DIRECT. War in the Middle East: Iranian threats; a ship hit off the coast of Qatar

1:04 p.m. – United Arab Emirates says it was targeted by two Iranian drones

The United Arab Emirates announced that they had intercepted two Iranian drones on Sunday, despite the fragile ceasefire in force since April 8 in the conflict in the Middle East. “UAE air defense systems intercepted two drones launched from Iran”declared the Ministry of Defense in a press release on X.

11:38 a.m. -Kuwait announces drone attack

Kuwait reports a drone attack on its territory, despite the fragile ceasefire in force since April 8 in the conflict in the Middle East. “The Armed Forces detected a number of hostile drones in Kuwaiti airspace at dawn today, which were dealt with in accordance with established procedures.”wrote the army headquarters on X, without specifying the origin of the drones.

11:24 a.m. – Iran wants to sanction American allies

The Iranian military has warned that countries applying US sanctions against the Islamic Republic would have difficulty crossing the Strait of Hormuz, a highly strategic maritime passage for the global hydrocarbon trade. The American government announced on May 1 new sanctions against Iranian interests and warned ships that would pay the Tehran authorities to cross this strait.

“We have put in place a new legal and security system in the Strait of Hormuz. From now on, any ship wishing to cross it will have to coordinate with us.”recalled Mohammad Akraminia, head of the army, to the official IRNA news agency. “Countries that side with the United States in imposing sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran will certainly encounter difficulties crossing the Strait of Hormuz.”he threatened.

9:52 a.m. – Iran threatens “heavy response” to any attack on its ships

Iran has threatened to attack sites belonging to Washington in the Middle East in the event of an attack on its merchant navy, after American strikes against two of its oil tankers, and while the United States is still awaiting Tehran’s response to their latest proposals.

“Any attack on Iranian oil tankers and commercial vessels will result in a heavy response against any of the US centers in the region as well as against enemy ships.”warned, during the night from Saturday to Sunday, the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological army of Tehran.

9:40 a.m. – Saudi oil giant Aramco announces a 25.5% increase in profit

The Saudi oil giant Aramco announced a 25.5% increase in its net profit in the first quarter, driven by the increase in crude prices, according to a press release published on the Saudi Stock Exchange.

The increase is explained by “an increase in revenues and other sales-related income, partially offsetting increased operating costsâ€specifies the group, flagship of the Saudi economy and one of the largest companies in the world in terms of market capitalization.

9:20 a.m. – Ship hit by projectile off coast of Qatar

An unidentified projectile hit a ship off the coast of Qatar early Sunday morning, a shipping agency reported, after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards threatened to target ships the day before “Enemy” in the region.

According to the British maritime safety agency UKMTO, a bulk carrier reported being hit 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha by a “unknown projectile”. “A small fire broke out but was extinguished, there were no victims. No environmental impacts have been reported »a précisé l’agence.

RECAP – The essential news of the night

– Lebanese authorities announced on Saturday the death ofnine people in new Israeli strikes on southern Lebanonle Hezbollah revendiquant de son côté des tirs contre le nord d’Israël.

– Le secrétaire d’État américain Marco Rubio a discuté des “threats” and security in the Middle East during a meeting with the Prime Minister of Qatar. The two men discussed “US support for Qatar’s defense and the importance of close coordination”indicated American diplomacy.

– Iran has questioned the seriousness of American diplomacy in negotiations to find a solution to the conflict in the Middle East, without communicating its response to Washington’s latest proposal. “The recent escalation of tensions by American forces and their multiple violations of the ceasefire reinforce suspicions about the motivation and seriousness of the American side on the path to diplomacy.”said Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, quoted by the Iranian agency Isna.