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Iran laid to rest former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on July 9, 2026, more than four months after his death in an airstrike. The burial coincided with escalating U.S.-Iran attacks that have raised fears of a return to all-out war, with regional sirens and missile warnings reported. International representation at the funeral was limited, and no new public appearance by his successor was noted.
An explosion in Monaco injured businessman Vadim Yermolayev, a former Ukrainian citizen under Kyiv's sanctions. Several politicians and experts cited by TASS allege Ukrainian government involvement, citing his alleged plans to expose corruption or testify against officials.
Iran and the US are locked in a new cycle of clashes over control of the Strait of Hormuz, rooted in differing interpretations of last month's memorandum of understanding. The US has attacked southern Iran and rescinded oil waivers, while Iran has launched projectiles toward Bahrain and Kuwait and shot down a US drone.
According to The Wall Street Journal, several Iranian missiles struck targets at US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, including a Patriot air defense system, early warning radar, and fuel tanks. The strikes were part of Iran's retaliation against US presence in the region, though officials report minor damage and no casualties.
Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias expressed strong opposition to Turkey potentially rejoining the F-35 program, warning that advanced American weapons should not be used against NATO allies. Athens fears this could upset the military balance in the Aegean, especially as Greece prepares to receive its own F-35s by 2028.
Iranian forces launched attacks on US military targets in Gulf states, including Bahrain and Kuwait, in retaliation for American strikes, straining a three-week-old ceasefire. Iran also buried its late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while Israel's defence minister warned it could resume its campaign against Iran. US President Donald Trump said he believed the ceasefire was over.
Reports indicate President Vladimir Putin is rejecting calls to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, with recent Ukrainian drone strikes strengthening his resolve. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump believes Putin is ready for a deal, and has granted Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot missiles.
Germany has agreed to purchase US Tomahawk cruise missiles and Typhon launchers, with a formal agreement expected in August. The deal, announced by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is framed as a stopgap measure while Europe seeks to develop its own systems. Reports highlight ongoing tensions between immediate defence needs and long-term European strategic autonomy.
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has restored Syria's voting rights, citing a 'significant change in circumstances' since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The decision, adopted by consensus and co-sponsored by 67 states, follows concrete steps by the new Syrian authorities to cooperate with the Technical Secretariat and address outstanding chemical weapons issues.
Ukraine has launched drone strikes on Russian oil tankers and refineries, including a significant attack on two vessels in the Sea of Azov. The attacks have caused fuel shortages across Russia, prompting Moscow to ban diesel exports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the strikes are a response to Russia's ongoing attacks.
Spanish officials responded calmly to US President Donald Trump's criticism and threat to halt trade, with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez calling relations 'constructive' and Minister Pablo Bustinduy asserting Spain's sovereignty. Trump's remarks centered on Spain's stance on Iran and NATO spending.
President Donald Trump has agreed to grant Ukraine a licence to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors domestically, as Kyiv faces critically low stockpiles amid intensifying Russian strikes. The offer, made at the NATO summit in Ankara, is seen as a diplomatic victory for Ukraine, though experts caution that production could take years.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gifted NATO leaders vintage Gumusay .357 Magnum revolvers with live ammunition, prompting varied responses from leaders and raising questions about diplomatic gifts and firearms regulations. The gift, intended to showcase Turkey's defense industry, saw leaders handing the weapons to police, embassies, or awaiting import clearance.
US forces attacked locations near Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on Wednesday, according to Iran's Al Alam television channel. Concurrently, President Donald Trump announced plans to resume strikes on Iran, stating the ceasefire is no longer in effect and that he does not intend to engage in talks.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov discussed the potential for further Putin-Trump talks, US mediation in Ukraine, and Russia-China drills, while questioning Washington's neutrality and criticizing Trump's remarks on escalation.
The Kremlin said Donald Trump did not call Vladimir Putin as planned, citing the US president's busy schedule in Ankara, while reiterating Putin's openness to dialogue. The reports come amid conflicting accounts of a separate call between the two leaders ahead of the NATO summit.
The US and Iran have exchanged their most intense series of strikes since the June 17 memorandum of understanding, with the US hitting about 90 targets and Iran retaliating against Gulf states. The attacks have raised concerns about the durability of the ceasefire and the prospects for ongoing negotiations.
The United States has launched a second barrage of air attacks on Iran, killing at least 14 people over two days, as fragile peace talks appear at risk of collapsing. Iran has fired back at US assets in neighbouring Gulf countries, and President Trump has declared the memorandum of understanding with Iran 'over'.
During a three-day state visit to Ulaanbaatar, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh declared a shared vision for cooperation, focusing on critical minerals, trade, and advanced technologies. They agreed in principle on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aimed at boosting annual bilateral trade to US$1 billion by 2030. Lee also highlighted Mongolia's potential role in bridging the divided Koreas and attended the Naadam festival as a special guest.
US officials believe the latest round of strikes on Iran could last from a day to a month, depending on Tehran's actions. The escalation follows President Trump's declaration that the June ceasefire memorandum is void, with both sides signaling continued confrontation. Reports highlight economic and political pressures on both nations that could limit further escalation.