A US F-35 stealth fighter jet was damaged by Iranian defense fire while conducting an operation inside Iran’s airspace, according to a CNN report citing two sources. The aircraft made an emergency landing at a US airbase in the Middle East after being hit. Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for the US Central Command (CENTCOM), confirmed that the fifth-generation jet was on a wartime mission over Iran when it was struck and forced to land.

Hawkins stated that the aircraft landed safely and the pilot is in stable condition. The incident is currently under investigation. This marks the first reported instance of an Iranian strike damaging a US warplane since the conflict began in late February. Both the United States and Israel have been deploying F-35 jets in the ongoing war, each costing over 100 million dollars.

The emergency landing occurred as senior US officials were publicly claiming major progress in operations against Iran. Earlier on Thursday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted that the US was achieving decisive victories and had neutralized Iran’s air defense systems.

Three unnamed Israeli officials told Reuters that Israel’s attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field was carried out in coordination with the United States. They said the operation was pre-planned and conducted with Washington’s involvement, though they suggested that similar strikes were unlikely to happen again soon.

Their statements came after US President Donald Trump publicly denied any American knowledge of the specific strike. On Wednesday night, Trump wrote on social media that Washington had no prior awareness of the attack and that Israel would not strike the gas field again unless Iran launched another assault on Qatar.

The Israeli officials added that they were not surprised by Trump’s remarks, recalling a similar situation after previous Israeli strikes on Iranian energy depots when US Defense Chief Pete Hegseth had also denied American involvement.

Nearly three weeks after the start of the conflict, Iran still retains some ability to strike energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf region, according to U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Kane. Speaking at a Pentagon briefing alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Kane said Iran entered the conflict with a large arsenal, prompting the United States to maintain an 'offensive and tough' stance in response.

Kane added that U.S. forces are continuously working to identify and destroy Iranian weapons, though he acknowledged that Iran still possesses 'some military capability.' The remarks came amid ongoing tensions in the Gulf, where energy infrastructure has been a key target in the fighting.

The situation underscores the continuing volatility in the region, with U.S. officials emphasizing sustained military vigilance as Iran’s remaining capabilities pose potential risks to regional energy assets.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has reported conducting more than 7,800 strikes on targets in Iran since the start of the conflict. The announcement came on Wednesday, marking the 20th day of US and Israeli attacks on Iranian territory. CENTCOM stated that the operations aim to dismantle Iran’s current security structure, prioritizing locations posing immediate threats. During the same period, over 120 Iranian ships have been damaged or destroyed.

The report also noted that Iran continues to launch counterattacks targeting US installations in the Gulf region. The conflict has escalated tensions across the Middle East, with both sides sustaining significant losses. CENTCOM’s update underscores the intensity of the ongoing military campaign and the scale of US involvement.

The situation has raised concerns about broader regional instability, with related reports warning of potential economic impacts, including rising oil prices and disruptions to energy infrastructure in neighboring countries.

Iranian lawmaker Somayeh Rafiei has said that the country's parliament is working on a proposal requiring ships to pay tolls and taxes for sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a public gathering in Tehran’s Vali Asr Square, Rafiei emphasized Iran’s authority over the waterway, describing it as essential for ensuring security and protecting national interests.

According to the ISNA news agency report cited by BBC Bangla, Rafiei stated that Iran has deprived its enemies of their previous comfort and that they are struggling to accept this new reality. She expressed confidence that the ongoing conflict would end with a decisive Iranian victory, after which passage through the Strait of Hormuz would remain challenging for Iran’s adversaries.

The proposal reflects Iran’s intent to assert greater control over one of the world’s most strategic maritime routes, though no details were provided on when or how such tolls might be implemented.

Iran launched attacks on energy facilities in four Gulf countries in response to an Israeli strike on its South Pars gas field, one of the world’s largest. On the 20th day of the conflict, key oil and gas installations in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia were targeted, according to Al Jazeera.

Qatar reported that its main gas production hub at Ras Laffan Industrial City was hit by Iranian missiles early Thursday, causing significant damage. In Kuwait, drone attacks ignited fires at the Mina al-Ahmadi and Mina Abdullah refineries, though no casualties were reported. In the UAE, debris from intercepted missiles caused explosions at the Habshan gas facility and Bab oil field, also without casualties. In Saudi Arabia, a drone crashed into the Samref refinery near Yanbu port, with damage assessments ongoing.

The series of attacks has heightened concerns over Middle East energy security and further escalated regional tensions.

Iran has expressed anger at the United Nations for remaining silent over the killings of several top Iranian leaders during ongoing US-Israeli attacks. The conflict has entered its twentieth day, with Iran continuing counterstrikes on American installations in the Gulf region. Tehran’s envoy to the UN Security Council has formally lodged a letter criticizing the Council’s inaction.

According to the letter cited by Mehr News, Iranian representative Amir Sayyed Iravani accused the Security Council’s inaction of emboldening Israel to intensify its targeted killings. He warned that if the situation remains unchecked, such assassinations could become commonplace and spread to other countries.

The report also mentioned that the United States may ease restrictions on Iranian oil and that Iran is considering collecting tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, reflecting the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the conflict.

China has strongly condemned the killing of Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani, describing the act as unacceptable. The statement came from Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a press briefing, where he reiterated Beijing’s opposition to the use of force in international relations. Lin emphasized that the killing of Iranian leaders and attacks on civilian targets were particularly intolerable.

Following the incident, Iran’s army chief Amir Hatami warned that the country would deliver a decisive response to the assassination. The killing has drawn attention because Larijani was regarded as Iran’s most senior leader after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The development adds to regional tensions, with China’s remarks signaling its stance against targeted killings and its continued support for diplomatic approaches in international conflicts.

China and Russia are reportedly providing Iran with advanced intelligence and technological assistance amid ongoing hostilities with the United States and Israel in the Gulf region. According to senior US officials cited by the Washington Post, Russia has supplied Iran with sensitive intelligence, including the locations of American warships and aircraft. Moscow has denied these claims, but reports suggest that Russia’s satellite and radar support has enhanced Iran’s ability to identify and strike targets with precision. China, meanwhile, has supplied advanced radar systems, satellite mapping, and encrypted intelligence links to strengthen Iran’s electronic warfare capabilities.

The report describes how this cooperation has transformed the Gulf into a battlefield dominated by electronic and information warfare rather than conventional weapons. Iran’s improved surveillance and targeting systems have enabled it to carry out drone strikes on US facilities, while American and Israeli forces have responded by targeting Iranian radar infrastructure. Analysts note that the balance of power in the region is shifting as China and Russia challenge long-standing US-Israeli technological dominance.

The conflict marks a new phase in modern warfare, where control over data and signals may prove more decisive than traditional firepower.

Iran has formally demanded compensation from the United Arab Emirates, accusing the Gulf state of aiding a United States-led attack on Iranian territory. The claim was made in a letter sent to the United Nations Secretary-General by Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, according to a report published Thursday by Nournews.

In the letter, Iravani alleged that the UAE allowed its territory to be used to facilitate the attack, describing the decision as an “internationally wrongful act” that carries state responsibility. Tehran asserted that the UAE bears international liability for providing compensation covering all material and moral damages resulting from the incident.

The report cited The Guardian as its source but did not specify the nature or timing of the alleged attack, leaving details of the incident and potential diplomatic responses unclear.

Iran launched retaliatory attacks on several energy installations across the Persian Gulf following an assault on its South Pars gas field. Tehran also warned of more destructive strikes if its energy infrastructure is targeted again. The escalation has raised fears of global energy supply disruptions, with oil prices rising by three percent on Thursday.

The attacks came after Iranian intelligence chief Esmail Khatib was killed in an Israeli strike, the latest in a series of assassinations of senior Iranian figures over the past three weeks. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards declared that any future attacks on its facilities would trigger continued strikes on the energy assets of its adversaries. Qatar reported a missile strike on its main gas field, prompting the expulsion of two Iranian diplomats, while Saudi Arabia intercepted multiple drones and missiles near its eastern energy hubs.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged restraint in calls with U.S. President Donald Trump and Qatar’s emir, emphasizing the need to protect civilian infrastructure. The conflict has spread across the Middle East, causing hundreds of deaths and mass displacement, as Israel continues operations in Lebanon and Iran-backed groups respond across the region.

Iran has executed three men convicted of killing police officers and collaborating with the United States and Israel during protests in January. The executions were announced on Thursday through the judiciary’s official website, which stated that the men were found guilty of murder and of conducting operations on behalf of the US and the Zionist regime.

According to the report, the executed individuals were involved in the killing of two law enforcement officers. Authorities also stated that the anti-government protests, which began in late December, resulted in 3,117 deaths. Before the war began in February, the US-based human rights organization HRANA reported verifying 6,872 deaths and investigating more than 11,000 additional cases.

The executions highlight Iran’s continued crackdown on dissent following widespread unrest, with official and independent sources reporting sharply differing casualty figures.

Iran’s Ministry of Health announced that 206 individuals under the age of 18 have been killed and 1,401 injured in joint United States–Israel attacks since February 28. The ministry’s statement, released Wednesday, also reported that 227 women were among the dead, with an additional 3,329 injured. It said 1,111 wounded people remain hospitalized, while 19,506 have been treated and discharged.

According to the statement, 18 healthcare workers were killed and 101 injured, and 36 ambulances were damaged. Six hospitals were evacuated, and 47 emergency bases, 37 medical centers, and 180 health facilities were affected. The ministry did not specify the total number of deaths from the ongoing attacks.

The joint assault, launched by Israel and the United States on February 28, has sharply escalated the conflict, with reports indicating around 1,300 total deaths, including Iran’s then–Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries.

A ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy supply routes, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO) on Thursday. The agency reported that the vessel was struck by an unidentified object, causing damage and a fire onboard. The incident occurred east of Khor Fakkan city in the United Arab Emirates.

UKMTO, which monitors distress signals from ships worldwide, issued an advisory urging all vessels to navigate the area with caution. The organization continues to assess the situation and provide updates to maritime operators.

The report added that Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a major global oil transit corridor, leaving many ships and sailors stranded. The closure and attack have raised concerns about disruptions to international energy transport through the region.

Oil prices surged more than 5 percent on Wednesday following an Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gasfield, intensifying the ongoing United States-Israeli war on Iran. Brent crude rose to $108.66 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude climbed to $98.65, widening the price gap between the two benchmarks to its largest since May 2019. Iranian state media reported that facilities linked to the South Pars field, the world’s largest gasfield off Bushehr province, were attacked.

In response, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard threatened to target oil and gas infrastructure in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, raising fears of further energy supply disruptions. Later, Qatar reported a fire at its Ras Laffan gas facility following an Iranian missile strike, though authorities said it was contained. The conflict has disrupted oil and gas exports across the Middle East, halting most shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles 20 percent of global oil and LNG supplies.

The Trump administration responded by issuing a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act to ease domestic fuel transport and authorizing certain transactions involving Venezuela’s PDVSA. Meanwhile, Iraq resumed oil exports after reaching an agreement with the Kurdistan Regional Government.