Oct 17, 2026, 05:30 PM UTC

Military friction persists near the Strait of Hormuz following recent attacks launched by Iranian forces in response to American airstrikes. Iranian state television reported targeting six vessels—comprising three oil tankers and three U.S. naval craft—and firing missiles toward an American aircraft carrier. Emergency crews successfully put out a fire aboard one damaged tanker.

U.S. President Donald Trump maintained that the vital maritime passage remains open, describing Iran as facing severe difficulties. However, U.S. intelligence assessments indicate that Iranian commanders view their strikes as a success, raising fears of renewed conflict following the collapse of a 14-point ceasefire memorandum reached in June.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica.

Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called on the country's parliament to begin preparing the legal framework for post-war elections. Fedorov, who was dismissed by President Volodymyr Zelensky in July, stressed that early planning is vital to protect democratic standards once martial law ends.

Under current Ukrainian legislation, elections cannot take place while martial law remains active during the ongoing conflict with Russia. Organizing future polls presents major logistical challenges, including managing voting for millions of displaced citizens, overseas refugees, and active military personnel serving on the front lines. Although no formal bill or timeline has been presented, Fedorov's comments underscore a rising debate in Kyiv regarding post-conflict governance.

Sources: Le Monde

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally rejected a 15-point Gaza peace framework proposed by US President Donald Trump, declaring that Israeli forces will not pull out from the territory until Hamas undergoes complete disarmament. In televised statements, Netanyahu said the military "will not carry out any withdrawal until Hamas is genuinely disarmed" while continuing to counter operational threats.

The public rejection marks an explicit rift with Washington, despite a recent slowdown in Israeli military offensives following diplomatic pressure from the White House. Netanyahu is navigating complex political dynamics ahead of Israel's upcoming national election in October, attempting to appease far-right coalition partners opposed to concessions while maintaining ties with Washington. Hamas had previously expressed agreement with the US-backed initiative.

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

Former Slovenian national team captain Aleš Čeh and striker Jan Mlakar have provided reflections on their careers and the domestic PrvaLiga.

Čeh, who captained Slovenia during its international qualification era under manager Srečko Katanec, transitioned into coaching after retiring as a player. He served as Katanec's assistant for more than a decade, including a seven-year tenure coaching in Asia. Despite his long-standing ties to Olimpija Ljubljana and Austria's Grazer AK, Čeh highlighted his ongoing respect for rival club Maribor.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old forward Jan Mlakar has rejoined Maribor for a third spell, targeting his first league title with the team. Mlakar addressed past transfer rumors regarding a potential move to Ljubljana, stating, "I was never close to joining Olimpija." He added that despite Olimpija's recent organizational challenges, derby matches remain highly competitive.

Sources: Siol.net, Delo

The conflict between the United States and Iran has escalated as U.S. Central Command conducted broad military strikes near the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes followed Iranian attempts to deploy naval mines and launch ballistic missiles at American warships. U.S. operations also targeted three Iranian commercial oil tankers, marking an expansion of direct military actions into commercial shipping networks.

In response to ongoing hostilities, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that "very little will be left of Iran" if attacks persist. Analysts highlight that the confrontation reflects a transition toward energy warfare, where drone strikes and attacks on maritime energy corridors play a central role.

Sources: Investor.bg, Mediapool, Nova TV