Main developments
Brent crude settled above $100 a barrel for the first time since August 2022 after the latest strikes on tankers and fuelled fears about supply disruptions.
Mojtaba Khamenei called for the Strait of Hormuz to “remain closed” and warned that Tehran would continue to target US bases in the Gulf, in the his first public statement since becoming Iran’s supreme leader.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, saying he “would not take out a life insurance policy” on him.
A fire has been reported on an oil rig off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, according to maritime intelligence group Ambrey.
A US refuelling aircraft went down after an incident involving other aircraft “in friendly airspace” over western Iraq.
US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent called for an international coalition to escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz “as soon as it is militarily possible”.
The S&P 500 closed 1.5 per cent lower and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.8 per cent.
Six French soldiers injured during drone attack in Iraq
Six French soldiers carrying out counterterrorism training with the Iraqi military were injured in a drone attack in the Erbil region of Iraq on Thursday, the French army said.
The soldiers were taken to the nearest medical centre, the army said. It gave no further details regarding the attack or the provenance of the drones.
US refuelling aircraft ‘went down’ in Iraq
The US military said one of its refuelling aircraft “went down” over western Iraq and that rescue efforts were under way.
US Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, said the loss of the aircraft “was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire”.
Centcom said a KC-135 refuelling tanker was involved in an incident involving two aircraft “in friendly airspace”. Tankers are crucial for refuelling fighter jets and bombers to extend their flight times.
“One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely,” Centcom said. “Rescue efforts are ongoing.”
The US military did not provide any information about potential casualties.
A KC-135’s standard crew typically comprises three or four people.