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'We don’t need them any longer, but we will remember': Trump tells Starmer as US using UK bases for 'defensive' Iran operations

Israel has warned Lebanon it will pay a “heavy price” as Israeli bombardment continues to pound the southern suburbs of Beirut. The warning comes as Israel intensifies its military campaign, targeting areas it says are linked to militant infrastructure.

Iran’s strikes across the Gulf have brought renewed attention to the defence relationship between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The long-standing security partnership between the two countries includes military cooperation, training and strategic coordination, which analysts say could become more relevant as regional tensions escalate. The spotlight on the Saudi-Pakistan defence pact comes as Iran targets locations across the Gulf during the widening confrontation in the Middle East. The developments have raised questions about how regional alliances may respond if the conflict expands further. Observers say the evolving situation could test existing defence partnerships across the Gulf and South Asia as countries monitor the impact of the escalating crisis.

An oil facility in Tehran has been targeted in the latest wave of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, according to Iranian media reports. The attack reportedly hit oil storage infrastructure in the Iranian capital, triggering large fires and explosions overnight.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s campaign is aimed at Iran’s leadership and not at its citizens and described the war as an effort to remove what he called a ‘tyrannical regime’. He said Israel does not seek to divide Iran but to free it from tyranny so its people can live in peace.

Russia says Iran has not requested military assistance despite the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said there has been no request from Tehran for Russian arms or direct military support. However, a report by The Washington Post, citing U.S. officials familiar with intelligence assessments, claims that Russia has been providing Iran with targeting information about U.S. military assets in the region. The information reportedly includes the locations of American warships and aircraft operating in the Middle East. The report suggests the intelligence sharing could help Iran respond to U.S. and Israeli military operations, though officials say there is no evidence that Russia is directly directing Iranian attacks. The developments highlight growing geopolitical tensions as the Iran war draws in major global powers and raises concerns about wider international involvement.

Global oil markets are on edge as traders warn that crude prices could soon hit $100 a barrel if the war involving Iran continues to escalate. Brent crude has already surged above $90 per barrel amid fears of prolonged supply disruptions. The conflict has severely disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route that carries around 20% of the world’s oil supply. Tanker traffic through the strait has plunged, raising concerns about a tightening global energy market. Energy analysts say continued attacks on oil infrastructure and shipping lanes could push prices even higher, fuelling inflation and economic uncertainty worldwide.

China has criticised Australia over a recent military patrol in the Yellow Sea, accusing Canberra of escalating tensions in the region. Chinese officials said the operation undermines regional stability and warned against what they described as provocative actions near Chinese waters.

The United States has rejected Iran’s claim that it struck or sank the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. U.S. Central Command said the Iranian missiles “didn’t even come close” to the carrier and dismissed Tehran’s claims as false.

The United Arab Emirates says its air defence systems intercepted incoming missiles and drones targeting the country amid rising tensions across the Gulf. Authorities confirmed that multiple aerial threats were neutralised before they could hit their intended targets. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the country will not be an “easy prey” for any aggressor, warning that the UAE is prepared to defend its territory and protect national security. The interceptions come as the wider Middle East conflict continues to escalate, with several Gulf states activating air defence systems in response to missile and drone threats across the region.

The United States has approved an emergency arms sale to Israel worth about $151.8 million, including 12,000 1,000-pound bomb casings, as fighting escalates in the Middle East. The U.S. State Department authorised the deal using emergency powers to speed up delivery of the munitions.

The United States has rejected Iran’s claim that it struck or sank the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. U.S. Central Command said the Iranian missiles “didn’t even come close” to the carrier and dismissed Tehran’s claims as false.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation declared force majeure because of the explicit threats by Iran against the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, continuing attacks on Kuwait and the “almost total absence” of vessels available to ship crude oil and products in ⁠the Arabian Gulf.

Iran has launched a fresh barrage of missiles targeting Israel as the conflict in the Middle East continues to intensify. Air raid sirens were reported in multiple areas as Israeli air defence systems moved to intercept incoming projectiles. The latest attack comes amid escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, with both sides carrying out strikes as tensions rise across the region. Officials have warned that the situation remains volatile, raising fears of a broader regional confrontation. The developments follow days of exchanges between Iran and Israel, further heightening concerns about the stability of the Middle East.

Iran’s strikes across the Gulf have brought renewed attention to the defence relationship between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The long-standing security partnership between the two countries includes military cooperation, training and strategic coordination, which analysts say could become more relevant as regional tensions escalate. The spotlight on the Saudi-Pakistan defence pact comes as Iran targets locations across the Gulf during the widening confrontation in the Middle East. The developments have raised questions about how regional alliances may respond if the conflict expands further. Observers say the evolving situation could test existing defence partnerships across the Gulf and South Asia as countries monitor the impact of the escalating crisis.

U.S. Central Command says American forces have struck more than 3,000 targets in Iran during the first week of the military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury. The strikes have targeted key Iranian military infrastructure including missile sites, air defence systems, command centres and naval assets. According to U.S. officials, dozens of Iranian naval vessels have also been damaged or destroyed as part of the ongoing operation. The large-scale campaign is aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities amid the escalating regional conflict.

Iran’s missile and drone strikes targeting Saudi Arabia have raised concerns about whether Pakistan could be drawn into the widening Middle East conflict. The attacks on Saudi territory, including energy infrastructure and military targets, mark a major escalation in the regional confrontation. The developments have put the Saudi-Pakistan defence partnership under intense scrutiny. Islamabad and Riyadh signed a strategic mutual defence agreement in 2025 that states an attack on one country could be treated as an attack on both.

The United Arab Emirates has airlifted thousands of fresh food supplies from India as aviation disruptions impact regional logistics. Authorities confirmed that around 12,000 packages of fruits and vegetables were flown from India to the UAE to help maintain food supplies. The emergency airlift comes as flight disruptions linked to the ongoing regional crisis affect cargo movement across key Middle East aviation hubs. Officials said the shipments were arranged to ensure the continued availability of fresh produce in the UAE. The move highlights how escalating tensions in the region are beginning to affect supply chains, including the transport of perishable food items.

Former CIA Director and ex-CENTCOM commander David Petraeus says the United States appears to have achieved “air supremacy” over Iran amid the ongoing conflict. Petraeus said recent operations by U.S. and allied forces suggest Iranian air defences have been significantly weakened. According to Petraeus, the level of control in the skies may go beyond basic air superiority, indicating that U.S. forces can operate with limited resistance from Iranian air defences at certain altitudes. The remarks come as U.S. and Israeli strikes continue targeting Iranian military infrastructure in a widening regional confrontation.