Iran-Israel-US War LIVE Updates: Gulf Tensions Escalate, Iranian Fresh Strikes, Israel Hits Lebanon & Food Crisis Warning Erupts

Turkiye says 3 of its citizens killed in Qatar helicopter crash

We reported earlier that a military helicopter crash in Qatar had caused the deaths of at least six people with one passenger missing.

Now the Turkish Defence Ministry has confirmed that all seven people were killed, including a Turkish ⁠soldier and two security personnel from the Turkish defence ⁠firm Aselsan. It also said four members of Qatar’s armed forces were killed in the crash.

The cause of the accident will be determined in an investigation conducted by Qatari authorities, it added.

Earlier, Qatar’s Defence Ministry published a statement naming the victims.

More than 81,000 civilian units have been damaged in joint US-Israel strikes across Iran, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

Their damage, as well as the targeting of medical centres, schools, ambulances and aid workers, is a “clear” violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, it said, in reference to international treaties that contain rules limiting war

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Israel’s military says Iran has fired more than 400 ballistic missiles at Israel since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran and 92 percent of them have been intercepted.

“Iran has fired over 400 ballistic missiles. We have had great interception rates. We have approximately a 92 percent successful interception rate,” Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told journalists.

Iranian missiles struck two towns in southern Israel on Saturday, leaving about 180 people needing medical treatment.

As we have been reporting, Iranian officials are warning the US against attacking Iran’s nuclear power plants following Trump’s threats to do so.

Now, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has released a statement, saying that should the power plants be targeted, the Strait of Hormuz will be “completely” closed and will not be reopened until the facilities are rebuilt.

It also said that Israel’s power plants, energy infrastructure, and information and communication technology would be “extensively targeted”, and that similar companies in the region with US shareholders would be “completely destroyed”.

It added that power plants in countries in the region hosting US forces would be legitimate targets

Lebanon’s National News Agency is reporting that an Israeli attack has targeted southern Lebanon’s Qasmiyeh Bridge, after Israel’s military earlier warned it would strike it.

Footage shared by Israel’s Kann broadcaster appears to show a series of explosion simultaneously on and near the bridge, with a cloud of smoke rising up.

As we reported earlier, Qasmiyeh Bridge is a key route along the coastal highway, and its destruction would effectively cut off parts of southern Lebanon from the rest of the country.

A Turkish diplomatic source has told the Reuters news agency that Turkish ⁠Foreign ⁠Minister Hakan Fidan had discussed steps to end ⁠the war between Iran, ⁠the US and Israel with counterparts from Iran and ‌Egypt, as well as US officials and the EU.

The source said ⁠Fidan had held separate calls with Iranian Foreign ⁠Minister Abbas Araghchi, ⁠Egyptian Foreign ⁠Minister Badr Abdelatty, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja ‌Kallas, and US officials, without elaborating ‌further.

Iran on Thursday called on countries in West Asia to prevent the United States from using military bases in their own territories. These bases are the "root cause" of the current crisis and are being used for operations against Tehran, claimed Iran. The government has warned that such actions would amount to complicity in aggression.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation’s Mina al-Ahmadi refinery has been hit by several early-morning drone attacks, according to Kuwait state media.

Fires broke out in some units and several were shut down, but no casualties have been reported, the Kuwait News Agency said on Friday.

Fire and emergency services were immediately deployed to the scene. AL JAZEERA 

Global oil prices eased on Friday after major economies signalled support to ensure safe maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies.

Brent crude futures dropped by 1.3 percent to around $107.29 per barrel, retreating from Thursday’s spike when prices had surged close to $119 before settling near $109.

The decline comes as European nations and Japan expressed willingness to assist in safeguarding shipping lanes, while the United States outlined measures to boost oil supply and stabilise markets.

The development has brought temporary relief to global markets amid ongoing concerns over disruptions caused by the escalating Middle East conflict.

The United States is reportedly preparing to deploy additional military forces to the Middle East, including several warships and around 4,000 marines and sailors, according to a report by Newsmax citing unnamed officials.

The deployment is expected to include the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, equipped with advanced assets such as F-35 fighter jets, missiles, and amphibious vehicles capable of supporting ground operations.

This move follows an earlier deployment of approximately 2,500 Marines along with the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli to the region, signaling a further escalation in US military involvement in the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Welcome to VoM News. Here is the recap of what happened so far…!!

• Global alarm rises as the World Trade Organization warns the war could threaten global food security

• Iran strikes an Israeli oil refinery as attacks on energy infrastructure intensify across the region

• Oil and gas prices surge amid fears of major global supply disruptions

• Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi warns Tehran has used only a “fraction” of its power and may show “zero restraint” if energy sites are hit again

• Damage to Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility could cut LNG exports by nearly 17%, impacting Europe and Asia

• Donald Trump seeks $200 billion from Congress to fund the war, with no clear timeline for an end

• Over 1,400 people reported killed in Iran, including more than 200 children, amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes

• Israeli attacks in Lebanon have killed over 1,000 people, including children, worsening the humanitarian crisis

• Fresh waves of Iranian missiles trigger sirens across Israel, with continued overnight bombardment

📊 Big Picture:

The conflict is rapidly expanding beyond military targets, hitting energy and supply chains—raising fears of a global economic shock, food shortages, and a prolonged regional war.

Over 170 injured in Israel in last 24 hours: Health Ministry

Israel’s Health Ministry reports that 177 injured people were taken to hospitals over the last 24 hours. This brings the total number of wartime injuries in Israel to 3,924, it says.

As we’ve reported, a total of 15 people have been killed in Israel during the war with Iran, as well as two Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon.

By Jack Barton Reporting from Seoul, South Korea

South Korea is considering whether to restart buying oil from Russia.

Seoul stopped importing Russian crude at the end of 2022 following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. It is now openly debating easing sanctions to safeguard its supplies. South Korea imports about 70 percent of its crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

The government has been holding a series of emergency meetings.

Some measures include a price cap for refiners here – it’s the first time they have introduced such a measure since the Asian financial crisis in 1997.

They are also discussing a potential rationing system for cars.

Drones target US camp near Baghdad airport

An Iraqi security source has told Al Jazeera that there’s been an attack involving two drones on a US camp near the airport in the Iraqi capital.

The report came amid several deadly attacks on sites belonging to the paramilitary Popular Mobilisation Forces. The umbrella group includes factions that are aligned with Iran.

If you are joining late, here are the latest key developments so far:

The US and Israel have intensified strikes across Iran, targeting oil depots, refineries, and key infrastructure in cities including Tehran and Isfahan, with casualties reported.

Iran has responded with multiple missile and drone barrages targeting Israel, US bases in Iraq and Kuwait, and Gulf nations.

Fires and major damage reported at key energy hubs including Ras Laffan (Qatar), South Pars and Kharg Island (Iran), Ruwais refinery (UAE), and Ras Tanura (Saudi Arabia), raising fears of global supply disruption.

Oil prices have surged over 5%, while global stock markets declined amid fears of prolonged conflict and energy shortages.

Qatar has expelled Iranian military and security officials, giving them 24 hours to leave after recent strikes.

Saudi Arabia has warned it may take military action if tensions continue to escalate, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

The UAE confirmed four deaths from recent Iranian attacks and said hundreds of missiles and drones have been intercepted.

Switzerland has refused US military overflight requests linked to the war, citing its neutrality under international law.

The Lebanese Health Ministry says Israeli attacks have killed at least 394 people, including 83 children, with over 1,100 wounded.

Israeli strikes on Lebanon have continued, with dozens killed in the past two days and Hezbollah positions targeted in Beirut and southern regions.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts has reportedly selected a new supreme leader, though the name has not yet been announced.

Iran has warned it will “pursue and kill” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid escalating rhetoric.

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the situation and engaging with global leaders, stressing that diplomacy remains the only solution.

The US Federal Reserve, led by Jerome Powell, has warned of rising inflation and economic uncertainty due to the ongoing conflict.

Air travel disruptions continue, with airlines like Air India and IndiGo increasing fares due to rising fuel costs, while Qatar Airways resumes limited flights.

EU leaders are meeting in Brussels to discuss the war, energy crisis, and regional stability as fears of wider escalation grow.

Civilian impact continues to rise, with reports of damage to over 150 health facilities in Iran and casualties including women and children.

Regional tensions remain extremely high, with analysts warning the conflict is entering a more dangerous phase involving civilian infrastructure and global economic consequences.