Here are the latest developments related to the war in the Middle East on Saturday:
– Iraqi oil exports through Ormuz cut by ten in April: Iraq’s oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, a major point of conflict in the Middle East, were nearly divided by ten in April compared to pre-war months, the country’s new oil minister announced on Saturday. “Iraq used to export 93 million barrels per month through the Strait of Hormuz, but in April we only exported 10 million, due to the war,” stated Bassem Mohammed Khudair during his inauguration following the formation of a new government on Thursday.
– Lebanon: new Israeli strikes despite ceasefire extension: Israel conducted new strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday after ordering residents of nine villages to evacuate, despite a month and a half extension of the ceasefire negotiated between the two countries the previous day in Washington.
– Modi advocates for an “open and safe” Strait of Hormuz: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his six-day tour on Saturday through Sweden, Norway, and Italy. This tour highlights India’s desire to diversify its economic and strategic partnerships while asserting itself as a major industrial and technological hub.
– Debt costs soar with inflation fears, oil prices continue to rise: Inflationary pressures returned to the center of global market concerns on Friday, causing a surge in interest rates and a drop in stock markets following a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping that failed to reassure.
– Dubai opens contemporary art fair amidst war: Despite the ongoing war, the Middle East’s main contemporary art fair opened in Dubai on Friday. The 20th edition of Art Dubai, an annual meeting for art dealers and collectors in the region, welcomed the public with a one-month delay due to the conflict.
– Israeli army claims strike on Gaza targeting Hamas military leader: The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced on Friday that it conducted a strike in Gaza targeting the leader of the military branch of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.
– Hezbollah claims drone attack on Israeli military barracks: The Iran-backed Hezbollah movement stated on Friday that it “targeted” an Israeli barracks in Nahariya, northern Israel, with a squadron of attack drones.
– Lebanon reports six killed in Israeli strike: An Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Friday killed six people, including three Hezbollah-affiliated paramedics, with a fourth paramedic seriously injured.
– Lebanon: Israeli strike in Tyre following warning: An Israeli strike hit a building in the city of Tyre in southern Lebanon on Friday, after evacuation warnings for several buildings, according to Lebanese state media.
– Hezbollah accused of leading Lebanon into “irresponsible” war: Lebanon’s Prime Minister accused the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement on Friday of leading the country into a new “irresponsible” war, calling for support from Arab countries and the international community in negotiations with Israel.
