Sep 13, 2026, 03:00 AM UTC

Military confrontation between the United States and Iran has escalated near the Strait of Hormuz following a series of direct exchanges. US Central Command launched strikes near Larak Island, destroying five Revolutionary Guard vessels to prevent reported mine-laying operations. Iranian officials rejected the mine-laying allegations as "pure fantasy" and launched twenty missiles targeting US bases in Jordan. Tehran also claimed to have struck six maritime vessels, including an aircraft carrier and three tankers.

While US President Donald Trump insisted that the strategic waterway remains open and Tehran is facing severe difficulty, US intelligence officials cautioned that Iranian forces feel emboldened and may further escalate the conflict. A ship fire resulting from the clashes was successfully contained by American personnel.

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

Ukrainian forces targeted a major Lukoil oil refinery inside Russia, while Moscow stated that efforts toward a prisoner swap remain ongoing. Simultaneously, Russian forces executed extensive overnight aerial bombardment across Ukraine using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the coordinated strikes hit civilian infrastructure in Kyiv, Odesa, and Chernihiv, killing at least 13 people and injuring 40.

The assault follows a devastating attack on a Kryvyi Rih shopping center that left 15 dead and over 130 injured, drawing sharp international condemnation. On the diplomatic front, Rome reiterated that Italian forces will not deploy to Ukraine or join upcoming multinational military maneuvers scheduled for October. The statement follows London's decision to permit local production of Scalp cruise missiles in Ukraine, which drew warnings from Kremlin officials.

Sources: ANSA, Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Ahead of upcoming September parliamentary elections, Russia faces mounting internal pressures marked by escalating political repression, mobilization fears, and long-term governance uncertainties. Russian authorities recently banned Yabloko, the country's sole official anti-war political party, while opposition figure Lev Schlossberg was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Public anxiety regarding a potential secondary mobilization wave following the vote has reportedly prompted some citizens to sell assets and prepare to leave the country, despite formal denials from Moscow.

The domestic tensions coincide with historical "Black August" friction and growing questions regarding succession plans for 73-year-old President Vladimir Putin. Beyond its borders, the Kremlin is actively monitoring regional developments, particularly in Serbia, where Russian officials have repeatedly warned against potential Western-backed "color revolutions" tied to upcoming elections.

Sources: Avaz, Danas, Klix, N1, Vijesti

At the Ambrosetti Forum in Cernobbio, a debate on European governance escalated into an intense ideological confrontation between former Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and MEP Roberto Vannacci.

Vannacci, leader of Futuro Nazionale, voiced opposition to raising EU defence spending and criticized the European Green Deal, asserting that Russia poses no military threat to continental Europe. Monti forcefully rejected the remarks, accusing Vannacci of reviving "the spirit of fascism" through his political rhetoric. Vannacci dismissed the criticism as "ridiculous," maintaining that his platform seeks necessary reforms to European integration rather than authoritarianism.

The confrontation diverted attention from broader policy discussions at the summit, which included addresses on Eastern enlargement by European Council President António Costa and speeches by French politician Jordan Bardella.

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

Authorities in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta have begun relocating approximately 2,000 migrants into two temporary reception facilities to clear public beaches and streets. The move comes roughly three weeks after an estimated 72,000 people crossed from Morocco in late July, most of whom subsequently returned.

Spanish officials established the temporary centers to provide basic accommodation and relief from summer heat for the remaining individuals who were sleeping outdoors. Meanwhile, a widely rumored second border surge anticipated for mid-August failed to materialise following a heavy buildup of Spanish and Moroccan border security.

While Madrid framed the temporary camps as a necessary humanitarian measure, local frustration remains high in the enclave over public disruption and political exploitation of the ongoing crisis.

Sources: Correctiv, Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau.