Iran strikes tanker as Trump weighs ‘annihilation’ option

Iran struck and detained an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), as US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he was considering whether to “annihilate” Iran’s ruling regime amid the escalating Middle East conflict.
Iran’s state news agency IRNA, and British maritime agency reported the attack on the oil Tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. The Islamic republic wants to charge ships for passage, attacking vessels it accuses of attempting to circumvent its preferred route.
“The Togo-flagged oil tanker ‘Trend’ had been targeted and detained after a fire broke out on board” late on Thursday, the statement said, calling it an attempted “illegal passage”.
Early on Friday, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a ship was hit by an “unknown projectile”, causing a fire that was extinguished.
The monitoring agency had also reported a “security incident” in Hormuz late on Thursday, without giving details, AFP reported.
It was unclear if the IRGC and UKMTO reports referred to the same incident.
President Trump said Thursday that he is poised to make a “big decision” on whether to “annihilate” the Iranian regime. 
“I have a big decision coming up,” Trump told Axios. “Do I want to go in and annihilate them or do I not? It’s a big decision. Anything could happen with me.” 
His comments came ahead of a planned meeting between Mr. Trump and Persian Gulf leaders expected to take place next week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
“I want to find out where they are and how they are doing. We have been very protective of them,” Trump said of the Gulf states, many of which host American military forces and were targeted by Iran in retaliation for the war launched jointly by the US and Israel at the end of February.
Asked whether he would meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week, too, Trump said, “I may.” 
Iran has maintained its stranglehold on the strategic strait as Washington continues pressing its counterblockade of Iranian ports during the Middle East war.

US offers $15m for info on IRGC finances
The US State Department is offering a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the disruption of the financial mechanisms of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its branches, including the elite Quds Force.
The Rewards for Justice program said it was is seeking information on the IRGC’s sources of revenue and financial facilitation networks, including illicit oil-for-money schemes, front companies, sanctions-evasion networks, financial institutions and exchange houses facilitating IRGC transactions, and businesses or investments owned or controlled by the organisation or its financiers.
The program is also seeking information on how the IRGC transfers funds and materials to its terrorist and militia proxies and partners, as well as individuals or entities involved in financing or facilitating its activities, CBS News reported.

Yemen fighting displaces 112,000 in two weeks
Meanwhile, the United Nations migration agency said on Friday that at least 112,000 people have been displaced inside Yemen within the last two weeks as fighting continues along the country’s west coast amid a renewed conflict, while nearly 3,000 have fled by sea to Djibouti, 
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have stepped up attacks on Saudi cities and energy infrastructure while advancing along Yemen’s Red Sea coast towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key shipping route. Responding to the Houthi offensive, the Saudi and Yemeni air forces have bombarded Houthi targets.
Nearly 3,000 people have crossed the Gulf of Aden to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa in less than a week as escalating violence have forced more families to flee, Sandrine Desamours, the representative for the UN’s refugee agency, UNHCR, told reporters in Geneva via video link from Djibouti.
The government of Djibouti is preparing for the arrival of up to 10,000 refugees - which will add acute pressure on the country’s health care and education services, she said.
The UN International Organization for Migration said people are fleeing on overcrowded boats and arriving with very limited food and water. Most fleeing are Yemeni families seeking refuge in Djibouti, but IOM is also beginning to see a small number of migrants, mainly from Ethiopia, heading in the same direction.

EU naval mission raises alert over Houthi threat
The European Union said Friday that its naval mission escorting ships through the Red Sea has raised its alert level, as the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen threaten the key waterway.
Last week, the Houthis seized control of the entirety of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital artery for Saudi oil exports from Saudi Arabia.
“Europe is helping protect shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wrote online after talking with her Saudi counterpart.
“Given the worsening security situation, EU Operation Aspides has raised the alert level of its vessels as it continues its escort duties.”

Israeli, Lebanese troops face off in Deir Mimas
Israel’s military moved forward on Friday in a south Lebanon village, facing off against a Lebanese army position after deploying tanks and detonating stun grenades, according to an AFP photographer and other media in the area.
Israel has been occupying a swathe of south Lebanon since war broke out in March against Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, but the Lebanese army is supposed to gradually take control of the area under a framework agreement between the two countries.
Under the deal, Iran-backed Hezbollah is meant to disarm and Israel to withdraw from Lebanon, but progress has been slow, with Israel warning it will stay put as long as its foe remains a threat.
In the village of Deir Mimas on Friday, located on the edge of territory occupied by Israel, two Israeli tanks advanced along a road towards the settlement, the AFP photographer saw.
The tanks stopped in front of a barricade made from earth, beyond which Lebanese army vehicles were stationed.
“An Israeli force advanced on the outskirts of the village of Deir Mimas, up to a junction near a recently established Lebanese army position”, where they launched “six stun grenades in the surrounding area”, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported.