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The European Union downplayed any immediate impacts on its oil supplies due to the military developments that have been unfolding in the Middle East region since last Saturday.In a message relayed to the bloc countries today, the European Commission stated that it doesn’t predict any instant impact on EU oil supplies and called on the member states to share the oil supply security assessments by the end of today.Global oil markets have begun issuing their assessments of supply movements and prices due to the outbreak of military actions in the Middle East, and the impact on maritime navigation in the Bab el-Mandeb and the Strait of Hormuz, both of which are major arteries for global oil and LNG exports. Source link
The death toll from the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, has risen to 72,097 martyrs in addition to 171,796 wounded.The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip stated Monday that the Strip’s hospitals received one martyr and five injuries in the past 24 hours, while a number of victims remain under the rubble and in the streets, as ambulance and civil defense teams have been unable to reach them so far.It said that the total number of martyrs since the ceasefire last October has risen to 630, and the total number of wounded to 1,698, while the bodies of 735 martyrs have been recovered from under the rubble. Source link
Germany has announced on Monday that it will not participate in the ongoing military operations in the Middle East region.The German government has no intention to participate in the military operations against Iran, said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, before adding that Germany has no bases in the Middle East like Britain, which has allowed the US to access its bases in order to destroy Iranian missiles and missile launch platforms.Wadephul added that Germany has no appropriate means, as the nation certainly has no intention to engage in any kind of these operations, clarifying that it is possible for German troops to defend themselves when they are under attack, but there would never be any other measures beyond that on the part of Berlin.Germany has small military units in two nations in the Middle East. Source link
Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority announced on Monday the extension of the closure of Iraqi airspace to all arriving, departing and transit flights for an additional 48 hours, considering the ongoing regional developments.In a statement, the authority said the closure will remain in effect from today, Monday, until noon on Wednesday as a temporary and precautionary measure.It explained that the decision was based on a continuous assessment of the regional security situation and recent developments, noting that updates will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.Iraq’s Ministry of Transport had announced on Saturday the initial closure of the country’s airspace following airstrikes on Tehran. Earlier, the management of Erbil International Airport also suspended all flights to and from the airport until further notice. Source link
France is ready to defend Gulf nations, as well as Jordan and Iraq against possible attacks from Iran, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday, as the conflict that began with Israeli and US strikes on Iran on Saturday has rapidly expanded to neighboring countries in the Middle East.To allied countries that have been deliberately targeted by the missiles and drones of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and dragged into a war they did not choose -Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan- France expresses its full support and complete solidarity, Barrot said, adding it stands ready to take part in their defense.Barrot added that Israeli and US unilateral attacks in Iran should have been debated in bodies that uphold international law, such as the United Nations, noting that it is only through the UN Security Council that the use of force can acquire necessary legitimacy.French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid and expressed support for efforts to avoid the conflict. Barrot said that no French victims had been reported at this stage, and that work to facilitate the return of French citizens from areas impacted by the conflict would begin when possible.An estimated 400,000 French citizens are residents or currently visiting countries in and around the Gulf. Source link
Oman announced Monday that an oil tanker was attacked by a drone boat 52 nautical miles off the coast of the capital, Muscat, resulting in the death of one crew member.According to Oman News Agency, the tanker MKD VYOM, carrying approximately 59,463 metric tons and flying the flag of Marshall Islands, was targeted by a drone boat 52 nautical miles northwest of Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat Governorate. The attack caused a fire and an explosion in the main engine room, killing one Indian crew member.The agency said the tanker’s 21-member crew was evacuated in coordination with the Maritime Security Center by the commercial vessel MV SAND, flying the flag of Panama. The crew included 16 Indian nationals, four Bangladeshi nationals, and one Ukrainian national.It added that a vessel from the fleet of the Royal Navy of Oman is monitoring the condition of the damaged tanker and issuing the necessary warnings to ships transiting the same maritime area. Source link
A fire that broke out after shrapnel hit a fuel tank at a power station has been contained, Kuwaiti authorities announced on Monday. The incident took place during an operation to intercept a drone. No injuries were reported.Spokesperson for the Kuwaiti Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy, Fatima Jawhar Hayat explained that a small fire broke out after shrapnel hit a fuel tank at the Doha West Power and Water Distillation Station.She confirmed that the incident resulted in no injuries and was limited to some minor material damage. Ministry teams are continuing to monitor the situation and take all necessary precautionary measures, she added.She stated that the country’s electricity and water systems are operating normally, with full readiness maintained to deal with any emergency. She urged everyone to obtain information strictly from official sources. Source link
His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani received Monday a phone call from President of the Republic of Maldives Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.At the outset of the call, the Maldivian President inquired about the situation in the State of Qatar following the Iranian attacks, condemning these attacks and affirming the Maldives’ full solidarity with Qatar.In turn, HH the Amir voiced his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the President of the Maldives for these heartfelt sentiments and the solidarity he demonstrated, noting the deep-rooted relations between the two countries.Both sides stressed the need to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy as a means to resolve the current crisis and safeguard the security and stability of the region. Source link
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides announced that a Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicle struck the British RAF Akrotiri airbase, resulting in minor damage. He simultaneously emphasized that his country is not participating in any military operations.”We are in a region of particular geopolitical instability with many challenges and problems, which is going through an unprecedented crisis,” the Cypriot President said in a press statement on Monday.”I want to be clear: Our country does not participate in any way and does not intend to be part of any military operation,” Christodoulides said.He explained that all competent security agencies are on high alert, noting that he is in constant contact with European and other world leaders regarding regional developments.Earlier today, the British Ministry of Defence announced that the Akrotiri airbase was subjected to a suspected drone strike, with no casualties reported so far. The Ministry stated the attack occurred at midnight local time, confirming that protective measures in the area are at their highest levels to ensure the safety of forces and facilities. Source link
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense announced Monday the crash of several United States military aircraft, confirming that all crew members survived the incidents.Official spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, Colonel Saud Al Atwan, stated that competent authorities immediately commenced search and rescue operations. The crews were evacuated and transported to the hospital to ensure their health status and provide necessary medical care, noting that their condition is currently stable.The spokesperson added that direct coordination with US forces regarding the circumstances of the incident has been established, and joint technical measures are being taken.He affirmed that the relevant authorities are following up on investigations to determine the causes of the crash. Source link