Sep 15, 2026, 06:00 AM UTC

United States President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have rejected media reports claiming American missile stockpiles reached critical lows during recent operations involving Iran. US outlets had reported that ammunition deficits led to a pause in strikes and prompted Trump to question Hegseth regarding military readiness.

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump insisted the military maintains "huge amounts of 'ammunition', especially certain types," while domestic manufacturing is expanding. Hegseth similarly dismissed assertions of compromised defense capacity. Furthermore, Trump warned that individuals leaking confidential defense details, as well as journalists reporting them, could face lengthy prison sentences.

Sources: Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced forthcoming measures aimed at isolating Iran’s economy by targeting Tehran and its global commercial partners. Under the proposed strategy, Washington intends to bar foreign institutions that facilitate trade or money laundering for the Iranian government from accessing the US dollar system. Bessent stated that intensified financial pressure could "collapse this regime" while reducing the necessity for future large-scale military engagements in the Middle East. He also urged international allies to back the campaign, asserting: "You are either with us or against us." Following the statements and warnings from US President Donald Trump regarding an "economic D-day", Iran's currency dropped to an all-time low on unregulated markets, trading at nearly 1.99 million rials per US dollar.

Sources: BBC News, Bloomberg, Cyprus Mail, Sweden Herald, The Guardian

Official statistics in the Czech Republic show child abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases reaching a 20-year high, with over 10,000 cases recorded and 3,616 children removed from families in the past year. Experts caution that these figures represent only a portion of the real scope, while debate continues over whether the rise reflects growing societal strain or increased awareness.

Simultaneously, state initiatives are expanding early childhood and primary education frameworks. The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs completed a seven-billion-koruna project under the National Recovery Plan to fund over 300 new childcare centers. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education is tightening primary school deferral rules to restrict them strictly to medical reasons starting next year, aiming to reduce historically elevated deferral rates.

Sources: Český rozhlas Plus, Deník N, Hospodářské noviny, iROZHLAS, Seznam Zprávy.

Preliminary results from Sweden's national election indicate a remarkably tight race, with Magdalena Andersson’s opposition centre-left bloc holding a razor-thin lead over Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s governing right-wing alliance. With over 90 percent of the ballots counted, initial projections suggest the four-party left coalition could secure a narrow majority in the 349-seat parliament, potentially capturing between 175 and 176 seats.

The campaign focused heavily on public services, economic stability, and national security, alongside accusations from the Social Democrats regarding potential foreign influence involving the far-right Sweden Democrats. Kristersson’s government defended its record on law enforcement and immigration controls. Electoral officials caution that the final outcome remains uncertain until overseas and postal votes are fully tallied.

Sources: Cyprus Mail, Mediapool, NEXTA, The Insider, The Local Sweden

The United States Military Command for the Middle East conducted airstrikes against Iranian missile launchers on Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, marking Washington's first direct strikes on Iranian territory in a month. Iranian state media confirmed that six naval personnel were killed during the operation.

The escalation coincides with shifting diplomatic dynamics. Iranian diplomatic spokesperson Esmaïl Baghaï reported that Tehran and Oman agreed on new navigation coordinates in the Strait of Hormuz, provided external parties do not obstruct the process. Additionally, Qatari mediators indicated ongoing discussions toward a US-Iranian agreement. However, diplomatic progress faces severe friction after US President Donald Trump announced Washington will demand financial compensation from Iran for past Iranian-backed casualties, significantly lowering prospects for a swift resolution.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération, RTBF Info.