Donald Trump criticised several members of the NATO for refusing to join a U.S.-led military effort against Iran to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Posting on his social media platform, Trump called allies “cowards” and warned that their reluctance would be remembered. He argued that countries complaining about rising oil prices should contribute militarily to reopening the strait and stabilising global energy flows. The remarks highlight growing rifts within NATO as the conflict widens and underline Washington’s frustration over limited allied participation in operations aimed at countering Iran’s maritime pressure. (PC: 

Donald Trump is reportedly considering seizing or blockading Kharg Island to pressure Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of global oil flows. The plan, reported by Axios, could involve expanded US military deployment, with Marine units already moving to the region. Kharg Island, located 30 km off Iran’s coast, handles roughly 90% of its crude exports. While officials say no final decision has been made, analysts warn such a move could escalate the conflict, risk US troops, and may not guarantee reopening of the crucial shipping route. (PC: X)

Downing Street said the United Kingdom will not be drawn into a wider war despite tensions with Iran. The statement followed warnings from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who told Yvette Cooper that allowing the United States to use UK bases would amount to “participation in aggression” and risk escalation. Responding, the UK clarified it did not take part in initial strikes and only authorised limited, defensive use of bases. Officials said the move aims to counter threats from Iran while maintaining a path toward diplomacy. (PC: X)

Ali Mohammad Naini, spokesman of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed in strikes attributed to the United States and Israel, Iranian state media reported. His death came hours after he warned of “surprises” for adversaries and asserted Iran’s missile production remained strong during wartime. The killing marks another major blow to Iran’s leadership, following recent deaths of key figures including Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani. The escalating conflict has intensified missile exchanges and targeted strikes, raising fears of further instability and deepening the ongoing regional war. (PC: X/Erfan Kouchari via @clashreport)

Sri Lanka reaffirmed neutrality in the West Asia conflict as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake rejected a United States request to station missile-armed warplanes at Mattala International Airport. He also declined an Iran request for warships to dock, maintaining a balanced stance. The decision followed a US strike that sank Iranian frigate IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka, killing sailors, while Colombo rescued survivors and offered humanitarian aid. Sri Lanka abstained from a UN resolution condemning Iran, stressing fairness. The government emphasised it will not allow its territory for military use, balancing ties with both Washington and Tehran. (PC: ANI)

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson Gen. Ali Mohammad Naini was killed in an airstrike, reportedly by US‑Israel forces, just hours after issuing a defiant warning about a “missile surprise” targeting Israel amid the ongoing Iran‑Israel‑US war, state media reported. Iranian authorities described his death as martyrdom and later released a statement in his name asserting that missile and rocket production would continue unabated. The incident underscores the volatile escalation of the conflict, with high‑ranking military figures being targeted and killed even as Tehran vows ongoing resistance and capability to strike back. (PC: NDTV)

For the first time since 1967, al‑Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem was closed to Muslim worshippers on Eid al‑Fitr, forcing thousands to pray outside its sealed gates amid heavy Israeli security measures. Israeli authorities cited security concerns linked to the US‑Israel‑Iran conflict, while Palestinians condemned it as a violation of religious freedom. The closure, affecting one of Islam’s holiest sites, has intensified tensions in Jerusalem and sparked outrage across the Muslim world. Critics warn the move could escalate unrest in the region during the holiday period, highlighting the fraught political and religious landscape of the city. (PC: Wikipedia)

A 9-year-old girl from Stephenville, Texas, tragically died after trying the lethal “blackout challenge” trending on social media, which involves restricting oxygen to the brain. JackLynn Blackwell was found unconscious with a cord around her neck on February 3, and despite her father’s resuscitation efforts, she could not be saved. Her parents are urging families to monitor children’s online activity and cautioning against viral internet challenges that appear harmless but can be deadly. They call for increased adult supervision and awareness about the risks posed by dangerous social media trends. (PC: NDTV)

The US Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, carrying about 2,000 Marines and advanced aircraft such as F‑35s, is sailing toward the Arabian Sea to reinforce American forces amid escalating tensions with Iran. Positioned south of Sri Lanka, the vessel is set to join the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group in the Gulf of Oman during the broader US–Iran war. The deployment enhances America’s military posture, potentially preparing for amphibious or crisis‑response operations. Its arrival could shape the conflict’s next phase, reflecting deepening involvement in the region and ongoing fears of wider escalation. (PC: US NAVY)

U.S. and Israeli forces have carried out airstrikes that killed Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naini, the spokesperson and deputy public relations chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to Iranian state media. The strike marks a significant escalation in the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States and Israel, coming shortly after Naini issued a defiant warning to opposing forces. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have framed his death as martyrdom, further raising tensions across the region and risking wider confrontation as global energy and security dynamics remain volatile. (PC: X)