Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Friday, including the leaders of several countries signaling their readiness to support efforts to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran claiming that it struck and seriously damaged a US F-35 fighter jet, and Israel reopening the Rafah border crossing for limited Palestinian movement.

TOP STORIES

• European countries, UK, Japan express 'readiness' to safeguard shipping through Strait of Hormuz

Leaders from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan have signaled their readiness to support efforts to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz

They condemned Iranian attacks and urged Tehran to halt aggressive actions, calling on it to “cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks and other attempts.”

• Iran says it struck US F-35 over central Iran

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it struck and “seriously damaged” a US F-35 fighter jet over central Iran.

A US F‑35 fighter jet conducted an emergency landing at a regional American airbase following a combat mission over Iran, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said.

"The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition," said spokesperson US Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins.

• Israel reopens Rafah crossing for limited Palestinian movement after 20-day closure

Israel reopened the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt for limited Palestinian movement under strict restrictions after a 20-day closure.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said its teams transported 25 patients along with their companions from a hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza to the crossing in preparation for their departure for medical treatment abroad.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara continues to take firm measures against airspace violations and to strengthen national security.
• US President Donald Trump said he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to strike Iran’s oil and gas infrastructure.
• Trump said he does not intend to deploy additional troops to the Middle East amid the war with Iran.
• Russia said it is "seriously concerned" over the escalating conflict in the Gulf, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities and offering to help broker a diplomatic solution.
• The US State Department approved possible military sales to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan amid military operations against Iran.
• Lebanon’s Health Ministry said at least 1,001 people have been killed and 2,584 injured in Israeli attacks since March 2.
• China urged the US to “exercise caution in its words and actions on the Taiwan issue,” calling it an internal affair.
• Russia claimed that its forces took control of two more settlements in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
• Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party was re-elected as prime minister of Thailand.
• Meningitis cases linked to an outbreak in southeast England have risen to 27

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• European Central Bank warns of rising inflation risk due to war in Iran

The war in Iran is expected to accelerate inflation in Europe by pushing up energy prices, the European Central Bank (ECB) said, underscoring heightened economic uncertainty across the euro area.

"The Governing Council today decided to keep the three key ECB interest rates unchanged. We are determined to ensure that inflation stabilizes at our 2% target in the medium term," said ECB President Christine Lagarde.

• US may lift sanctions on Iranian oil stranded in tankers: Treasury secretary

The US could soon ease sanctions on Iranian oil held in offshore tankers to boost global supply and help lower prices, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

"In the coming days, we may unsanction the Iranian oil that's on the water. It's about 140 million barrels," he added.