Sri Lanka reaffirmed neutrality in the West Asia conflict as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake rejected a United States request to station missile-armed warplanes at Mattala International Airport. He also declined an Iran request for warships to dock, maintaining a balanced stance. The decision followed a US strike that sank Iranian frigate IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka, killing sailors, while Colombo rescued survivors and offered humanitarian aid. Sri Lanka abstained from a UN resolution condemning Iran, stressing fairness. The government emphasised it will not allow its territory for military use, balancing ties with both Washington and Tehran. (PC: ANI)

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson Gen. Ali Mohammad Naini was killed in an airstrike, reportedly by US‑Israel forces, just hours after issuing a defiant warning about a “missile surprise” targeting Israel amid the ongoing Iran‑Israel‑US war, state media reported. Iranian authorities described his death as martyrdom and later released a statement in his name asserting that missile and rocket production would continue unabated. The incident underscores the volatile escalation of the conflict, with high‑ranking military figures being targeted and killed even as Tehran vows ongoing resistance and capability to strike back. (PC: NDTV)

For the first time since 1967, al‑Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem was closed to Muslim worshippers on Eid al‑Fitr, forcing thousands to pray outside its sealed gates amid heavy Israeli security measures. Israeli authorities cited security concerns linked to the US‑Israel‑Iran conflict, while Palestinians condemned it as a violation of religious freedom. The closure, affecting one of Islam’s holiest sites, has intensified tensions in Jerusalem and sparked outrage across the Muslim world. Critics warn the move could escalate unrest in the region during the holiday period, highlighting the fraught political and religious landscape of the city. (PC: Wikipedia)

A 9-year-old girl from Stephenville, Texas, tragically died after trying the lethal “blackout challenge” trending on social media, which involves restricting oxygen to the brain. JackLynn Blackwell was found unconscious with a cord around her neck on February 3, and despite her father’s resuscitation efforts, she could not be saved. Her parents are urging families to monitor children’s online activity and cautioning against viral internet challenges that appear harmless but can be deadly. They call for increased adult supervision and awareness about the risks posed by dangerous social media trends. (PC: NDTV)

The US Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, carrying about 2,000 Marines and advanced aircraft such as F‑35s, is sailing toward the Arabian Sea to reinforce American forces amid escalating tensions with Iran. Positioned south of Sri Lanka, the vessel is set to join the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group in the Gulf of Oman during the broader US–Iran war. The deployment enhances America’s military posture, potentially preparing for amphibious or crisis‑response operations. Its arrival could shape the conflict’s next phase, reflecting deepening involvement in the region and ongoing fears of wider escalation. (PC: US NAVY)

U.S. and Israeli forces have carried out airstrikes that killed Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naini, the spokesperson and deputy public relations chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to Iranian state media. The strike marks a significant escalation in the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States and Israel, coming shortly after Naini issued a defiant warning to opposing forces. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have framed his death as martyrdom, further raising tensions across the region and risking wider confrontation as global energy and security dynamics remain volatile. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump sparked discomfort during a White House meeting with Sanae Takaichi by jokingly referencing the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack while answering why Japan and other allies were not informed before recent US strikes on Iran. Trump praised Takaichi’s English, but his remark — “Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor?” — drew an uneasy reaction from the Japanese leader and observers. The comment overshadowed discussions on diplomatic cooperation and regional security amid ongoing Middle East tensions. (PC: India Today)

Iran has issued a stark warning that it will show “zero restraint” if its energy infrastructure faces further attacks, escalating tensions in the Middle East conflict. This declaration follows an Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field—one of the world’s largest energy sites—and Iran’s subsequent retaliatory attacks on Gulf energy facilities, including Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG hub, which knocked out a significant portion of its export capacity and disrupted global markets. The warning underscores Tehran’s readiness to expand its retaliation and adds to mounting concerns over regional conflict spreading and further destabilising global energy supplies. (PC: The Guardian)

Iranian forces have repeatedly targeted Kuwait’s key Mina Al‑Ahmadi oil refinery, striking it again with drone attacks that sparked fires in multiple units amid the broader US–Israel–Iran war escalation. Fire crews worked to contain blazes, and no casualties have been reported, though parts of the facility were shut down as a precaution. The refinery had been hit the previous day, marking a second consecutive attack on critical Gulf energy infrastructure. These strikes come as Iran intensifies retaliatory assaults on regional energy sites following Israeli bombardment of its South Pars gas field, deepening tensions and threatening global supply stability. (PC: X)

A dispute has emerged between Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump following Israel’s strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field. Trump stated the US was unaware of the attack and urged Netanyahu to refrain from further strikes, signaling a rift in US‑Israel coordination. Israeli officials claim they had informed Washington prior to the operation, highlighting conflicting narratives. The disagreement underscores tension over strategy and communication between the two nations amid escalating Iran-Israel hostilities, raising questions about alignment on military actions targeting critical energy infrastructure in the region. (PC: X)