US halts Iran strikes as war spreads to Red Sea and Caspian

The US paused airstrikes on Iran for the first time in two weeks as President Trump ordered a diplomatic shift, but the lull was shattered by Houthi missile attacks on Saudi oil sites and a Ukrainian strike on an Iranian military vessel in the Caspian Sea. Zelenskyy warned Russia is preparing to deploy 30,000 additional North Korean troops, signaling a major expansion of the Ukraine war, while the UK readied a naval mission to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz.

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Trump orders halt to Iran strikes, shifting strategy to diplomacy. President Trump directed the military to halt attacks, prompting a quiet night in the Gulf, as senior officials cited concerns over depleting stockpiles and a preference for diplomacy even as Houthi allies widened the conflict by striking Saudi Arabia. 1 2 3 4

Ukraine confirms strike on Iranian military vessel in Caspian. Ukraine's security service said its forces struck an Iranian vessel transporting military cargo to Russia in the Caspian Sea, signaling a new northern front in the conflict. Iran condemned the attack as a 'hostile act,' summoned Ukraine's envoy, and called for an international response. 5 6 7

Zelenskyy warns Russia plans to deploy 30,000 North Korean troops. The Ukrainian president stated that Moscow has been preparing since June to bring in a fresh contingent of North Korean soldiers to fight in the Kursk region, signaling a major expansion of Pyongyang's involvement in the war. 8 9

Houthis claim missile strikes on Saudi Aramco oil refineries. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck oil facilities in Jazan and Yanbu, widening the conflict beyond the Strait of Hormuz and threatening a second major shipping route. Saudi air defenses intercepted some of the missiles. 2 10

Romanian F-16s shoot down Russian Shahed drones for second day. Romanian fighter jets intercepted and shot down another drone violating national airspace, which the foreign minister identified as a Russian Shahed-type drone, calling the two incursions in 48 hours a dangerous pattern. 11

Israeli airstrike kills head of Hamas-led police force in Gaza. Brigadier-General Abdel-Nasser Al-Maqadma was killed in northern Gaza City, along with a medic and a police officer, as near-daily Israeli strikes continue despite the US-brokered October ceasefire. 12

UK warns Iran over threats, offers to lead Hormuz mine clearance. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting dismissed Iranian 'sabre-rattling' as intimidation and said the UK is ready to lead a naval operation to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz when conditions allow. 13

Venezuela withdraws from ICC, US welcomes move and urges others. The US State Department praised Venezuela's formal exit from the Rome Statute, calling the International Criminal Court politically biased and urging all member states to withdraw. 14

Flavio Bolsonaro launches presidential campaign to challenge Lula. The son of imprisoned former president Jair Bolsonaro was officially nominated by the Liberal Party, entering a tight race against incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for Brazil's October election. 15