Iranian army chief Amir Hatami has threatened a 'decisive and regrettable' retaliation for the killing of security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli airstrike. The Revolutionary Guards confirmed they launched missiles at central Israel in revenge for Larijani's death, while Iran also confirmed the killing of Basij militia commander Gholamreza Soleimani.
Former US president Donald Trump continued to criticise Nato allies over the Iran war, claiming 'we don't need' their help but insisting they 'should've been there'. Trump described Nato's position as a 'foolish mistake' and framed the issue as a loyalty test for the alliance.
Meanwhile, the US military said it targeted sites along Iran's coastline near the Strait of Hormuz, using 'multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator munitions' to destroy anti-ship missiles that posed a risk to international shipping.
Trump's former director of the national counterterrorism center, Joe Kent, resigned, stating he 'cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran'. In his resignation letter, Kent accused high-ranking Israeli officials and American media of deploying a misinformation campaign to encourage war with Iran.
Israel's assault on Lebanon has killed at least 912 people, including 111 children, and wounded 2,221 others, with over a million displaced. The UN human rights office said Israeli attacks on residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in Lebanon may amount to war crimes.
Middle East crude oil benchmarks have soared to all-time highs, with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, disrupting supply for one-fifth of the world's oil. Oil prices remain well above pre-war levels, pushing up costs for Asian buyers.
