Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has responded sharply to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial and provocative comments made at the NATO summit in Ankara. In a post on his X account, Araghchi stated that Iran does not respond to rudeness with rudeness but with action, describing the response as fearless and marked by great bravery.

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated since Trump threatened military aggression against Iran during the NATO summit. Earlier, a spokesperson for Iran’s parliamentary committee had also issued a direct warning to U.S. forces. Araghchi’s latest statement signals that Iran intends to respond to any provocation not through rhetoric but through concrete measures.

The exchange underscores the growing strain in U.S.-Iran relations following the summit, with both sides maintaining a confrontational tone amid regional uncertainty.

Iranian parliamentary spokesman Ebrahim Rezaei issued a sharp warning to the United States following a threat from former US President Donald Trump to attack Iran’s Kharg Island. In a post on his X account, Rezaei declared that not a single American soldier would return alive if such an assault occurred. His remarks came after Trump made the threat during a NATO summit held in Ankara, Turkey.

Rezaei, who serves as the spokesperson for Iran’s parliamentary committee on foreign policy and national security, directly challenged the US military, stating that Iran was ready and waiting. The exchange follows a period of heightened tension between Washington and Tehran, which analysts believe could worsen after these latest statements.

Observers cited in the report suggested that Rezaei’s strong response to Trump’s aggressive comments may further inflame the ongoing disputes between the two nations, adding to an already volatile regional situation.

Ali Akbar Velayati, senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, has blamed the United States for reigniting conflict in the Gulf region. According to a report by Al Jazeera, Velayati stated on his X account that former U.S. President Donald Trump’s verbal acknowledgment of canceling a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding has once again pushed the region toward instability.

Velayati emphasized that Iran had previously warned the Gulf was not a place for small nations to gamble politically and asserted that Tehran has repeatedly demonstrated its readiness to respond immediately to any act of audacity. He added that Iran’s finger remains on the trigger and that the country will not remain silent in the face of insult or provocation.

The comments come amid heightened regional tensions, with Iran signaling a firm stance against perceived U.S. aggression and asserting its preparedness for swift retaliation.

A brief exchange between French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan became viral on social media after being captured at a NATO summit dinner in Ankara. The video, published by the Times of India on Wednesday, shows Macron appearing to attempt a hand kiss during a red-carpet greeting before the dinner, while Emine Erdogan withdrew her hand. The two then continued their greeting normally. French First Lady Brigitte Macron was also present beside the French president during the moment.

The incident took place at a reception hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead of high-level discussions among NATO leaders. The summit focused on key issues including European security, increased defense spending, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The video spread widely online, drawing attention to the brief interaction ahead of the formal talks among NATO member states.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the overnight US strike on Iran as 'absolutely necessary' during a joint appearance with US President Donald Trump at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. Rutte said the operation weakened Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities and called it a 'very strong response.' He emphasized that the strike was crucial for Israel, the region, Europe, and the wider world.

Trump declared that the existing ceasefire with Iran had ended following the attack, stating that the US had delivered a severe blow and would continue to respond to any Iranian aggression. After the US strike in southern Iran, Tehran launched retaliatory attacks, claiming to have targeted American military installations in the Gulf region.

Rutte also noted that under Trump’s pressure, European NATO members and Canada had agreed to significantly increase defense spending, though differences remained. Trump criticized some NATO members for insufficient support in the Iran operation, singling out Spain as a 'very bad partner' and instructing his treasury secretary to halt trade with the country.

The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that eight Palestinians were killed and 17 others injured in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours due to Israeli military attacks. The ministry’s daily update, cited by Al Jazeera, stated that many bodies remain trapped under rubble and along roads, as ongoing strikes have prevented emergency and civil defense teams from reaching affected areas.

According to the ministry, since the ceasefire that took effect on October 11, 2025, a total of 1,084 people have been killed in Gaza. During the same period, 3,491 have been injured, and 799 bodies have been recovered from the debris. The report highlights the continuing humanitarian toll and operational challenges faced by rescue workers amid the persistent violence.

The situation underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the ongoing risks to civilians in Gaza as hostilities continue to obstruct rescue and recovery efforts.

US President Donald Trump said the United States could launch new strikes on Iran on Wednesday night, following Tuesday’s attack that he claimed had a “massive impact.” Speaking to reporters in Ankara before meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a NATO summit, Trump warned that the US would deliver a “hard hit” against Iran. He said the latest strike destroyed Tehran’s radar system, though he provided no evidence for the claim.

Trump added that the US might target Iran’s power plants and desalination facilities if necessary, saying the goal was to make Iran nuclear-free. He expressed frustration with Iran’s negotiation team, accusing them of lying about closed-door discussions, and suggested that Washington could achieve its objectives without a formal deal. He also hinted at reimposing sanctions solely on Iran.

In response, Ali Akbar Velayati, senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, blamed the US for reigniting conflict in the Gulf region. He warned that Iran’s “finger is on the trigger” and that any act of aggression would receive an immediate response.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has reported that around 6,000 sailors are stranded aboard hundreds of ships in the Gulf amid rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. In a statement cited by Al Jazeera, Dominguez condemned recent attacks on several vessels crossing the strait over the past two days, warning that such incidents have placed innocent seafarers’ lives at severe risk.

He stressed that no sailor should face danger merely for performing their duties and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and work to de-escalate the situation. Dominguez called on flag states, shipowners, and operators to avoid transiting the strait if crew safety cannot be guaranteed.

According to the IMO chief, the recent attacks have intensified fear, uncertainty, and psychological stress among the roughly 6,000 sailors unable to leave the Gulf. He reaffirmed that ensuring the safety of seafarers must remain the top priority.

Four Indian citizens who were previously pushed into Bangladesh by India's Border Security Force (BSF) have returned to India through the Sonamasjid immigration point in Chapainawabganj’s Shibganj upazila. The return took place on Wednesday afternoon after completing necessary immigration formalities. The four individuals—Danis Sheikh, Sweety Bibi, Kurban Sheikh, and Imam Dewan—are residents of Dhritara village in Birbhum district, West Bengal, according to Sonamasjid Immigration Police in-charge Jamirul Islam.

The group alleged that in June 2025, BSF forcibly pushed six Indian nationals, including two children, into Bangladesh through the Kurigram border. They were later detained by police in Chapainawabganj and sent to jail before being released on bail after about three months. Earlier, two other members of the same family, Sonali Bibi and her child, had been taken back by India, but the remaining four were not accepted at that time.

Following legal proceedings in India’s High Court and Supreme Court, the six were confirmed as Indian citizens, prompting India to issue travel passes. The four expressed gratitude to the people and authorities of Bangladesh for their support before returning home.

Iran has stated that it turned back an Indian oil tanker attempting to use a maritime corridor along Oman’s coast through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, the vessel was redirected after trying to pass through the Oman corridor. The report cited Al Jazeera as the source of the information.

On June 24, Oman and the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced the opening of a temporary sea route near Oman’s coast to facilitate the removal of stranded ships in the Gulf. Iran claimed that the United States was overseeing the management of this corridor. Fars reported that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been issuing radio warnings to ships attempting to use the Oman corridor, instructing them to follow Iran-designated routes instead.

The report added that, according to shipping data, all vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday morning used Iran-approved corridors. However, there has been no independent confirmation of Iran’s claims from India, Oman, or international authorities.

Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity reported that several of the country’s power lines were damaged by splinters from an Iranian attack, rendering them temporarily inoperative. The ministry stated that despite the damage, electricity supply across the country remained unaffected. Emergency engineering teams have already begun repair work on the affected lines.

According to Kuwait’s army, two ballistic missiles and thirteen drones were detected in the country’s airspace early Thursday morning. All were successfully intercepted before causing further harm. Authorities confirmed that there were no casualties or significant damage resulting from the incident.

The ministry and military statements indicate that the situation is under control, with restoration efforts underway to ensure full operational stability of the power infrastructure.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused the United States of violating rules as the host of the Football World Cup, alleging that Washington is intimidating rivals, creating obstacles, and engaging in deceit. He stated that such behavior reflects the broader foreign policy of the United States. His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera.

In a post on social media platform X, Pezeshkian said the conduct of the US government mirrors its so-called ‘MAGA playbook’. He added that Iran rejects such games and stands firmly for its rights. The comments come amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington.

The report noted that US forces recently struck more than 80 targets inside Iran and reimposed sanctions on the country’s oil sector, further straining bilateral relations.

Iran issued a strong warning following U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration that an agreement with Tehran had ended. The Iranian Armed Forces’ central command unit, Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters, stated that any party assisting U.S. military aggression against Iran’s sovereignty or territory would be considered a legitimate target. The statement was reported by Al Jazeera and published through Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.

According to the Tasnim report, the command emphasized that any source of support for U.S. aggression—whether direct or indirect—would be treated as a valid target by Iran’s armed forces. It further suggested that individuals, institutions, or infrastructure aiding U.S. military operations could face necessary countermeasures.

The warning reflects heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington following Trump’s announcement, signaling Iran’s readiness to respond to any perceived threat or collaboration against its sovereignty.

US President Donald Trump announced that the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran to maintain a ceasefire has collapsed. Speaking to reporters at a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, he said continuing talks with Iran would be a waste of time. The agreement, brokered by Pakistan, aimed to achieve a final deal within 60 days, but indirect negotiations in Qatar failed to make progress. Following this, US forces launched new attacks on Iran on Tuesday.

Trump stated that the memorandum was effectively over and criticized Iran’s leadership as violent and untrustworthy. He claimed that if Iran possessed nuclear weapons, it would use them. The US military carried out extensive air and missile strikes on more than 80 Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, accusing Tehran of attacking commercial ships in the vital trade route.

In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on 85 US military installations located in Bahrain and Kuwait, signaling a sharp escalation in hostilities between the two nations.

Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, announced that more than 2.3 million people participated in a mourning procession for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the holy city of Najaf. The statement, broadcast on Iran’s state media IRIB on Wednesday, said people from across Iraq joined the event, with the number of mourners continuing to rise.

As part of several days of farewell ceremonies, Khamenei’s body was taken to Najaf. Similar commemorations were also organized in Qom, Karbala, and his hometown of Mashhad. The funeral prayer was first held at the shrine of Hazrat Ali (RA), followed by the official mourning procession that began at 6 a.m. local time in Najaf.

The procession moved from the shrine through Kufa Bridge and Thawrat al-Ashreen Square toward Al-Sadrin Square before Khamenei’s body was taken to Karbala, marking a major moment in the multi-day mourning events.