Sep 17, 2026, 06:30 PM UTC

Military confrontations between the United States and Iran have intensified near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. According to US Central Command, American forces destroyed five Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels following an attempted attack on US naval assets.

In response, Iranian state media reported that Tehran launched 20 missiles targeting US military installations in Jordan and claimed strikes against six maritime vessels, including oil tankers and an aircraft carrier.

While US intelligence agencies warned that Iranian forces may further escalate hostilities, US President Donald Trump minimized risks to commercial shipping, stating the waterway remains open and describing Tehran as being in severe difficulty.

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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace proposal backed by US President Donald Trump, reiterating that Israeli forces will not pull back from the territory until Hamas is completely disarmed. In televised remarks to his cabinet on Sunday, Netanyahu stated that Israel "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed" and confirmed the government's rejection of the framework, which Hamas had agreed to in late July.

The announcement comes despite an effective pause in major Israeli military strikes in Gaza following American diplomatic pressure. Netanyahu's stance reflects mounting domestic pressure ahead of Israel's national election on October 27, as far-right coalition partners oppose any concessions while Washington pushes for a permanent agreement.

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

Teachers and officials across eastern German states are raising concerns over political pressure and rising far-right sentiment ahead of upcoming regional elections. Educators in several schools report an increase in extremist symbols and anti-democratic behavior among students, prompting Thuringia's education ministry to partner with the University of Jena to send "constitutional coaches" into classrooms. Concurrently, Evelyn Zupke, the federal commissioner for SED dictatorship victims, called for mandatory student visits to East German memorial sites to deepen historical knowledge about the communist era.

Meanwhile, cultural policy has become a key flashpoint. In Saxony-Anhalt, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) proposed defunding projects deemed "anti-German," sparking concern among administrators of Holocaust memorials, local theaters, and Bauhaus heritage sites. The measures come as broader debates over East German regional identity intensify ahead of state polls.

Sources: Correctiv, Der Spiegel, DW, FAZ, Tagesschau.

European security agencies and officials have raised concerns regarding hybrid warfare tactics attributed to Moscow. Danish intelligence warned of potential Russian sabotage targeting domestic industries, while German investigators identified two suspects connected to explosive devices found at Leipzig airport. Italian security sources clarified that one suspect, a Belarusian national holding an Italian Schengen visa, did not enter the passport-free zone via Italy.

Addressing the incidents, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the bloc "will not tolerate attacks on EU territory" and remains ready to respond. Meanwhile, fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues to intensify. Russia's defence ministry launched a fresh campaign targeting Ukraine's energy grid, framing it as retaliation for Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian oil facilities.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that two domestic defense companies are working to manufacture ballistic missiles, though technical hurdles remain before mass production can begin. The initiative follows delays in obtaining U.S. licensing, which could postpone local production of Patriot air defense systems by up to several years and leave Ukraine vulnerable to Russian ballistic attacks.

To address urgent capability gaps and decrease reliance on foreign military aid, Ukraine's armed forces are procuring the newly tested "Equalizer" glide bomb kit. Developed by DG Industry and the Brave1 tech incubator, the module converts standard unguided bombs into precision munitions compatible with Soviet-era fighters, with future plans to equip F-16 and Mirage aircraft.

Sources: NEXTA, NV, Point, The Insider, Українська правда