Category: Middle East

WASHINGTON (NPA) — The United States military has carried out a sixth consecutive night of strikes against targets in Iran, with the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) saying the operations were aimed at degrading Iranian military capabilities following recent attacks on commercial shipping.

In a statement issued on Friday, CENTCOM said U.S. forces struck dozens of military targets, including coastal surveillance and air defence sites, military logistics infrastructure and maritime capabilities.

The command said the operation, conducted at about 9:40 p.m. Eastern Time, involved fighter aircraft, aerial drones and warships using precision-guided munitions.

“At the Commander in Chief’s direction, CENTCOM is further degrading Iranian military capabilities and holding Iran accountable for recent attacks on commercial shipping,” the statement said.

According to CENTCOM, more than 50,000 U.S. service members remain deployed across the Middle East.

The latest operation marks the sixth straight night of U.S. military strikes against Iran amid an escalating confrontation between the two countries.

U.S. officials said the latest wave of attacks also targeted bridges, railway infrastructure, seaports and airports, which Washington said were being used to support Iran’s military operations.

According to U.S. accounts, the strikes were intended to pressure Iran to comply with an existing ceasefire arrangement and to reduce its capacity to threaten maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. officials also claimed that at least eight people were killed during the latest operation, although Iranian authorities had not independently confirmed the casualty figure at the time of filing this report.

Washington has accused Tehran of targeting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, describing the actions as a violation of the ceasefire agreement between the two sides.

Iran, however, has maintained that it has responded to U.S. military action by launching attacks against what it described as American military bases across the Middle East.

According to Iranian authorities, the retaliatory strikes targeted U.S. facilities in Bahrain, Jordan and Qatar.

Neither side’s battlefield claims could be independently verified.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPA) — United States President Donald Trump has announced what he described as the reinstatement of a blockade targeting Iranian shipping, alongside a proposed 20 per cent charge on cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate.

Trump made the announcement in a statement posted on his Truth Social platform on Monday, declaring that the United States would henceforth assume what he called the role of “The Guardian of the Hormuz Strait.”

The announcement comes amid heightened military tensions between the United States and Iran and growing concerns over the security of international shipping through the strategic waterway.

In the statement, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would remain open to international shipping but insisted that restrictions would apply to Iranian vessels and their customers.

“The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, and will remain OPEN, with or without Iran. We are reinstating THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving,” he wrote.

He added that vessels from other countries would continue to enjoy unrestricted access to the vital maritime corridor.

“All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait,” the President stated.

Trump further announced that the United States would seek reimbursement for providing security in the region by introducing what he described as a 20 per cent charge on all cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz.

“The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’ but as such, and as a matter of fairness, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World,” he said.

According to Trump, implementation of the proposed arrangement would begin immediately.

“The process and formation will begin immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” the statement added.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s busiest energy shipping routes, carrying a significant share of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Any disruption to navigation through the waterway is closely monitored because of its potential impact on global energy markets and international trade.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no immediate indication that the proposed blockade or transit charge had been recognised or implemented under international maritime arrangements.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPA) — The United States has launched another round of military strikes against targets inside Iran as tensions continue to escalate following the collapse of the fragile ceasefire between the two countries.

The latest operation, carried out by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), is aimed at further degrading Iran’s military capabilities and preventing attacks on civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement on Sunday, CENTCOM said the strikes commenced at 5 p.m. ET on the orders of the Commander-in-Chief.

“At 5 p.m. ET today, U.S. Central Command forces began launching more strikes against Iran to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The Commander in Chief has directed the strikes to hold Iranian forces accountable,” the statement said.

CENTCOM said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to safeguard international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest and most strategically important maritime trade routes.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military dismissed reports circulating on Iranian media and social media platforms alleging that three American service members were killed in Kuwait during Iranian strikes.

Describing the reports as false, CENTCOM said all U.S. military personnel in the region had been accounted for.

“Iranian propaganda claimed today that three American service members were killed in Kuwait by strikes from Iran. False.

“Truth: There are zero reports of U.S. service member deaths or injuries in the region. All personnel are accounted for,” the command stated.

The renewed exchange of hostilities has further heightened concerns over the security of international maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping corridor through which a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas exports passes.

Analysts warn that any prolonged disruption to navigation through the waterway could have far-reaching implications for global energy supplies, shipping operations and international trade.

The latest military developments signal growing volatility in the Gulf region as diplomatic efforts to restore the ceasefire remain uncertain after US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire is over at the recently concluded NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPA) — U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that American forces carried out fresh airstrikes against Iranian military targets, accusing Tehran of repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump said U.S. aircraft targeted Iranian missile and drone storage facilities, as well as coastal radar installations, following what he described as another breach of the ceasefire by Iran.

“United States aircraft just struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN! It is very possible that they will never learn!” Trump wrote.

He warned that Washington could escalate its military response if Tehran continued what he described as repeated acts of aggression.

“There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist,” Trump added.

The latest strikes followed an Iranian drone attack on a commercial oil tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which U.S. officials cited as the immediate trigger for the military operation. According to the U.S. military, the strikes targeted surveillance infrastructure, missile and drone facilities, air defence systems and coastal radar sites near the strategic waterway.

Iran has rejected the U.S. accusations and, according to reports, responded by launching missile and drone attacks against U.S. military installations in Bahrain and Kuwait, further escalating tensions in the Gulf.

Authorities in both countries activated air defence systems, although no significant casualties were immediately reported.

The renewed exchange of attacks has raised fresh concerns over the fragile ceasefire reached earlier this month and threatens ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions between Washington and Tehran.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, has remained a focal point of the crisis, with commercial shipping facing repeated security threats in recent days.

Regional governments have called for restraint, warning that further escalation could undermine security and disrupt global energy supplies.

JERUSALEM, Israel (NPA) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed the new framework of understandings between Israel and Lebanon as a historic breakthrough, saying it paves the way for ending hostilities and eventually reaching a formal peace agreement between the two countries.

Addressing a news conference on Saturday, Netanyahu said the agreement followed direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon mediated by the United States.

“Yesterday, before the start of the Sabbath, we achieved a historic accomplishment for the State of Israel,” Netanyahu said.

“Following direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, mediated by the United States, we have reached a framework of understandings that allows us to move forward toward ending the conflict and, God willing, eventually reaching a peace agreement between the two countries.”

According to the Israeli leader, the understandings recognise Israel’s right to maintain what he described as a security zone inside southern Lebanon for as long as necessary.

He said Israeli forces would remain in the area until Hezbollah and other armed groups are disarmed and no longer pose a threat to Israel.

Netanyahu described the agreement as a major strategic setback for Iran and Hezbollah, accusing Tehran of attempting to force Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon.

“I stood firm on our vital interests and forcefully opposed the notion of forcing a withdrawal upon us,” he said.

He added that Israel, Lebanon and the United States had agreed on a pilot programme in two areas near the Blue Line to facilitate Hezbollah’s disarmament and transfer security responsibilities to the Lebanese Armed Forces.

The Prime Minister thanked U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other American officials for facilitating the negotiations.

He also expressed appreciation to the Lebanese government and people for what he described as their courage in supporting the process, while commending Israel’s negotiating team led by Ambassador Yechiel Leiter.

Netanyahu argued that Israel’s military campaign against Hezbollah and Iranian interests created the conditions for the agreement.

He claimed Israeli forces had destroyed about 90 per cent of Hezbollah’s missile and rocket stockpile, eliminated senior commanders, including former Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and dismantled significant militant infrastructure in southern Lebanon.

According to him, Israeli forces have also maintained control of several strategic locations while continuing operations to destroy tunnels, bunkers and other military positions.

“We are breaking the Iranian axis of terror, but we are also breaking the Iranian diplomatic axis,” he said.

Netanyahu acknowledged that military operations were continuing, particularly against what he described as the growing threat posed by explosive drones.

Looking ahead, he said the agreement would strengthen both Israel and Lebanon while weakening Hezbollah and Iran’s regional influence.

The Prime Minister pledged continued investment in Israel’s northern communities, announcing more than 20 billion shekels in reconstruction and economic support.

“We will continue to do everything necessary to restore security to the residents of the North,” he said.

“This is what I want to see: a quiet border between us and Lebanon, a border of peace. In the North, I want to see security, peace and prosperity.”

The agreement comes amid continued international efforts to reduce tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border after months of cross-border fighting that raised fears of a wider regional conflict with Iran in the mix.

BRUSSELS, Belgium (NPA) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has welcomed the peace framework signed between Israel and Lebanon, describing it as a significant step towards de-escalation and long-term stability in the Middle East.

In a statement issued on Saturday, von der Leyen said the agreement marked a critical move away from conflict.

“Because there can be no peace in the Middle East with Lebanon in flames,” she said.

She thanked the United States for mediating the agreement and stressed that its successful implementation would depend on the disarmament of non-state armed groups and the preservation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“The EU stands ready to support this path to lasting regional stability, also with the continued delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid, with €100 million mobilised for the displaced,” she said.

Under the Trilateral Framework signed on June 26 by the United States, Israel and Lebanon, the two countries committed to ending decades of conflict, strengthening their sovereignty and security, and working towards peaceful neighbourly relations through direct negotiations with U.S. mediation.

The agreement outlines a phased security process under which the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) will gradually assume full security responsibility across Lebanese territory following the verified disarmament of non-state armed groups. As the process progresses, Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are expected to redeploy from Lebanese territory under agreed security arrangements and U.S.-backed verification mechanisms.

Lebanon reaffirmed its commitment to restoring the state’s exclusive authority over the use of force, disarming all non-state armed groups, and ensuring that no armed organisation operates outside government control.

Israel, for its part, stated that its military operations in Lebanon had been directed at threats posed by non-state armed groups, particularly Hezbollah, and reiterated that it has no territorial ambitions in Lebanon.

Both governments affirmed their right to self-defence under the United Nations Charter while agreeing that no third party should exercise that right on their behalf. They also committed to establishing a military coordination group with U.S. participation to oversee implementation of the framework.

The agreement also provides for the creation of working groups to negotiate a comprehensive peace and security treaty, while the United States pledged to mobilise international support for Lebanon’s reconstruction, economic recovery and humanitarian assistance.

In addition, Lebanon and the United States committed to preventing reconstruction funds or financial resources from reaching non-state armed groups, with future U.S. assistance tied to measurable reforms, transparency and verified progress.

The two countries also pledged to refrain from hostile actions in international political and legal forums and to cooperate on the return of detainees and human remains as confidence-building measures, while expressing appreciation to the United States and President Donald Trump’s role for facilitating the end of decades of conflict and promoting lasting regional peace.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPA) — United States President Donald Trump has accused Iran of violating the ceasefire agreement between the two countries following a reported drone attack on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The accusation comes after Iran rejected a new shipping corridor proposed by Oman to facilitate maritime traffic through the strategic waterway. Tehran had warned that vessels using the alternative route, instead of the channel it recognises, could be targeted.

In a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, Trump alleged that Iranian forces launched four one-way attack drones at commercial ships in the Strait.

According to the U.S. president, one of the drones struck the upper deck of a cargo vessel, causing damage, while U.S. forces intercepted the remaining three drones.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran shot at least four One Way Attack Drones at ships transversing the Strait of Hormuz. One of the drones solidly hit the upper deck of a large and very expensive cargo-carrying ship. Damage was done, but the ship was able to proceed on its way. We knocked down three other drones. Obviously, this is a foolish violation of our Ceasefire Agreement,” Trump wrote.

The reported attack is the first major incident since the United States and Iran reached an interim ceasefire aimed at reducing hostilities and restoring freedom of navigation through one of the world’s busiest oil shipping routes.

As of the time of filing this report, the U.S. administration had not announced any retaliatory measures, while Iranian authorities had yet to publicly respond to Trump’s allegations.

It also remains unclear whether the incident will affect the fragile ceasefire agreement or ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran has criticised the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) over its approach to regional security, accusing the bloc of relying on what it described as “the greatest violator of security” to safeguard the region.

The Head of the Centre for Public Diplomacy and Spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baqaei, made the remarks in a statement issued on Friday.

Baqaei said Iran remained more committed than any other country to ensuring collective security in the region, arguing that seeking external security guarantees from powers Tehran considers responsible for regional instability was counterproductive.

“Undoubtedly, Iran, more than any other party, is concerned with ensuring the collective security of the region. For the Gulf Cooperation Council to imagine that the solution to addressing this concern lies in seeking refuge with the greatest violator of security is, in itself, a violation of the very purpose—a bitter irony and a disheartening sign of failing to learn from recent bitter experiences,” he said.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman also questioned the role of some Gulf states during recent regional tensions.

He alleged that some of Iran’s southern neighbours had violated the principles of good neighbourliness and international law by participating in attacks against Iran or allowing their territories to be used for military operations targeting the country.

“The southern neighbours must be asked why they themselves, in violation of the principle of good neighbourliness and the fundamental rules of international law, took part in an aggressive attack against a Muslim neighbour and allowed their territory to be used against Iran or for launching missiles from there,” Baqaei said.

He further questioned what he described as the region’s silence over the continued acquisition of advanced weapons by some countries and Israel’s military actions.

“Why do they turn a blind eye to the destructive arms race and the purchase and stockpiling of hundreds of billions of dollars in advanced weaponry that has no defensive justification?” he asked.

Baqaei also criticised what he described as the failure to condemn repeated Israeli military operations in the region and what he called Israel’s undeclared nuclear arsenal, while Iran’s conventional military capabilities continued to attract criticism.

According to him, Iran’s military capabilities are intended solely to guarantee the country’s inherent right to legitimate self-defence while contributing to regional peace and stability.

“The national security and dignity of the country cannot be bargained or made conditional. Just as the inherent right to legitimate self-defence can never be a subject for negotiation, its instruments cannot be a subject for compromise with any party,” he said.