The conflict between the US and Iran continued to grow on Monday. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran was in a “full-scale war” with the US. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed they attacked US military targets in the region after fresh US strikes. The US also identified two soldiers killed in Jordan as 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19. Bahrain said Iranian drones targeted its air navigation systems, while Kuwait also reported attacks. A ship was hit near the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices briefly rose as concerns over regional security increased. (PC: AFP)

Andy Burnham has become the United Kingdom's new prime minister after Keir Starmer formally resigned during an audience with King Charles at Buckingham Palace on Monday. Burnham arrived at the palace shortly after Starmer's departure, where the King invited him to form a new government, following long-standing constitutional tradition. Earlier, Starmer delivered his final speech outside 10 Downing Street, saying he was leaving office with "good grace" and expressing pride in his government's achievements. He also wished Burnham success and offered his full support. Burnham is expected to announce his Cabinet and outline his government's priorities later today. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump said American forces struck Iran "very hard" in retaliation for recent attacks that killed 3 US soldiers in Jordan and Iraq. The US carried out a ninth consecutive night of strikes, targeting military sites and communications networks, saying the operation aimed to weaken Iran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran reported explosions in several cities and claimed it launched retaliatory attacks in Syria while targeting US aircraft in Jordan. Tehran also warned that the Strait of Hormuz would remain unsafe if US military operations continue, raising fears of wider regional escalation. (PC: BBC)

Andy Burnham is set to become the United Kingdom's new prime minister, replacing Keir Starmer after winning the Labour Party leadership. Starmer will deliver his farewell speech before both leaders meet King Charles at Buckingham Palace, after which Burnham will officially take office. In his first address outside 10 Downing Street, Burnham is expected to promise "more breathing room" for Britain and call for a more stable and responsible style of politics. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch wished him success but questioned his plans. Burnham will become the UK's fifth prime minister in the past 4 years. (PC: BBC)

US President Donald Trump and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez briefly met in the VIP section during the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, marking their first public encounter after months of tensions over NATO defence spending and US foreign policy. Relations had recently improved after Trump praised Spain's increased defence commitments following the NATO summit in Ankara. Before kickoff, Sanchez said only the trophy winners mattered, while Trump backed Argentina, calling Javier Milei a friend and saying "It's hard to bet against Messi." Spain later defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time through Ferran Torres' decisive 106th-minute winner.

Iran struck Kuwait's Al-Subiya power generation and water desalination plant on Sunday, triggering a massive fire, as the US launched its ninth consecutive night of airstrikes on Iranian targets. Videos showed thick black smoke rising from the facility while Kuwait's armed forces said they intercepted hostile missiles and drones across the country's airspace. Defence spokesperson Major General Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi accused Iran of targeting civilian and vital infrastructure, causing extensive damage. US CENTCOM said the strikes aim to degrade Iranian military capabilities threatening commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump said the latest operation honoured recently killed US service members. Regional tensions continue escalating despite June's provisional ceasefire framework.

A US service member was killed and another injured while handling unexploded ordnance from a downed Iranian one-way attack drone in northern Iraq, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said. The incident occurred on July 18 during a controlled detonation operation. CENTCOM withheld the identities of both personnel pending family notification. The death raises the number of US service members killed in the nearly five-month conflict to 17. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump ordered another round of air strikes, with CENTCOM launching attacks against Iran for the ninth consecutive night. The US said the operation is aimed at degrading assets linked to attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Russia launched a major ballistic missile attack on Ukrainian cities overnight, killing five people and injuring at least 35. Four people died in Kharkiv, while one person was killed in Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it one of the biggest missile attacks on the capital since 2022. Ukraine said it shot down 18 of 41 missiles and intercepted 108 drones. Meanwhile, Ukraine carried out strikes on Russian oil facilities and three oil tankers in the Black Sea. The latest attacks come as both countries continue to target key infrastructure during the ongoing war. (PC: Reuters)

The United States and Iran exchanged fresh strikes for the eighth straight day after an Iranian attack on a US base in Jordan killed two American soldiers. Another soldier is reported missing. Iran said a nuclear power plant under construction in Darkhoveyn and Qeshm Island were hit in US strikes. Jordan said it intercepted three Iranian missiles, while a fourth landed in a remote area. Kuwait reported another attack on a power and water plant. Both sides accused each other of targeting key infrastructure. Tensions remain high after a preliminary ceasefire collapsed earlier this month. (PC: Reuters,EPA/Shutterstock)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has revealed the intense pressure surrounding diplomatic talks with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, saying he feared being "bombed at any moment" during negotiations. Despite the constant threat of military action, Iranian officials continued discussions aimed at reducing tensions and finding a diplomatic solution. Araghchi said the hostile atmosphere made meaningful negotiations extremely difficult, highlighting the fragile nature of U.S.-Iran relations. His remarks offer a rare glimpse into the risks faced by negotiators and underscore how ongoing military threats complicated efforts to resolve the long-running dispute through dialogue. (PC: AP)