Sep 7, 2026, 11:30 AM UTC

U.S. forces have launched renewed strikes against Iranian positions, including Larak Island, following ongoing military exchanges near the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran claimed responsibility for targeting U.S. bases and several vessels in response.

An Iranian military source dismissed Washington's assertions regarding thwarted mine-laying operations, describing the claims as "pure fantasy". Meanwhile, Iranian hardliners are reportedly leveraging control over the strategic waterway to demand full implementation of a June memorandum, including total sanction relief and the release of frozen foreign assets.

Although U.S. President Donald Trump insisted the strait remains open and described Tehran as struggling, American intelligence agencies warned the Revolutionary Guard could escalate the conflict further.

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

Ukrainian emergency crews continue rescue operations across Kyiv, Odesa, and Chernihiv following coordinated Russian missile and drone attacks on civilian infrastructure. A Russian strike on a Kryvyi Rih shopping center left at least 15 people dead and over 130 injured. European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas condemned the attack, stating it demonstrated "the depravity of Russia." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres to intervene to stop the war.

In response, Ukraine struck a major Lukoil oil refinery in Russia. Meanwhile, Russian officials indicated progress on potential prisoner exchanges. Tensions between Moscow and London also escalated after Britain approved joint French-Ukrainian production of SCALP cruise missiles. In Western Europe, Italy reiterated its refusal to deploy troops or participate in upcoming multinational military exercises.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Portugal will expand its temporary accommodation capacity for undocumented migrants to 171 beds by September following upgrades at its Porto facility, remaining below an initial 300-bed target. Meanwhile, arrivals along the West African Atlantic route dropped 78 percent between January and April 2026, with 2,276 arrivals recorded following increased border enforcement between Senegal and Mauritania.

On the domestic front, Portuguese authorities recorded more than 14,000 domestic violence cases, averaging 82 reported incidents per day. In a separate development, a group of eight Afghan women marked one year in Portugal after receiving asylum to escape Taliban restrictions on female education and public life.

Sources: Diário de Notícias (DN), Expresso, Expresso das Ilhas, RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal)

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified following a major US crude oil transit and retaliatory Iranian actions. The US conducted its largest oil transport through the strategic waterway since hostilities began, utilizing aerial, naval, and space assets alongside military strikes on Iran's Larak Island. In response, Iranian forces deployed rocket-launched sea mines to reinforce their blockade.

Tehran declared that the maritime corridor will not reopen until Washington fulfills specific demands. According to Iranian officials, these conditions include unfreezing Iranian assets, lifting port blockades and oil export sanctions, and ending all military operations and threats across all fronts. Prior to the conflict, roughly 20 million barrels of crude oil passed through the strait daily.

Sources: Expresso, Expresso das Ilhas, RTP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace framework championed by US President Donald Trump, stating that Israeli troops will not withdraw from the enclave until Hamas is fully disarmed.

Addressing his cabinet in televised remarks, Netanyahu stated that "Israel rejects the 15-point document" and affirmed that the military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed." His comments mark a clear public disagreement with Washington over the proposal, which had previously received backing from Hamas.

The rejection comes as Netanyahu balances domestic political pressures from far-right coalition members against diplomatic demands from Washington ahead of Israel's national election scheduled for October 27. Despite the Prime Minister's firm public stance, reports indicate that Israeli offensive operations in Gaza have significantly slowed amid US pressure.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, France24, STV News, The Guardian, The Herald