The United States struck 140 Iranian military targets in its third major round of attacks this week after a civilian container ship was hit in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran answered with missile and drone attacks across the Gulf and declared the strategic waterway closed until further notice.
The confrontation has moved beyond a contest between Washington and Tehran. Arab states hosting U.S. forces are now being drawn directly into the fighting, commercial shipping faces renewed danger, and the energy route carrying roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil has again become the centre of a global economic crisis.
American forces launched another major wave of strikes after an Iranian attack disabled a civilian container ship. Iran retaliated against U.S. military sites and allied states across the Gulf, while asserting that the world’s most important oil shipping route is closed.
Missile alerts sounded in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Jordan after the United States struck Iranian launch sites and military infrastructure, raising the risk of a much broader regional war.
Central Command said the latest operation hit missile and drone launch sites and other military facilities, marking the third round of American strikes against Iran during the week.
The strongest storm to strike mainland China this year brought violent winds, flooding and landslides to Zhejiang province, while forecasters warned of days of heavy rain as the vast system moves inland.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said government changes are needed to carry out an updated political strategy, signalling a significant reshuffle as Ukraine faces intensifying Russian attacks and acute air-defence shortages.
The reported attack came as Ukraine intensifies a campaign against vessels and fuel infrastructure supporting Russian forces and the occupation of Crimea.
Japan, the Philippines, the United States and eleven other governments marked the tenth anniversary of an international tribunal ruling by declaring that Beijing’s expansive maritime claims have no legal basis.
The influential Republican senator, a leading advocate of military support for Israel and Ukraine who evolved from Trump critic to close ally, died after what his office described as a brief and sudden illness.
Police investigating the death of former cabinet minister Ann Widdecombe said there was no evidence of a political motive and that they were not seeking anyone else after arresting a 28-year-old man.
Hormuz declared closed as U.S. and Iran trade attacks.
Typhoon Bavi forces nearly two million evacuations.
Zelenskiy prepares a major government reshuffle.
Fourteen countries reject Beijing’s maritime claims.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham dies at 71.
Police rule out political motive in former minister’s killing.
