Italian lawmakers visit Libya to explore energy supplies amid Persian Gulf war

China said on Friday it was deeply concerned after a Chinese-linked tanker was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel.

“There are Chinese aboard the vessel but no reported crew casualties so far,” China’s foreign ministry said.

A Chinese-owned oil products tanker was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week, marking the first reported attack on a Chinese oil tanker since the conflict began.

According to Reuters, the vessel’s deck caught fire during the incident near the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Maritime security sources identified the ship as the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker JV Innovation.

French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said on Friday he did not expect massive flight cancellations this summer despite concerns over jet fuel shortages linked to the war involving Iran.

Tabarot said most airlines had little interest in cancelling flights during the peak summer travel season, though some carriers had slightly reduced schedules.

A spokesperson for Transavia France said the airline had cancelled 2% of its flights in May and June.

The French government is preparing support measures for airlines, including deferred social security payments, extended tax deadlines and greater flexibility on fuel loads.

European airlines have warned of possible jet fuel shortages within weeks as the conflict disrupts supplies from the Middle East, which accounts for about 75% of Europe’s jet fuel imports.

Iran’s Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said authorities would firmly prosecute and punish people accused of espionage, infiltration and "betraying the country."

In a statement published on Friday, Ejei said the judiciary’s strategy under current conditions was “clear” and that “traitorous elements” would be dealt with according to the law.

He described “traitors” as spies, infiltrators and people accused of undermining national unity, adding that the judiciary would pursue such cases decisively while remaining within the framework of Islamic law and justice.

Ejei also said authorities would stand against “those who break unity.”

A Japanese shipping company said three of its vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz in April without paying any transit fees.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines said the ships paid no charge to cross the strategic waterway.

The statement comes amid Iran’s attempts to impose new transit rules in the Strait of Hormuz and claims from Tehran that vessels must receive clearance to pass through the waterway.

A hardline Iranian lawmaker said Tehran no longer sees the United Arab Emirates as a neighbor and now views it as a “hostile base” for Iran’s enemies.

Ali Khezrian, a member of parliament from Tehran, said on Thursday the UAE had taken direct actions against Iran during the war.

“We no longer see the United Arab Emirates as a neighbor,” Khezrian said. “They are considered a hostile base.”

He said Iran’s new military and defense doctrine toward the UAE is similar to its approach to Iraqi Kurdistan, which Tehran has previously accused of hosting hostile networks and Israeli-linked activity.