Israel announced it had eliminated Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in an airstrike, a strike Tehran had not confirmed at the time of reporting. The move is part of a broader campaign targeting senior Iranian figures, which analysts warn could embolden hard-liners and carries limits as a strategy for ending the conflict.
Source: The New York Times
Iran launches missile barrage after Israeli strikes; Israel hits central Beirut
Iran fired a wave of missiles in retaliation for the killing of two senior officials, including Ali Larijani, intensifying a conflict already spanning multiple fronts. Israel, meanwhile, struck central Beirut, underscoring the growing risk of a broader regional war and further complicating diplomatic off-ramps.
Source: NPR
Europe balks at joining a U.S.-led mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz
European ministers pushed back on calls to expand naval protection from the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz, citing legal, political, and operational constraints. The reluctance undercuts Washington’s push for allied participation and prolongs disruptions to vital energy and trade routes.
Source: The New York Times
Afghan officials say hundreds killed in Pakistani strike on Kabul; Pakistan denies
Afghan authorities reported at least 400 deaths after an airstrike hit a drug rehabilitation facility in Kabul, while Pakistan said it targeted a weapons depot and rejected civilian casualty claims. The episode marks a dangerous escalation in cross-border tensions with implications for regional stability and counterterrorism coordination.
Source: The New York Times
UN watchdog: Projectile struck Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant premises
The International Atomic Energy Agency said a projectile hit the grounds of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, with Tehran reporting no damage. The incident elevates nuclear safety concerns amid an active conflict, highlighting risks of miscalculation around sensitive facilities.
Source: Khaama Press
EU offers to fund pipeline repairs to break Hungary’s veto on Ukraine aid
Brussels proposed financing and technical support to repair a key pipeline supplying Central Europe, aiming to persuade Hungary to lift its veto on major assistance for Ukraine. The move underscores how energy infrastructure has become a pivot point for EU unity and continued support to Kyiv.
Source: NPR
China funds new Tajik border posts as frontier violence escalates
Beijing granted $61 million to build nine border posts in Tajikistan, extending a decade-long pattern of Chinese security investments in Central Asia. The acceleration follows attacks on Chinese nationals and signals deeper Chinese involvement in regional stability along the Afghan frontier.
Source: The Diplomat
You May Also Be Interested In...
The Obstacles Facing the U.S. Plan for Strait of Hormuz Naval Escorts
Wagner Group Mercenaries Are Now Guarding Russia’s Shadow Tanker Fleet
Trump’s Hormuz Warship Request Puts South Korea-U.S. Alliance to the Test