News Flash

PARIS, France, April 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:
- Easter mass cancelled –
All masses in Dubai have been cancelled because of the war, two Catholic churches in the United Arab Emirates posted on their websites.
- 'France' ship –
A container ship declaring itself to have a French owner has passed through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Marine Traffic data analysed by AFP.
The Maltese-flagged Kribi belonging to the French maritime transport group CMA CGM crossed the strait on Thursday to exit the Gulf and on Friday was off the coast of Muscat, Oman, still broadcasting the message "owner France", the maritime tracking website showed.
- Ukraine offer –
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in remarks made public Friday said his country could help unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to a small group of journalists, including AFP, he did not provide details, but but cited Kyiv's experience in restoring passage through the Black Sea, which Russia had blocked at the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine.
- Kuwait plant hit –
A Kuwaiti power and desalination complex was damaged by an attack from Iran, the electricity and water ministry said.
An AFP correspondent in Kuwait City said there had been no disruption to power or water services.
- Gas complex shut –
A fire caused by falling debris from an intercepted attack forced the suspension of operations at the Habshan gas complex in Abu Dhabi, the government media office said.
- 3,500 targets –
The Israeli military said it had struck more than 3,500 targets across Lebanon since fighting with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militants began.
- 'Provocative action' –
Iran warned against any "provocative action" as the UN considers whether to authorise the use of force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
"Any provocative action by the aggressors and their supporters, including in the UN Security Council regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, will only complicate the situation," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
- Hormuz vote delayed –
The UN Security Council has postponed a vote scheduled for Friday on authorising the use of "defensive" force to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks, according to the official program.
Bahrain had brought a resolution that, according to the final draft seen by AFP, greenlights member states to use "all defensive means necessary and commensurate with the circumstances."
- 'Destroying what's left' –
President Donald Trump warned that US forces have yet to begin "destroying what's left in Iran", as he said more of the country's bridges and energy infrastructure were in his sights.
The US military "hasn't even started destroying what's left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, several hours after he said Iran's tallest bridge had been destroyed.
- Missiles at Israel –
The Israeli military said in a statement it had "identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel", adding that "defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat".
- Fresh Gulf attacks –
Kuwait's military said its air defences were working to intercept missiles and drones fired towards the Gulf nation's territory.
A drone attack on a refinery owned by Kuwait's national oil company sparked fires at several of its units, state media said.
Bahrain's interior ministry reported sirens sounding in the country and told residents to head "to the nearest safe place", without providing further details.
- Hezbollah rockets –
Lebanese militant group Hezbollah said that its fighters targeted at least three communities in northern Israel with rockets, as it keeps up attacks in support of ally Iran.
- Fresh Iran attacks –
A military statement carried on Iranian state television said that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had launched a fresh wave of attacks on American steel factories in the UAE and Bahrain, as well as an arms factory in Israel.
The statement said the latest salvos were in response to attacks on its own steel industries.
- Pakistan petrol hikes –
Pakistan drastically raised fuel prices in response to spiking global prices caused by the war, the country's petroleum minister said.
Petrol will see a 42.7 percent increase effective on Friday while diesel will be hiked 54.9 percent.