Key development: Iran fired ballistic missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain, hitting Kuwait’s airport, while the US hit back at Iranian radar sites—the ceasefire is barely holding.
Military Operations
(Update) Iran launched seven ballistic missiles at Kuwait and Bahrain, expanding its targets in the Gulf. The US intercepted six, one failed on its own, and Iranian drones severely damaged Kuwait’s international airport. (Al Jazeera, France24)
Context: This is a concrete escalation from previous attacks. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say they hit “enemy bases” in the Gulf. The US immediately launched retaliatory strikes on Iranian radar sites at Goruk and Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, releasing footage of the hits. The strikes targeted a military ground control station. The ceasefire framework both sides agreed to is getting tested hard.
Sources: Al Jazeera | France24 | US strikes footage
Regional Actors
(Update) Lebanon’s president told Iran to back off, saying Lebanon isn’t Tehran’s “bargaining chip” anymore. He’s calling for Hezbollah to disarm and wants direct peace talks with Israel. (France24, Euronews)
Context: President Joseph Aoun and the prime minister publicly rebuked Iran for opposing the latest Israel-Lebanon ceasefire deal. This is a sharp break—Lebanon’s leadership is openly telling Iran “this is our country, not yours.” Despite the ceasefire framework, Israel and Hezbollah are still trading fire in southern Lebanon. Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi pushed back, warning Lebanon about its “real enemy.”
Azerbaijan says it’s not letting Israel use its territory to hit Iran. Baku called the reports “completely groundless.” (Euronews)
Context: Anonymous sources had claimed Israel was using Azerbaijani soil for operations against Iran. Azerbaijan shares a 700-kilometer border with Iran and says it’s never provided territory for strikes against third countries.
Sources: Euronews
Diplomacy
(Update) Israel and Lebanon opened a fourth round of direct talks in Washington. It’s a two-day session at the State Department, happening even as strikes continue. (France24)
Context: Trump said he got commitments to de-escalation from both sides. The talks come after Israeli drone strikes killed eight people in southern Lebanon earlier this week, including two children. Israel and Lebanon don’t have diplomatic relations, so these Washington meetings are the only direct channel.
Sources: France24
International
Trump’s ambassador to the EU said NATO made a “big mistake” not helping the US fight Iran. He says Europeans had an obligation given America’s defense of Europe. (Euronews)
Context: US Ambassador Andrew Pudzer told Euronews that Trump is “still disappointed” with NATO allies over Iran. The administration clearly wanted European military support and didn’t get it.
Sources: Euronews
Economy
The US slapped new sanctions on a dozen entities tied to Iran, targeting LPG tankers. Most are based in the Marshall Islands and UAE. (France24)
Context: The Treasury designated 12 entities total on Friday: five in the Marshall Islands, four in the UAE, and one in China. All are connected to Iranian liquefied petroleum gas operations.
Sources: France24
[UNCONFIRMED] Most EU countries cut fossil fuel imports since the Iran war started, but three increased them. (Euronews)
Context: Euronews reports that while the EU broadly responded to the crisis by limiting imports, three member states “deepened their exposure by increasing them.” The report doesn’t name the countries. This is a sole-source claim.
Sources: Euronews
What to watch: Whether Washington and Tehran can get talks back on track before the next missile exchange makes the ceasefire irrelevant.