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In a clip from a CNN interview broadcast on the 15th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia has supplied “Shahed” drones to Iran, which have been used against the United States and Israel.

Speaking with CNN host Fareed Zakaria, Zelenskyy said Iran had used Russian-made Shahed drones to attack U.S. military bases, stressing that the claim was “100 percent true.” According to Reuters, while the precise manufacturing origins of the drones are sometimes unclear, the Shahed series has been linked to multiple attacks across the Middle East. The drone was originally developed by Iran and is considered a far cheaper strike weapon than conventional missiles.

According to Ukraine, these drones were first deployed on a large scale during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since the autumn of 2022, Russian forces have launched thousands of Shahed drones. Although they were initially supplied by Iran, Russia is now capable of producing them domestically. Meanwhile, other militaries have increasingly adopted similar drone systems, including the U.S. military. Washington has noted that drones have also been incorporated into its current military operations related to Iran.

In recent days, Zelenskyy also spoke with 25 domestic and international media outlets about Ukraine’s current situation and how it has countered the threat posed by Russian Shahed suicide drones. He said that after years of war, Ukraine has accumulated extensive battlefield experience in defending against such attacks. As tensions in the Middle East intensify, the United States has sought related technology and operational expertise from Kyiv. Zelenskyy confirmed that, at Washington’s request, Ukraine has dispatched a team of drone experts to a U.S. military base in Jordan to assist with defense efforts.

For years, Ukraine had appealed to the United States and European allies for air defense systems. However, through its prolonged struggle against Russian drone attacks, Kyiv has gradually developed mature defensive capabilities. By providing technical support and experience to the United States, Ukraine hopes to highlight its battlefield value and turn these advantages into diplomatic leverage in future negotiations with Russia.

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, came under attack on the 14th when drones and missiles struck the compound, setting a helicopter landing pad on fire and sending thick smoke into the air. Multiple media outlets and security sources said the assault was likely carried out by Iran or Iran-backed militant groups. The incident occurred amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, further heightening instability in the Middle East.

According to foreign media reports, the U.S. Embassy—located inside Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone—was first targeted by a suicide drone. Missiles later struck facilities within the compound, with one reportedly hitting a helicopter landing pad and triggering flames and explosions. Footage from the scene showed plumes of smoke rising above the embassy as security alarms were activated inside the complex.

Iraqi security officials said at least one drone was involved in the attack. Some reports suggested debris from an intercepted or detonated projectile struck parts of the embassy buildings, causing damage to sections of the compound. It remains unclear whether the attack resulted in casualties.

Analysts said the strike may be linked to recent military operations by the United States and Israel against Iran. Security sources indicated the attack was likely carried out by Iran-backed Shiite militias in Iraq in retaliation for U.S. military actions.

Following the incident, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued an urgent security alert urging American citizens to “leave Iraq immediately” and advising people to avoid the Green Zone and surrounding areas. The U.S. government also expanded travel warnings for several Middle Eastern countries, underscoring Washington’s heightened concern over regional security.

Observers noted that since tensions between the United States and Iran intensified, U.S. military and diplomatic facilities across the Middle East have been repeatedly targeted. The pattern suggests the conflict is expanding beyond direct confrontation to include proxy warfare and cross-border attacks. If such incidents continue, Iraq could once again become a major battleground in the U.S.–Iran confrontation.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah launched a large-scale attack on Israel on the evening of the 11th, firing about 20 drones and 200 rockets. About half of them were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system. This marked the largest attack since the outbreak of the conflict. The Israeli military immediately carried out a counterattack, launching an airstrike targeting Ramlet al-Bayda in the southern part of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, killing seven people and injuring 21 others.

Hezbollah stated that the operation involved attacks using drones and missiles, targeting several important military facilities. These included the Beit Lid base, the Glilot base, and the Atlit base. The armed group also launched drones and rockets toward Nahariya in northern Israel, while simultaneously firing artillery shells at Israeli forces stationed in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah claimed the operation damaged Israeli naval special operations facilities and that drones struck the Meron Air Force command and control base, damaging its radar systems. As the base is an important surveillance facility in northern Israel, Hezbollah said the attack would affect Israel’s regional air defense monitoring capabilities. However, these claims have not been confirmed by Israel.

Following Hezbollah’s attack, Israel immediately launched a response. The Israeli military stated that it struck 10 Hezbollah buildings within 30 minutes, including the headquarters of Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force. Lebanese authorities said that Israel’s recent airstrikes have killed 634 people in Lebanon, including 91 children, and displaced about 800,000 others.

On the 11th, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian proposed three major conditions for a ceasefire on social media: recognition of Iran’s legitimate rights, a demand that the United States and Israel pay war reparations, and international guarantees for Iran’s future security. These conditions were announced following a high-level meeting with the leaders of Russia and Pakistan. Historically, the so-called “legitimate rights” have often been interpreted as including Iran’s right, as a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), to conduct uranium enrichment.

The United States dismissed Iran’s demand for compensation. A deputy spokesperson for the U.S. State Department called it “absurd,” while U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he himself was the key decision-maker regarding any ceasefire. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz also expressed determination to continue military operations, stating that the war would “continue without limits until all objectives are achieved and a decisive victory is secured.” On the afternoon of the 11th, the Israeli Air Force carried out “large-scale airstrikes” on infrastructure belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) across the country. The attacks targeted Tehran and several other military strongholds.

The operations launched by the United States and Israel—“Operation Epic Fury” and “Operation Roaring Lion”—have reportedly resulted in more than 1,200 to 1,300 deaths in Iran, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and more than 10,000 people injured.

In response, Iran has attacked U.S. military bases in several Middle Eastern countries and has also blocked the Strait of Hormuz, effectively choking a key global energy transit route and driving oil prices sharply higher in an effort to gain leverage in negotiations. Although diplomatic channels through European and Middle Eastern countries are attempting mediation, it remains unclear whether the United States and Israel will accept the ceasefire conditions proposed by Iran.

According to a report by CNN on the 10th, Iran laid naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz—a key shipping route that carries about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and natural gas supply—in retaliation for U.S. attacks. U.S. President Donald Trump also posted on social media warning Iran to remove the mines immediately or face unprecedented military consequences. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that U.S. forces carried out a preemptive strike and precisely destroyed 16 Iranian minelaying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.

At present, the scale of the mining operation is not yet extensive, with only dozens of mines discovered so far. However, intelligence indicates that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has the capability to deploy hundreds of mines in the waterway at any time. Combined with armed speedboats and missiles, this could form a blockade in the strait, leading the area to be described as a “valley of death.” Iran has stated firmly that it will not allow any oil tankers that benefit the United States or its allies to pass through the strait. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth responded that the U.S. military will not allow terrorists to hijack this critical maritime passage. Military tensions between the two sides continue to escalate.

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has already halted exports from oil-producing countries such as Iraq and Kuwait, and because there are no alternative routes, it has caused recent volatility in oil prices. G7 member countries are therefore discussing releasing strategic petroleum reserves to stabilize the market. Blocking the Strait of Hormuz remains primarily a tactic by Iran to confront the United States, attempting to pressure Washington into negotiations by impacting the entire world.

Five members of the Iranian women’s national football team who were in Australia for the Asian Cup recently sought protection from the Australian government after refusing to sing Iran’s national anthem before a match. Fearing they could be labeled “traitors” and face retaliation if they returned home, the players asked Australia for protection. The Australian government confirmed today that it has issued humanitarian visas to the five athletes.

According to a Reuters report, there had earlier been reports that the players applied for asylum in Australia. U.S. President Donald Trump also took notice of the situation and spoke by phone with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss the players’ circumstances.

Other members of the Iranian team remain at a hotel on the Gold Coast. Albanese said the Australian government is willing to offer assistance, but whether to accept that help ultimately depends on the players themselves. At a press conference in Canberra, he said, “The Australian people have great sympathy for the situation these brave women are facing. They are safe here and should feel that they belong here.”

The Iranian women’s team had traveled to Australia to participate in the Asian Cup football tournament. Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that the five players secretly left the hotel under the escort of Australian police and then sought assistance from the Australian government.

Trump had previously written on social media that sending the players back to Iran would be a “serious humanitarian mistake.” He later revealed that he had spoken with Albanese and praised the Australian government for its handling of the sensitive situation.

Trump said the five players have now received protection, and other team members are also being offered assistance. However, some players remain worried about the safety of their families and are still considering whether to return to Iran. He had earlier warned that if the players were forced to return, they could face danger to their lives, and even said that if Australia did not accept them, the United States would be willing to take them in.

Albanese said Trump called him at nearly 2 a.m., and he briefed him on Australia’s actions over the past 48 hours, including the five players’ request for help and the fact that they have been placed in a safe location.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. While the Iranian women’s team was competing in the Asian Cup in Australia, Iran was thrown into turmoil following joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel, and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed. Iran ultimately lost 0–2 to the Philippines on the 8th and was eliminated early from the Asian Cup.

As tensions in the Middle East continue to deteriorate, global energy markets have been thrown into turmoil. International oil prices this week surged past $100 per barrel, the highest level since July 2022. With prices having jumped more than 90 percent since December last year, concerns are growing worldwide over rising inflation and potential supply shortages. Sources say finance ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) will hold an emergency video conference on the 9th. Coordinated by the International Energy Agency (IEA), they are expected to discuss the possibility of jointly releasing 300 to 400 million barrels from strategic petroleum reserves to curb further price spikes.

Iran’s new leadership has adopted a hardline stance, raising fears that the Strait of Hormuz could be blocked. At the same time, declining oil output in several producing countries has heightened market anxiety over energy supply. Short covering has triggered a “short squeeze,” further pushing prices upward. U.S. President Donald Trump recently remarked that the cost of high oil prices is “not too high,” a statement markets interpreted as a signal that Washington may tolerate higher energy prices. Meanwhile, Israel and Iran have continued exchanging attacks, damaging energy facilities across the Gulf region. Oil production has also been forced to decline in places such as Iraq, Kuwait, and Abu Dhabi due to limited storage capacity, further exacerbating supply concerns.

Iran has threatened to strike oil facilities across the Persian Gulf and warned that if the conflict escalates, global oil prices could soar to $200 per barrel. Israel has also reportedly targeted at least five energy infrastructure sites around Iran in recent days, sharply worsening the situation. With energy transport bottlenecks and geopolitical risks rising simultaneously, oil-producing nations are being forced to cut output, raising fears of prolonged supply tightness in the market. To ease the pressure, the Group of Seven is evaluating a large-scale coordinated oil release in hopes of stabilizing markets before global panic intensifies and inflation spirals further out of control.

According to a report by Fox News, the United States will deploy a third aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East to join the war against Iran.

Fox News reported that the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush and its accompanying fleet are preparing to cross the Atlantic Ocean toward the eastern Mediterranean. This would mark the third U.S. carrier strike group deployed near Iran. As the Yemeni rebel group Houthis has vowed to confront U.S. forces and could potentially attack Israel, the George H.W. Bush carrier strike group may also serve as a base for operations against the Houthis.

The Associated Press reported that, according to images released by the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy’s most advanced aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, passed through the Suez Canal on the 5th, moving from the Mediterranean Sea into the Red Sea.

The Ford had moved from the Caribbean to the Middle East in mid-February and carried out missions in the eastern Mediterranean during the early stage of the U.S.–Iran conflict. According to foreign media reports, two carrier strike groups are currently operating in the region: the Ford in the Red Sea and another carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, in the Arabian Sea.

It remains unclear whether the third carrier group will serve as a rotational replacement or formally join combat operations. As Iran has vowed to attack vessels traveling through the Persian Gulf, about 20% of global oil transport has been disrupted, potentially having a serious impact on global energy prices and the broader situation in the Middle East.

The conflict between the United States and Iran continues to escalate. A U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka, killing at least 80 people, reflecting the expansion of U.S. military operations against Iran. At the same time, NATO air defense systems intercepted and destroyed an Iranian ballistic missile aimed at a regional base near the Turkish border. As the critical oil chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz, enters its fifth day of paralysis, the global energy supply chain is also facing a growing crisis.

On the 4th, Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense issued a statement accusing Iran of launching a ballistic missile that flew over Syria and Iraq before being successfully intercepted by NATO air defense systems over the eastern Mediterranean. This marks the first time a NATO member state has been directly drawn into the Middle East conflict, raising concerns that the conflict could further expand and involve NATO allies. Turkish authorities said the missile caused no casualties but reserved the right to respond to hostile actions, while warning all parties not to escalate the conflict. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that NATO is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East but is not currently considering invoking Article 5, the collective defense clause.

On the 7th, Iranian President Pezeshkian delivered a speech apologizing to neighboring countries for the attacks that occurred over the past few days, stating that Iran has no intention of invading other nations. He announced that Iran’s temporary leadership council approved on Friday (the 6th) a decision to cease attacks on neighboring countries unless attacks against Iran originate from those countries. He also declared that Iran would never surrender unconditionally and called on the public to unite in defending the nation.

As the conflict continues, Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz. According to Reuters estimates, at least 200 ships are anchored offshore and unwilling to move, pushing oil prices to their highest level in a year. U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged to provide naval escorts and energy insurance in an effort to curb the soaring costs.

The conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, with no signs of easing regional tensions. Early Friday morning local time, Israel launched overnight attacks on Hezbollah positions inside Lebanon. After ordering some residents to evacuate, Israeli forces carried out intensive airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut. The Israeli military said it conducted 26 strikes throughout the night, targeting command centers and weapons storage facilities.

Meanwhile, Iranian media claimed that Iran had shot down U.S. and Israeli drones. Qatar and Saudi Arabia also reported successfully intercepting attacks targeting U.S. military bases within their territories, indicating that the conflict is gradually expanding.

As Israel intensified its offensive, Lebanon’s Hezbollah also responded with military action. The group warned residents near the Israeli border to evacuate as soon as possible and launched attacks into Israeli territory. Lebanon had already been drawn into the conflict earlier this week when Hezbollah struck Israel, triggering a new round of military confrontation. Israel subsequently expanded its strikes in southern Lebanon, deployed additional troops to the border area, and urged local civilians to leave potential combat zones.

Several Lebanese sources familiar with the deployments revealed that Hezbollah has sent its elite “Radwan Force” to southern areas near the border to counter advancing Israeli troops. According to the sources, the unit received orders on the 2nd to join the fighting, with missions including preventing Israeli tanks from entering certain areas. The town of Khiam has reportedly become one of the main battle zones. These forces had previously withdrawn north of the Litani River following the ceasefire arrangement after the 2024 Israel–Lebanon war, but their redeployment now signals a renewed deterioration of the situation.

At the same time, after large-scale airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, Tehran and its allies have begun retaliatory actions. Israel recently ordered a mass evacuation of residents in southern Beirut, causing severe traffic congestion and affecting an estimated 500,000 people. Hezbollah also used social media to warn Israeli residents near the border to leave the area, accusing Israeli forces of violating Lebanon’s sovereignty.

According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have so far killed at least 123 people and wounded hundreds more. In addition, Israeli forces have continued striking targets in Iran’s capital, Tehran, raising the risk that the conflict could further expand.