The United States has announced rewards of up to $10 million for information on key figures linked to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), escalating pressure on Iran amid the ongoing conflict. A notice issued by the United States Department of State references ten Iranian leaders believed to command or direct IRGC operations. Among those named are Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani. Washington said the reward programme aims to gather information on senior Iranian military figures involved in directing IRGC activities, as tensions between the US and Iran continue to intensify. (PC: X)

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has reportedly survived two assassination attempts amid escalating tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Iranian MP Mohammadreza Rezaei Kouchi told the Islamic Republic News Agency that Khamenei was present during a strike on the residence of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, but escaped unharmed. He also claimed another attack targeted a hospital where the new leader was present, though details about the location were not disclosed. Meanwhile, Donald Trump suggested Khamenei might have been injured during early US-Israeli strikes. The absence of recent photos or videos of him has fuelled speculation about his health. (PC: X)

Donald Trump told leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) that Iran was “about to surrender” as tensions escalated following US-Israeli strikes. Trump said the conflict could end soon, claiming the attacks had severely weakened Iran’s military and infrastructure. However, Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, rejected the claim in his first public statement after succeeding his father Ali Khamenei. He vowed revenge for those killed in the strikes and warned that US bases in Gulf nations could be targeted. Khamenei also said the strategic Strait of Hormuz would remain closed as leverage, escalating fears of disruption to global oil supplies. (PC: Times Now)

Scott Bessent, the US Treasury Secretary, abruptly paused a live interview at the White House after being summoned by President Donald Trump to the Situation Room amid the ongoing Iran war. The interruption occurred while Bessent was speaking with Sky News journalist Wilfred Frost. He removed his microphone and left immediately after an aide said the president wanted him “right away.” The interview resumed nearly two hours later, with Bessent appearing visibly shaken and speaking with a trembling voice. He said Trump was “in great spirits” and claimed the US mission against Iran was progressing “ahead of schedule,” but he avoided giving detailed updates about the situation.

A sharp war of words erupted between Iran and the United States after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed Iranian leaders were “hiding like rats” amid ongoing strikes. Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani rejected the claim and mocked US leadership, saying Iranian leaders were among the public while American leaders were “on Epstein’s island.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was seen attending the annual Al Quds Day march in Tehran during the conflict. The exchange highlights escalating rhetoric as the war between Iran and the US-Israel alliance continues to intensify.

During a Pentagon briefing, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said senior leaders in Iran have gone underground as airstrikes by the United States and Israel intensify. Military officials said sustained aerial operations have forced Iranian commanders and political leaders to relocate to secure locations. The development reflects mounting pressure from the ongoing military campaign, which aims to weaken Iran’s command and control systems. According to Pentagon officials, targeting key infrastructure and leadership networks is part of a broader strategy to disrupt Iran’s operational coordination during the escalating regional conflict.

A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft operated by the United States Central Command crashed in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury. The US military said the incident did not result from hostile or friendly fire and that rescue efforts were underway. However, the Iran-aligned militia group Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed it shot down the aircraft. The KC-135 is a key aerial refuelling tanker used to support long-range combat missions. The crash marks the fourth US aircraft lost since the conflict began on February 28, highlighting the growing risks and uncertainty surrounding the ongoing war.

Thousands of Chinese fishing vessels gathered in unusual geometric formations in the East China Sea, raising concerns among maritime experts about possible military preparations by China. Satellite and ship-tracking data showed up to 2,000 boats clustering in coordinated patterns near Taiwan, sometimes as close as 500 metres apart, before dispersing after roughly 30 hours. Analysts believe the manoeuvres were unlikely to be fishing activity and may represent a test of China’s ability to mobilise large civilian fleets during a crisis. Experts say such vessels could support military operations, including blockades or logistics, as tensions over Taiwan continue to rise.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it launched missiles and drones that struck the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Sea of Oman, asserting the vessel was damaged and forced to withdraw amid ongoing Middle East hostilities. Tehran framed the action as retaliation in the broader conflict. However, the United States military has strongly denied the claim, stating the carrier was not hit or harmed, and remains operational alongside its strike group, continuing regional missions. The conflicting narratives reflect rising U.S.–Iran tensions and the fog of war over military engagements at sea. (PC: AP)

China announced it will send US $200,000 in emergency humanitarian assistance to Iran to support victims of a deadly school attack, condemning the killing of at least 150 schoolgirls in Minab as a violation of international humanitarian law. Beijing’s gesture, channelled through the Red Cross Society of China to the Iranian Red Crescent, aims to comfort bereaved families and bolster relief efforts. China also urged all parties to halt military operations, return to dialogue, and avoid broader escalation. The comment comes amid intensifying US‑Israel strikes, Iranian retaliation, and regional tensions impacting global oil routes. (PC: AP)