Donald Trump is reportedly considering sending US troops to seize Kharg Island, a vital oil export hub of Iran, as tensions escalate in the Middle East. The island handles nearly 90% of Iran’s crude exports, making it a strategic economic target. According to US officials cited by Axios, capturing the island could deliver an “economic knockout” to Tehran by cutting off a major source of revenue. However, such a move could trigger retaliatory attacks on energy infrastructure across Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia. The development comes amid rising oil prices and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping route. (PC: NDTV)

India has rejected a recommendation by a US government commission that called for sanctions on the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) urged the US government to label India a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious freedom violations. Responding to the report, the Ministry of External Affairs said the claims were biased. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India “categorically reject[s] its motivated and biased characterisation”. He added the commission presents a “distorted and selective picture of India”. The report also suggested targeted sanctions and asked the US to link security cooperation and trade policy with religious freedom conditions in India. (PC: NDTV)

A new video of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walking outdoors has appeared on social media as rumours about his death continue online. The footage was posted on Netanyahu’s official X account. It appears aimed at countering claims that he had been killed or seriously injured. In the video, Netanyahu is seen strolling through a green outdoor area. Hills and trees are visible in the background. He wears a black coat and walks along a path. At one point, he stops and smiles while posing for photographs. Security personnel are seen nearby. Earlier, another clip of him sitting at a café sparked debate after some users claimed it looked like a “deepfake”. (PC: HT)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain will not be drawn into a wider war over Iran. He said the UK is working with allies on a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Iran effectively shut the key oil route. Starmer said the recent US operation had “massively weakened” the military capability of the Iranian government. But he added that diplomacy will still be needed after the conflict. “There will need to be some sort of negotiated agreement,” he said, aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear programme and securing international shipping. Starmer said reopening the strait is important to “ensure stability in the markets”. He said Britain and its partners are preparing a “viable plan” to restore safe navigation in the region. (PC: BBC)

Saudi Arabia is offering some oil buyers an alternative export route as tensions affect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The kingdom has given long-term customers the option to receive April oil supplies from the Red Sea port of Yanbu instead of its usual Persian Gulf terminals. The move comes as the Strait of Hormuz faces disruption due to the ongoing conflict in the region. The strait handles a large share of global oil trade. By offering the Yanbu route, Saudi Arabia aims to keep supplies moving and reduce risks linked to the shipping crisis. (PC: India Today)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday criticised the Election Commission of India after several senior officials in the state were removed ahead of the assembly elections. The reshuffle included Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty. The poll body appointed IAS officer Dushyant Nariala as her replacement. Banerjee alleged the move was done at the request of the Bharatiya Janata Party. “A Bengali woman, Nandini Chakraborty, was serving as the chief secretary. You are not merely anti-Bengali; you are also anti-women,” Banerjee said at a rally in Kolkata. She also criticised the removal of the state police chief and other officials before the polls.

US fighter jets have reportedly struck military facilities on a mountain near the Chabahar trade zone in Chabahar, according to Al Jazeera citing Voice of America. Loud explosions were heard behind the trade zone, the report said. More details about the strike are still awaited. Some unverified videos circulating online claimed to show a US jet flying over the area. The development comes as the conflict between the United States and Iran continues to escalate. The strike was reported near the Chabahar Free Trade Zone, a key regional transit hub. The port is also important for India’s trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia. (PC: HT)

Donald Trump warned NATO that the alliance could face a “very bad” future if member countries do not help secure the Strait of Hormuz. He said protecting the key shipping route should not fall only on the United States. Trump urged NATO allies to take a bigger role in keeping the waterway open. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil routes. Many global energy shipments pass through it each day. Trump said the security of the strait affects global trade and energy supplies. He called on NATO partners to work together to protect the route and prevent further threats to ships moving through the area. (PC: BBC)

A video of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordering coffee has triggered fresh debate online after claims that it may be AI-generated. The clip was posted on Netanyahu’s official X account to dismiss rumours about his death. In the video, he jokes about the claims while holding a cup of coffee and speaking to the camera. However, Grok, an AI chatbot developed by xAI, responded to a user query saying the video could be a deepfake and that no real event matching it was found. The claim quickly spread on social media, raising questions about the video’s authenticity. Israeli officials have not responded yet.

Flights at Dubai International Airport began gradually resuming on Monday after a drone-related incident caused a fire near the airfield. Authorities said a fuel tank close to the airport was damaged, forcing a temporary suspension of flights. Emergency teams quickly put out the fire and no injuries were reported. Several aircraft had to circle outside the airport during the disruption. Passengers were advised to check with airlines for updates. The incident comes amid rising tensions in West Asia. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia said it intercepted three drones over Riyadh and eastern regions on Monday, adding that the drones were destroyed before causing any damage.