Category: International

Three Oil Tankers Attacked in Strait of Hormuz Within 24 Hours, Tensions Escalate
Three oil tankers were attacked within a 24-hour period in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, intensifying security concerns despite an ongoing ceasefire between the United States and Iran.
The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the latest incident involved an unidentified drone striking an oil tanker. The attack caused minor structural damage, but there were no casualties or environmental impacts. The vessel continued its voyage after the incident.
Earlier, two other tankers were attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz near the coast of Oman. One vessel caught fire after being hit on its port side by what UKMTO described as a missile or projectile while heading toward the Gulf of Oman. Another tanker also sustained structural damage. No injuries were reported in either attack.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, condemned the attack on the Qatari tanker Al Rekayyat, calling it an “unacceptable assault” on international navigation and global energy security. He described the incident as a “serious and blatant violation” of international law and held Iran legally responsible.
Iranian state television, however, reported that the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier was targeted after repeatedly ignoring warnings. Tehran stopped short of explicitly claiming responsibility for the attack.
Last week, Iran’s Joint Military Command ordered all oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz to follow designated routes and warned that any US military intervention in the area would receive a “swift and severe response.”
Although Washington and Tehran signed a 14-point ceasefire agreement last month, UKMTO has warned that the security risk in the Strait of Hormuz remains high.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that US-Iran negotiations may remain suspended until the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, is completed. Mourners attending the funeral were seen chanting slogans against Donald Trump.
July 8, 2026
Japan, China Coast Guards Face Off Near Disputed East China Sea Islands
TOKYO, July 7:Japan and China exchanged accusations on Tuesday after their coast guard vessels confronted each other near the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, with both countries claiming they had driven the other’s vessels out of waters they consider their own.
According to Japan’s Coast Guard, two Chinese coast guard ships approached a Japanese fishing boat operating near the uninhabited islands. Japanese authorities ordered the Chinese vessels to leave the area, and the ships reportedly departed at around 9:20 a.m. local time. Additional coast guard vessels were deployed to ensure the safety of the fishing boat.
China’s Coast Guard, however, said a Japanese fishing vessel, identified as Zuiho Maru, had entered waters claimed by Beijing. Chinese authorities said they took “necessary control measures” and ordered the vessel to leave the area.
Japan also stated that four Chinese coast guard ships were operating near the islands, with two entering what Tokyo considers its territorial waters. The Japanese government described the incident as a violation of international law and vowed to continue taking firm measures to protect its maritime territory.
The uninhabited islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are administered by Japan but claimed by both China and Taiwan. The long-running territorial dispute has frequently sparked diplomatic and maritime tensions.
Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have become increasingly strained in recent months. Last November, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Japan could intervene militarily if Taiwan came under attack, drawing strong criticism from Beijing.
China has since warned its citizens about traveling to Japan and imposed trade restrictions on several Japanese companies. Last month, Japan also announced that two Japanese nationals had been detained in China on allegations of attempting to smuggle restricted rare earth materials out of the country.
July 8, 2026
Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Surpasses 3,500 as Health Crisis Looms
The death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela late last month has climbed to 3,535, according to the latest official figures released on Monday.
The powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck within seconds of each other on June 24, shaking the capital, Caracas, the coastal state of La Guaira, and surrounding areas. The disaster caused widespread destruction, with an estimated 60,000 buildings damaged or destroyed.
National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said 16,740 people have been injured, while at least 17,854 residents have been left homeless. Around 12,800 displaced people are currently staying in 80 emergency shelters across Caracas and La Guaira.
Humanitarian agencies and health officials have warned that the country now faces a growing public health emergency. Thousands of displaced people are living in overcrowded shelters or in the open without reliable access to clean water and sanitation, increasing the risk of infectious disease outbreaks.
Eugenio Cova, head of the trauma unit at José Gregorio Hernández Hospital in Caracas, warned that prolonged displacement could lead to the rapid spread of infections.
“We have already gone through a major humanitarian crisis. More challenges lie ahead, and the growing risk of infectious diseases is making the situation even more serious,” he said.
An Al Jazeera correspondent reported last week that cases of diarrhea and other illnesses have already begun to emerge at a shelter in La Guaira, raising concerns over deteriorating health conditions among survivors.
July 7, 2026
Trump Says Iran Has Offered Nuclear Concessions, but Admits Deal Is Not Final
WASHINGTON, July 6: U.S.President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has offered concessions during ongoing nuclear negotiations, but acknowledged that the proposed compromises have not yet been finalized.
Speaking to reporters at the Oval Office, Trump said the United States had received “some concessions” from Tehran and stressed that Iran must remain committed to those promises if negotiations are to move forward.
Trump also asserted that Washington would be allowed to remove Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium under a potential agreement. However, Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed that they have agreed to such a provision.
The U.S. president further said that the objective of recent military operations had never been to overthrow Iran’s current government. His remarks appeared to contrast with statements he made on the first night of the campaign, when he urged the Iranian people to take control of their country after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes ended.
“We may be close to a deal… I don’t know,” Trump said. “But we will win one way or another. Either we make a deal, or we finish the job.”
Despite Trump’s optimistic assessment, there are currently no formal negotiations taking place between Washington and Tehran. Both sides have reportedly agreed to pause talks this week due to mourning ceremonies following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Referring to the Iranian population, Trump said he would prefer to reach a diplomatic settlement rather than inflict further hardship on the country’s estimated 91 million people.
“I would rather make a deal because I don’t want to hurt 91 million people,” he said.
Trump also claimed that the United States has so far refrained from targeting much of Iran’s civilian infrastructure but warned that such action remains an option if deemed necessary.
The remarks come amid continued uncertainty over the future of U.S.-Iran nuclear diplomacy and regional tensions in the Middle East.
Source: Times of Israel.
July 7, 2026
Report Questions Neutrality of UN Fact-Finding Mission on Bangladesh
A report published by Protect Bangladesh has raised fresh questions over the impartiality of United Nations fact-finding missions, citing recent analyses by Geneva-based UN Watch and the New York-based Gatestone Institute that accuse some UN human rights experts of political bias and conflicts of interest.
According to the report, the UN Watch investigation alleges that several UN Special Rapporteurs accepted substantial funding from governments including China, Russia, and Qatar, raising concerns about the independence of their work. The report argues that these financial relationships may have influenced the handling of human rights assessments in several countries.
The article identifies Bangladesh as a key example, focusing on the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report released in February 2025 on the country’s anti-quota protests.
Critics cited in the report contend that the UN findings relied on a limited number of interviews while estimating approximately 1,400 deaths during the unrest. They argue that the methodology lacked sufficient direct testimony from victims, relatives, and frontline witnesses, and that official Bangladeshi records reported significantly lower casualty figures.
The report also references the Gatestone Institute’s analysis, which claims that some UN human rights experts have increasingly relied on activist-driven narratives and unverified claims instead of objective evidence. It further alleges that the Bangladesh report closely reflected the position of the country’s interim administration formed in August 2024.
Among the allegations highlighted are claims that references to violence against law enforcement personnel appeared in earlier drafts of the UN report but were omitted from the final version. The article argues that such omissions raise questions about the consistency and completeness of the investigation.
The report further notes that although the UN document cautioned against being used as courtroom evidence, it has nonetheless been cited in legal and political discussions concerning accountability for the 2024 unrest.
Concluding its assessment, the article argues that the credibility of the UN human rights system depends on maintaining impartiality, transparency, and rigorous investigative standards. It calls for structural reforms to strengthen public confidence in international fact-finding mechanisms while ensuring that future investigations are based on comprehensive and balanced evidence.
The allegations summarized in the article are drawn from analyses by UN Watch and the Gatestone Institute. The United Nations has not accepted these criticisms as established fact, and its findings remain part of ongoing public and legal debate.
July 7, 2026
Over 600,000 Migrants Join Spain’s Workforce Before Regularization Approval
MADRID, July 5: More than 600,000 undocumented migrants have entered Spain’s labor market under temporary work permits while the government reviews applications submitted through its large-scale regularization program.
According to the Spanish government, 609,737 applicants have been granted temporary authorization to work as their residency applications are processed.
Spain launched the regularization initiative to provide legal status to undocumented migrants who have been living in the country. Under the program, successful applicants will receive a one-year residence permit, provided they can prove they had lived in Spain for at least five months before December 31, 2025, and have no criminal record.
Applications were accepted between April 16 and June 30 this year, attracting more than 1.1 million submissions—more than double the government’s initial estimate of around 500,000 applicants.
Secretary of State for Migration Pilar Cancela and Secretary of State for Social Security Borja Suárez said most applicants are migrants from Latin American countries. They noted that temporary work authorization was granted to eligible applicants while authorities carry out the verification process.
Government data show that by June 30, around 160,000 of those holding temporary permits had already secured employment in the formal sector.
Authorities have also approved one-year residence permits for approximately 11,000 applicants so far. Among all applicants, 81 percent are under the age of 45, while 57 percent are women.
The figures underscore Spain’s growing reliance on migrant workers to address labor shortages while advancing one of the country’s largest migrant regularization efforts in recent years.
July 6, 2026
Trump Offers to Help Putin Find Path to End Ukraine War
WASHINGTON/MOSCOW, July 5, 2026— US President Donald Trump has offered to assist Russian President Vladimir Putin in finding a solution to end the war in Ukraine, according to the Kremlin. The proposal was reportedly made during a 90-minute phone conversation between the two leaders ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.
Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said on Sunday that the discussion focused on ways to achieve a political and diplomatic settlement to the conflict. He described the call as “professional and highly constructive.”
According to Ushakov, Trump reaffirmed his readiness to work toward a swift end to the war and to help find a lasting solution to the ongoing crisis.
He said Russia remains committed to seeking a political and diplomatic resolution while safeguarding its fundamental national interests.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he also spoke with Trump on Saturday. Writing on Telegram, Zelensky said the two leaders discussed the situation along the 1,200-kilometre front line and agreed to continue consultations during the NATO summit.
“There is a real opportunity to end this war, and America’s determination will be critically important,” Zelensky said.
The NATO summit is scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara, where leaders from the alliance’s 32 member states, including Trump, are expected to attend.
Despite months of heavy fighting, neither Russia nor Ukraine has made a decisive breakthrough on the battlefield. The extensive use of drones has significantly hindered the movement of heavy military equipment while inflicting substantial losses on both sides.
Ushakov also accused Ukraine, with support from its European allies, of prolonging the conflict and targeting civilian infrastructure. He pointed to recent long-range Ukrainian strikes on facilities linked to Russia’s oil industry, which he said had caused fuel shortages in several Russian regions.
He further claimed that Putin briefed Trump on what he described as Russia’s continued military advances, asserting that Russian forces were steadily gaining control of additional territory.
Earlier on Friday, Russian military commanders claimed their troops had captured the strategically important eastern Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region. However, Zelensky and Ukraine’s General Staff rejected the claim on Saturday, insisting the city remains under Ukrainian control.
Last month, Zelensky invited Putin to hold direct bilateral talks, but the Kremlin declined the proposal.
July 6, 2026
Mojtaba Khamenei Seeks to Attend Father’s Final Farewell
Iran’s Supreme Leader has expressed his wish to take part in the final farewell ceremonies of his father and predecessor, , according to a report by .
Iranian sources cited by the newspaper said Mojtaba informed officials that he wants to be present during the multi-day mourning ceremonies. However, his request has reportedly been denied so far due to serious security concerns.
Officials fear that could attempt to assassinate him or use his public appearance to trace his undisclosed location.
According to the report, Mojtaba Khamenei hopes to attend his father’s burial on July 9.
The New York Times also noted that he was absent from a memorial event held on Wednesday for his wife, teenage son, and other relatives who were reportedly killed during the first day of joint strikes by the and Israel.
His absence, especially after reports that he was seriously injured in the attacks, has raised fresh questions about his condition and whether he is currently able to lead Iran’s political and religious establishment.
July 5, 2026
Trump Says US Gave Iran ‘Time Off’ for Khamenei Burial
US President has claimed that Iran is urgently seeking a deal with Washington following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader in the early days of the war, reportedly killed during joint US-Israeli strikes.
Speaking Friday night at Mount Rushmore during the opening ceremony marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, Trump said Tehran was now “desperate” to reach an agreement with the United States.
“We destroyed Iran completely. They are trying very hard to make a deal,” Trump said during his speech, where he also praised American military power and warned against what he described as the global threat of communism.
In a remark that drew attention, Trump added that Washington had effectively given Iran “a week off” to complete Khamenei’s burial rites.
“We gave them time for the funeral because we are kind,” Trump said in his characteristic style.
The comments came as Iran continues nationwide mourning ceremonies for Khamenei, whose funeral has drawn massive crowds and strong anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans in Tehran.
The latest escalation has further intensified tensions across the Middle East, with analysts warning that the region could face broader instability if diplomatic efforts fail.
July 5, 2026
Khamenei’s Body Lies in Tehran’s Grand Mosalla as Iran Awaits Historic Funeral
The body of Iran’s late Supreme Leader, , has been transferred to Tehran’s Grand Mosalla Mosque, where preparations are underway for what could become the largest funeral gathering in the country’s history.
According to reports, nearly 20 million people are expected to participate in the funeral prayers, reflecting the deep political and religious significance of Khamenei’s death. He served as Iran’s highest authority for more than 36 years, shaping the country’s domestic and foreign policies through decades of regional turmoil.
Following the funeral in Tehran, Khamenei’s body is expected to be buried in his hometown of Mashhad, at the revered .
Reports also indicate that , the current supreme leader and son of the late leader, had expressed interest in leading his father’s funeral prayers. However, Iranian security authorities reportedly denied the request, citing serious security concerns.
A representative of Iran’s supreme leadership said Mojtaba had wanted to make his first public appearance since the recent attacks but was advised against it due to the risks involved.
Khamenei’s death comes at a time of escalating tensions in the Middle East, with Iran issuing fresh warnings to the and amid ongoing regional conflict.
July 3, 2026