US, allies want IAEA board to report Iran to UN Security Council, report says
The US and its allies Britain, France and Germany are pushing the UN nuclear watchdog's board to pass a resolution next week reporting Iran to the UN Security Council for breaching its non-proliferation obligations, Reuters reports, citing diplomats.
The resolution, if passed, would follow up on one adopted on June 12, 2025 -- the day before Israel started bombing Iranian nuclear sites, and was soon joined by the US.
The June 2025 resolution declared Iran in breach of those obligations for not fully cooperating with an IAEA investigation into uranium traces found at undeclared sites.
Death toll in Yemen's Houthi clashes rises to 120
The death toll in clashes between Yemen's Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed government forces rose to 129, according to an AFP tally compiled from several sources, up from an earlier count of 81.
Fighting erupted on Thursday, after the Houthis launched a ground assault along with rocket and drone attacks near coastal areas, vying for control of the narrow Bab al-Mandab strait at the Red Sea's southern entrance.
New fears of oil supply disruption as US-Iran hostilities resume
Fresh US strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory attacks across the region have brought back fears of oil supply disruption.
Prices are on track for their steepest weekly gain since mid-July, up 7.6 percent, as the US-Israeli war against Iran enters its seventh month.
Twenty-five percent of the world's oil supply comes through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked since the beginning of the war.
the broadcaster's international affairs editor Philip Turle gives more details.
- Israel's defence minister hails capture of Hezbollah highland as solidifying Lebanon 'security zone'
- More than 80 people killed in Yemen clashes since Thursday, military sources say
- South Korea weighs military deployment to Strait of Hormuz
- Red Cross says it transferred four people released by Israel to Lebanon
- Death toll in Yemen's Houthi clashes rises to 120
Israeli police kill Palestinian man in Jerusalem after alleged knife attack
Israeli police said they had killed a Palestinian man after he allegedly attempted to attack officers with a knife in central Jerusalem.
Security forces "neutralised a terrorist who had attempted to attack them with a knife, and his death was pronounced at the scene", police said in a statement.
The incident took place overnight near Damascus Gate, which leads into Jerusalem's Old City, the police said, adding that the dead man was a 33-year-old from Jerusalem.
The Palestinian news agency Wafa also reported the death, saying police had set up a military cordon around Damascus Gate and the Old City.
Ahead of the Jewish New Year on September 11, prayers are being held every night at the Western Wall, a holy site for Jews that borders the Old City.
The holiday period, which lasts three weeks, has seen violent incidents in the past.
In September last year, two Palestinians opened fire at a bus station in east Jerusalem, killing six people and wounding about 20 others.
Red Cross says it transferred four people released by Israel to Lebanon
Humanitarian workers on said they had facilitated the transfer to Lebanon of four more people detained by Israel, a day after another person was freed.
"The International Committee of the Red Cross, at the request of the relevant parties, facilitated the transfer to Lebanon of five individuals released from Israeli detention," the ICRC said in a statement. "One individual was transferred on Thursday, and four others on Friday," it added.
US diesel prices hit a record high of $5.85 on average as Iran war disrupts the flow of fuel
Diesel hit a new record price in the US on Friday, soaring to an average of $5.85 a gallon for the first time ever as the six-month-long war US-Israeli war against Iran continues to disrupt the world’s flow of fuel.
Because diesel is used for many freight and delivery networks, higher diesel prices mean higher transportation costs for a long list of everyday goods. More expensive fuel is increasing bills for businesses across sectors – some of which have already passed off costs to consumers in the form of added fees on online orders and packages in the mail.
Produce, meat and other perishable foods that need to be hauled in and restocked frequently – or even harvested using diesel-powered farm equipment – are also expected to feel the strain, though it can take time for all of those costs to trickle down.
A range of other consumer products are also transported by diesel trucks, trains and boats, including clothing, cosmetics, furniture and more.
Israel's defence minister hails capture of Hezbollah highland as solidifying Lebanon 'security zone'
Israel's defence minister hailed the capture of a strategic highland from Hezbollah as solidifying Israel's "security zone" in Lebanon and vowed that troops would not leave it.
"The capture of the Ali Tahar ridge marks the completion of the phase of securing control in the security zone in southern Lebanon," Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.
Israeli troops continue to occupy swathes of southern Lebanon.
More than 80 people killed in Yemen clashes since Thursday, military sources say
Clashes between Yemen's Houthi rebels and government forces have killed 81 combatants since Thursday, according to a tally of figures from two military officials and medical sources in Houthi-held territory.
A military official on the Red Sea coast reported 24 of his men killed, while another in the inland Taiz area said 15 had been killed there.
At least 42 Houthi militants were also killed, according to medical sources in areas under their control.
Deadly clashes erupted in Yemen on Thursday, after Houthi forces began a ground assault accompanied by rocket and drone attacks near coastal areas in the Red Sea and around the Taiz region.
Military government sources told reporters the rebels were attempting to cut off the key port city of Mokha, under fire for weeks, from other government areas, and advance towards areas bordering the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait.
South Korea says it could contribute to US security efforts in Hormuz
South Korea said Friday that Seoul could contribute to US security efforts in the Strait of Hormuz as long as its own military readiness is not compromised.
"Contributions to the Strait of Hormuz could be managed within limits that do not compromise military readiness," a presidential official said, adding that a review was still underway.
Trump names Adam Telle as acting Army secretary amid Hegseth tensions
US President Donald Trump on Thursday named Adam Telle, a civilian leader in the US Army Corps of Engineers, as the acting Army secretary following the departure of Dan Driscoll amid widespread reports of tensions with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Telle is currently the assistant secretary of the Army for civil works. But he spent more than 20 years working for Republican senators as well as in the White House during Trump's first term, serving as the president's chief liaison to the Senate, according to an Army bio.
"He is a Great Patriot, who is respected by all," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. Hegseth echoed that in his own post on X.
"Huge congrats to Adam. Strong and whip smart," Hegseth wrote. "He is indeed a great Patriot – and will be an immediate asset to the @USArmy."
Oil prices set for steepest weekly gain since July on US-Iran tensions
Oil prices rose on Friday and are on track for the steepest weekly gain since mid-July as rising tensions and renewed US-Iran hostilities heightened concerns over Middle East supply risks.
Brent crude futures rose 15 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $95.67 a barrel at 01:00 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 26 cents, or 0.3 percent, at $91.56.
On a weekly basis, Brent rose 7.1% and WTI was 9.8 percent higher, set for the highest gains since the week ended July 20.
South Korea says claims that Seoul has provided no support in Hormuz are 'not true'
South Korea is reviewing practical options, including military measures, for supporting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and claims that Seoul had provided no assistance on the issue were "not true", a presidential Blue House official said on Friday.
The official said South Korea-US security talks were "not currently progressing" and semiconductors were among the issues under discussion between the allies.
South Korea weighs military deployment to Strait of Hormuz
South Korea is preparing to deploy military assets to support freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and aims to dispatch them before the end of the year, media reported late on Thursday, citing government and military sources.
The reports in several South Korean media outlets said the government was preparing procedures to seek parliamentary approval for the deployment, including submitting a consent motion to parliament this month after cabinet review.
The government was considering options including sending a maritime patrol aircraft, a logistics support vessel or a mine detection and clearance unit, and had been discussing the scale and nature of a potential contribution with countries including the United States, Britain and France, the reports said.
Welcome to the the broadcaster liveblog covering events in the Middle East. You can catch up on yesterday's developments here.
Yesterday's key developments:
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced confidence that Iran's Islamic republic could soon fall, saying it was "weaker than ever".
• US Vice President JD Vance has said he would not categorise the Iran war as a war, despite continuing clashes with Tehran six months after the start of the conflict.
• Iran's army said it targeted US bases in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, despite threats of further strikes by US President Donald Trump.
(the broadcaster with Reuters, AP and AFP)
