World News
Latest world news and updates
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Lebanon's Government Moves to Bar Hezbollah from Military Action, Challenging Parallel Armed Power
Lebanon's cabinet has formally banned Hezbollah from engaging in military activity, marking a rare assertion of state authority after deadly Israeli strikes that targeted alleged militia members. The decision is politically significant but faces steep implementation challenges and raises the risk of domestic fracture and regional escalation.
Former FBI Official Warns Iran Could Activate ‘Sleeper Cells’ in U.S.; Washington Elevates Alert
A Chinese report citing a former FBI official warns Tehran could activate clandestine ‘sleeper cells’ in the United States, prompting U.S. agencies to raise alert levels. While authorities have increased patrols and surveillance, public evidence tying Iran to active, operational sleeper networks on U.S. soil remains limited and politically sensitive.
Trump Hints at Easing Iran Sanctions; Markets Pare Oil Gains as Diplomacy Signals Emerge
Markets trimmed losses after reports that Iran and the United States may be reopening diplomatic channels and President Trump signaled he could lift sanctions if Iran's leadership became sufficiently pragmatic. Brent crude retreated from a 13% intraday spike to about a 4% gain as investors priced out some near-term escalation risk, though analysts cautioned that broader regional tensions keep volatility elevated.
Beijing Blasts UK’s New Russia-Linked Sanctions on Chinese Firms, Warns of Retaliation
China condemned a new set of UK sanctions announced on 24 February that name multiple Chinese companies for alleged Russia‑related activity, calling the measures unilateral and without UN authorization. Beijing demanded the sanctions be revoked, warned it would take necessary measures to protect its firms, and framed the move as part of a pattern of extraterritorial Western pressure. The dispute risks raising commercial and diplomatic friction between China and Britain and highlights broader tensions over the use and reach of sanctions in global trade.
Khamenei’s Death Deepens Iran’s Internal Rift as IRGC Vows Revenge and Foreign Minister Seeks Talks with Washington
The confirmed death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has provoked an urgent power struggle between the hardline IRGC, which has vowed large‑scale retaliation against US and Israeli targets, and a reformist civilian leadership seeking to reopen talks with Washington. The resulting split raises the risk of regional escalation while creating an uncertain window for diplomatic engagement depending on how the succession unfolds.
Mass Protests Erupt Across Turkey, Greece and Pakistan After Strike on Iran and Reports of Khamenei’s Death
Mass demonstrations erupted in Turkey, Greece and Pakistan after a US‑Israeli strike on Iran and reports that Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, had been killed. Protesters gathered at US and Israeli diplomatic missions, raising the risk of broader regional escalation and diplomatic fallout for countries hosting Western military facilities.
Gulf on Fire: How a Trump-era Policy Shift Has Escalated a Gulf-wide Strike and Rattled Global Supply Chains
A Chinese commentary argues that recent U.S. policy choices under Donald Trump precipitated an Iranian "overwhelming response" that has widened a bilateral clash into a Gulf-wide crisis, activating air defences in multiple capitals and exposing U.S. bases. The piece stresses the conflict’s regional realignment, economic fallout for global supply chains, and the acute risk of further escalation.
Starmer Green‑lights US Access to British Bases as Western Leaders Signal Retaliatory Options Against Iran
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has permitted US forces to use British bases for narrowly defined defensive operations in the Gulf, while insisting the UK did not take part in strikes on Iran. London, Paris and Berlin jointly warned they could take proportionate action to degrade Iran’s missile and drone launch capabilities, signalling European readiness to deter further attacks.
UK, France and Germany Signal Harder Line on Iran, Warning of 'Necessary Defensive Action'
Britain, France and Germany jointly warned they may take “necessary defensive action” related to threats associated with Iran, signalling a coordinated European posture. The statement increases deterrence but risks miscalculation, with implications for regional stability, shipping and European strategic autonomy.
Trump Promises Retribution After U.S. Casualties — Iran Says It Alone Will Decide When Hostilities End
After U.S. military casualties, Donald Trump vowed retribution while Iran insisted it alone will decide when hostilities end, heightening the risk of escalation. The exchange underscores how public threats constrain diplomatic options and increase the chance of a broader regional conflict unless credible de‑escalatory channels are opened.
Inside the Strike That Toppled Iran’s Supreme Leader: How a Joint U.S.–Israeli Operation Rewrote the Rules of Engagement
A coordinated U.S.–Israeli air strike that killed Iran’s supreme leader represents a tactical and strategic turning point in the Middle East, combining unprecedented co‑basing of aircraft, improved precision targeting and expanded allied air‑defence integration. The operation lowers the threshold for direct strikes on top leadership, raises the prospect of further escalation and accelerates regional realignment, particularly among Gulf states.
U.S. Officials Admit No Intelligence of Iranian Preemptive Strike, Deepening Questions About Rationale for Action
U.S. officials privately told Congress there was no intelligence showing Iran planned a preemptive strike against American forces, conflicting with public statements that cited such a threat as justification for action. The admission raises questions about the legal and political rationale for recent U.S. measures, heightening congressional scrutiny and complicating relations with allies while increasing the risk of regional miscalculation.