Iran has reportedly fired ballistic missiles armed with cluster munitions toward Israel, marking a dangerous escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict. Israeli defence officials say these weapons disperse many smaller bomblets over wide areas, posing increased risk to civilians and leaving unexploded hazards. Several missiles struck near Tel Aviv, injuring civilians and damaging homes, though no confirmed deaths have been reported so far. The use of such weapons—controversial due to their indiscriminate impact—has stirred suspicion about foreign technology links. This development adds to hostilities triggered by recent U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran’s leadership and strategic sites.

Some flight services between West Asia and India have resumed as the Iran-US-Israel conflict continues. Saudi Arabia and Oman restarted limited flights after many airports in the region shut during the escalation. Airlines such as Saudia, Emirates, IndiGo and Air India Express are operating selected routes to Indian cities. Direct and connecting flights are running from Riyadh, Jeddah and Muscat to Delhi and Bengaluru. However, disruptions remain across the region. More than half of international flights were cancelled after the conflict intensified last weekend. In Bengaluru, 34 international flights were cancelled on Wednesday. Airport officials said 18 arrivals and 16 departures were affected due to airspace restrictions. (PC: The Indian Express)

Oil prices climbed more than $1 on Wednesday as the widening U.S.–Israeli conflict with Iran disrupted Middle East oil supply and halted exports from a key energy region, Reuters reported. Brent crude rose about 1.4 % to roughly $82.5 a barrel, marking gains after touching multi-month highs, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude increased over 1 %. The escalation prompted Iranian strikes on regional energy infrastructure and attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 % of global oil and LNG flows, forcing Iraq to cut output sharply and slowing exports. President Trump offered possible naval escorts for tankers. (PC: Reuters)

Israel’s military said one of its F-35I fighter jets, known as “Adir”, shot down an Iranian Yak-130 aircraft over Tehran. The Israel Defense Forces said on X that this was the first time an F-35 has destroyed a manned fighter aircraft in combat. The Yak-130 is a two-seat jet trainer and light combat aircraft used by Iran’s air force. The interception came as Israel continued strikes inside Iran on the fifth day of the conflict. Loud explosions were reported in Tehran early Wednesday. Israel said its air defences were also activated to intercept Iranian missiles. The fighting began after US-Israel attacks that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (PC: HT)

Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar claimed in the Maharashtra Assembly that government negligence led to the deadly explosion at an explosives manufacturing unit in Raulgaon village, Nagpur district, which killed 19 workers and injured 23 others. He accused both the state and central governments of ignoring repeated requests for safety audits despite 43 deaths in similar blasts over the past 18 months. Wadettiwar demanded a detailed assembly discussion on worker safety and criticised lax actions by regulatory bodies like PESO and the labour department. Assembly Speaker agreed to a discussion by Friday. (PC: PTI)

At least 101 people are missing and 78 others injured after a suspected submarine attack on an Iranian ship near the coast of Sri Lanka, officials said. Sources in the Sri Lanka Navy and the country’s defence ministry confirmed the incident. Search and rescue operations are under way to find those missing. Officials have not yet released details about the vessel or the passengers on board. The incident comes as fighting between Iran and the US-Israel alliance enters its fifth day. The conflict has caused heavy casualties across the region. More than 780 people have been killed in Iran. Dozens have died in Lebanon and Israel. Six US soldiers have also been reported dead. (PC: X)

An Iranian missile strike hit the Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar and damaged a key US radar system known as AN/FPS-132. Analysts called the radar the “nervous system” of America’s regional missile defence network. Qatar’s defence ministry confirmed that one ballistic missile struck the base after another was intercepted. Experts said the damage could leave parts of the US defence system “partially blind”. The strike came during Iran’s wider retaliation after US-Israel attacks. Iranian missiles and drones also targeted several US-linked sites across the Gulf region. These included bases in Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Around 40,000 to 50,000 US troops are stationed across West Asia. (PC: X)

Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has emerged as the leading candidate to take the country’s top post, according to a New York Times report. Iran’s Assembly of Experts reportedly met on Tuesday to discuss succession. Officials familiar with the talks described Mojtaba as the “clear front-runner”, though no final decision has been announced. Mojtaba, 56, has never held elected office and is not seen as a senior religious scholar. But he is believed to have strong influence behind the scenes and close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Some clerics fear naming him quickly could make him a target during tensions with the US and Israel. (PC: The Indian Express)

Gulf states are weighing their response after Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones across the region following US-Israeli strikes. The attacks targeted US bases in Gulf countries but also affected civilian and energy sites. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman Majed al Ansari said the strikes had crossed “all the red lines”. He said attacks on sovereignty, infrastructure and residential areas cannot go unanswered. Most missiles have been intercepted, but falling debris has caused fires and casualties. Some drones also reached targets and disrupted travel and trade. The six Gulf Cooperation Council countries held an emergency meeting and pledged to “take all necessary measures” to defend their territories and people. (PC: BBC)

Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz said any leader chosen to replace Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be a “target for assassination.” The warning came even before Khamenei’s funeral. Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes during the ongoing conflict with Iran. Iranian authorities said a three-day state funeral will be held, with people allowed to pay tribute in Tehran. He will later be buried in Mashhad. Reports from Israeli media said Khamenei’s son Mojtaba may be named as the next leader. Iran has not confirmed this. Katz said Israel has instructed its military to prepare for action. “Any leader selected… will be a certain target for assassination,” he said. (PC: X)