Israeli Military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said the Northern Command has moved forward inside Lebanon, taken control of dominating terrain and is creating a buffer zone to shield Israeli residents from threats. Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorised the Israel Defense Forces to seize additional strategic positions to prevent attacks on border communities. Meanwhile, the Lebanese army said it redeployed soldiers from several recently established border posts due to Israeli “escalation.” A Lebanese military source told AFP that eight to nine soldiers stationed at each point were withdrawn to bases owing to safety risks. (PC: X)

The Iran women’s national football team remained silent during their national anthem before their AFC Women’s Asia Cup 2026 opener against South Korea in Gold Coast, Australia, amid heightened tensions following US strikes that killed former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini. While no official statement was issued, the gesture was widely viewed as a possible protest against the Islamic regime. Reports said some fans waved pre-Islamic regime flags in the stands. Head coach Marziyeh Jafari also declined to comment and stood silent during the anthem. On the field, Iran suffered a 0-3 defeat to South Korea, with goals from Choe Yu-ri, Kim Hye-ri and Ko Yoo-jin.

The United States Central Command said it has struck nearly 2,000 targets and destroyed 17 Iranian naval ships, including a submarine, within 100 hours of launching Operation Epic Fury. Admiral Brad Cooper stated more than 2,000 munitions were used, severely degrading Iran’s air defences and destroying hundreds of ballistic missiles, launchers and drones. He described the campaign as involving “uncontested surgical strikes” by B-2 and B-1 bombers. Over 50,000 US troops and 200 fighter aircraft are engaged in ongoing 24/7 operations. In retaliation, Iran has launched over 500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 drones, though US officials claim Tehran’s strike capability is steadily declining.

India is planning to procure five additional squadrons of the Russian S-400 Sudarshan air defence missile system, following its strong performance during Operation Sindoor last year. The system was credited with intercepting Pakistani aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles during the four-day confrontation on May 10. India currently operates three S-400 units, with two more due for induction under the 2018 Russia deal. Defence Ministry sources said the Indian Air Force proposal will soon be cleared, with deployment planned along eastern and western fronts. The move comes amid heightened Middle East tensions after US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation across the region. (PC: India Today)

Petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the West Asia conflict poses no immediate threat to India’s energy security, citing crude oil and fuel stocks of 25 days each, besides strategic reserves. India imports over five million barrels per day, with about half transiting the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has slowed after Iranian strikes. The government has set up a 24x7 control room and remains cautiously optimistic. Over 60% of supplies now come from diversified sources including North America, Latin America, West Africa and Russia. While availability remains stable, rising prices are a concern, with Brent jumping 18% past $85 per barrel before easing slightly. (PC: PTI)

Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei has been elected Iran’s new Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts, Israeli media reported. He succeeds his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28 while at his compound. His daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, and wife Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh also died following the attack. Khamenei, who ruled for 36 years, will be buried in Mashhad, with a large farewell ceremony planned in Tehran; the date remains undisclosed. An interim Leadership Council comprising Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei had overseen duties. The strikes, named Operation Epic Fury, have intensified regional tensions significantly. (PC: NDTV)

Three Indian nationals are feared dead in two separate maritime attacks linked to the Iran-Israel conflict off the Oman coast. Dixit Solanki, 25, from Diu, was killed Monday when an explosive-laden unmanned drone boat struck the oil tanker MKD Vyom 52 nautical miles off Muscat Governorate. According to Oman’s Ministry of Defence, the Maritime Security Centre reported the attack caused a fire and explosion in the engine room, resulting in one crew member’s death. A day earlier, one person from Bihar and another from Rajasthan were learnt to have died in an attack on another vessel, MV Skylight, marking two consecutive deadly incidents involving Indian nationals. (PC: The Indian Express)

A drone struck an area near the US Consulate in Dubai early Tuesday, causing a fire, city officials said. Dubai’s government media office confirmed that emergency teams reached the site quickly. The fire was brought under control. No injuries were reported. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the drone hit a parking lot next to the consulate’s chancery building. “All personnel are accounted for,” Rubio said. He added that the US had reduced staff at some diplomatic sites earlier. The consulate is in a busy area of Dubai, close to the British embassy and the Saudi consulate.

France has ordered its aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to sail to the Mediterranean as tensions rise in the Middle East. President Emmanuel Macron said the carrier, along with its air wing and escort ships, will help protect allied assets in the region. At the same time, Israel said it struck a “covert underground” nuclear site in Iran. The Israeli military claimed the compound was linked to developing capabilities for nuclear weapons. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks against Israel. The conflict has expanded days after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran. (PC: HT)

The Pentagon has warned that key US missile stocks could run low if the Iran conflict continues for 10 more days, according to a report by Al Jazeera. Officials reportedly told President Donald Trump that a longer war may strain interceptor and precision weapon supplies. Analysts said systems such as THAAD and other interceptors could be hit hardest. Reports say the US has already used a large share of such missiles in past clashes. However, Trump said on social media that US munitions stockpiles have “never been higher” and claimed wars could be fought “forever” with current supplies. The conflict has already raised concerns about rising costs. (PC: X)