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US hits Iranian installations after Iran launches drones in fresh Gulf flare-up

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U.S. forces hit Iranian coastal radar stations on Saturday after shooting down drones launched by Iran toward the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. military said, in the latest escalation that complicates efforts to resolve the confrontation between the two countries.

The U.S. military believes the four Iranian drones were targeting regional marine activity, a U.S. official said. The U.S. then bombed Iran’s surveillance stations in Goruk and Qeshm Island, both near the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command stated on X.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps said it fired missiles at U.S. bases in the region in retaliation for U.S. strikes and fired on four tankers trying to enter the strait without its permission.

Kuwaiti air defences were intercepting missile and drone assaults of secret origin, state media said, and in Bahrain sirens rang and citizens were warned to take shelter. Iran stated it had launched ballistic missiles at U.S. bases in both countries but the U.S. military said six of the missiles were intercepted and a seventh failed to reach its target.

The U.S. and Iran have been negotiating, mostly indirectly, on a temporary settlement to stop the three-month-old war, which would allow matters such as Iran’s nuclear programme to be negotiated further.

But an agreement has proved elusive, despite recurrent battles.

Tehran wants access to billions of dollars in oil revenue, waivers on sanctions on crude exports, relaxation of a U.S. ban on its ports and power over the strait as part of any deal. Iran has virtually closed the strait through which approximately a fifth of the world’s oil used to pass before the conflict.

Rising petrol prices are adding to escalating political pressure at home for U.S. President Donald Trump to terminate the unpopular war. While most of Iran’s drone and missile manufacturing facilities have been destroyed, the Iranians still have access to around a fifth of their missiles,” he told NBC.They’ve got some rockets, they’ve got some drones. Percentage-wise, I would guess about 21% to 22% of their missiles. “It’s a lot of missiles, but not what it was when we first attacked,” Trump told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” program, according to excerpts released by the network Friday.

Trump was asked why Iran’s officials — if as desperate as he has depicted them — were not more ready to reach a deal.
“Because they are powerful. They’re proud. There’s things they never thought they’d ⁠be doing that they’re going to have to do, they’ve got no option, and it takes a little while.”

The U.S. and Israel opened the war against Iran on Feb. 28, after which Tehran launched missile and drone attacks on Gulf states that host U.S. bases, largely stopping shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The fighting has caused oil prices to spike and disrupted supply systems for other goods. The U.N. World Food Programme warned on Friday it was pushing millions more people into starvation owing to higher fuel and shipping expenses.

“A peace deal depends on the Trump administration unfreezing $24 billion in Iranian assets,” adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Mohsen Rezaei told CNN on Friday, warning that the U.S. would “enter into a dark corridor” if it started strikes.

FIGHTING BREAKS OUT ACROSS REGION DESPITE CEASEFIRES

In a parallel conflict in Lebanon, the Iran-aligned armed group Hezbollah said on Friday it had launched two attacks against Israeli troops in south Lebanon, including near the recently captured Beaufort Castle. Lebanese security services said Israeli airstrikes hit towns across southern Lebanon.

Iran has reiterated its backing for Hezbollah and called for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Tehran has said that any peace deal to terminate the war with Washington must include a truce between Israel and Hezbollah.

The most recent bout of warfare between Israel and Hezbollah began in early March. Hezbollah declared it was acting in support of Tehran.

Hezbollah commander Naim Qassem rejected a U.S.-brokered deal between Israel and the Lebanese government to end the violence in Lebanon this week. The arrangement did not provide for an Israeli pullout and Hezbollah was not part of the negotiations.

Israel has continued to strike in southern Lebanon and vowed its forces will not retreat or stop operations in the nation amid rising conflict with the U.S. Parliament speaker and Hezbollah ally Nabih Berri said on Friday he would accept the evacuation of the organization from southern Lebanon if Israeli troops also pulled out of areas they occupy in the nation.

Lebanon and people in Gaza, northern Israel and Kuwait have all been under fire this week, despite ceasefires mediated by the U.S., which Trump stated featured “shooting in a more moderate manner”, rather than a complete cessation of violence.

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Pakistan test-fires upgraded Fatah-4 with enhanced precision and survivability

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Pakistan has successfully conducted a test launch of the extended version of its indigenously developed Fatah-4 Ground-Launched Cruise Missile, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The latest test focused on an extended-range variant of the weapon system and was aimed at validating additional technical parameters incorporated into its various sub-systems. The missile is equipped with advanced avionics and state-of-the-art navigational aids, enabling it to engage targets at extended ranges with high precision and lethality.

The development marks another test of Pakistan’s domestically developed Fatah-4 system, which was previously reported with a range of 750 kilometres.

According to the military’s statement, the extended version successfully demonstrated the performance of its upgraded systems during the launch.

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The test validated additional technical parameters of various sub-systems designed to improve accuracy and enhance the weapon system’s survivability. The latest configuration is also intended to provide the capability to engage targets at greater distances while maintaining precision.

The Fatah-4 is a Ground-Launched Cruise Missile equipped with advanced avionics and modern navigation technology. Pakistan previously conducted a successful training fire of the system in May 2026, with ISPR saying the exercise was intended to enhance operational efficiency and validate technical parameters linked to accuracy and survivability.

The missile had earlier been publicly reported with a range of 750 kilometres. The extended version tested on Tuesday has been described by ISPR as capable of engaging targets at extended ranges, although the military statement did not specify a new maximum range.

The launch was witnessed by senior officers from the Pakistan Army, alongside scientists and engineers from the developing agency.

The Fatah-4 was first publicly confirmed by Pakistan in 2025, when the Army conducted a successful training launch of the newly inducted Ground-Launched Cruise Missile. At that time, ISPR said the system featured advanced avionics and state-of-the-art navigational aids and was capable of engaging targets with high precision.

A further training fire was conducted in May 2026 by the Army Rocket Force Command. ISPR said the exercise validated technical parameters of various sub-systems while focusing on improved accuracy and enhanced survivability.

The President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, along with the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces and the Services Chiefs, commended the successful test launch of the Fatah-4 extended version.

They also appreciated the technical expertise, dedication and commitment of the scientists, engineers and other personnel involved in achieving the latest milestone.

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Syria, Saudi Arabia discuss reconstruction, investment

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Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday.They talked about Syria’s rebuilding efforts and ways to bring in Saudi investments.

Al-Sharaa officially invited the crown prince to visit Syria.
The Saudi official news agency, SPA, posted pictures of the meeting on X, but didn’t give more details.

The Syrian presidency said that Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani was also at the meeting.
They discussed the relationship between Syria and Saudi Arabia and how to improve it to benefit both countries.

The Syrian presidency’s media office later said the talks were about improving relations in many areas and boosting political, diplomatic, and economic cooperation in a way that works for both nations.

They also reviewed plans for Syria’s reconstruction, including repairing damaged infrastructure and important facilities from the war, as reported by the Syrian Arab News Agency, SANA.

The discussions also covered bringing in high-quality investments to Syria and increasing the role of Syrian and Saudi businesses in energy, construction, industry, agriculture, and trade.

Al-Sharaa invited Mohammed bin Salman to visit Syria, with the presidency saying the visit would help build closer ties and start a new stage of Arab cooperation on regional and international matters.

They also talked about recent events in the region and shared views on issues that affect both countries, aiming to support security and stability in the area.

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Vance says Iran must cut enrichment to end war

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US Vice President JD Vance told Reuters in an exclusive interview that Iran must make a “meaningful” cut in its nuclear enrichment programs to meet US demands and stop the seven-month war between the two countries.At the same time, Washington is unsure how Tehran makes decisions during negotiations.

Vance, who has long doubted US involvement in foreign conflicts, is leading efforts to reach a peace deal.
In June, he helped broker a temporary agreement, but it collapsed quickly.The war has affected global energy prices and has made President Donald Trump and other Republicans look weak ahead of the November midterm elections.

After a campaign trip in Alaska, Vance said any deal would require Iran to reduce its nuclear enrichment, not just promise to do so later.

“If you don’t want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel?
And if you want to show you’re not going to build a nuclear weapon, don’t build highly enriched fuel.That’s a basic issue,” Vance said.

He added, “If they want to show they’re not going to build a nuclear weapon, they should take meaningful steps on their enrichment programs.”

In recent weeks, Iran and the US have been discussing ways to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial for global energy shipping.
Trump rejected Tehran’s latest offer and warned that military action could get worse after the midterms.

Vance said the US is still open to a deal but wants real nuclear concessions from Iran.
“We won’t trade words for actions,” he said.

UNCERTAIN ABOUT IRAN’S DECISION-MAKING: VANCE

Vance also said Washington isn’t sure who makes decisions in Iran.
He has talked with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, but it’s unclear how much power they have in Iran’s leadership structure.This became even more complicated after joint US-Israeli strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the start of the war.

“One of the things we noticed is it’s not totally clear how decisions are made in Iran,” Vance said.
Trump also said on Tuesday that his biggest problem is not knowing who is in charge of Iran.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that US officials know who the Iranian representatives are and how the decision-making process works.
“The real problem is the contradictory statements and mixed messages from US officials,” Esmaeil Baghaei said at a press conference.

Vance told Reuters he has spoken with field commanders to understand the battlefield.
He said there are no serious shortages of weapons and that while Iranian forces can hit commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, they can’t stop energy shipments through the waterway.

Vance did not say whether he is leading peace talks, even though he is often seen as the White House’s main negotiator.
“We are certainly involved,” he said.”Ultimately, the president of the United States is driving things.”

The war — costing about $3 billion a month — has become a big issue in the campaign.
Rising energy prices have hurt Trump and Republicans in key states that could influence the outcome of Congress.

Vance has tried to downplay criticism of Trump’s handling of the conflict, telling voters not to let this issue stop them from supporting Republicans in the coming election.

In Alaska, Vance supported Senator Dan Sullivan, who is in a close race against Democratic challenger Mary Peltola.
Trump won Alaska by 13 points in 2024, but higher living costs have put the state in question.

Before talking to Reuters, Vance focused much of his speech on affordability, especially energy prices.
In Alaska, remote location makes everyday items more expensive, and energy production is a big part of the economy.

Rallygoers cheered when Sullivan almost introduced Vance as the US president instead of the vice president.
Vance is seen as a top Republican candidate for the presidency in 2028.

Vance told Reuters he hasn’t decided yet whether he will run for president in 2028.

“He said, ‘I’m naturally someone who puts things off.
I haven’t really thought about it much.'”

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