Al Jazeera

By Zaid Sabah and Nils Adler

    Iran’s military said United States forces targeted an Iranian oil tanker in coastal waters and a second vessel near the United Arab Emirates’ Fujairah port, while US air strikes hit civilian areas in Bandar Khamir, Sirik and Qeshm Island in southern Iran. Iranian air defences were also active over western Tehran.

    The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) said its naval forces came under Iranian missile, drone and fast-boat attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and responded by eliminating “inbound threats” and targeting “Iranian military facilities responsible for attacking US forces”.

Russia, China expected to veto Gulf-backed UN resolution on Strait of Hormuz

By Gabriel Elizondo

Reporting from UN Headquarters, New York City, US

    The draft resolution is thought to have wide support within the UN Security Council, and it’s rooted in the principle idea of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

    While the US and Bahrain are the main backers of this resolution, it has strong support and is being co-sponsored by the Gulf cooperation countries.

    Now the big obstacle for this draft resolution to be adopted is Russia and China, both of which have veto power on the council.

    China and Russia have both told council members, according to diplomatic sources, that they plan to veto this draft as it is written now, saying that, among other things, it hints at sanctions against Iran, and also, it doesn’t single out the United States and Israel for starting the war.

    It is unclear when this draft might go to a vote, but it could be as soon as early next week.

US-Iran clash is ‘controlled escalation’ as both sides demonstrate ‘resolve’ amid talks

    Former US diplomat and security specialist Donald Jensen characterised the recent naval clash between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday as “controlled escalation” rather than mere skirmishes, noting that both nations are “trying to show their resolve” while attempting to “settle on a framework on some key issues”.

    Jensen told Al Jazeera that while a resolution is likely between both sides, “it’s not going to be the kind of comprehensive agreement that either side wants”, but will instead be “much more limited to focus on the passage through the strait primarily”.

    He also cautioned that larger diplomatic goals, “especially regarding the nuclear programme in Iran, will have to be put aside for the time being” as the international priority shifts towards getting “the global economy back working”.

Fuel imports are an absolute lifeline for ASEAN

By Patrick Fok

Reporting from Singapore

    One of the main concerns in Southeast Asia is port congestion resulting from delays linked to instability around maritime chokepoints, including the Strait of Hormuz.

    ASEAN as a region has been hit particularly hard by the Middle East crisis, whereas countries in East Asia, like South Korea and Japan, are relatively well insulated because they’ve got relatively large stockpiles of oil.

    The same can’t be said of all countries in this region; they are heavily reliant on fuel imports and very much dependent on the principle of freedom of navigation.

    The big concern regarding energy is that it could feed into inflation, and it’s already going to pile pressure on people facing huge cost-of-living pressures.

    It’s also a major concern for export-oriented economies like Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, which rely on stable supply chains to keep humming.

    So we are expecting the leaders in the Philippines to sign a contingency plan to try to address some of these concerns.

UAE’s MOD says air defence systems ‘actively engaging’ with missiles, UAV threats

    The UAE’s Ministry of Defence said in a post on X that “the sounds heard across the country are the result of ongoing engaging operations of missiles and UAVs”.

    “The public is urged to remain calm and follow the safety and security instructions issued by relevant authorities,” it said.

All ASEAN member states ‘affected by global oil crisis’

By Jamela Alindogan

Reporting from Cebu City, Philippines

    A top priority is energy security together with food security, which have been basically at the core of most of the discussions here.

    Even though this global oil crisis may come to a halt, the world will never be the same again, and they say that – especially ASEAN – will now have to understand exactly how to respond to a world that has completely changed.

    Every single member state in ASEAN has been affected by the global oil crisis.

    That includes even Singapore and Malaysia that have buffer industries.

    Although there are many approaches that they have taken. For example, Singapore decided not to negotiate with Iran on passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The Philippines has, specifically because 98 percent of its fuel supplies here in the country comes from the Middle East.

UAE says air defence systems engaging with missile and drone threats

    Air defence systems are “currently responding to a missile threat”, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority of the UAE has said in a post on X.

    “Please remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates,” it said.

    We will bring you more information as we get it.

Philippines’ President Marcos Jr says ASEAN demonstrating capacity amid war on Iran

    The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc is standing together to demonstrate its capacity to respond with unity and resolve amid uncertainty and volatility in the Middle East, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has said.

    Marcos, as ASEAN chair, told ⁠a summit of its leaders in Cebu City that the ⁠war on Iran ⁠was challenging the ⁠11-member grouping to remain agile amid “considerable challenges across ‌our region and beyond”.

    Tehran accused the US of violating the ceasefire and launching attacks against the country.

    Air defences were activated over Tehran with local media reporting that forces were responding to “hostile targets”.

South Korean peace activist has passport suspended for joining Gaza aid flotilla

    A South Korean activist’s passport was suspended for boarding a Gaza-bound flotilla for a second time.

    Kim Ah-hyun, known as Haecho, was detained by Israel for two days in 2025 when Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla.

    The South Korean government warned Haecho that she could face criminal penalties under its Passport Act if she continued with her activism.

    Speaking to AJ+’s @_annakook while on board this year’s flotilla, Haecho said she’s “prepared to face those consequences gladly” if she reaches Gaza.

    A group in South Korea called Lawyers for a Democratic Society filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn the suspension of Haecho’s passport, but the case was rejected.

    While many on board the Global Sumud Flotilla were intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters, Haecho continues sailing towards Gaza with the remaining vessels.

South Korea’s KOSPI retreats from record highs as US-Iran naval clash spooks markets

    South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reports that South Korean stocks opened lower on Friday as investors locked in gains from a previous surge while reacting to escalating military friction between Washington and Tehran.