Sep 12, 2026, 02:30 PM UTC

The United States has executed a major nighttime operation to transport millions of barrels of crude oil through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, targeting Iranian assets on Larak Island. US forces deployed air, sea, and space capabilities to counter Tehran's ability to threaten maritime trade. In response, Iranian forces deployed rocket-launched naval mines into the waterway.

Tehran reiterated that the passage will remain closed until Washington meets specific conditions outlined in a memorandum, including lifting oil sanctions, ending port blockades, unfreezing Iranian assets, and halting military operations. Commercial transit through the corridor remains severely restricted compared to pre-war volumes of 20 million barrels per day.

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

Emergency responders in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region reported five fatalities and 16 injuries following intense Russian bombardments over a 24-hour period. Russian forces launched nearly 60 strikes targeting five separate districts across the region.

The most severe casualties occurred in the Kamianske district, where shelling killed three people and injured five others. In the Pavlohrad district, two individuals lost their lives while seven more sustained injuries. Bombardments were also recorded in the Nikopol district, causing additional casualties and setting several structures on fire. Emergency crews continue working at the impacted locations to extinguish fires, assist victims, and evaluate the full extent of the structural damage.

Sources: Ziarul de Gardă

United States forces executed large-scale military strikes against Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz after Iran attempted to deploy naval mines in the strategic waterway. US Central Command confirmed that all naval mines have since been removed or detonated.

The operation follows a 5 September confrontation in which US forces struck three Iranian oil tankers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired ballistic missiles at two American warships. US President Donald Trump issued further warnings to Teheran, threatening retaliatory strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure and civil assets if commercial maritime trade disruptions continue.

Military analysts note the confrontation marks an expanding phase of conflict directly targeting commercial energy fleets and critical shipping corridors.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV

International commentators and media reports contend that US President Donald Trump faces diminishing political influence and compounding domestic challenges during his second term.

Public opinion polling indicates broad economic dissatisfaction, with a majority of surveyed voters reporting they feel financially worse off under the current administration. In foreign policy, decisions such as the State Department's proposal to close five diplomatic missions across Asia, Africa, North America, and the Caribbean have drawn criticism from observers who warn the move could allow geopolitical rivals, particularly China, to expand their influence.

Analyses suggest a combination of economic pressure, international friction, and diplomatic retrenchment is straining the administration's political standing as key elections approach.

Sources: CDM, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti

Six months after joint American and Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian positions, the conflict continues to disrupt global energy markets and maritime trade. While Iranian conventional military forces suffered significant damage, Tehran retains control over strategic trade routes, notably the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts indicate that the next stage of the confrontation hinges on Iran's domestic stability, economic resilience under international sanctions, regional proxy activities, and the potential for diplomatic re-engagement. Concurrently, shifting geopolitical alliances involving Washington, Beijing, Moscow, and Tehran are reframing broader global dynamics, alongside ongoing regional disputes in Ukraine and the Western Balkans.

Sources: BalkanWeb, Gazeta Tema, Koha