Morning update

Good morning Middle East Eye readers,

The latest updates from the region reveal US Vice President JD Vance prioritizing the goal of maintaining low oil and gas prices for Americans as the top objective in the ongoing war on Iran. He further emphasized the importance of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

In a significant escalation, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that Washington intends to impose unprecedented economic isolation measures against Iran. This will include a comprehensive blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, ensuring no goods can enter or leave Iranian ports, as disclosed during an interview on Newsmax's Rob Schmitt Tonight programme.

Early Thursday, Iraqi security sources reported that air defense systems successfully intercepted drones over the Kurdish province of Erbil. Footage showed remnants of drones crashing into a residential area near Erbil international airport, causing no reported injuries or casualties thus far.

The United Arab Emirates condemned an Iranian attack on two vessels associated with the state-owned Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) as they passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. Adnoc confirmed the vessels had been attacked while transiting the waterway, but added that the situation was currently under control, according to the official WAM news agency.

The US Central Command (Centcom) has firmly rejected reports regarding the alleged death of soldiers onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln during its deployment in the Middle East. Some reports claimed seven Sailors lost their lives in a brawl, while others suggested an increase in suicidal ideations among the crew. However, Centcom clarified through a post on X that these reports are FALSE.