Middle East & North Africa

Two tankers attacked in Gulf of Oman — reports

13 June 2019; DW: The United States Fifth Fleet responded to suspected attacks on two tankers in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday.

"US naval forces in the region received two separate distress calls at 6:12 a.m. local time and a second one at 7:00 a.m.," the statement said.

"US Navy ships are in the area and are rendering assistance."

Israel strikes Gaza after first rocket since early May

Jerusalem, Jun 13 (AFP) Israeli warplanes bombed bunkers at a Hamas base in Gaza early Thursday following the first rocket fire from the territory since early May, the military said.

Israeli aircraft targeted "underground infrastructure" at the base in the southern Gaza Strip, it said in a statement.

The strike came after Israeli air defences intercepted a rocket launched from the territory, the first since hundreds were fired in early May in a two-day flare-up which killed four Israelis and 25 Palestinians.

Crews evacuated off 2 tankers in Gulf of Oman

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Latest on Mideast developments amid rising tensions in the Persian Gulf region (all times local):

Noon

A firm that operates a crude oil vessel — one of two reportedly targeted in the Gulf of Oman — says an explosion caused a fire onboard. Another shipping firm identified the second vessel hit and said 21 sailors were evacuated, with one slightly injured in the incident.

Royal pardon to 17 Indians serving sentences in Oman

New Delhi, Jun 12 (PTI) Oman's Sultan Qaboos has granted "royal pardon" on the occasion of Eid to 17 Indians serving sentences in that country.

"We appreciate this merciful gesture on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos of Oman," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.

Indian Embassy in Oman said "royal pardon" has been given to 17 Indian nationals serving sentences in Oman by Sultan Qaboos on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.

UK group warns of Oman Sea incident as Japan PM visits Iran

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A U.K. maritime safety group warned Thursday of an unspecified incident in the Gulf of Oman and urged “extreme caution” amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and a high-stakes visit by the Japanese prime minister to Iran.

Iranian media claimed — without offering any evidence — that there had been an explosion in the area targeting oil tankers.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which is run by the British navy, put out the alert but did not elaborate on the incident. It said it was investigating.

Israeli PM's wife signs plea deal over meal fraud case

JERUSALEM, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Israeli prime minister's wife Sara Netanyahu signed a plea bargain on Wednesday over allegedly misusing state funds to order gourmet meals, the State Attorney's Office said.

Under the deal, Sara Netanyahu will admit lesser charges and be convicted of receiving something by intentionally exploiting another person's mistake. She will repay 45,000 shekels (12, 573 U.S. dollars) and pay a fine of 10,000 shekels (2,794 dollars), Israel Radio reported.

The deal will be presented before judge on Sunday at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court.

Pentagon's letter on F-35s "not in spirit of alliance": Turkish defence minister

ANKARA, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The language used in Pentagon's letter which threatened to remove Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program was "not in the spirit of the alliance," Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Wednesday.

Last week, U.S. acting Secretary of Defence Patrick Shanahan informed Akar in a letter that the F-35 fighter jet training program for Turkish pilots would halt over Ankara's purchase of the S-400s, and all Turkish trainees would have to leave his country by July 31.

Bahrain condemns Yemen rebel hit on Saudi Arabia

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Latest on Mideast developments amid rising tensions in the Persian Gulf region (all times local):

4 p.m.

Saudi Arabia’s ally and neighbor Bahrain says it strongly condemns an attack by Yemeni rebels that wounded 26 people at a Saudi airport arrivals hall.

Bahrain says it was a terrorist and cowardly criminal act against innocent civilians.

PA calls for Israel to be punished for demolishing Palestinian homes

12 June 2019; MEMO: The Palestinian Authority condemned on Tuesday Israel’s criminal demolition of Palestinian-owned homes and facilities in the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem, Al-Wattan Voice has reported. According to the PA Foreign Ministry, such demolitions are a form of “ethnic cleansing” of the Palestinians in Jerusalem, and “part of Israel’s war” against them.

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