Only a Handful of Ships Now Pass Through Hormuz, Says Iranian MP

Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped to extremely low levels, according to statements by an Iranian parliamentarian, who claims that the critical waterway is under Tehran’s full control.

Ismail Hosseini, a member of the Energy Committee of the Iranian Parliament, told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz has decreased drastically, reaching levels that, as he specifically said, “can be counted on the fingers of one hand.”

“The Strait of Hormuz is under full control of Iran. At this moment, the number of ships passing through can be counted on the fingers of one hand, whereas previously 130 to 140 ships passed daily,” the source added.

This statement reflects a significant change in traffic through one of the world’s most strategic maritime passages, through which a large portion of global energy flows passes.

Referring to negotiations with other countries regarding ship passage through the Strait, the Iranian official noted that, if talks are conducted, they concern individual cases—one or two ships at a time—taking into account the prevailing conditions. He added that the entire process is carried out in coordination with Iran, implying an increased degree of Tehran’s control over the passage of international shipping.

WSJ: U.S. warplanes begin the battle to free the Strait of Hormuz

A report by the Wall Street Journal states that this effort “is gaining new urgency as oil prices skyrocket.”

Fire at a Kuwaiti refinery due to a drone raid

A fire broke out at a refinery belonging to Kuwait’s state oil company following a drone attack, the official Kuwaiti news agency KUNA reported.

“The Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, owned by the Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), was targeted early this morning by hostile drone attacks, which caused fires in some of its units,” according to the agency, following a previous attack on the same facility that had also caused a fire.

Today’s attack on the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery caused no casualties but led to the shutdown of some units at the facility, while firefighters are working to contain the blaze, according to the official Kuwaiti news agency.

Wall Street Journal: U.S. approves $7 billion arms and ammunition sale to the UAE

The Trump administration approved the sale of additional weapons and ammunition worth $7 billion to the United Arab Emirates without requiring the State Department to publicly announce it or notify Congress, as normally required by U.S. law for such transactions, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

These purchases were added to $16.5 billion in sales announced earlier the same day, according to the newspaper.

The sale includes PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems worth about $5.6 billion and CH-47 Chinook helicopters worth $1.32 billion, according to the report, which explains that the sales were not publicly announced because they are extensions of already approved agreements.

EU leaders call for de-escalation, moratorium on attacks in the Middle East, and support for Cyprus

Leaders of the 27 EU member states expressed strong concern about developments in the Middle East and support for Cyprus, calling for de-escalation of violence and protection of critical infrastructure amid escalating tensions and humanitarian crises.

Oil declines after Netanyahu’s statements, shock forecasts of $180 if crisis continues beyond April

The price of Brent crude fell by 2.55% to $105.88 per barrel, after nearing $120 on Thursday.

Israeli military announces new wave of airstrikes on regime infrastructure in Tehran

Following the recent launch of ballistic missiles from Iran toward northern Israel, the Israel Defense Forces announced a new wave of airstrikes on the Iranian capital.

It said the attacks target “infrastructure of the Iranian terrorist regime throughout Tehran.”

Three barrages of missiles toward Jerusalem

Explosions were heard in the skies over Jerusalem from Thursday night into Friday after the Israeli army announced new missile barrages launched from Iran and the activation of air raid sirens in the city, AFP correspondents reported.

The Israeli military said there were three barrages of missiles in recent hours, the latest just before midnight (local time and Greece time), and another about 10 minutes before 03:00.

According to Israeli media, debris fell in the city of Haifa and at an educational institution in one of its suburbs. No casualties were reported.

New missile attacks on Gulf countries

The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait announced in the early hours that their air defense systems were activated to respond to missile attacks.

Elsewhere in the Gulf, Bahrain’s Interior Ministry reported that air defense sirens were activated, while Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said it intercepted a drone in the eastern part of the country.

Iran struck a refinery in Kuwait again

According to Kuwaiti state media, the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery was attacked by Iranian drones.

As a result, fires broke out in several units of the refinery, with no reports so far of injuries or casualties.