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US Central Command says a naval helicopter fired Hellfire missiles at the Panamanian-flagged cargo ship Vela Nova after it allegedly ignored warnings and tried to break the US blockade of Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman. The incident comes amid stalled diplomacy between Washington and Tehran, with Iran insisting on its conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the increasingly treacherous waters of the Strait of Hormuz and the Black Sea, many Philippine seafarers are still competing for jobs aboard ships, driven by good pay even as they face mortal danger. Veteran mariners like Gerald and Alberto Lobaton share harrowing experiences of missile strikes and near-misses, yet they continue to return to sea, citing financial necessity and family support.
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has appointed six senior commanders across Iran’s armed forces, the IRGC and the Basij militia. Analysts say the moves are aimed at consolidating the new leader’s power and prioritizing loyalty over military innovation.
Fresh demands from both Washington and Tehran have stalled talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices up and clouding hopes for a wider peace deal. Iran insists on compensation and sanctions relief, while Trump is demanding reparations for decades of alleged damages.
Iran's military chief has reaffirmed full backing for the Revolutionary Guards amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions in the Gulf. The pledge underscores internal unity as Washington boosts its military presence and sanctions.
As UNIFIL's mandate in southern Lebanon nears expiration, the future of peacekeeping in the region is uncertain, with a likely smaller and more limited force. International support remains, but analysts warn of a possible security vacuum if a new mission is not established promptly.
A drone with explosives crashed at Leipzig/Halle airport, a vital NATO hub, raising fears of Russian sabotage. Intelligence suggests Moscow orchestrated the incident to test NATO defenses, amid a broader drone campaign across Europe. Military experts warn European air defenses are outdated, and NATO's slow response highlights vulnerability.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rejected the 15-point peace roadmap for Gaza proposed by US President Donald Trump's Peace Council, while attacks in the territory have sharply declined over the past week. The rejection comes amid continued violence and settlement expansion in the West Bank.
Major General Fawzi al-Mansouri, head of military intelligence for the LNA in eastern Libya, was killed in a car bombing in Benghazi. The eastern government's prime minister condemned the attack and vowed to investigate.
