Tensions in the Middle East: American strikes on Iranian oil tankers, violence in Lebanon and Yemen, increase in fuel prices in France

A.-L.B., C.W., L.G. with AFP

Published on 05/09/2026 at 10:24 a.m. • Updated on 05/09/2026 at 4:18 p.m.

TO SEE

4:15 p.m.

US military says it “destroyed” three Iranian oil tankers

The US military said it struck and “destroyed” three Iranian oil tankers this Saturday, one in the Gulf and two in the Gulf of Oman, after two of its ships were targeted by Tehran.

The American army “struck three Iranian oil tankers after the Revolutionary Guards launched missiles at two American naval ships patrolling regional waters,” writes the American Middle East Command on the social network X. It specifies having “permanently neutralized” two and having “completely destroyed” a third.

3:12 p.m.

In Lebanon, the death toll from Israeli strikes increases from three to four

Israeli strikes on southern and eastern Lebanon on Friday evening left four dead, according to an updated report from the Lebanese authorities released on Saturday. Israel said it was targeting pro-Iranian Hezbollah in these nighttime strikes on several localities, despite a truce with the Lebanese Shiite movement. The official toll was previously three dead and 23 injured. According to the Ministry of Health, there are now four dead, including an 18-year-old woman, and 32 injured, including several women and children.

2:08 p.m.

In Yemen, clashes between rebels and government forces leave more than 60 dead

Clashes between Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels left more than 60 people dead on Saturday, including civilians, medical and military sources said. The resumption of fighting in southwest Yemen for control of access to the Red Sea comes the day after one of the deadliest days in recent years, after the ceasefire concluded in 2022 shattered in July.

12:29 p.m.

In the second largest oil producer among OPEC countries, people queue for fuel

Motorists formed long queues in front of gas stations in Baghdad on Saturday, as gasoline stocks dwindle in Iraq due to disruptions in imports linked to the war in the Middle East. Although the second largest oil producer among OPEC countries, Iraq imports petroleum products, its refineries not producing enough gasoline to meet domestic demand. As hostilities in the region continue, long queues have reappeared in recent weeks, mainly outside public gas stations in Baghdad and other provinces.

12:08 p.m.

US ambassador says Israel 'has a responsibility' to ensure security of Palestinians in West Bank

During the same visit to the occupied West Bank, the US ambassador to Israel said the Israeli government had a responsibility to ensure the safety of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, following a surge in settler attacks. “One of the messages we have given and will continue to send is that people in these communities have the right to live in safety and that the government has a responsibility to ensure that that is the case,” said Mike Huckabee.

11:40 a.m.

US ambassador to Israel calls for 'severe consequences' over West Bank violence

The American ambassador to Israel called on Saturday for “severe consequences” to end the violence in the occupied West Bank, during a meeting with American-Palestinians targeted by settler attacks. “Our message is clear, a crime is a crime, an act of terror is an act of terror. Those who commit them should expect severe consequences,” Mike Huckabee told reporters.

11:36 a.m.

US ambassador says Israel does not plan forced displacement of Gaza population

The US ambassador to Israel said on Saturday that there was "no plan" to expel Palestinians from the Gaza Strip, after Israeli ministers called for emptying the territory of its two million inhabitants and transferring them abroad. “I can tell you categorically that there is no Israeli plan to expel the people of Gaza against their will,” Mike Huckabee told reporters during a visit to American citizens living in the occupied West Bank.

9:38 a.m.

Iranian media report explosions near Gulf island of Kharg

Iranian media reported "several explosions" heard on Saturday near the island of Kharg, which houses the country's main oil terminal in the Gulf, against a backdrop of resumption of hostilities with the United States. The Fars agency reported “several explosions” while specifying that no smoke was visible, while the local agency SNN reported that “an Iranian tanker was targeted by the United States” near the island.

9:00 a.m.

For Trump, the conflict in Iran is “not a big thing”, it’s even “nonsense”

Donald Trump once again downplayed the extent of the American military commitment against Iran on Friday. Asked in the Oval Office about the statements of his vice-president J.D. Vance, who refused the day before to describe the conflict as a “war”, the American president took up the same position. He presented the current operations as a simple “military conflict”, going so far as to describe them as “a problem” for the United States. “It’s not a big thing. We did Venezuela and we did that,” he added.

The day before, J.D. Vance had already considered that the clashes with Iran did not constitute a “war”. The vice-president also affirmed that traffic in the Strait of Hormuz had “almost” returned to normal, while maritime traffic there remains disrupted by several months of tensions and attacks.

8:45 a.m.

In France, gasoline at its highest since the start of the war in Iran

Fuel prices continue to rise in France. On Friday, a liter of SP95-E10 reached 2,090 euros on average, its highest level since the start of the war in Iran at the end of February, according to an AFP calculation based on government data from 7,452 service stations. In one week, its price increased by 2.78% and it now shows an increase of 21.52% compared to February 27.

This surge comes as oil prices have started to rise again. After falling back to around $70 at the beginning of July, a barrel of Brent was trading around $95 on Friday against a backdrop of new tensions in the Middle East. Diesel fuel also remains at particularly high levels.

8:30 a.m.

Israel says it has completed consolidation of its security zone in southern Lebanon

Israel claims to have completed the consolidation of its “security zone” in southern Lebanon after the capture of the Ali Taher Ridge. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz presented this operation as the culmination of control of this border sector.

According to Israeli authorities, Hezbollah had set up tunnels in this area used to carry out drone and missile attacks against Israeli army positions in southern Lebanon and against northern Israel.

8:15 a.m.

Hello, welcome to this new Live

Like almost every day since February, the editorial staff of 20 Minutes is mobilized to give you all the information on the conflict between the United States and Iran, the repercussions of which are global and which does not seem to have an end.

The consequences of the war with Iran continue to be felt on the economic and diplomatic levels with a sharp increase in fuel prices in France and the United States while Washington strengthened its sanctions against Tehran and approved, on Friday, a five billion dollar arms sale to Saudi Arabia.

Tensions remain very high in the Middle East with new Israeli strikes in Lebanon which left at least three dead and 23 injured while Israel claimed to have consolidated its security zone in the south of the country.

In Yemen, fighting between pro-government forces and the Houthis has sharply intensified with the death toll now exceeding 120 in two days after an offensive carried out near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait.

Also read

4:15 p.m.

US military says it “destroyed” three Iranian oil tankers

The US military said it struck and “destroyed” three Iranian oil tankers this Saturday, one in the Gulf and two in the Gulf of Oman, after two of its ships were targeted by Tehran.

The American army “struck three Iranian oil tankers after the Revolutionary Guards launched missiles at two American naval ships patrolling regional waters,” writes the American Middle East Command on the social network X. It specifies having “permanently neutralized” two and having “completely destroyed” a third.

3:12 p.m.

In Lebanon, the death toll from Israeli strikes increases from three to four

Israeli strikes on southern and eastern Lebanon on Friday evening left four dead, according to an updated report from the Lebanese authorities released on Saturday. Israel said it was targeting pro-Iranian Hezbollah in these nighttime strikes on several localities, despite a truce with the Lebanese Shiite movement. The official toll was previously three dead and 23 injured. According to the Ministry of Health, there are now four dead, including an 18-year-old woman, and 32 injured, including several women and children.

2:08 p.m.

In Yemen, clashes between rebels and government forces leave more than 60 dead

Clashes between Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels left more than 60 people dead on Saturday, including civilians, medical and military sources said. The resumption of fighting in southwest Yemen for control of access to the Red Sea comes the day after one of the deadliest days in recent years, after the ceasefire concluded in 2022 shattered in July.

12:08 p.m.

US ambassador says Israel 'has a responsibility' to ensure security of Palestinians in West Bank

During the same visit to the occupied West Bank, the US ambassador to Israel said the Israeli government had a responsibility to ensure the safety of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, following a surge in settler attacks. “One of the messages we have given and will continue to send is that people in these communities have the right to live in safety and that the government has a responsibility to ensure that that is the case,” said Mike Huckabee.

11:40 a.m.

US ambassador to Israel calls for 'severe consequences' over West Bank violence

The American ambassador to Israel called on Saturday for “severe consequences” to end the violence in the occupied West Bank, during a meeting with American-Palestinians targeted by settler attacks. “Our message is clear, a crime is a crime, an act of terror is an act of terror. Those who commit them should expect severe consequences,” Mike Huckabee told reporters.

9:38 a.m.

Iranian media report explosions near Gulf island of Kharg

Iranian media reported "several explosions" heard on Saturday near the island of Kharg, which houses the country's main oil terminal in the Gulf, against a backdrop of resumption of hostilities with the United States. The Fars agency reported “several explosions” while specifying that no smoke was visible, while the local agency SNN reported that “an Iranian tanker was targeted by the United States” near the island.

9:00 a.m.

For Trump, the conflict in Iran is “not a big thing”, it’s even “nonsense”

Donald Trump once again downplayed the extent of the American military commitment against Iran on Friday. Asked in the Oval Office about the statements of his vice-president J.D. Vance, who refused the day before to describe the conflict as a “war”, the American president took up the same position. He presented the current operations as a simple “military conflict”, going so far as to describe them as “a problem” for the United States. “It’s not a big thing. We did Venezuela and we did that,” he added.

The day before, J.D. Vance had already considered that the clashes with Iran did not constitute a “war”. The vice-president also affirmed that traffic in the Strait of Hormuz had “almost” returned to normal, while maritime traffic there remains disrupted by several months of tensions and attacks.

8:45 a.m.

In France, gasoline at its highest since the start of the war in Iran

Fuel prices continue to rise in France. On Friday, a liter of SP95-E10 reached 2,090 euros on average, its highest level since the start of the war in Iran at the end of February, according to an AFP calculation based on government data from 7,452 service stations. In one week, its price increased by 2.78% and it now shows an increase of 21.52% compared to February 27.

This surge comes as oil prices have started to rise again. After falling back to around $70 at the beginning of July, a barrel of Brent was trading around $95 on Friday against a backdrop of new tensions in the Middle East. Diesel fuel also remains at particularly high levels.