Aug 13, 2026, 03:30 PM UTC

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei announced that Iran and Oman have agreed on geographical coordinates for a safe shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. Baghaei stated the agreement is in its "final stage" of drafting, though he cautioned that implementation depends on non-interference from "certain third parties" and noted a bilateral deal alone cannot ensure safe navigation while US blockades continue.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi added that reopening the waterway remains contingent on broader conditions, including compensation for war damages. Meanwhile, maritime security concerns persist. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported two unexplained explosions near an oil tanker off Oman's coast. The vessel and crew were reported safe, with no environmental damage recorded.

Sources: BBC News, France24, STV News, Sweden Herald, The Guardian.

Former Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte defended his administration's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic during a parliamentary inquiry in Rome, asserting that no illegalities were committed under his leadership.

During a hearing lasting over three hours, the Five Star Movement leader addressed inquiries regarding executive decrees, vaccine strategies, and emergency procurement. Conte also disclosed that he submitted an anonymous document to prosecutors in Rome detailing a 100-million-euro transaction with supplier JC Electronics, urging authorities to inspect suspected counterfeit masks.

Rebuffing political criticism from the governing majority, Conte maintained that his government acted properly and warned against converting the parliamentary inquiry into a political attack against opposition leadership.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, La Repubblica.

Moritz Schularick, president of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW), has criticized German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius for allocating military procurement funds through 2030 toward traditional hardware like tanks and frigates rather than next-generation technologies. Schularick urged a strategic pivot toward future weapon systems to ensure effective modernization.

The debate over military spending coincides with shifting political dynamics across Germany. A recent Deutschlandtrend poll showed the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party widening its lead over the main opposition CDU/CSU bloc, alongside growing public openness toward case-by-case cooperation. Meanwhile, national media reports continue to examine historical defense sector compliance issues, including past scandals over illegal exports and bribery.

Sources: Der Spiegel, Die Zeit, DW, FAZ, Tagesschau

Ukraine is overhauling its military command structure under new chief Mychajlo Drapatyj, who is working to address internal organizational bottlenecks and reform operational management. The shift comes as former commander Valerii Zaluzhnyi asserted that Ukraine will not join NATO, arguing that the alliance relies on outdated doctrines ill-suited for modern warfare.

On the security front, Ukrainian counterintelligence reported disrupting dozens of Russian assassination attempts targeting military personnel recruited through fraudulent social media and dating profiles. Meanwhile, defense analysts warn of growing pressure ahead of winter as Russian forces accelerate missile manufacturing, deploy jet-powered Geran-4 drones, and make tactical advances near Dobropillja.

Sources: Deník N, Ekonomický deník, Hospodářské noviny, Respect, Seznam Zprávy

Extreme weather conditions persist across Southern, Central, and Western Europe as a fourth heatwave brings dangerous temperatures to the continent. Italian health authorities issued red heat alerts for 27 major cities, including Messina and Reggio Calabria, with temperatures approaching 40°C expected to endure through the coming week. Officials confirmed at least four heat-related fatalities and advised the public to avoid outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours.

In Central Europe, Austria's meteorological service GeoSphere registered a preliminary national record temperature of 40.8°C in Stammersdorf, near Vienna, surpassing the previous record set in 2013. Meanwhile, France and the United Kingdom are preparing for elevated temperatures alongside persistent drought conditions and heightened wildfire risks.

Sources: Aftenposten, Berlingske, DR, TV 2 Nyheter, VG (Verdens Gang)