Iraq has deployed its maritime control, search, and rescue teams to locate two Bolivian-flagged ships that went missing in the Persian Gulf. The vessels, named Bridge 1 and Bridge 2, lost all communication, prompting Iraqi authorities to begin coordinated search operations, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).

The General Company for Ports of Iraq stated that security authorities from several Gulf ports and the ships’ owners contacted Iraqi officials after losing contact with the vessels. The company confirmed that neither ship entered Iraqi territorial waters and that no distress signals were received from their crews. Port authorities said they currently have no information about the ships’ exact locations.

Iraq emphasized that tracking efforts are continuing through satellite monitoring in close coordination with regional search and rescue administrations to determine the ships’ positions.

US President Donald Trump has announced the deployment of an additional 5,000 American troops to Poland, reversing a recent Pentagon decision to delay rotational troop movements. The announcement came just days after the earlier suspension and was made through a post on Truth Social, where Trump cited his strong relationship with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, who recently won re-election with Trump’s support.

The Pentagon had previously said the delay was part of a broader review of US force posture in Europe. Trump’s move is being viewed as a sharp policy reversal. The decision follows criticism from Vice President JD Vance, who had defended the earlier delay, and comes amid heightened concerns in Poland over Russia’s aggression during the ongoing Ukraine war. Polish leaders, including President Nawrocki and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, welcomed the announcement, calling it proof of a strong alliance.

The announcement also coincides with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s trip to Sweden for a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting, where tensions remain high between Washington and European allies over military cooperation and the war in Iran.

A Bloomberg News report, citing unnamed sources, claims that Iran has destroyed more than two dozen US MQ-9 Reaper drones since the start of the current war. The estimated financial loss is around one billion dollars, representing about 20 percent of the Pentagon’s total Reaper drone fleet before the conflict. The report states that many drones were shot down by Iran’s air defense systems, while others were destroyed on the ground in missile attacks on US military installations or lost during operations.

According to a person directly familiar with the information, at least 42 US military aircraft have been damaged or destroyed during the war. A US Congress report cited in the article estimates total American military equipment losses at approximately 2.6 billion dollars.

The report, sourced from Al Jazeera and Bloomberg, highlights the scale of US military losses but does not specify the exact timeline or battlefield locations of the incidents.

Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for carrying out 16 separate attacks on Israeli forces positioned in southern Lebanon on Thursday. According to a statement from the group, the assaults involved the use of rockets, offensive drones, quadcopters, and artillery fire targeting Israeli military positions.

Hezbollah stated that the attacks were directed at gatherings of Israeli soldiers, artillery sites, and armored vehicles located in several border areas, including Rashaf, Bint Jbeil, Naqoura, and Deir Seryan. The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not mention any casualties or responses from the Israeli side.

The statement underscores continuing hostilities along the Lebanon-Israel border, though further details about the scale of damage or military response were not provided in the source.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will visit Beijing from May 23 to 26, according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visit aims to advance bilateral relations and discuss shared interests between the two countries. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the leaders will meet in Beijing to address ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and promote peace initiatives.

China expressed full support for Pakistan’s “fair and balanced” mediation role in efforts to restore peace and stability in the Middle East. In recent months, Pakistan has acted as a key mediator in easing tensions between the United States and Iran. As part of these diplomatic efforts, Pakistan’s army chief and commander-in-chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is visiting Tehran on Thursday.

The visit follows Beijing’s recent hosting of U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, reflecting China’s active engagement in global diplomacy.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have reached a sharp disagreement over future strategy in the ongoing conflict involving Iran. According to CNN, their differences became evident during a heated phone call on Tuesday. Trump had earlier signaled plans for a new targeted strike against Iran, codenamed 'Operation Sledgehammer,' but later announced its postponement following requests from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Sources said the three Gulf states, in coordination with the White House and Pakistani intermediaries, are working to establish a new diplomatic framework. Trump told reporters that the Iran issue was nearing its final stage, suggesting either a deal or tougher measures could follow. Netanyahu, however, remains dissatisfied with the diplomatic approach and continues to advocate for stronger military action, arguing that any delay benefits Tehran.

Israeli sources noted that Netanyahu doubts any agreement can be reached through diplomacy, particularly as Iran has not agreed to relinquish its enriched uranium stockpile. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has instructed that near-weapons-grade uranium reserves must not be sent abroad, though no official confirmation has yet been issued.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that if Iran proceeds with its plan to impose a toll in the Strait of Hormuz, any potential agreement between Washington and Tehran would become virtually impossible. He said that introducing a new toll system in such a vital international waterway could raise concerns for both regional and global trade. Rubio also suggested that such a move would negatively affect the ongoing diplomatic atmosphere between the two nations.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical routes for energy supply, with a large number of oil and gas tankers passing through daily. Analysts believe that any new restrictions or additional costs in this area could impact international markets. However, Iran has not yet issued any detailed official comment regarding the possible toll plan.

Following Rubio’s remarks, discussions have intensified over the future of US-Iran relations, though no immediate diplomatic responses were reported.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation on Wednesday to discuss bilateral relations and several international issues. According to the report, the discussion focused on the Middle East situation, the ceasefire with Iran, stability in Syria, and the future activities of the NATO alliance.

Turkey’s communications directorate stated that Erdogan viewed the extension of the ceasefire with Iran as a positive step and emphasized that ongoing disputes could be resolved through dialogue. He added that Turkey would continue to play a constructive role in reducing regional conflicts and highlighted the importance of long-term stability in Syria for the security and peace of the entire Middle East. Erdogan also mentioned Ankara’s continued support for Syria and called for swift action to prevent further deterioration in Lebanon.

The upcoming NATO summit in Ankara was also discussed, with Erdogan noting Turkey’s full preparations for its success. After the call, Trump praised Erdogan’s leadership, describing him as a strong leader and an important ally for the United States.

A 34-year-old Bangladeshi woman who escaped from a scam center in Cambodia is set to return home within a week, following efforts by Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury. The Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok confirmed that her repatriation is being arranged through a travel pass with the cooperation of Cambodian authorities.

According to the report, the woman traveled to Cambodia in August 2025 through a travel agency that promised her a computer-related job with a high salary. Upon arrival, her passport was confiscated, and she was forced to work in a scam center engaged in online financial fraud. After several failed attempts, she managed to escape on May 20, 2026, and contacted the minister via WhatsApp for help. The embassy verified her location through a video call and, with assistance from the Bangladeshi community in Phnom Penh, rescued her.

The embassy stated that the process of issuing her travel pass is underway, and she will be repatriated soon under the supervision of the ministry and Cambodian authorities.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered that the country’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium must not be sent abroad under any circumstances. The directive directly contradicts a key demand from the United States, which had made the removal of enriched uranium a central condition in ongoing peace discussions. Two senior Iranian sources confirmed the order to Reuters.

According to the report, the decision could anger U.S. President Donald Trump and place the process of ending the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel in serious doubt. Israeli officials told Reuters that Trump had previously assured Israel that Iran’s uranium stockpile would be removed and that this would be a mandatory clause in any peace agreement. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also stated that the war would not be considered over until Iran removes its enriched uranium, halts support for proxy militias, and dismantles its ballistic missile capabilities.

Iranian officials believe that sending the material abroad would leave the country more vulnerable to potential attacks from the United States and Israel. No immediate comment was available from the White House or Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

A recent US intelligence assessment indicates that Iran is rebuilding its military capabilities faster than expected after suffering damage from US and Israeli strikes. According to information shared with CNN, Iran has partially resumed drone production during a six-week ceasefire that began in April 2026. The reconstruction of missile bases, launchers, and weapons infrastructure is reportedly advancing quickly, surpassing earlier intelligence timelines.

The assessment suggests Iran could restore full drone strike capability within six months, raising concerns among US allies in the Middle East. Intelligence sources attribute Iran’s rapid recovery partly to assistance from Russia and China, though Chinese officials have denied supplying missile components. Despite significant losses, much of Iran’s ballistic missile, drone, and air defense capacity remains intact, with about half of its drone fleet still operational.

Contradicting the intelligence findings, US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper told Congress that Operation Epic Fury destroyed 90 percent of Iran’s defense industry. However, CNN reported that intelligence sources believe Iran’s recovery could take months rather than years.

Israeli forces carried out a series of attacks across southern Lebanon on May 21, 2026, targeting several towns and villages. According to local sources and journalists at the scene, the assaults included airstrikes, artillery shelling, and drone attacks. The most significant strike reportedly occurred in Sarafand city in Tyre district, where an Israeli air raid caused widespread panic among residents. Additional shelling was reported in the towns of Baraashit and Kfar Dounin, while a separate drone strike hit Yaroun city. No immediate details were available regarding casualties or damage.

The attacks come amid escalating tensions along the southern Lebanon border, where clashes between Israeli forces and armed groups have intensified in recent weeks. The continued exchange of strikes has raised concerns about the deteriorating security situation in the border region.

The situation remains fluid, with no official confirmation yet on the extent of destruction or potential civilian impact from the latest wave of attacks.

China has condemned the United States for filing murder and conspiracy charges against former Cuban president Raul Castro. Beijing stated that Washington should cease its legal actions and threats toward Cuba. The remarks came from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun during a regular press briefing on Thursday.

According to the report, the United States has accused the 94-year-old Raul Castro of involvement in a conspiracy to commit murder, linked to the 1996 downing of two aircraft between Cuba and Florida that resulted in the deaths of American citizens. At that time, Castro was serving as commander of Cuba’s armed forces and faced strong international criticism following the incident.

China’s statement reflects its opposition to U.S. sanctions and judicial measures against Cuba, urging Washington to avoid repeated threats of force in dealing with disagreements.

Israel has released two South Korean human rights activists who were detained while traveling on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. The South Korean presidential office in Seoul confirmed the release, identifying the activists as Kim Ah-hyun and Jonathan Victor Lee. They were detained by Israeli forces from a vessel in international waters.

According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Israel did not send the two citizens to a detention center and instead repatriated them immediately. Kang added that the government of Lee Jae-myung expressed strong displeasure over the detention of its nationals during the vessel seizure but appreciated Israel’s prompt decision to release them.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as its source, noted that the South Korean government welcomed the release and valued Israel’s cooperation in resolving the matter swiftly.

An Iranian military source has stated that Tehran possesses advanced weapons developed with domestic technology, which have not yet been deployed or tested in battle. The statement came as the United States issued new threats of attack against Iran, according to a report by Russian news agency RIA Novosti cited by Al Jazeera.

The Iranian official emphasized that the country is fully prepared for any escalation with the United States and faces no deficiencies in defense capability or military equipment. He added that Iran is not inclined to show restraint this time, signaling a tougher stance in response to potential US actions.

The remarks underscore rising tensions between Tehran and Washington, with Iran asserting its readiness to defend itself using newly developed weaponry if provoked.