Sep 12, 2026, 11:00 PM UTC

Military tensions between the United States and Iran have heightened near the Strait of Hormuz following a series of retaliatory engagements. US Central Command reported targeting Iranian Revolutionary Guard craft near Larak Island, claiming to disrupt mine-laying operations and sink five vessels. Iranian military officials dismissed the mine-laying claim as "pure fantasy" and unrelated to the clash.

Tehran launched 20 missiles at US military bases in Jordan and claimed to have struck six maritime vessels, including tankers and an aircraft carrier. US President Donald Trump stated that the strategic waterway remains open and Iran faces severe pressure, though US intelligence reports warned that Iranian forces feel emboldened and could escalate further. A vessel fire sparked during the clashes was successfully extinguished by US personnel.

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

Ukrainian forces launched a raid against a major Lukoil refinery in Russia, while Moscow reported ongoing negotiations over a potential prisoner exchange.

Concurrently, Russian forces executed extensive overnight aerial strikes combining ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones across Ukraine, hitting civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, Odessa, and Chernihiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the combined assault resulted in at least 13 deaths and 40 injuries. The strikes follow a recent attack on a Kryvyi Rih shopping center that killed 15 people and injured more than 130.

On the diplomatic front, Italy reiterated its refusal to deploy troops or participate in multinational military maneuvers scheduled for October. The decision follows London's authorization for local production of Scalp cruise missiles in Ukraine, which drew threats from the Kremlin.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

United States President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have denied media reports suggesting that depleting ammunition stocks forced a pause in military strikes against Iran.

Writing on Truth Social, Trump insisted that the American military possesses "massive amounts of 'munitions,'" particularly within specific categories, while domestic manufacturing continues to expand output. He also issued strong warnings against individuals leaking classified military information, threatening leakers with severe prison sentences.

The statements follow reports by American news outlets indicating that critical interceptor missile stockpiles had fallen to precariously low levels. Officials from the Department of Defense maintained that current inventories remain adequate to support active operations.

Sources: Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF

German investigative authorities have linked recent hybrid threats, including a foiled drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport, directly to Russian military intelligence. According to security files, an operative associated with Russia's GRU coordinated logistical preparations for the August attempt, which targeted four Ukrainian cargo aircraft.

The incident forms part of a wider surge in suspected foreign hostility across Germany. Federal and state police are investigating more than 100 cases involving unauthorized drone flights, infrastructure sabotage, and online disinformation campaigns designed to undermine public trust. Domestic intelligence services also suspect foreign operatives may have pre-positioned weapon stockpiles on German soil to facilitate future attacks.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Standard, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau

Italian Justice Minister Carlo Nordio has ordered an inspection of a Turin court following widespread political outrage over the release of a sexual assault suspect. A preliminary investigative judge granted conditional release to a 42-year-old man who admitted to abusing a 13-year-old girl, citing his expressed remorse, despite prosecutor opposition.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and politicians across the political spectrum sharply condemned the ruling, reigniting debates over public safety and judicial discretion.

Despite the political backlash, statistical analyses show that serious crime rates across major Italian cities continue to decline, maintaining lower levels than many Western metropolises. Additionally, recent data reveals consumer utility scams fell by nearly 27% over three years.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, Il Messaggero, Il Sole 24 Ore, La Repubblica.