The National (UAE)

The IRGC claimed it shot down a 53rd US MQ-9 drone over Qeshm Island, while a UN fact-finding mission said there are grounds to believe the US committed war crimes in Iran and Tehran committed crimes against humanity. Israeli strikes continued across southern Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia reported its first civilian death this month from Houthi drone debris in Taif.

Houthi missile and drone strikes on Saudi energy facilities wounded 73 people, including women and children, and halted operations at some sites. Israeli ministers called for recognizing Argentina's Falklands claim and expelling the UK ambassador ahead of expected British settlement trade restrictions. A new Haaretz investigation says UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed explicitly warned Netanyahu of Hamas plans days before October 7, which Netanyahu's office denies.

Overnight Israeli airstrikes killed at least 11 people, including two children and two paramedics, in the southern Lebanon town of Kfar Reman, while Iran announced it will designate a restricted zone outside the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days. In the West Bank, a Palestinian was killed during a settler rampage in Hajja and an Israeli was stabbed at a farming outpost before troops shot the assailant dead. The IDF struck Hamas sites in Gaza after an explosive device hit an engineering vehicle, and Nauru opened an embassy in Jerusalem.

Israeli settlers besieged three Palestinian homes in the West Bank village of Qusra for five nights, drawing sharp US criticism, while the UAE accused Iran of attacking two ADNOC tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli strikes killed a Hamas commander in Gaza City, and a British firm began containing a massive oil spill from a grounded Russian shadow fleet tanker off Oman.

Iran issued sweeping new conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including a full US military withdrawal and compensation, while the IRGC insisted the waterway’s status is separate from Oman-mediated talks. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed a collective-defense pact in Mecca, with Turkey indicating Egypt may join. Mossad’s new chief dismissed two senior officials, drawing internal accusations of serving Netanyahu’s interests. Israeli forces conducted demolitions in southern Lebanon, and a fire at Saudi Arabia’s Jazan refinery was brought under control.

The UAE says Iran targeted an ADNOC tanker with a missile in the Strait of Hormuz, drawing Gulf condemnation. The IRGC says reopening the strait is contingent on US acceptance of Iranian conditions and is unrelated to ongoing Iran-Oman talks. Israeli forces advanced and shelled multiple towns in south Lebanon, and an IDF soldier was moderately wounded in an operational accident. Netanyahu seeks an additional $17 billion in military spending. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan signed a collective defense pact.

Israel and Iran announced a mutual halt to direct attacks on June 8 after US President Trump warned Prime Minister Netanyahu that Israel would be 'on its own' if it continued strikes. The IDF intercepted a Houthi drone over Eilat and continued operations in southern Lebanon, where strikes killed at least 14 people. The ICC suspended its chief prosecutor over sexual misconduct allegations.

The IDF captured the strategic Beaufort Castle and advanced past the Litani River, ordering evacuations south of the Zahrani River as Hezbollah fired rockets at northern Israel. President Trump requested amendments to a draft US-Iran ceasefire deal, focusing on uranium stockpile terms, while Iran insisted on securing its rights before any agreement.

Hezbollah launched explosive drones at northern Israel and rockets at IDF troops in southern Lebanon, while the IDF struck Hezbollah infrastructure in Tyre and destroyed a rocket launcher used in an overnight barrage on Kiryat Shmona. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the full annexation of the West Bank and the elimination of the Area A/B/C division. Iran’s foreign minister expressed distrust of the US at a BRICS meeting in India, and the UAE announced the acceleration of a second oil pipeline to bypass the Strait of Hormuz by 2027.

An IDF soldier was killed by Hezbollah mortar fire in southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah launched rockets at the Galilee, as President Trump warned that the “decimation” of Iran’s military “will continue” and said his patience with Tehran is running out. Trump and Xi Jinping discussed reopening the Strait of Hormuz but reached no firm deal. CENTCOM’s commander told Congress that Iran’s military is severely degraded but still able to strike. Netanyahu said Israel now holds 60% of Gaza territory, and a new activist flotilla departed Turkey for Gaza.

Iran launched cruise missiles and drones at the United Arab Emirates on Monday, striking a petroleum facility in Fujairah and triggering air defense alerts in Dubai, in a major ceasefire violation. The US said two American-flagged merchant vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz under Navy escort as part of 'Project Freedom,' while Iran claimed it fired warning shots at US destroyers and hit a warship with missiles, a claim CENTCOM denied. Israel elevated its military alertness to the maximum level and convened its expanded security cabinet for Wednesday.

Hezbollah rockets targeted Avivim in northern Israel on Sunday, with no casualties reported, as the IDF continued operations in southern Lebanon, killing two Hezbollah gunmen and seizing weapons caches. Israel approved the purchase of two additional squadrons of F-35I and F-15IA fighter jets, doubling fleet sizes. President Trump reviewed Iran's 14-point peace proposal but expressed skepticism, while the US announced the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany amid a deepening rift with Europe over the Iran war. A cargo ship was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran's Foreign Minister discussed ending the war with his German counterpart.