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Four people were killed and five others injured in a U.S. missile attack near the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Friday. Earlier Friday, multiple explosions were heard in Ahvaz, Fars News Agency reported. The U.S. military announced the 13th night of strikes Thursday against Iran as clashes escalate over shipping routes. The attacks came after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, potentially widening the Iran war as international oil topped $100 a barrel, reports AP. A short time later, Iranian state media reported explosions along the strait in Qeshm and Bandar Abbas, where two people were reportedly injured, as well as to the northwest near Andimeshk, Omidiyeh and Firuzabad.

The U.S. military announced the 13th night of strikes Thursday against Iran as clashes escalate over shipping routes. The attacks came after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, potentially widening the Iran war as international oil topped $100 a barrel. A short time later, Iranian state media reported explosions along the strait in Qeshm and Bandar Abbas, where two people were reportedly injured, as well as to the northwest near Andimeshk, Omidiyeh and Firuzabad. U.S. Central Command said the latest attacks concluded shortly before 5 a.m. local time. The strikes were designed to “further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting regional waters” as the Americans push to regain control over the Strait of Hormuz and restore the flow of international shipping. Meanwhile, the Houthis threatened to shut down another key trade route, with the world economy already reeling from Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran and the U.S. have stepped up attacks as they vie for control of the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and gas transited in peacetime, setting off a scramble for alternative routes. President Donald Trump threatened “major military punishment” against the Houthis if their attacks on ships continue. “If they do this again, the U.S. will hold Iran responsible, in that the Houthis are a Surrogate and/or Proxy of Iran, and major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis, themselves,” Trump wrote on social media. As the rhetoric escalated, so did the economic fallout. The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, spiked more than 6% Thursday, to about $100 a barrel. That is the highest level since May, before the two sides reached a preliminary peace agreement last month that has since collapsed. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi of Iraq, which has close ties to both the U.S. and Iran, was in Tehran on Thursday to call for peace and dialogue, and he promised not to allow Iraqi territory to be used for attacks on Iran, his office said. Al-Zaidi met with Trump earlier this month in Washington. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Thursday that the region is being pulled “into an ever-widening circle of confrontation” with one crisis feeding another and every escalation triggering the next. “Diplomacy is the only way forward,” Guterres told the U.N. Security Council. He called for Pakistan’s efforts to mediate an end to the war to be strengthened. Houthi attacks are a ‘double whammy’ on oil shipments The Houthis’ SABA news agency said the rebels had struck two tankers, the Encelia and the Layla, in the Red Sea, causing fires on both. There were no reports of casualties. It was the first reported Houthi attack on a vessel since they announced a blockade of Saudi-linked shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait earlier this week in retaliation for the kingdom’s blockade on Yemen and a recent attack on the international airport in Yemen’s rebel-held capital, Sanaa. Bab el-Mandeb, at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, is a vital shipping chokepoint connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Around 12% of the world’s trade, including a fourth of global container traffic, passes through there, moving between Europe and Asia via Egypt’s Suez Canal. The state-run Saudi Press Agency reported an attack set the Encelia ablaze overnight in the Red Sea. It did not mention the Layla. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center said it received a report of a tanker being struck by “an unknown projectile” 130 kilometers (80 miles) southwest of Al Shuqaiq, Saudi Arabia, in the Red Sea. The Houthi attacks put at risk oil shipments from Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port on the Red Sea and present a “double whammy” on top of the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, said maritime data and analysis firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence. Saudi Arabia has diverted millions of barrels a day of oil exports to Yanbu via an overland pipeline as the war has bottled up the Persian Gulf. The Houthi threat “raises questions on the viability of this route,” Lloyd’s said in slides accompanying an online webinar Thursday. The rebels say they are blockading Saudi Arabia, but during their announced blockade of Israel at the height of the war in Gaza, they targeted many vessels with little or no connection to that conflict, disrupting global trade. Both sides dig in over Strait of Hormuz Iran says it has the right to manage traffic and potentially charge fees in the Strait of Hormuz, which was open to all toll-free before the war. It has attacked ships using a route through the strait that is overseen by U.S. forces and intended to be outside Tehran’s control. Trump said on social media Thursday that sanctioned Iranian funds in the possession of the U.S. will cover the expense of fixing boats damaged in the war. “Please let this statement serve to represent, until further notice, that from this point forth, any and all damages done to Ships, Cargo, or anything related thereto, will be paid for by Iranian Money that the United States has in its possession, and controls,” Trump said. It was unclear what legal mechanisms Trump would use to access and spend the funds, but he said that doing so would be “the fair and equitable thing to do.” In response to Iran’s attacks, the U.S. began the widening campaign of strikes across Iran and restored a naval blockade of Iran’s ports. U.S. Central Command said it has redirected about a dozen commercial vessels and disabled one since the blockade resumed. The war of words has also escalated. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would adopt an “eye for an eye” policy on U.S. strikes against its infrastructure. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio retorted that Trump’s policy is “a head for an eye.” “The price will continue to get higher every single night until they come to their senses,” Rubio told reporters while traveling in the Philippines for a regional summit. Iran’s health ministry said Thursday that 55 people have been killed and 629 have been wounded since renewed U.S. airstrikes began on June 27. Iran has responded to U.S. attacks by targeting energy infrastructure and desalination plants providing drinking water in parched neighboring Gulf countries. Polls have shown the war is unpopular among Americans, a fact reflected in the narrow passage Thursday of a resolution in the U.S. House to halt the war. Though a handful of Republicans crossed party lines to support the measure, the vote remained largely symbolic.

The Indian government has replaced Education Secretary Vineet Joshi in a major bureaucratic reshuffle amid growing protests over alleged examination paper leaks, including the controversy surrounding the NEET exam. According to an official government notification issued late Thursday, Joshi has been transferred as Secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. He has been succeeded by Naresh Pal Gangwar, who was serving as Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The reshuffle also saw TK Anil Kumar, currently Additional Secretary in the Department of Rural Development, appointed as Secretary in the Department of School Education and Literacy. Joshi had taken charge as Secretary of the Department of Higher Education in January 2025. The latest administrative changes were part of a wider reshuffle involving 13 appointments and four in-situ upgrades. The move comes as protests continue over alleged examination paper leaks, with the satirical political outfit Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and opposition parties demanding greater accountability from the government. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey linked Joshi's transfer to the government's response to the controversy, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi had acted against officials accused of negligence over the issue. "Prime Minister Modi has replaced the Education Secretary for showing apathy regarding the paper leak issue. Strict action will be taken against those responsible for the paper leak, as well as those who displayed negligence or apathy," Dubey said. Joshi, a 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Manipur cadre, previously served as the state's Chief Secretary. He was also the founding Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts major entrance examinations, including NEET and JEE. His previous assignments also include serving as Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Education. Joshi holds a degree in mechanical engineering from IIT Kanpur and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT). Gangwar, who succeeds him, is a 1994-batch IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre and has been serving as Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying before his latest appointment. Source: NDTV

Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are set to decide Friday whether to permanently remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan in an unprecedented vote that comes amid sexual misconduct allegations and mounting political pressure on the global tribunal. Diplomats representing the court's 125 member states gathered at the United Nations headquarters in New York for a special session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), the ICC's governing body, to determine Khan's future. The British lawyer has denied allegations of sexual misconduct involving a female aide, despite findings by the court's oversight body that he committed serious misconduct and breached his official duties. Khan was formally suspended from his duties in June after the ICC oversight committee concluded that he had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and later attempted to discourage her from pursuing the allegations. He has rejected those findings. A majority vote of member states is required to remove him permanently from office. Khan is not attending the closed-door meeting because US sanctions imposed by the Trump administration over the ICC's investigation into Israeli officials prevent him from entering the United States. His legal team has criticized the decision to proceed in his absence, arguing that he should have the opportunity to defend himself before such a significant disciplinary decision is made. Khan has also been suspended from practising law in the United Kingdom while the British Bar Standards Board conducts its own investigation into the allegations. The Netherlands, which hosts the ICC in The Hague, has publicly announced that it will vote in favour of Khan's removal. No other member state has disclosed its position ahead of the secret ballot. The disciplinary proceedings have unfolded alongside the ICC's investigation into the war in Gaza, a case that has drawn sharp criticism from several governments. In 2024, the court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged crimes against humanity related to the conflict in Gaza, prompting sanctions by the United States against Khan and other ICC officials. The controversy has exposed divisions within the court. Earlier this year, a group of ICC staff expressed concern over Khan's possible return, saying his leadership had been significantly weakened. Meanwhile, several Palestinian organisations accused the court's oversight body of political interference in the disciplinary process. If Khan is removed, ICC member states will begin the process of selecting a new chief prosecutor. Until then, the prosecutor's office will continue to be led by Khan's two deputies.

The US Secret Service has launched an internal investigation into a member of Vice President JD Vance's security detail over allegations related to a suspected leak of sensitive information, the agency said Thursday. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi said the employee is under internal review and could also face a criminal investigation over allegations involving compromised "operational and information security." "While we will not comment on the specifics of this matter, one principle is unequivocal: any conduct that potentially threatens the safety of a protectee will not be tolerated," Guglielmi said in a statement. The agency did not identify the individual under investigation. According to the Secret Service, the inquiry stems from a report published last week by MS NOW, which said some agents assigned to Vance's protective detail had privately expressed frustration over last-minute travel requests involving the vice president and his family. Vance's office declined to comment and referred inquiries to the Secret Service. Vice President Vance and his wife, Usha, reside at the official vice presidential residence at the US Naval Observatory in Washington with their children. The couple welcomed their fourth child, Alec Neel Vance, on Sunday. According to the vice president's office, he is the first child born to a sitting US vice president in more than 150 years. The couple's other children are Ewan, 9, Vivek, 6, and Mirabel, 4.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is seriously considering restarting major combat operations in Iran, including strikes that would be bigger than the "Operation Epic Fury" launched on Feb. 28, Axios reported on Thursday. "I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it," Trump said in the interview, adding that Iran had not "received enough pain yet." Israel "would join in two minutes if I ask them to," Trump said, admitting there would be "consequences" for Israel if it joined the strikes. Trump didn't give a deadline for his decision, according to the report. As of Wednesday, U.S. forces had launched strikes against Iranian military targets for 12 consecutive days following the collapse of a June memorandum of understanding intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. International benchmark Brent crude rose to the highest level in two months, reaching 100 U.S. dollars per barrel on Thursday morning after two Saudi oil tankers were hit in the Red Sea. As many as 68 percent of U.S. adults said the war with Iran was "not worth fighting," while only 28 percent said it was, according to a poll released by The Washington Post-Ipsos last week.

The United States on Thursday announced more than $200 million in disaster and humanitarian assistance to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).   This assistance, including a nearly $133 million contribution to ICRC’s 2026 Global Appeal and $70 million to IFRC, furthers the Department’s approach of flexible humanitarian assistance awards with global coverage, enabling implementing organizations to address ongoing crises and respond to new disasters using funding they already have on hand, bypassing lengthy procurement timelines.  "Today’s contributions support organizations that respond quickly when disasters strike, provide unparalleled access to people in need in conflict settings, and leverage preexisting worldwide disaster and humanitarian response infrastructure," said the Spokesperson at the US Department of State.   Rapid, Flexible, and Efficient:  Through its extensive network of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, comprising 18 million trained volunteers, IFRC delivers rapid, scalable humanitarian assistance in response to sudden onset disasters and complex emergencies.   When disasters strike, these National Societies are often first on the ground, providing immediate life-saving assistance.   This U.S. funding will help IFRC surge support to National Societies as needed, helping to meet immediate needs.   Worldwide Access:  This contribution to ICRC will support its work to deliver life-saving assistance to people living through armed conflict.   ICRC’s unique mandate and neutral and impartial positioning enable it to achieve unparalleled access to conflict-affected populations across frontlines and in hard-to-reach areas, providing life-saving assistance to people that may otherwise be inaccessible to other humanitarian implementers.    Providing Efficient Assistance Through Existing Response Infrastructure:   By providing assistance through such well-known and well-established organizations, the Department is leveraging existing response infrastructure to provide assistance quickly and efficiently.   The rapid, flexible, and global focus of this assistance complements similarly structured awards to Catholic Relief Services, UNICEF, and the World Food Program, in addition to the Department’s historic memorandum of understanding and $3.8 billion commitment to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.   By prepositioning assistance with trusted and proven implementing organizations, the Department is enabling faster, more efficient humanitarian and disaster response while reducing bureaucratic burdens on Department staff.   "The United States remains the largest humanitarian donor in the world, and we continue to call on other governments and the private sector to join our push for a faster, more accountable, efficient, impact-driven, locally driven, and hyper-prioritized model of global humanitarian assistance," said the US government in a media note.  

The US House of Representatives has narrowly approved a resolution calling for congressional authorization before further American military action against Iran, marking the second time lawmakers have backed such a measure amid the escalating conflict. The resolution passed Thursday by a 214-208 vote, with a small group of Republicans joining Democrats. The Senate was expected to consider a similar proposal later in the day. Although the measure is largely symbolic and unlikely to become law, supporters say it reflects growing concern in Congress over the Trump administration's handling of the war and the absence of a clearly defined strategy. Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal, who led the resolution in the House, said the conflict has continued without "a clear mission, strategy or end goal." Most Republicans opposed the measure, arguing the president should retain broad authority to direct military operations. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast defended the campaign, saying it was aimed at holding Iran accountable for attacks that had claimed American lives and cautioned against diminishing the sacrifices of US service members killed during the conflict. Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, countered that military action should not proceed without congressional approval, arguing lawmakers deserve a full explanation of the administration's objectives. President Donald Trump has maintained that the continued airstrikes do not represent a return to a prolonged war. Following the first House vote on the issue in June, he dismissed the resolution as "meaningless" and criticized Republicans who supported it. The debate comes as US airstrikes continue and diplomatic efforts have shown little visible progress. Tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil shipments, remain unresolved, contributing to higher fuel prices and concerns about broader economic consequences. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently told lawmakers that the United States has spent an estimated $37.5 billion on the conflict so far. The issue has also exposed divisions within the Republican Party. While many GOP lawmakers have publicly backed Trump's approach, some have privately questioned the duration and objectives of the campaign. Trump has previously criticized Republicans who voted in favor of limiting his war powers, calling them disloyal. Recent opinion polls suggest the conflict has limited public support. Surveys indicate that a majority of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the war, with many unconvinced that military action and ongoing negotiations will prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Even among Republican voters, a significant minority remains skeptical about the war's objectives and outcome.

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that any agreement with Saudi Arabia on a civilian nuclear programme would be contingent on the kingdom establishing diplomatic relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords. In a post on social media, Trump said the proposed deal would not permit Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium. The issue has drawn scrutiny from nonproliferation experts, who argue the agreement lacks sufficient safeguards to ensure uranium cannot be enriched to weapons-grade levels. The remarks came as political debate intensified in Washington over the administration’s handling of the conflict with Iran. The US House of Representatives narrowly approved a resolution on Thursday calling for congressional authorization before further US military action against Iran, marking the second time lawmakers have backed such a measure. The resolution passed by a vote of 214-208 and now shifts attention to the Senate, which was expected to take up similar legislation later in the day. Although the Democratic-led effort is largely symbolic and faces uncertain prospects, supporters say it sends a clear message that lawmakers want Congress to play a greater role in decisions involving military action. Representative Pramila Jayapal, who led the measure on the House floor, criticized the administration’s approach, saying the conflict has continued without a clearly defined mission, strategy or end objective. The resolution was approved with support from Democrats and a small number of Republican lawmakers who joined them. However, most Republicans opposed the measure, backing Trump’s handling of the conflict and rejecting efforts to limit the president’s authority over military operations.

More than 10,000 people were evacuated overnight after a fast-moving wildfire spread near the popular Atlantic coastal town of Lège-Cap-Ferret in southwestern France, authorities said Thursday. The fire has burned more than 2,000 hectares (4,900 acres) of land, although no injuries have been reported so far. The Gironde prefecture said around 500 firefighters are battling the blaze, but warned that weather conditions remain unfavourable, making it difficult to bring the fire under control. As a safety measure, authorities evacuated more than 10,000 people, including many tourists staying at eight holiday camps and campgrounds in the area southwest of Bordeaux. More than 1,000 residents living near forested areas were also asked to leave their homes. Authorities have opened emergency shelters in nine municipalities, where more than 2,500 evacuees have taken refuge. France and several other southern European countries have experienced a series of major wildfires this summer, driven by prolonged heatwaves and dry weather. Scientists say climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat and drought, creating conditions that make wildfires more likely and more destructive. France has been hit by repeated heatwaves since before the start of summer, leaving forests and vegetation extremely dry and vulnerable to fire. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said more than 12,500 wildfires have broken out across the country since the beginning of the year, burning nearly 44,000 hectares of land.