Iran has warned Israel that its energy sites, including oil refineries and power plants, will be targeted if Israel strikes Tehran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Deputy Commander Ali Fadavi stated, "If Israel makes a mistake, we will hit all of its energy facilities simultaneously." This warning follows Israel's recent airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, currently in Beirut, added that any Israeli attack would face a stronger response. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to escalate, with ongoing military actions in Lebanon.

Blasts were reported in the southern suburbs of Beirut after the Israeli military issued an urgent evacuation order on Friday evening. Residents in and around a specific building in the Burj al Barajneh neighborhood were instructed to leave immediately, following warnings of imminent danger. Israel's military advised people to stay at least 500 meters away for their safety. The blasts are part of escalating tensions as Israel continues to target Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. This development has added to the regional turmoil, with more strikes reported across Lebanon.

Donald Trump, Republican presidential hopeful, has criticized President Joe Biden for not supporting military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. Speaking at a campaign event in North Carolina, Trump urged Israel to target Iran's nuclear sites following Iran's recent missile attacks. Biden recently stated that he opposes striking Iran’s nuclear program, prioritizing proportional responses instead. Trump labeled this stance as weak, emphasizing that nuclear weapons pose the biggest threat. The escalating Middle East tensions have heightened concerns over potential conflict between Israel and Iran.

Israel continued its airstrikes on Beirut, targeting Hezbollah strongholds following Iran’s warning. The Lebanese group engaged in clashes with Israeli forces near the border, with Israel reporting over 2,000 military targets hit and 250 Hezbollah operatives killed. Iran’s supreme leader defended missile strikes on Israel, predicting its collapse. The war, which began with Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, has now drawn in Iran-backed Hezbollah. Concerns are rising over potential strikes on Iranian oil and nuclear infrastructure, as oil prices surge amid fears of further escalation.

Ukrainian forces launched British-French Storm Shadow cruise missiles at Russian troops advancing towards the key city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. Drone footage revealed strikes on Russian command centres in the Donetsk region, where Russian forces recently captured Vuhledar and Verkhnokamianske. Ukrainian officials confirmed the missile strikes aimed to disrupt Russia’s offensive, which has seen increasing troop and equipment deployment. The UK and France supplied the Storm Shadow/Scalp missiles. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues urging the West to permit longer-range missile use against targets within Russia itself.

Israel intensified its military operations in Lebanon, striking key routes and urging over 30 southern villages to evacuate. Overnight, a major road near the Masnaa border crossing into Syria, used by fleeing civilians, was hit, leaving a large crater. Israel claims the route was utilized to transport weapons. Rockets from Lebanon continue to target Israel, while Lebanon’s health ministry reports 37 deaths in the last 24 hours, adding to over 2,000 fatalities since October. Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader defended recent missile strikes on Israel, calling them a "minimum punishment" in a rare public address.

U.S. President Joe Biden urged Israel to explore alternatives to attacking Iranian oil facilities amidst growing tensions with Iran. Speaking at a White House briefing, Biden emphasized that while Israel has not yet finalized its response to Tehran’s recent ballistic missile strike, other options should be considered. “If I were in their shoes, I’d be thinking about alternatives,” Biden stated, discouraging strikes on oil fields. Tensions rose after Iran’s missile attack, which followed Israel’s military actions in Lebanon. Biden refrained from commenting on whether Israel’s actions were intended to influence the upcoming U.S. election.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 85, delivered his first Friday sermon in five years, holding a Russian-made Dragunov rifle. Speaking at the Imam Khomeini Mosque, Khamenei warned that Israel “will not last long” and asserted that Iran would not retreat in the face of Israeli aggression. He justified Iran's recent missile attack on Israel as a "legitimate" response to Israeli crimes, following the assassination of Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah. Khamenei used the sermon to boost national and military morale, emphasizing Iran’s readiness for further confrontation.

Junior doctors in Kolkata have accused the police of assault during a rally seeking justice for a deceased RG Kar Medical College doctor. They claimed two colleagues were beaten despite having permission to protest peacefully. BJP’s Amit Malviya shared a video on X, alleging brutality and calling the situation “deeply troubling.” The protest follows an earlier strike that resumed after new attacks on doctors. The junior doctors warned of a hunger strike unless their demands are met within 24 hours.

An Israeli airstrike in the occupied West Bank city of Tulkarm has resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people, including civilians, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The strike targeted a café in the Tulkarm refugee camp, where many were present. The Israeli military stated that the operation aimed to eliminate the local Hamas leader, Zahi Yaser Abd al-Razeq Oufi, along with other militants. This incident marks a continuation of escalating violence in the region, with over 700 Palestinians killed since Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, intensifying Israeli military operations in response.