United News of Bangladesh

The ongoing war involving Iran has not only brought oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to a near standstill, but is also straining broader global supply chains, disrupting the movement of goods ranging from Indian pharmaceuticals and Asian semiconductors to fertilizers and petrochemical products from the Middle East. Cargo vessels are either stranded inside the Gulf or rerouting around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, adding time and cost to deliveries. Meanwhile, air cargo operations across parts of the Middle East have been curtailed, raising concerns about shortages and rising prices if the conflict persists. Patrick Penfield, a supply chain expert at Syracuse University, warned that prolonged instability would likely trigger supply shortfalls and significant price hikes worldwide. Shipping bottlenecks spreadAccording to Clarksons Research, roughly 3,200 vessels — about 4% of global shipping tonnage — are currently idle inside the Persian Gulf, though many operate only regionally. Another 500 ships are reportedly waiting outside the Gulf near ports in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. While the share may appear limited, industry experts caution that disruptions at key chokepoints can ripple through the global logistics network. Michael Goldman of CARU Containers compared the supply chain to a train, where a derailment in one segment can affect multiple links along the route. In response to the crisis, U.S. President Donald Trump announced measures aimed at restoring tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. He said the U.S. International Development Finance Corp. would offer political risk insurance for ships transiting the Gulf and indicated the U.S. Navy could escort tankers if needed. The Navy maintains multiple destroyers and littoral combat ships in the region. Key goods face delaysBeyond oil — roughly 20% of which transits the region — the Middle East is a major exporter of natural gas–based products such as petrochemical feedstock and nitrogen fertilizer. In addition, pharmaceuticals from India and electronics, batteries and semiconductors from Asia often pass through the region, leaving them vulnerable to delays. Instability has also affected the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, routes already strained by previous Houthi attacks. Shipping giant Maersk said it is diverting vessels around southern Africa to avoid risk, a decision that can extend voyages by up to two weeks and add around $1 million in fuel costs per trip. Higher fuel prices, longer transit times and war-risk surcharges are driving up shipping expenses, which are expected to filter down to consumers. Air freight capacity squeezedAir cargo networks have also been hit. Airspace closures and airport shutdowns in countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and Iran have grounded flights, affecting both passengers and freight. Middle Eastern carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways operate significant cargo fleets and also transport goods in passenger aircraft holds. Although air freight accounts for less than 1% of global shipping volume, it represents about 35% of global trade value, according to Boeing, due to the high-value or time-sensitive nature of the goods transported — including medicines, electronics and fresh produce. Industry analysts say extended airport closures could have serious economic consequences, particularly for countries like India, a major exporter of pharmaceuticals. Rerouted flights, longer travel times and additional fuel stops are likely to increase costs. Maersk said it expects air freight rates to climb due to reduced capacity and added surcharges, including possible war-risk fees and higher jet fuel costs. Industry adapts to repeated shocksDespite the turmoil, logistics companies say they are accustomed to navigating disruption after years of shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and previous Middle East conflicts. While the current crisis is considered highly unusual in scope, industry leaders say supply chains have grown more flexible in recent years — though the longer the conflict endures, the greater the risk of lasting economic fallout.  

The United States and Israel launched fresh airstrikes on Tehran and other Iranian cities Wednesday, marking the fifth consecutive day of fighting, as Iran retaliated with waves of missiles and drones targeting Israel and sites across the region. Residents of the Iranian capital awoke to explosions at dawn, with state television airing images of heavily damaged buildings in central Tehran. The holy city of Qom and several other urban centers were also struck. Israeli warplanes were reported overhead as anxious residents watched the skies. A shopkeeper, speaking anonymously out of fear of repercussions, said he was torn between fleeing and staying to earn a living. He also voiced concern that broader regional involvement could worsen the conflict. Israel’s military said one of its F-35 fighter jets downed an Iranian Air Force YAK-130 aircraft over Tehran. Air defenses were also activated across Israel to intercept incoming Iranian missiles, with blasts heard near Jerusalem. Oil markets and US facilities under threatWith Iran controlling access to the Strait of Hormuz — a key route for roughly 20% of global oil shipments — Brent crude surged above $84 a barrel, rising more than 15% since the conflict began and reaching its highest level since July 2024. Markets worldwide have reacted sharply amid fears that soaring energy costs could hurt economic growth. Drone attacks targeted the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Consulate in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. The State Department on Wednesday authorized the departure of non-essential personnel from Saudi Arabia. U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper said Iran has launched more than 500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 drones since hostilities began. He described the initial U.S. strikes as nearly twice the scale of the opening phase of the 2003 Iraq invasion. According to Cooper, nearly 2,000 targets have been hit so far, significantly weakening Iran’s air defenses and missile infrastructure. Nearly 800 people have reportedly been killed in Iran since the fighting began. U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested the conflict could last weeks and said some of those killed had once been seen as potential future leaders of Iran. Conflict spreads across the regionAir raid sirens sounded in Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, while Qatar said two Iranian ballistic missiles were fired toward its territory, with one striking Al-Udeid Air Base without causing casualties. In Lebanon, Israeli strikes killed at least five people in Baalbek, according to state media, as Israel said it was responding to rocket fire from Hezbollah. Lebanese health officials report more than 50 dead and over 300 wounded. Iran-linked militias in Iraq have also stepped up attacks. Saraya Awliya al-Dam claimed responsibility for a drone strike on Jordan and for previous attacks on U.S. targets in Baghdad and Irbil. Iran has continued to launch missile and drone salvos at Israel, though Israeli defenses have intercepted most incoming projectiles. Eleven people have been killed in Israel since the war began. Leadership succession in focusEarly joint U.S.-Israeli strikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompting speculation over succession. Although President Trump initially urged Iranians to rise up, senior U.S. officials later clarified that regime change was not the stated objective. Israel’s defense minister warned that whoever is chosen as Iran’s next supreme leader could face assassination threats. Israeli forces also said they struck facilities in Tehran linked to the Basij militia, part of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, which led a deadly crackdown on protesters earlier this year. Iran’s judiciary chief warned that anyone aligning with the U.S.-Israeli campaign would be treated as an enemy under wartime conditions. Iran’s leadership is now working to appoint a successor — only the second such transition since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Among the figures reportedly under consideration is Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late supreme leader. Israeli officials said they targeted a building in Qom believed to be associated with clerics discussing the selection process. Iranian media denied that a meeting was underway at the time, saying members of the Assembly of Experts were convening remotely. Mounting casualtiesIran’s Red Crescent Society said at least 787 people have been killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes. Casualties have also been reported elsewhere in the Gulf: Kuwait confirmed the death of an 11-year-old girl from falling debris during an interception, while three people were killed in the United Arab Emirates and one in Bahrain. Six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers were killed Sunday in a drone attack on a command center in Kuwait’s Port Shuaiba. With neither side signaling a pause, questions remain over how and when the expanding conflict will end.  

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has long been viewed as a potential successor to his father — even before an Israeli airstrike at the outset of last week’s war killed the 86-year-old cleric. Despite never holding elected office or a formal government post, his name has frequently surfaced in succession discussions. A reclusive and influential figure within Iran’s Islamic system, Mojtaba has not appeared in public since Saturday, when the strike targeted the supreme leader’s offices. Among those killed was his wife, Zahra Haddad Adel, whose family has longstanding ties to Iran’s ruling religious establishment. Iranian state media have not disclosed Mojtaba’s whereabouts, though he is widely believed to be alive and possibly in hiding as U.S. and Israeli airstrikes continue. Standing strengthened after airstrikeCritics have previously warned that Mojtaba’s rise could resemble a dynastic transfer of power akin to Iran’s pre-revolution monarchy. However, with hard-liners portraying his father and wife as martyrs in the conflict with the United States and Israel, his position may have strengthened among senior clerics in the 88-member Assembly of Experts, the body tasked with appointing the next supreme leader. The next leader will assume authority over a country at war and a stockpile of highly enriched uranium that could potentially be used for nuclear weapons, should such a decision be made. Observers have likened Mojtaba’s behind-the-scenes role to that of Ahmad Khomeini, son of Iran’s first supreme leader Ruhollah Khomeini — acting as confidant, gatekeeper and power broker. Early life shaped by revolutionBorn in 1969 in Mashhad, a decade before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Mojtaba grew up during his father’s opposition to Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Family accounts describe a raid by the shah’s secret police, SAVAK, during which the elder Khamenei was beaten. After the revolution, the family moved to Tehran. Mojtaba later fought in the Iran-Iraq war as a member of a battalion within Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, a force whose senior ranks have since included figures believed to be close to the Khamenei family. When Ali Khamenei became supreme leader in 1989, Mojtaba gained proximity to significant financial and institutional networks, including religious foundations known as bonyads, which control vast economic assets. Expanding influence behind the scenesOver the years, Mojtaba’s influence reportedly grew within his father’s office. U.S. diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks described him as “the power behind the robes,” alleging he acted as a key gatekeeper and cultivated his own power base. Though some observers questioned his theological credentials and relative youth, insiders have viewed him as an assertive and capable political operator with strong alliances. He has reportedly maintained close ties with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, including its elite Quds Force and the Basij militia, which has suppressed domestic protests. The United States imposed sanctions on Mojtaba in 2019 during the administration of Donald Trump, accusing him of helping advance his father’s regional policies and domestic crackdown. Allegations have also linked him to backing the 2005 election of hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his disputed 2009 re-election, which triggered mass protests known as the Green Movement. Reformist politician Mehdi Karroubi accused Mojtaba of interfering in those elections, calling him “a master’s son,” a charge dismissed at the time by his father. High stakes in successionIran has witnessed only one previous transition in the supreme leadership — following the death of Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. The next supreme leader will take office amid heightened regional tensions following a 12-day conflict with Israel and broader U.S.-Israeli efforts aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities. As the highest authority in Iran’s Shiite theocratic system, the supreme leader holds ultimate decision-making power, serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and oversees the Revolutionary Guard. The Guard, which leads the so-called “Axis of Resistance” across the Middle East and controls Iran’s ballistic missile program, remains central to the country’s military and political structure. With the country at a critical juncture, the question of succession has taken on renewed urgency.

Holi, often called the Hindu festival of colors, is a vibrant annual celebration marking the arrival of spring. Observed mainly in India, Nepal and other South Asian nations, as well as among the global Indian diaspora, the festival blends cultural joy with deep religious meaning. It symbolizes love, renewal and the triumph of positivity over negativity. The celebration usually takes place in March, on the last full moon day of the Hindu luni-solar month of Falgun. Because it follows the lunar calendar, the exact date changes each year. In 2026, Holi will be observed on March 4. One of the festival’s most recognizable traditions sees participants dressed in white gathering outdoors to toss bright colored powders at one another, transforming streets into a mosaic of hues. Music, dancing and festive foods add to the lively atmosphere. Mythological Roots Holi’s origins lie in Hindu mythology, and many communities light bonfires on the eve of the festival to represent the victory of good over evil. A popular legend tells of the demon king Hiranyakashipu, who demanded to be worshipped as a god. When his son Prahlada remained devoted to Vishnu instead, the king plotted to kill him. He enlisted his sister Holika, believed to be immune to fire, to sit with the boy in a blazing pyre. However, Prahlada’s devotion saved him, while Holika perished — a story that underscores faith and righteousness prevailing over evil. In parts of southern India, the festival is linked to the tale of Shiva burning Kamadeva, the god of love, with his third eye. Known as Kama Dahanam, the event signifies overcoming earthly desires in pursuit of spiritual growth. Holi is also associated with Krishna and his playful love for Radha, along with his interactions with the gopikas, who symbolize devotion and unconditional love. Celebrations and Traditions On Holi, towns and neighborhoods come alive as people splash colored powders and water on friends and strangers alike. Water balloons and squirt guns add to the fun, and celebrants often greet one another with shouts of “Holi hai!” meaning “It’s Holi!” Over time, Bollywood films have further popularized the festival’s exuberant spirit. Each color used during Holi carries symbolism: blue reflects Krishna’s complexion, green represents spring and new beginnings, red is linked to marriage and fertility, and red and yellow together denote auspiciousness in Hindu rituals. Special dishes are central to the festivities. A favorite treat is “gujia,” a deep-fried pastry filled with sweetened milk solids, nuts and dried fruits. Another staple is “thandai,” a chilled drink made with milk, sugar, almonds, fennel seeds, rose petals, poppy seeds and saffron. Holi in the Diaspora Beyond South Asia, Holi is celebrated with religious observances and community events. In North America and other regions with significant Hindu populations, festivities range from temple ceremonies and Holika Dahan bonfires to cultural programs, parades and Bollywood-themed gatherings. Hindu temples and community centers abroad often organize cricket matches and other social activities around the holiday, helping preserve tradition while bringing communities together in celebration.

Amazon’s cloud computing arm has said that three of its facilities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain were damaged by drone strikes following US and Israeli attacks on Iran over the weekend. The incidents took place on Sunday morning. At the time, Amazon Web Services (AWS) said that unidentified “objects” had struck one of its data centres in the UAE, causing sparks and a fire. On the same day, the company also reported power and connectivity problems at one of its facilities in Bahrain. On Monday, AWS confirmed that the disruptions were caused by drone strikes. According to the company, two facilities in the UAE were directly hit. In Bahrain, a drone strike near one of its sites caused physical damage to infrastructure. AWS said the attacks led to structural damage and interrupted power supply to key systems. In some cases, fire suppression efforts were required, which also resulted in additional water damage. The company said it is working to restore services as quickly as possible but cautioned that full recovery may take time due to the extent of the physical damage. AWS also advised customers in the region to back up their data and consider shifting workloads to other AWS facilities worldwide as a precaution. The company warned that the ongoing conflict has made the overall operating environment in the Middle East increasingly uncertain. US President Donald Trump has indicated that the strikes on Iran could continue for four to five weeks, and possibly even longer. In response, Iran has launched waves of missiles and drones targeting US bases and allied locations across the region, including in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.   With inputs from BBC.

India and Canada have announced a series of agreements, including a 10-year civil nuclear energy deal, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney met in Delhi to restore relations that had sharply deteriorated in recent years. The two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in nuclear energy, technology, critical minerals, space, defence and education. They also pledged to conclude a long-pending free trade agreement by the end of 2026, as both nations seek to cushion the impact of US trade tariffs and diversify economic partnerships. Relations between the two countries had plunged after former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the 2023 killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. India strongly rejected the accusation. The diplomatic fallout led to expulsions of diplomats and suspension of visa services, bringing ties close to a standstill. Since taking office last year, Carney has moved cautiously to repair relations. His government has stated that it does not believe India is currently linked to violent crimes or threats in Canada, though some lawmakers and members of the Sikh diaspora dispute that assessment. Canada’s intelligence agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, reiterated recently that its threat assessment regarding foreign interference, including by India, remains unchanged. Foreign Minister Anita Anand clarified that while some officials suggested India had halted interference activities, she would not personally use that wording. However, she defended renewed engagement, saying diplomatic dialogue was necessary to make progress. During their meeting at Hyderabad House in Delhi, Modi described the civil nuclear agreement as a landmark arrangement ensuring long-term uranium supply from Canada. He said the two countries would also collaborate on small modular reactors and advanced nuclear technologies. Modi added that India and Canada would expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, supercomputing, semiconductors and jointly host a renewable energy summit. Carney said Canada is well positioned to meet India’s growing nuclear fuel needs and announced the launch of a strategic energy partnership. He highlighted what he called unprecedented engagement between the two governments over the past year. On trade, Modi said both sides aim to increase bilateral trade to $50 billion and finalise a comprehensive economic partnership agreement soon. Carney expressed hope that negotiations, which have stretched on for more than a decade, could be concluded within the year. Analysts say the renewed outreach reflects shifting geopolitical realities. Canada is looking to broaden trade links beyond the United States, while India seeks to diversify imports and reduce energy dependence on Russia. Public opinion in Canada appears supportive of rebuilding ties. A recent Angus Reid survey found that half of respondents believe it is the right time to restore relations with India, with more Canadians expressing a favourable view of India than of the United States amid ongoing tariff tensions. Earlier in the visit, Carney met India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss advancing a forward-looking partnership. His four-day tour began in Mumbai with meetings aimed at boosting trade and investment, and will continue with stops in Australia and Japan as part of Canada’s broader strategy to expand economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.   With inputs from BBC

The US House Oversight Committee has released more than nine hours of video footage from closed-door depositions of former US president Bill Clinton and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton regarding their past connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The recordings show both Clintons denying prior knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and facing pointed questions from Republican lawmakers. One of the most heated exchanges occurred during Hillary Clinton’s testimony when she was informed that a photo taken inside the deposition room had been leaked. She reacted angrily, saying she was “done” if lawmakers were violating agreed rules and suggested they could hold her in contempt if they wished. Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert acknowledged sharing a photo from inside the room but said it was posted before the hearing began. Clinton’s legal team objected strongly, arguing the leak was unacceptable and unprofessional. They noted that Clinton had requested an open hearing that would have allowed public access, but the committee rejected the proposal. Proceedings were briefly paused before resuming. During questioning, Boebert raised “Pizzagate,” a widely debunked conspiracy theory alleging a child abuse ring linked to Clinton associates. Clinton dismissed the claim as “totally made up” and said she could not believe it was being referenced. Her lawyers objected to further questions on the subject. Another Republican lawmaker, Eric Burlison, asked Hillary Clinton about the potential release of government files related to UFOs. She responded that she supported disclosure of any information that could be made public. In his separate deposition, Bill Clinton was asked whether President Donald Trump should be compelled to testify. Clinton replied that it was up to lawmakers but said Trump “did know” Epstein well. Clinton recounted a conversation with Trump in the early 2000s at a fundraiser held at one of Trump’s golf courses. According to Clinton, Trump said he and Epstein had once been friends but fell out over a real estate deal. Clinton said Trump did not suggest any improper conduct during that conversation. In opening remarks, Bill Clinton said he was only a “brief acquaintance” of Epstein and that their association ended years before the financier’s crimes became public. He stated he did not witness any wrongdoing and expressed sympathy for Epstein’s victims. Lawmakers also questioned Clinton about a photo released by the US Justice Department showing him in a hot tub with an unidentified person whose face was redacted. Clinton said he did not recall the photo being taken and believed it was shot in Brunei at the end of an official trip. He said he briefly used the hotel pool at the suggestion of the Sultan of Brunei and denied any sexual activity or knowledge of the other person in the image. Throughout the depositions, both Clintons maintained they had no awareness of Epstein’s criminal activities at the time of their interactions with him.   With inputs from BBC

Israel and the United States pounded Iran on Monday in a campaign that U.S. President Donald Trump said would likely take several weeks. Tehran and its allies hit back against Israel, Gulf states and targets critical to the world’s energy production. The intensity of the attacks, the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the lack of any apparent exit plan set the stage for a prolonged conflict with far-reaching consequences. Safe havens in the Mideast like Dubai have seen incoming fire; hundreds of thousands of airline passengers are stranded around the globe; oil prices shot up; and U.S. allies pledged to help stop Iranian missiles and drones. With no sign of the conflict abating anytime soon, Trump said operations are likely to last four to five weeks but that he was prepared “to go far longer than that.” He said U.S. forces were determined to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, wipe out its navy, prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon and ensure that it cannot continue to support allied groups like Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which fired missiles at Israel, drawing retaliatory airstrikes. “This was our last, best chance to strike -- what we’re doing right now -- and eliminate the intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime,” Trump said. Danny Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the U.N., said the conflict would continue “as long as it takes.” An Israeli military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin, said Israel is keeping “all options on the table,” including a potential ground invasion of Lebanon. The chaos of the conflict became apparent when the U.S. military said Kuwait had “mistakenly shot down” three American F-15E Strike Eagles while Iran was attacking with aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones. U.S. Central Command said all six pilots ejected safely and are in stable condition. As several airstrikes hit Iran’s capital, Tehran, the top security official Ali Larijani vowed on X: “We will not negotiate with the United States.” The death toll grew on all sides. The Iranian Red Crescent Society said that the U.S.-Israeli operation has killed at least 555 people. In Israel, where several locations were hit by Iranian missiles, 11 people were killed. Israel’s retaliatory strikes against Hezbollah killed dozens of people in Lebanon. Four American troops have been killed, three people were reported killed in the United Arab Emirates, and one each in Kuwait and Bahrain.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Monday that France would allow the temporary deployment of its nuclear-armed aircraft to allied countries as part of its new nuclear strategy aimed at strengthening Europe’s independence. Macron said the unprecedented new posture could “provide for the temporary deployment of elements of our strategic air forces to allied countries," but said there would be no sharing of decision-making with any other nation regarding the use of the nuclear weapons. Tehran’s streets eerily empty amid heavy airstrikes Talks about such arrangements have started with Britain, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden and Denmark, Macron said at a military base at L’Ile Longue in northwestern France that hosts the country’s ballistic missile submarines. Macron’s long-planned speech, scheduled before the most recent outbreak of hostilities in Iran, was aimed at spelling out how French nuclear weapons fit into Europe’s security amid concerns raised on the continent by recurring tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump. France also will allow partners to participate in deterrence exercises and allow allies’ non-nuclear forces to participate in France’s nuclear activities, said Macron, who is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces under the French constitution. In a joint statement, Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed a deeper Franco-German integration in the field of deterrence. “France and Germany have agreed to take first concrete steps beginning this year, including German conventional participation in French nuclear exercises and joint visits to strategic sites as well as development of conventional capabilities with European partners,” they said. Macron also announced that France will increase its number of nuclear warheads from the current level of below 300, but did not give a figure for the increase. It will be the first time France increases its nuclear arsenal since at least 1992. “I have decided to increase the numbers of warheads of our arsenal,” Macron said. “My responsibility is to ensure that our deterrence maintains — and will maintain in the future — its assured destructive power." European leaders have voiced growing doubts about U.S. commitments to help defend Europe under the so-called nuclear umbrella, a policy long intended to ensure that allies — particularly NATO members — would be protected by American nuclear forces in the event of a threat. Macron said that recent changes in U.S. defense strategy amid the emergence of new threats have demonstrated a refocusing of American priorities and have encouraged Europe to take more direct responsibility for its own security. He said Europeans should take their destiny more firmly into their hands. “To be free, one needs to be feared,” Macron said. France is the only nuclear power in the European Unio n, following Britain's exit from the bloc in 2020. “If we had to use our arsenal, no state, however powerful, could shield itself from it, and no state, however vast, would recover from it,” Macron said. Some European nations have already taken up an offer Macron made last year to discuss France’s nuclear deterrence and even associate European partners in nuclear exercises. Last month, Merz said he’d had “initial talks” with Macron on the issue and had publicly theorized about German Air Force planes possibly being used to carry French nuclear bombs. But Macron ruled out any such possibility in Monday's speech. France and Britain also adopted a joint declaration in July that allows both nations' nuclear forces, while independent, to be “coordinated.” The U.K., no longer an EU member but a NATO ally, is the only other European country with a nuclear deterrent. Macron has consistently insisted any decision to use France’s nuclear weapons would remain only in the hands of the French president. Macron added that the evolution of France competitors’ defenses, the emergence of regional powers, the possibility of coordination among adversaries, and the risks linked to proliferation led him to the conclusion that it was essential for France to enhance its nuclear arsenal.

The U.S. military said Monday that three F-15E fighter jets were “mistakenly shot down” by Kuwaiti air defenses during operations responding to Iranian attacks in the region. All six crew members ejected safely and have been recovered in stable condition. The incident occurred as Iran and Iranian-backed militias launched missiles at Israel and Gulf states, reportedly striking the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait. Israel and the U.S. conducted retaliatory strikes on Iran, targeting missile sites, naval assets, and nuclear facilities. The Iranian Red Crescent reported at least 555 deaths in Iran, while Israeli authorities confirmed 11 fatalities and Lebanon’s health ministry reported 31 deaths following airstrikes. In Kuwait, several U.S. warplanes also crashed, though pilots were unharmed. The conflict has spread to regional energy infrastructure. Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura oil refinery was targeted by drones, prompting a temporary shutdown, while Oman reported a drone boat attack on a tanker, killing one crew member. Debris from intercepted drones caused injuries at Kuwait’s Ahmadi refinery. Analysts warn these attacks on Gulf oil facilities mark a significant escalation and pose broader economic risks. Hezbollah fired missiles into Israel from Lebanon, triggering Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 31 people and wounded 149, mostly in the south. In Iraq, a pro-Iranian militia targeted U.S. troops with drones in Baghdad and Irbil, and Cyprus reported drone damage at a British airbase. The U.S. has vowed to continue combat operations until objectives are achieved. President Donald Trump promised to “avenge” the deaths of three American troops in Kuwait while warning of further casualties. The World Health Organization urged all parties to protect civilians and medical facilities amid the escalating conflict, as missiles and drones continued to strike cities across Iran, Israel, and the Gulf.