A Chinese-linked tanker, the JV Innovation, caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz off the UAE coast. China expressed deep concern but confirmed no Chinese crew members were injured.
The Trump administration has abandoned plans for the U.S. to invade Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf and is now pressuring the UAE to undertake the operation alone to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore maritime traffic.
The U.S. Africa Command released footage of recent USAF airstrikes in northeast Nigeria that targeted Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists, killing several high-value targets including senior ISWAP leader Abu Bilal al-Mainuki, a close associate of Abu Musab al-Barnawi. The operation was described by President Donald Trump as a "complex mission" conducted jointly with Nigerian forces.
During a live broadcast on Iranian state media today, an IRGC officer demonstrated the use of an AK-47 assault rifle, after which a presenter deliberately fired at the flag of the United Arab Emirates inside the studio, following a similar incident yesterday where a presenter fired an AK-47 at the studio roof.
At the request of Turkey, Russia has begun rebuilding the Syrian armed forces under the rule of Ahmad Al-Sharaa, with the first two MiG-29 fighter interceptors delivered to the Syrian Air Force and flown by Syrian pilots from Hmymim Air Base today. These aircraft are being safeguarded by Russian forces due to the threat of Israeli airstrikes.
