The UN Security Council is set to vote Friday on a draft resolution allowing “defensive” force to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran’s actions disrupt a vital global trade route. Backed by the United States, the measure comes amid rising tensions and concerns over energy supplies and economic stability. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments.
Trump warns of strikes on Iran bridges and power plants
US President Donald Trump warned on Thursday about striking and destroying bridges and electric power plants in Iran in his latest threat to hit the country’s infrastructure.
The US military “hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants,” Trump wrote on social media.
His post said that Iran’s leadership “knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!”
South Korea and France to upgrade ties to global strategic partnership
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to upgrade relations between the countries to a “global strategic partnership,” Korea’s Blue House said in a statement on Friday.
Macron arrived in South Korea on Thursday for a two-day state visit after also visiting Japan and is due to hold a summit with Lee in Seoul later on Friday.
It is the first state visit by a French president since 2015 and French officials have said the trip aims to strengthen France’s strategic and economic role in the region at a time of “strong international and regional tensions.”
French officials previously said the Middle East crisis would be “at the heart of discussions,” pointing to the shared economic exposure of both nations.
Nikkei rallies, trims weekly losses on oil shipment hopes
Japan’s Nikkei share average rallied on Friday, trimming its losses for the week, following global efforts to restore Gulf oil shipments interrupted by the war in Iran.
Artificial intelligence (AI)-related stocks led the Nikkei higher, with the gauge rising 1.31% to 53,147.35 in early trade, poised for a 0.4% retreat on the week. The broader Topix climbed 1.12% to 3,652.13.
UN Security Council to vote on force to protect Hormuz shipping
The UN Security Council will vote Friday on a draft resolution brought by Bahrain to authorise the use of “defensive” force to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks.
Iran has placed a stranglehold on the key shipping lane – threatening fuel supplies and roiling the global economy – in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes that triggered the month-old Middle East war.
“We cannot accept economic terrorism affecting our region and the world, the whole world is being affected by the developments,” Bahrain’s United Nations ambassador Jamal Alrowaiei said this week.
He said the text, which has gone through several amendments and is supported by the United States, “comes at a critical juncture.”
Gulf states have called for the UN Security Council to authorise the use of force to secure the Strait of Hormuz against Iranian attacks, after the vital shipping lane was effectively shut by Iran, disrupting global energy supplies.
A spokesperson for the unified command of Iran’s armed forces has warned the US and Israel of “more crushing, broader and destructive actions”.
French President Emmanuel Macron called the US and Israeli military operation to ‘liberate’ Strait of Hormuz ‘unrealistic’.
