Iran dismisses new US sanctions as Pakistan army chief heads to Tehran

Iran calls new US sanctions desperate as Pakistan mediates Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the expected US measures 'repetitive scenarios' and a sign of desperation, while President Masoud Pezeshkian defended the expired memorandum as the best path to peace. Pakistan's army chief is due in Tehran on Monday to mediate. 123

UK PM Burnham visits Kyiv on Independence Day in show of support Burnham's first overseas trip as prime minister includes co-chairing a Coalition of the Willing meeting and plans to help Ukraine build SCALP long-range cruise missiles. The Kremlin accused Britain of 'preventing peace' and threatened to destroy any missile production facilities. 4

EU approves €6.1 billion for Ukraine air and missile defence The package covers air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars after Ukraine recorded 376 Russian missile strikes in July. It draws on the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan for 2026-2027. 5

Germany plans €12 billion long-range arsenal to deter Russia Internal Defense Ministry documents outline low-cost cruise missiles by 2027, US Tomahawks by the end of the decade, and joint UK-developed systems by the mid-2030s. 6

North Korea sends 8,500 more troops to Russia, missiles hit seven regions The deployment deepens Pyongyang's military backing for Moscow as North Korean missiles reportedly reach seven Ukrainian regions. 7

Ukrainian drones hit Ozon hubs across southern Russia, killing three At least three teenagers died in Krasnodar and Ozon reported fires at logistics centers in four regions, sending shares down 28%. Kyiv has targeted Russian e-commerce warehouses it accuses of supplying the military. 8

Zelenskyy rejects wartime elections, warns of Russian mobilization He said elections under martial law would 'split Ukraine' and claimed Russia plans to mobilize 300,000 more troops after September parliamentary polls. 9

Trump accused Zelensky of misleading him over Starlink deal Zelensky said Trump claimed Musk denied Ukraine Starlink use over Russian territory, contradicting what Kyiv's defense ministry had relayed. The dispute adds strain to US-Ukraine relations. 10

Syria and Israel hold US-mediated talks in Jordan to de-escalate Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met Mossad chief Roman Gofman to discuss halting Israeli strikes and easing Israel-Turkiye tensions on Syrian territory. 11

Congo and M23 rebels agree to roadmap for peace talks US-mediated Geneva talks produced sequenced steps and timelines under the Doha Framework, with UN MONUSCO support for the ceasefire observer mission. 12

Kazakhstan votes in election expected to tighten Tokayev's grip The first vote to the new single-chamber Kurultai follows a constitutional overhaul that merged parliament and strengthened presidential powers. 13

Russia leaves UK ambassador post vacant in veiled threat Moscow has withdrawn Andrey Kelin and named no replacement, which experts call a psychological operation as the war enters a new phase. 14

51 wounded still hospitalized after Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih mall The Aug. 21 drone attack killed 16 and injured 140; authorities suspect a supermarket director of ignoring air-raid warnings. 15

Russian forces advance east of Slovyansk, ISW reports Russian units consolidated positions near Pyskunivka and Mykolaivka as they prepare frontal assaults toward the Fortress Belt. 16