US and Iran trade first strikes in a month as Hormuz tensions reignite

US and Iran exchange strikes; Trump threatens Kharg oil hub The first US-Iran exchange since late July began when US forces hit two IRGC rocket launchers on Larak Island after detecting preparations to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz; Iran's Revolutionary Guards retaliated against US bases in Jordan, where air defenses intercepted eight missiles. Trump then warned that Iran's main oil export hub, Kharg Island, could be 'blown to smithereens,' while the IRGC said it shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone over the strait. 12345

Russia fires nearly 2,000 drones at Ukraine in one week Moscow launched almost 2,000 attack drones, more than 1,600 glide bombs and 31 missiles in seven days, shifting to prolonged daytime raids that keep Kyiv under near-constant alert; Ukraine's military also warned Russia is planning an operation in the north, including against Kyiv. The week's deadliest attack, on an arms depot near Kyiv, has now killed 38 people, and a night strike on Pavlohrad destroyed a major hardware supermarket. 678

North Korea calls US-South Korea-Japan drills 'air espionage' Pyongyang's Foreign Ministry said the upcoming Freedom Edge exercise proves Washington's hostile policy and warned its nuclear weapons are an 'absolute guarantee' of sovereignty. The drills run Sept. 7-11 near Jeju, days after the US cut short joint exercises with Seoul, and came a day after North Korea named a new defense minister. 9

Trump says he'll 'remember' South Korea's refusal to help on Iran In a Fox News interview, Trump claimed Seoul declined his request for support in the Iran war despite hosting US troops, adding 'keep this in mind.' The remarks risk straining the alliance as Washington presses allies to share burdens. 10

Iceland rejects reopening EU membership talks in tight vote With 82.5% turnout, 52.8% voted against the government's proposal to negotiate with Brussels, while 47.2% backed it. Fishing rights and sovereignty concerns drove the result, keeping the Arctic island outside the EU. 11

Lavrov accuses NATO of seeking Arctic front against Russia Russia's foreign minister wrote that Western military buildup in the Far North raises risks of catastrophic incidents, and Moscow will respond 'asymmetrically' to hostile moves. He also cited sanctions targeting Global Majority partners in Arctic projects. 12

Yemeni forces seize Iranian drone parts bound for Houthis The pro-government National Resistance Forces said the Red Sea interception cuts Iranian supply lines to the Houthis; no comment yet from Tehran or the Houthis. Separately, state media said a Houthi unmanned boat was destroyed before it could attack ships. 13

Turkish publisher protests seizure of jailed mayor's book Kırmızı Kedi publisher Haluk Hepkon condemned the ban on Ekrem İmamoğlu's 'Millet Şahidimdir,' saying the book was confiscated at the printer before release. The Istanbul chief prosecutor's office sought the ban on the jailed opposition mayor's defense texts. 14

Guinea-Bissau votes on charter rewrite to boost presidency Citizens cast ballots in a referendum that could replace the constitution and strengthen the presidency, a move opponents warn concentrates power. Results are expected to shape the West African nation's political future. 15