Sep 18, 2026, 06:00 AM UTC

Military exchanges near the Strait of Hormuz have intensified as American and Iranian forces trade strikes. According to US Central Command, American forces destroyed five vessels belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps following an attempted attack on US naval assets. In response, Iranian state media reported retaliatory action, claiming Tehran fired 20 missiles at US military facilities in Jordan and targeted six vessels, including three tankers and an aircraft carrier.

Despite the escalating hostilities, US President Donald Trump stated that the strategic waterway remains operational and maintained that Tehran is experiencing major operational difficulties. Meanwhile, US intelligence agencies warned that Iranian commanders may seek further escalation. An earlier fire aboard a struck oil tanker was reportedly brought under control.

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

European intelligence agencies and EU officials have raised security alerts over alleged Russian hybrid operations. German investigators identified two suspects linked to explosives found at Leipzig airport: a Russian national holding Latvian papers and a Belarusian national carrying Russian documents. Although the Belarusian suspect obtained an Italian Schengen visa, Italian security sources confirmed he did not transit through Italy.

Meanwhile, Danish intelligence warned that Moscow could target local industrial facilities with sabotage. In response to the rising security threats, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the bloc "will not tolerate attacks on EU territory."

Concurrently, Moscow launched a fresh campaign against Ukrainian energy networks, while Kyiv targeted Russian petroleum facilities with drone strikes.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Ukrainian drone strikes targeted key Russian commercial infrastructure, striking facilities operated by major e-commerce platforms Wildberries and Ozon. The hits included a Wildberries warehouse in Leningrad Oblast and an Ozon logistics hub in Dagestan, contributing to a near 30 percent drop in Ozon shares.

Casualties were reported across several locations. A drone impact on a beach in Krasnodar Krai left seven dead, while attacks in Moscow Oblast killed five people and injured ten. In Ukraine, Russian strikes on Kyiv killed nine individuals and injured 33 others.

Along the frontline, Russian troops made tactical gains near Artelne in Kharkiv Oblast, while Ukrainian forces advanced toward Velyka Novosilka. Additionally, Belarusian officials announced the formation of an air assault brigade near the Ukrainian border.

Sources: Mediazona, Point, Радіо Свобода, The Guardian, The Insider.

US President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have forcefully rejected news reports alleging that American military stockpiles are dangerously depleted following military operations against Iran. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump declared that the military possesses "huge amounts of 'ammunition'" and warned that individuals leaking information about defense reserves face lengthy prison sentences.

The administration's assertions conflict with a report submitted to the US Congress by an internal Pentagon oversight body. The official document confirmed the existence of "strategic inventory bottlenecks and supply constraints" resulting from sustained conflict. Media reports previously suggested that missile shortfalls influenced targeting decisions, leading to high-level discussions within the Department of Defense. Administration officials maintained that domestic defense production is rapidly scaling up to replenish stockpiles.

Sources: Die Zeit, FAZ, ORF, Tagesschau.

The United States military launched strikes against two missile positions on Iran's Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first direct target on Iranian soil in a month. Iranian state media confirmed six naval personnel were killed in recent American bombardments.

Despite the military escalations, diplomatic channels remain active. Qatari negotiators reported that discussions between Washington and Tehran are ongoing. Meanwhile, Iranian officials announced a preliminary agreement with Oman regarding coordinates for a new shipping lane in the Strait of Hormuz, provided external actors do not intervene.

However, potential diplomatic progress faces new friction after US President Donald Trump stated Washington will demand financial compensation from Tehran for past casualties, creating additional hurdles for a swift agreement.

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