At least 19 commercial ships damaged so far in war
At least 19 commercial ships have been damaged so far in the war, new figures reveal.
Through Wednesday night in the Middle East, at least 16 vessels were attacked in the Persian Gulf and the wider region, according to the Joint Maritime Information Centre, a coalition overseen by the US Navy.
An oil rig was separately attacked off Saudi Arabia as well.
Overnight, two ships were hit by Iranian fire at a port near Basra, Iraq. Another was attacked on Thursday off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.
‘We’re the ones who are losing’: On the ground in Lebanon
We’re hearing more about the Israeli strikes on the cars parked near the Beirut beach where displaced people are living in tents to escape the war. There were at least two strikes in the early hours of the morning here – about seven hours ago – and the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health is saying that eight people died and another 31 were injured.
The attacks are making headlines because of the scale of the death and injuries and the proximity to the centre of Beirut, highlighting the way the war is intensifying here.
There have been many other strikes. We heard four or five missile or drone explosions in the night in Beirut.
One day ago, in an area south of the capital, we witnessed a series of strikes on a district inland from the coast.
IDF claims to have struck Iranian nuclear weapon development compound
The Israeli Defence Force says it has struck an “additional Iranian nuclear program site” during its waves of strikes in Tehran in the last few days.
“The ‘Taleghan’ compound was used to advance … developing nuclear weapons,” the IDF said, claiming Iran had tried to rehabilitate Taleghan after it was last struck in October 2024.
Australia directs ‘non-essential’ officials to leave Israel, UAE
Foreign Minister Penny Wong has just shared an update to X, saying “The Australian Government has directed the departure of non-essential Australian officials posted to Israel and the UAE, due to the deteriorating security situation”.
“Essential Australian officials will remain in-country to support Australians who need it.”
Families of Australian officials in Israel and Lebanon were directed to leave on February 25, three days before the current war began.
The state of play
Good evening and welcome to our continuing coverage of the Middle East conflict.
Here’s what you ened to know:
- As a result of the war and Iran’s targeting of commercial vessels, petrol prices are at risk of rising to levels “not seen in history”. The price of a barrel of crude oil, the international standard, topped $US100 ($142) a barrel on Thursday.
- The International Energy Agency announced its 32 member countries had agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil to cater for the soaring demand. Australia is weighing up exactly how to contribute to this total.
- Energy Minister Chris Bowen has also announced Australia will temporarily relax fuel quality standards for the next 60 days. The move is aimed at increasing the amount of sulphur permitted in fuel to 50 parts per million, compared to the usual 10 parts per million.
- At least 19 commercial ships have been damaged so far in the war, with at least 16 vessels attacked in the Persian Gulf and the wider region on Wednesday night local time.
- Mortgage holders are being warned interest rates could hit a 15-year high by the end of the year, as surging oil prices prompt all four big banks to tip an impending rate hike next Tuesday.
- The Australian Government has directed the departure of non-essential Australian officials posted to Israel and the UAE, due to the deteriorating security situation.
- Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz held a security assessment with military officials after the largest attack yet by Lebanon-based Hezbollah in the Iran war.
- And Australia will provide humanitarian assistance to members of the Iranian women’s soccer team who have been granted asylum there. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said during a visit to Jakarta on Thursday that it was a “sensitive issue” since Australia granted asylum to seven team members. One changed her mind and departed Australia with the remainder of the team.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
