Tehran,(Parliament Times):
European countries have begun diplomatic efforts with Iran as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.
According to a report by the Financial Times, France and Italy have initiated discussions with Iran to negotiate guarantees for the safe passage of their commercial vessels through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The move comes as regional hostilities threaten global shipping routes and energy supplies.
Meanwhile, the United States Central Command confirmed on Friday that all six crew members aboard a US military refuelling aircraft were killed when the plane crashed in western Iraq on Thursday.
The aircraft was reportedly involved in an incident with another plane during flight operations. The US military clarified that the crash was not caused by hostile fire or friendly fire, adding that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
The tanker aircraft involved was a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, a key component of the US Air Force’s refuelling fleet that allows combat aircraft to conduct long-range missions without landing.
The deaths raise the number of US military personnel killed in operations linked to the conflict with Iran since February 28 to at least thirteen. Reports have also indicated that many US troops have been injured during the ongoing hostilities.
An Iran-aligned militia group known as Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for downing the aircraft, although the US military has not confirmed that assertion.
Separately, two US sailors were injured after a fire broke out aboard the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford in a non-combat-related incident.
The conflict has also intensified military activity in the region. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington would conduct its heaviest round of airstrikes yet against Iran.
US President Donald Trump warned that the US would continue striking Iran heavily in the coming days, even as he issued a partial 30-day waiver on purchases of sanctioned Russian oil in an effort to stabilise energy markets affected by the war.
Global oil markets have reacted strongly to the escalating tensions. Benchmark Brent crude prices, although easing slightly in European trading to around $99.50 per barrel, remain nearly 40% higher since the conflict began.
Washington has also indicated that the US Navy may escort commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz if security conditions require it. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested such operations could involve an international coalition once military conditions permit.
The conflict has significantly disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — a route that carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned it could block Gulf oil shipments unless US and Israeli attacks stop.
In a separate development, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed it had launched missile and drone strikes against the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, alleging the attack caused major damage and forced the vessel to withdraw. However, US officials denied the claim, saying the carrier had not been hit.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that at least one person was killed in an explosion near a pro-government rally in Tehran.
Regional tensions were further highlighted when Turkey announced that NATO missile defence systems had intercepted another Iranian ballistic missile entering Turkish airspace the third such incident within just over a week.
The developments underscore the widening regional impact of the war and its growing implications for global security and energy markets.