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The United States has carried out strikes on military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, a key strategic location in the Persian Gulf and a major hub for Iranian oil exports. US President Donald Trump said American forces destroyed military installations on the island while deliberately avoiding oil infrastructure. Kharg Island handles the majority of Iran’s crude exports and lies close to the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. Trump also warned that oil facilities could be targeted if shipping through the strait is disrupted. Meanwhile, two Indian vessels are expected to cross the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the continued risks to commercial shipping as the conflict disrupts maritime traffic in the Gulf. The strait normally carries a significant share of the world’s oil shipments, making any disruption a major global concern.

Sun TV Network sues CSK for ₹1 crore over "unauthorised" use of Rajinikanth’s 'Jailer' and 'Coolie' music in their viral IPL 2026 jersey launch video. Get the full details.

France and Italy have reportedly opened diplomatic channels with Iran to discuss the safety of commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to media reports. The talks aim to secure guarantees for European vessels navigating the strategic waterway, a critical global oil chokepoint disrupted by the ongoing Iran war. Shipping traffic through the strait has slowed sharply since US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered retaliatory threats and attacks, pushing oil prices higher and raising fears of a global energy crisis. However, Italian officials have denied negotiating a special deal with Tehran, saying diplomatic contacts are focused on broader de-escalation rather than arrangements for specific ships.

Shield of the Americas, or shackles of the Americas?: The Chinese Embassy in Washington has sparked a fresh diplomatic row after briefly posting—and then deleting—an AI-generated animation mocking President Donald Trump’s "Shield of the Americas" summit. Watch it here

Ahead of the release of Dhurandhar: The Revenge, actor Anil Kapoor has revealed that he was offered to play a role in Aditya Dhar's film. Unfortunately, he had to say no.

Amid the comments made by Timothée Chalamet for opera, the Academy Awards has added a last-minute opera-ballet act. Read to know more.

President Donald Trump said on Friday the U.S. would soon begin escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz to protect them from Iranian attack, as his administration searches for ways to ease high oil prices fuelled by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Trump issued a temporary waiver for some purchases of sanctioned Russian oil, a move that drew criticism from U.S. allies in Europe for potentially helping Russia fund its war with Ukraine.

Iran struck and damaged five US Air Force refuelling planes on the ground at Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base, The Wall Street Journal reported, in what would mark a major escalation in the Middle East conflict involving the United States-Israel and the Islamic Republic.

Tensions are rising after Israel kept the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound closed, preventing worshippers from entering the sacred site in Jerusalem. The move has drawn strong condemnation from eight Muslim-majority nations, who say restricting access to one of Islam’s holiest sites is unacceptable. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and several governments have raised concerns over religious freedom and the status of the compound. The closure comes amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing security operations around Jerusalem’s Old City.

Despite being part of Iran’s network of regional allies, the Houthis have not opened a major front in the conflict. Analysts suggest Iran could be calibrating the involvement of its partners to avoid triggering a wider regional war while keeping the option of escalation on the table. The Houthis have previously launched attacks in the Red Sea and against regional targets, but experts say their role in the current conflict appears limited so far. Observers believe Tehran may be pacing how and when its allied groups escalate the confrontation.

Salman Agha reacts to his heated dismissal vs Bangladesh. Despite a 128-run win, the Pakistan captain questions Mehidy Hasan’s tactics and the Spirit of Cricket

US President Donald Trump has rejected a proposal from Russian President Vladimir Putin to move Iran’s uranium stockpile to Russia, according to an Axios report. The proposal reportedly suggested transferring Iran’s uranium to Russian territory as part of efforts to manage the nuclear issue amid the ongoing conflict. However, Trump declined the offer, the report said, underscoring continued tensions and competing diplomatic approaches over Iran’s nuclear programme during the war.

Musician Labrinth has lashed out at the HBO series Euphoria and also revealed retirement from the industry in a cryptic post. Read to know more.

All six crew members aboard a US KC-135 refuelling aircraft that crashed in western Iraq have been confirmed dead, according to US Central Command. The aircraft went down during a mission supporting the US campaign against Iran. Two KC-135 tankers were involved in the operation, but the second aircraft landed safely. Officials say the crash occurred in what the military described as “friendly airspace.” US officials have said the incident was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, and the cause of the crash is under investigation. The loss of the tanker and its crew highlights the risks facing US forces as the war with Iran continues to escalate across the region.

Why did the US bomb Iran’s Kharg Island, its key oil export hub? President Donald Trump claims American forces “obliterated” military targets on Kharg Island, calling it one of the most powerful bombing raids in the region’s history. Why is this island so critical to Iran? Watch video here.

Israel's multi-layered air defence, featuring Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow 3, successfully intercepted the vast majority of Iran's 181 ballistic missiles. This overlapping network proved its critical worth by preventing casualties.

Iran may allow ships through Strait of Hormuz — but with a catch. Deets inside

The United States is preparing to deploy additional Marines to help secure the Strait of Hormuz as tensions in the region continue to escalate.

The United States has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information on leaders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Authorities say individuals who provide credible information could receive financial compensation as well as relocation assistance. The offer is part of efforts by US officials to gather intelligence on IRGC leadership and activities. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran and its regional network. US officials say the reward programme is aimed at encouraging sources to share information that could help authorities identify and track key IRGC figures.