the developing situation, said the KC-135 aircraft that crashed had at least five crew members aboard. US central command said the crash isn’t due to hostile fire or friendly fire.
Israel launched fresh strikes on Tehran and Beirut.
Donald Trump said his war on Iran is “moving along very rapidly” and “doing very well”. He called Iran “a nation of terror and hate”, and said it is “paying a big price right now”.
Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a veiled threat to kill Iran’s new supreme leader, saying he “wouldn’t take out life insurance policies” on Iran’s new ayatollah or the leader of Hezbollah. Using his first press conference since the start of the war to defend his joint military assault with the US against Iran, he said Israel aims to stop Iran from moving its nuclear and ballistic projects underground, and that some Israeli strikes have killed top Iranian nuclear scientists.
The US Navy, perhaps with an international coalition, will escort vessels through the strait of Hormuz when it is militarily possible, US treasury secretary Scott Bessent told Sky News. The plan to escort ships would go ahead as soon as the US has “complete control of the skies and … [Iran’s] rebuilding capabilities for the missiles completely degraded,” Bessent said.
Trump said the Iranian national football team was “welcome” to participate at this summer’s World Cup – which is taking place in the US, Canada and Mexico – but added: “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.” The US president didn’t elaborate on the nature of the risk.
Six French soldiers engaged in counter-terrorism training with Iraqi partners were wounded after a drone attack in the region, France’s army said, as reported by Reuters.
A US defence official has told BBC News that there were no significant injuries and all American soldiers stationed there remain on duty after a base, also in Erbil, northern Iraq, housing UK and US forces came under attack from an Iranian drone last night. No British soldiers were injured in the attack either, BBC News understands.
A ballistic missile fired from Iran hit an open area in central Israel, causing no injuries, the IDF’s Home Front Command said, as quoted by Haaretz.
Saudi Arabia’s defence forces said it intercepted a drone heading towards the Shaybah oil field (drones have been targeting the area regularly this week), as well as a ballistic missile and three drones launched towards the country’s eastern region.
Qatar’s defence ministry has said that it intercepted two ballistic missiles, one cruise missile and multiple drones launched from Iran.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com