Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has accused the United States of launching new attacks aimed at overshadowing the final farewell ceremony of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to the IRGC, US forces struck several bridges along the road to Mashhad, where Khamenei is scheduled to be buried on Thursday. The group stated that the attacks targeted bridges in southern coastal provinces and two bridges in eastern provinces leading to the holy city of Mashhad.

In a statement, the IRGC said Iran retaliated by striking targets in Bahrain and Kuwait. The force warned that if the United States carries out further attacks, Iran will launch severe retaliatory strikes on other American bases in the region. Earlier, Iranian state media IRIB reported that US forces fired seven missiles at the Ak Tekhe Khan bridge outside the city of Akkala.

The IRGC described the US actions as an attempt to diminish the significance of what it called a “historic” farewell ceremony for Khamenei.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has warned the United States that the management of maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz will be determined by Tehran, not by Washington’s threats. In a post on social media platform X, Ghalibaf stated that the era of escaping consequences after breaking promises is over and cautioned that any attack would be met with a counterattack.

He further urged the United States not to exert pressure regarding the strategic waterway, emphasizing that decisions about its operation will follow Iranian regulations. Addressing former U.S. President Donald Trump, Ghalibaf said that unnecessary displays of power would only worsen America’s situation.

The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye, underline Iran’s firm stance on controlling the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route, amid ongoing tensions with the United States.

The United States military has announced that it carried out strikes on 90 targets inside Iran in a new phase of operations. According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the attacks were conducted in response to Iranian assaults on commercial ships and civilian sailors in the Strait of Hormuz.

CENTCOM stated that the strikes targeted Iranian military assets along the coast, including air defense systems, coastal surveillance equipment, missile and drone storage facilities, naval capabilities, and logistical infrastructure. The operation marks an escalation following an earlier US strike on more than 80 Iranian targets earlier in the week.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, indicates that the US action is part of a continuing military response to maritime threats in the region, though further details on casualties or damage were not provided.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks on US military bases located in Kuwait and Bahrain. According to a statement broadcast on Iran’s state media IRIB, the IRGC said the strikes were part of a ‘punitive response’ to recent US attacks. The targeted sites reportedly included Camp Arifjan and Ali Al Salem bases in Kuwait, as well as Juffair and Sheikh Isa bases in Bahrain.

The report added that the US assault in southern Iran killed eight Iranian soldiers, identified as members of the country’s air and naval forces, in Bandar Abbas and Bushehr. The incident occurred early Wednesday, following threats from US President Donald Trump. Iran’s senior adviser to the Supreme Leader, Ali Akbar Velayati, warned that the United States would face an appropriate response for its ‘recklessness’ and accused Washington of destabilizing the Gulf region.

The exchange of attacks marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Tehran and Washington, raising concerns about renewed instability across the Gulf region.

At least 96 people, including 42 members of Pakistan’s security forces, were killed in four days of armed clashes in the southwestern province of Balochistan, according to the country’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The military’s media wing reported that the violence began on July 6 and involved three major attacks by separatist militants. Security forces responded with operations that left 54 militants dead.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, ISPR’s Director General, said the attacks were carried out by India-backed groups, including one called Fitna al-Khawarij. The first assault occurred in Hanna Urak, where four civilians were killed. A second attack on July 6 targeted a police checkpoint near Mangi Dam, killing nine officers and 15 militants. Subsequent fighting in Ziarat’s mountainous area left 18 police officers and 11 militants dead.

Chaudhry vowed that Pakistan would continue operations against all militant groups in Balochistan, asserting that the army, police, and citizens remain united in combating terrorism.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced strong opposition to a possible U.S. sale of advanced F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. His comments came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced he was considering the sale. In an interview with CNN, Netanyahu said that selling the United States’ most advanced fighter aircraft to Turkey would be a mistake, arguing that Turkey’s current government is influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood, which he claimed harbors hostility toward the U.S.

Trump had met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara during a NATO summit and said he would soon decide whether to proceed with the sale of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II jets to Turkey. Netanyahu told CNN that he had directly urged Trump not to approve the sale, warning that Turkey could become more aggressive if it obtained the aircraft.

Netanyahu added that he and Trump share broad agreement on major issues, emphasizing that both leaders act in the best interests of their respective nations, which he said often align closely.

The United States has launched a broader military operation against Iran, accusing Tehran of attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. According to US officials, the latest strikes are larger in scale than those conducted on Tuesday and could escalate the situation further. President, Vice President JD Vance, and senior administration officials said Iran violated a memorandum of understanding that required it to halt such attacks in exchange for the lifting of US sanctions.

JD Vance stated that Iran initially complied with the agreement for about a week before resuming attacks on commercial ships. US officials warned that military action would continue unless Iran adheres to the deal’s terms. They confirmed that diplomatic channels remain open but are currently very limited. The President signaled support for a diplomatic solution but delegated negotiation duties to his envoys and Vice President Vance.

US sources said the latest strikes targeted Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps coastal radar, anti-ship missiles, and air defense systems to ensure safe international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has not yet issued an official response, and battlefield conditions could not be independently verified.

The United States military launched large-scale airstrikes in Iran for a second consecutive night, targeting Iranian military capabilities that Washington says threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The operation, ordered directly by President Donald Trump, was confirmed by US Central Command as part of efforts to secure commercial shipping routes. Trump stated that the strikes were a response to an earlier Iranian bombing of a commercial vessel and warned that any further attacks would trigger harsher retaliation.

US Vice President JD Vance also warned Iran that any attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz would be met with a strong military response. Iranian state media reported multiple explosions in Bandar Abbas, Sirik, and near Jask, as well as power outages in Chabahar, suggesting an expanded strike range. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed a US cruise missile attack on a bridge in Golestan province but reported no casualties.

Iranian officials condemned the attacks as a violation of bilateral agreements and vowed a “crushing” response. The escalating confrontation has raised fears of a broader regional conflict in the Middle East.

Iran’s state television reported that at least eight explosions were heard in the key port city of Bandar Abbas. According to a correspondent cited by the broadcaster, two missiles struck the Sirik port, while two additional explosions occurred near the Jask port. The report was also carried by Al Jazeera.

No immediate information was available regarding casualties or damage resulting from the blasts. Authorities have not released any official details about the source of the attacks or the parties responsible. The situation remains under observation as officials await further clarification.

Further updates from Iranian authorities are expected as investigations continue into the cause and impact of the explosions.

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.