Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has called Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the disputed Kuril Islands “absolutely unacceptable,” saying it worsened Japanese sentiment toward Russia. Putin visited Iturup, known as Etorofu in Japan, one of four southern Kuril islands claimed by both countries. Takaichi said the islands are historically and legally Japanese territory and that Putin’s visit “wounds the feelings” of the Japanese people. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also strongly protested the trip. The territorial dispute has prevented Japan and Russia from signing a post-World War II peace treaty. Russia administers the islands, annexed by the Soviet Union after the war, and has strengthened its military presence there amid continued tensions.

Russia is increasingly using improvised anti-drone defences to protect ships and maritime infrastructure from Ukraine’s expanding Black Sea drone campaign. The sanctioned tanker Caruzo recently passed through the Bosphorus covered with anti-drone nets, metal cages and water tanks, while another tanker, Rizvel, was also seen using netting. Such barriers are intended to obstruct incoming drones and reduce blast impact. Ukraine has reportedly struck more than 218 Russian-linked vessels in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov since early July, targeting shadow-fleet ships and energy infrastructure. The attacks have raised shipping costs and insurance risks. Russia has also reinforced Novorossiysk naval facilities with nets, booms and barges. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine recently struck ships and infrastructure there. (X/@TankerTrackers)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has sharply rejected US President Donald Trump’s claim that Washington has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi accused the US of repeated intelligence failures and said such failures had contributed to serious miscalculations in the ongoing Iran conflict. Warning against another misjudgment over the strategically vital waterway, he urged Washington to exercise caution. Araghchi argued that relying on inaccurate intelligence could prove more dangerous than misinformation, saying “fake intelligence” may be worse than fake news. His remarks underline escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington over control and security in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy transit route. (PC: PTI)

The UAE has reportedly released billions of dollars in Iranian assets frozen in its banks, including two tonnes of gold valued at about $283 million, amid the ongoing US-Iran war. Multiple sources in Tehran said the move was intended to persuade Iran to spare the UAE from potential future attacks as hostilities continue. The released assets were reportedly transported from Abu Dhabi to Iran aboard a UAE Royal Jet Boeing 737-7KK. The aircraft flew to Tehran’s Mehrabad and Karaj’s Payam airports on August 11 and 12, remaining for roughly an hour before returning. The same aircraft reportedly transferred $3 billion from Abu Dhabi to Tehran on June 8, according to Iranian officials cited by Reuters. (PC: X/@conflict_live)  

Two Palestinian families in the West Bank village of Qusra have reportedly been confined to their homes since the weekend amid a siege involving Israeli settlers and soldiers. According to The Guardian, the families have faced shortages of food and water, while access to electricity and medical care was disrupted. A similar campaign reportedly preceded the displacement of another Palestinian family in nearby Jalud. An Israeli military commander visited the affected families and promised action, but settlers reportedly remained nearby after one tent was removed. The Israeli army said it was investigating and would pursue disciplinary action against soldiers allegedly assisting settlers. (PC: EPA)

The Defence Ministry has issued a tender worth around Rs 1 lakh crore to buy 60 multirole transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force. Tata, Mahindra and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are among the Indian companies involved in the programme. About 20% of the aircraft are expected to arrive in fly-away condition, while the remaining planes will be manufactured in India with more than 60% indigenous content. Mahindra Defence has partnered with Brazil’s Embraer for the C-390, while Tata has tied up with Lockheed Martin for the C-130. The move aims to modernise the IAF’s ageing transport fleet. (PC: economic times)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned the US against making what he called another “miscalculation” over the Strait of Hormuz as tensions between Tehran and Washington rise. Araghchi accused the US of repeated intelligence failures and said “fake intelligence” could be more dangerous than fake news. His warning came after US President Donald Trump claimed the US had total control of the strategic waterway. Iran’s Basij commander Hossein Taeb, meanwhile, said Hormuz remains under Tehran’s control. The latest exchange highlights growing tensions over the key shipping route, which is crucial for global energy supplies. (PC: x)

Israel’s military will send more troops to the occupied West Bank village of Qusra after failing to remove Israeli settlers who have trapped 2 Palestinian families in their homes since Sunday. The Abu Ridi and Hassan families said their water and electricity were cut off and food supplies were running low. Israeli forces attempted to remove the settlers on Wednesday but faced confrontations with a larger group and failed. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the settlers, calling them “Israeli terrorists”. The UN says 76 Palestinians, including 18 children, have been killed in the West Bank this year by Israeli forces or settlers. (PC: BBC)

US intelligence received multiple warnings of a possible Iranian missile attack targeting Donald Trump’s aircraft as he prepared to leave Ankara during the NATO summit on July 8, The New York Times reported. Officials said Iranian operatives were believed to know exactly where Trump was staying, including the floor of the building. A shoulder-fired missile was also reportedly spotted near the summit. The warnings prompted a secret security operation in which Trump left Turkey on a smaller military aircraft after a decoy Air Force One departed with staff and journalists. Trump later said he was not very concerned about the reported threat. (PC: NDTV)

An adviser to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander has said Tehran could prolong its war with the United States until Donald Trump leaves office. Mohammad Reza Naqdi told PBS NewsHour that extending the conflict could help Iran build military experience, impose costs on the US and strengthen deterrence against future attacks. Naqdi said Iran believes it is currently winning the war but has not achieved its final objective. He also claimed Iran is producing more missiles than it launches and could continue fighting for years. He warned that Iran could target US economic interests worldwide if its missile stockpile were exhausted. (PC: India Today)