A US submarine sank an Iranian naval frigate near Sri Lanka, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday. He said the vessel was hit by a torpedo in international waters. Hegseth said it was the first US submarine strike on an enemy warship since World War II. “An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters,” he said. The ship was identified as IRIS Dena. Sri Lankan officials said about 180 sailors were on board. At least 87 people were killed, while 32 sailors were rescued by the Sri Lankan navy and taken to hospital in Galle. The warship was returning from a naval event in India. (PC: The Indian Express)

Spain has agreed to cooperate with US military operations related to Iran, the White House said on Wednesday. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Madrid responded after President Donald Trump warned of possible trade action. “They heard the president’s message loud and clear,” she said. Leavitt added that the US military is now coordinating with Spanish counterparts. She also said Trump is considering what role the United States may play in Iran after the current conflict ends. “It’s something the president is actively considering and discussing with his advisers and his national security team,” she said. The comments came as US and Israeli operations against Iran continue. (PC: HT)

Iran and Hezbollah launched coordinated attacks on Israel for the first time in the current conflict, according to Israeli authorities. The Israeli military said a missile was fired from Iran while several projectiles and drones were launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon at about the same time. The attacks triggered red alert sirens in cities including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Civilians rushed to shelters as the alerts sounded. The Israel Defense Forces said more missiles were launched shortly after the first barrage. Hezbollah is an Iran-backed group based in Lebanon and a long-time rival of Israel. The Israeli military also said its troops have entered parts of southern Lebanon as fighting continues along the border. (PC: X)

Israeli military officials say Iran has fired ballistic missiles carrying cluster munitions toward Israel. They say this is the first reported use of such weapons in the current conflict. Cluster warheads release many small explosives over a wide area. Israeli officials said one missile opened mid-air and scattered about 20 bomblets across central Israel. One struck a house in Azor near Tel Aviv, causing damage but no deaths. At least 12 people were injured in the wider attack. Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said Iran used weapons designed to harm civilians. Experts are now questioning whether Iran received outside help, possibly from Russia or China. (PC: NDTV)

The US Senate will vote on a war powers resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s authority to continue military action against Iran. The measure would require US forces to withdraw unless Congress approves the operation. The vote comes five days after the US and Israel began strikes on Iran. Tehran has responded with attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf. Senator Tim Kaine, who introduced the bill, said lawmakers must take responsibility. “Every senator will have to go on the record,” he said. Many Democrats support the measure, while most Republicans oppose it. Even if passed, the bill must clear the House and could face a presidential veto. (PC: BBC)

New Zealand reached the T20 World Cup final after Finn Allen smashed a 33-ball century against South Africa in the semi-final. The opener started quickly and scored his fifty in just 19 balls. He continued attacking and reached his hundred in 33 balls. The knock is now the fastest century in T20 World Cup history. It beats the 47-ball record set by Chris Gayle in 2016. Allen’s hundred is also the fastest against a Full Member team in T20 internationals. New Zealand chased 170 in only 12.5 overs with nine wickets left. Allen also shared a 117-run opening stand with Tim Seifert, who scored 55 off 33 balls. (PC: X)

Israel said it carried out a large strike on a major military and security compound in Tehran. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the site housed headquarters of several Iranian security bodies, including units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and intelligence divisions. Israeli officials said the complex was used to coordinate military and security operations. The strike is part of Israel’s wider campaign targeting Iranian military infrastructure in Tehran and other cities. Meanwhile, Iranian official Ali Larijani warned the United States of serious consequences if Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is killed. “The martyrdom of Imam Khamenei will exact a heavy price from you,” he said in a statement. (PC: India Today)

The 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa at Eden Gardens was overshadowed by controversy after Aiden Markram’s dismissal. Chasing momentum, Markram attempted a lofted shot off Rachin Ravindra in the eighth over but was caught at long-on by Daryl Mitchell. On-field umpires referred the decision to third umpire Nitin Menon, who ruled Markram out after reviewing replays. However, many viewers felt the ball may have touched the ground, sparking widespread criticism of the decision. Markram scored 18 off 20 balls as South Africa posted 168. Marco Jansen’s 54 off 30 provided late impetus in an otherwise underwhelming batting performance overall.

Israel has publicly warned that whoever is chosen to succeed the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be considered a “target for elimination,” escalating tensions in the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared that any successor who continues hostile policies toward Israel, the US, or their allies would be marked for assassination, intensifying hostilities after Khamenei’s death in recent US-Israeli strikes. The conflict has seen continued bombardment of Iranian targets and retaliatory missile launches by Tehran. As Iran prepares to select a new leader, international concern grows over potential expansion of the conflict and risks to regional security. (PC: X)

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski warned that Iran is making a serious mistake by expanding the war to countries that did not attack it. His remarks followed Turkey’s claim that NATO air defence systems intercepted an Iranian missile heading toward Turkish airspace. Speaking after a Council of the Baltic Sea States meeting, Sikorski said Iran was broadening the conflict to a NATO and EU country, calling it “worse than a crime, it’s a mistake.” The comments signal growing European concern that the Middle East conflict could spill into NATO territory, potentially triggering wider geopolitical and security consequences across the alliance and raising fears of further escalation. (PC: Middle East Monitor)