Middle East War Latest: UAE Under Attack, Israel Strikes Iran, US Says Talks Continue

Overnight developments in the Middle East war saw fresh attacks across the Gulf, Israeli strikes on Iran, and conflicting messages on peace talks.

UAE Under Attack

Emirati air defences were responding to an Iranian missile and drone attack on Thursday, the UAE’s defence ministry said.

“UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran,” the ministry posted on X.

Israel Strikes Iran

Israel’s military said its forces had carried out a wave of strikes across Iran, including in the central city of Isfahan.

Oil Edges Up

Oil prices rose as investors tracked mixed developments.

• Brent: Edged up 1% to $103.25 a barrel

• WTI: Rose 1.2% to $91.41 a barrel

Talks or No Talks?

Iran FM Abbas Araghchi rejected diplomatic efforts: “At present, our policy is the continuation of resistance. We do not intend to negotiateso far, no negotiations have taken place.”

But the White House said talks continue. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “Talks continue. They are productive.”

President Donald Trump insisted Iran is taking part in peace talkssuggesting Tehran’s denials are because negotiators fear being killed by their own side.

“They are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly. But they’re afraid to say it, because they figure they’ll be killed by their own people.”

Trump also warned he is ready to “unleash hell” on Iran if Tehran does not accept a deal.

US Military Impact

Admiral Brad Cooper, head of Central Command, said the US has hit two-thirds of Iran’s production facilities for missiles and drones, and a similar proportion of its naval production.

Iran’s drone and missile launch rates are down by 90% , he said, and “we’ve also removed the regime’s ability to rebuild them.”

Gulf Developments

• Kuwait arrested six people allegedly linked to Hezbollah planning “assassinations”

• Several Gulf countries and Jordan demanded Iraq act immediately to stop attacks from its territory by pro-Iran groups

• Iran’s parliament speaker warned of a possible invasion of an Iranian island

Lebanon Front

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said negotiations with Israel under fire would amount to “surrender.” Hezbollah said its fighters launched more than 80 attacks on Wednesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said forces were expanding a “buffer zone” in southern Lebanon.

China’s View

China’s top diplomat said a “glimmer of hope” has emerged due to moves to stop the war.

The Bottom Line

The UAE is under fire. Israel struck Isfahan. The US says it has crippled Iran’s missile production. Talks are either happeningor notdepending on who you ask.

Oil is up. Markets are watching. And the war continues.

{Source: Citizen}

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