Israel has launched “wide-scale” strikes on targets in western Iran, the Israeli military said.   The attacks came as Iran and Israel exchanged strikes overnight. Several Gulf states also reported missile and drone interceptions.   US President Donald Trump said Iran wants to make a deal to end the war. However, he said Washington is not ready to accept it. “They want to make a deal, but the terms are not good enough,” Trump told NBC.   Trump also claimed US forces had “totally demolished” Iran’s Kharg Island, a key oil export hub. He added the US “may hit it a few more times just for fun”.   The UK said it is discussing options to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. (PC: BBC)

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has vowed to “pursue and kill” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The group described him as a “child-killing criminal”. In a statement reported by Iranian state media, the Guards said, “If this child-killing criminal is alive, we will continue to pursue and kill him with full force.” The warning came after rumours on social media claimed Netanyahu had been assassinated. His office quickly rejected the claims and said the Israeli prime minister was “fine”. Speculation started after a video on Netanyahu’s X account appeared unusual to some users. X’s chatbot Grok later said the video was not manipulated and the claims were false. (PC: HT)

Software demonstrations by US defence contractor Palantir suggest the US military could use AI chatbots to help plan battlefield operations. The system uses Palantir’s Artificial Intelligence Platform to connect large language models, including Anthropic’s Claude, with defence data systems. In one demo, the AI flagged unusual enemy activity from radar and satellite images. When an analyst asked what unit might be present, the chatbot suggested it could be an armoured battalion based on equipment patterns. The analyst could then ask the system to create possible “courses of action”, such as an airstrike or artillery strike. Commanders would review the options before approval. Anthropic earlier said its Claude models should not be used for mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons. (PC: NDTV)

A second key sea route could face disruption as Yemen’s Houthi group warned it may join the Iran war. The group said its “fingers are on the trigger” and it is ready to respond if the conflict widens.   Experts say the Houthis could target the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The narrow route connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is vital for ships travelling between Asia and Europe through the Suez Canal.   The threat comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted during the war.   Analysts say if both routes are affected, global trade and oil shipments could face major delays and rising costs. (PC: India Today)

Hamas has urged Iran to stop attacks on Gulf countries during the ongoing Middle East war. The Palestinian group made the appeal in a statement on Saturday. Hamas asked its “brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring countries”. It said regional nations should work together “to preserve the bonds of brotherhood”. At the same time, the group said Iran has the right to defend itself against strikes by the United States and Israel. Iran says its missile and drone strikes target American installations in the Gulf. However, some attacks have hit civilian infrastructure in the region. Iran is Hamas’s main supporter and provides funding, weapons and political backing. (PC: BBC)

Explosions were heard in parts of Dubai on Sunday as Iran launched fresh missile and drone attacks during the ongoing Middle East war. Authorities said loud sounds were reported in the Marina and Al Sufouh areas. Some were linked to air defence interceptions. Iranian strikes also forced operations to stop at the Fujairah oil terminal in the UAE. Thick black smoke was seen rising from the site. Officials said a Jordanian national was injured in the incident. Several drones also struck Kuwait’s international airport, though no injuries were reported there. According to officials, Iran has fired more than 1,800 missiles and drones at the UAE since the conflict began. (PC: NDTV)

Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said Tehran has allowed some ships to pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz despite heightened tensions from the ongoing Iran–U.S.–Israel conflict. Speaking in New Delhi, the envoy indicated that certain vessels, including some linked to India, had been permitted safe transit, reflecting the close ties between the two countries. Several ships had earlier been stranded due to security concerns and restrictions in the waterway. The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments, has seen major disruptions during the conflict, with many vessels avoiding the area due to safety risks. (PC: ANI)

U.S. President Donald Trump has urged the UK and other global powers to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz after rising attacks and threats linked to the Iran conflict. The strategic waterway, through which a major share of the world’s oil supply passes, has faced disruption following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Trump said multiple countries could join a naval effort to keep shipping lanes open and deter Iranian actions. Britain said it is discussing maritime security with allies, while experts warn that escalating military deployments in the region could increase the risk of wider confrontation and instability. (PC: Getty Images)

At least 12 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics, were killed after an Israeli airstrike hit a primary health centre in Burj Qalaouiyah, a village in southern Lebanon. Lebanese health officials said the medics were on duty when the strike occurred during escalating clashes between Israel and Hezbollah along the border. The World Health Organization condemned the attack, stressing that medical facilities and personnel are protected under international humanitarian law. Lebanese authorities accused Israel of targeting civilian infrastructure, while Israel alleged Hezbollah operates from within civilian areas. The ongoing conflict has intensified in recent weeks, causing heavy casualties and displacement across southern Lebanon. (PC: AFP)

Viral social media posts claiming that Benjamin Netanyahu had died or gone missing have been dismissed as false by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. The rumours spread widely online during heightened tensions in the Middle East, with some posts alleging the Israeli leader was killed in an attack or replaced by an AI-generated video. The speculation intensified after a viral clip appeared to show Netanyahu with “six fingers,” prompting claims the footage was digitally manipulated. Fact-checks found the unusual image was caused by camera angle and lighting distortion, not artificial intelligence. Officials confirmed Netanyahu is alive and continuing his duties, calling the viral claims misinformation spreading on social media. (PC: AFP)