Trump threatens Iran nuclear facility, Houthis blockade Saudi Arabia, Ukraine fires army chief

Trump threatens Iran nuclear site as Houthi blockade halts Saudi oil President Trump warned the US would 'soon and very heavily' attack the underground Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility near Natanz, as American warplanes struck Iran for an 11th straight night. In a major new front, Yemen's Houthis imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia causing oil tankers to turn back in the Red Sea, while Trump contradicted his own State Department by declaring he had no interest in negotiating with Tehran. 12345678910

Zelenskyy ousts Ukraine army chief Syrskyi as unrest spreads President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and moved to reinstate former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, marking the most severe wartime political crisis in Kyiv since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion. The shake-up followed almost a week of nationwide protests demanding a change in leadership and military strategy. 11

Trump approves Saudi nuclear enrichment deal despite proliferation fears President Donald Trump has signed off on a civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia that would permit the kingdom to enrich its own uranium, a move critics warn risks a regional arms race. The 30-year deal, expected to be announced Wednesday, faces significant congressional opposition and excludes the IAEA's most rigorous inspection protocols. 12

China holds rare live-fire drill inside Japan's claimed EEZ Japan's Defense Ministry reported for the first time that a Chinese warship conducted a machine-gun firing exercise inside its exclusive economic zone near Okinotorishima, accompanied by Russian vessels. The provocative drill highlights growing China-Russia naval interoperability and tests Japan's ability to enforce its maritime claims. 13

Netanyahu turns on Haredi allies as draft law backfires in campaign Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched uncharacteristic public attacks on ultra-Orthodox leaders over the military draft exemption law, seeking to repair electoral damage among moderate right-wing voters in the 2026 election campaign. Likud officials have warned Haredi parties to stay silent until after the vote to avoid hurting the party's chances. 14