The United States said it will ease sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil loaded on vessels at sea, a move aimed at preventing further spikes in global energy prices as the war involving Israel and Iran intensifies.
Oil prices climbed above $100 a barrel again on Thursday after three cargo ships were attacked in the Persian Gulf, raising concerns about disruptions to global supplies.
Explosions were reported in Tehran as Israel announced a new “wide-scale wave of strikes” targeting sites in the Iranian capital. The Israeli military also said Iran had launched fresh missiles toward Israeli territory.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military confirmed that four crew members died after a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft crashed over western Iraq during operations linked to the conflict.
US Central Command said the aircraft went down in “friendly airspace” and stressed that the loss was not caused by hostile or friendly fire. An investigation into the incident is underway.
Elsewhere in the region, Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed drones that entered the kingdom’s airspace, while authorities in Dubai reported that debris from an intercepted projectile struck a building in the city centre. No injuries were immediately reported.
In a social media post, Donald Trump said the United States was “totally destroying” the Iranian regime and urged observers to “watch what happens” in the conflict on Friday.
The developments highlight rising regional tensions as the war continues to spread across multiple fronts in the Middle East.
