The most consequential story of the day is the deepening U.S.-Iran military confrontation. According to El País, the United States has bombed targets in northern Iran while tightening its encirclement of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Images confirmed explosions on Iranian soil following strikes by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
The military pressure extends beyond airstrikes. Greek outlet Ethnos reported on a scenario that has returned to serious discussion: a potential U.S. seizure of Iran’s southern islands. The report notes that President Donald Trump refused to rule out such an operation during a Fox News interview, though analysts describe it as a “high-risk” endeavor with enormous costs. Together, these developments mark a significant escalation that could reshape the geopolitics of the Persian Gulf and global energy markets.
Meanwhile, the violence in the broader Middle East continues unabated. An RT crew in southern Lebanon’s Nabatieh province witnessed a “huge blast” from an Israeli airstrike on Thursday, just as they were preparing to broadcast. The correspondent described the area as having been “heavily targeted by Israel over the past few weeks,” with daily bombardments and demolitions affecting villages along the ridgeline.
