latest news

The US-Israel war on Iran has entered day 12, with Tehran saying the death toll in the country has surpassed 1,300 people since the start of the attacks. Iranian officials claim thousands more have been injured and large numbers of civilian sites have been damaged during the strikes. Iran’s UN ambassador has accused the United States and Israel of targeting civilian infrastructure during the campaign, allegations both countries have rejected. The conflict has triggered rising humanitarian concerns as strikes continue across Iranian territory and tensions escalate across the wider Middle East.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) says it has saved about $215 billion in US government spending through contract cancellations, workforce reductions and other cost-cutting measures. However, the figures have been widely disputed by analysts and watchdog groups who say the calculations may be inflated or difficult to verify. The claims come as the Trump administration faces growing scrutiny in Congress over the rising cost of the war with Iran, with lawmakers questioning the financial burden of the conflict. Critics argue that even if DOGE savings are accurate, the escalating military spending could offset those gains.

If an Iran-linked drone is launched at California, even if it is successfully intercepted and shot down by the US Navy over the Pacific, it fundamentally rewrites the rules of engagement

Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton has criticised President Donald Trump over calls for regime change, warning that public approval for the war is at its lowest level since World War II. Bolton said support for the conflict among Americans has dropped sharply, raising concerns about the political and strategic implications of the ongoing war involving the United States and Iran.

Iran has criticised the UN Security Council resolution that condemns its strikes on Gulf states, calling the decision a misuse of the international body. Tehran’s UN envoy said the resolution ignores the realities of the conflict and unfairly targets Iran. The Security Council resolution, introduced by Bahrain and backed by more than 130 countries, demands that Iran immediately halt all attacks on Gulf states, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. It passed with 13 votes in favour, while China and Russia abstained. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations described the move as a distortion of facts, arguing that the broader crisis began after US and Israeli strikes on Iranian territory.

WATCH | Oil tanker erupts in flames near Basra coast in Northern Persian Gulf as Middle East war escalates; 20 crew members rescued

UN Security Council passes resolution urging Iran to stop Gulf attacks; China, Russia abstain

Donald Trump claims early victory in Iran conflict, touts global oil reserve release to stabilise prices as uncertainty remains over war’s timeline

The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution condemning Iran’s strikes on Gulf states and Jordan. The measure passed with 13 votes in favour, while China and Russia abstained during the vote. The resolution was introduced by Bahrain on behalf of six Gulf nations and Jordan, calling for condemnation of the attacks and reaffirming the need to protect regional security and stability. Bahrain said the resolution has received backing from 135 countries, signalling broad international support for the move.

Questions are mounting in Washington over US strategy in the escalating conflict with Iran. A senator from Connecticut has criticised President Donald Trump’s approach, saying the administration appears to have no clear plan for the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.

'India deplores the fact': MEA condemns attack on Thai ship bound for Gujarat in Strait of Hormuz

Iran says its forces have carried out attacks using hypersonic missiles and drones against US and Israeli targets as the regional war escalates. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed the strikes were part of its ongoing military campaign against what it described as “aggressors.” According to Iranian statements, the operation involved advanced missiles and UAVs aimed at strategic sites linked to US and Israeli assets. Tehran has repeatedly warned that it possesses high-speed missile systems capable of penetrating air defence networks. Iran has previously unveiled missiles such as the Fattah series, which it describes as hypersonic weapons capable of travelling at extremely high speeds and manoeuvring to evade missile defences, though analysts have debated the actual operational capability of these systems. The claims come amid the expanding conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States, with both sides reporting strikes on military infrastructure across the region.

European nations are cautiously increasing their military presence in West Asia as regional tensions escalate. France is leading the effort, deploying an aircraft carrier strike group to the Mediterranean as part of a broader move to strengthen European naval readiness. The deployment comes as the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States continues to raise security concerns across the region. European governments say the increased presence is aimed at monitoring developments and protecting strategic maritime routes.

WATCH | Hezbollah fires 100 rockets toward northern Israel as Tel Aviv carries out strike in Lebanon

Iran says more than 1,300 civilians have been killed since the start of US and Israeli strikes on the country. Iranian officials made the claim during international briefings, accusing Washington and Tel Aviv of targeting civilian infrastructure during the ongoing war.

US law enforcement agencies in California have been briefed on a potential drone threat possibly linked to Iran, according to reports citing an FBI intelligence bulletin. The alert warned that Iran may have aspired to launch a surprise attack using unmanned aerial vehicles from an unidentified vessel off the US West Coast.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified after Hezbollah launched a barrage of around 100 rockets toward northern Israel. Sirens were activated across several communities as residents were directed to seek shelter.

FBI warns of possible Iranian drone threat to California from offshore vessels

Hezbollah and Iran have reportedly launched coordinated attacks involving cluster munitions against Israel, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing regional conflict. Reports say some missiles carrying cluster warheads were fired toward Israeli areas, spreading smaller bomblets over wide zones and raising concerns over civilian safety and unexploded ordnance.