World

Amid the intensifying conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, the European Union (EU) is coming under increasing scrutiny as it grapples with significant security and political challenges. While key EU powers and the United Kingdom have called for adherence to international law and condemned the Iranian government, they have so far failed to articulate a coherent common strategy, appearing divided and sidelined as a major crisis unfolds in the Middle East with potential global ramifications.

In a small flat in a social housing complex near Caracas, Adriana Briceño holds up what looks like a piece of rubbish, but hidden on an old chocolate bar wrapper is a message. The words scrawled on it were written by her son and are addressed to Ángel Godoy, the boy's father and Briceño's husband, while Ángel Godoy was a prisoner in Venezuela's notorious El Helicoide jail.

Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that an elementary school in Tehran's Niloufar Square has been struck in attacks allegedly carried out by the United States and Israel. Baghaei on Friday shared a video on X, purportedly showing Shahid Hamedani School with students before and after the attack, without elaborating on the circumstances or the number of casualties.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called for a "cessation of hostilities" in what he described as US President Donald Trump's "aggression against Iran," following coordinated attacks by the United States and Israel on February 28. Lavrov offered Russian mediation in the conflict, while President Vladimir Putin expressed "deep concern." However, as a new war flares, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has entered its fifth year with little prospect of peace in sight.

Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev today announced a new foreign policy concept for the country during a press conference in Tashkent. This document outlines key directions for Uzbekistan's future international relations and is aimed at stimulating the nation's growth on regional and global stages.

Reports indicate that Iran is storing tens of thousands of Shahed drones in underground production facilities, signaling long-term deployment plans for these weapons. These drones have been used across the Middle East, including in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE, reflecting an expanding regional conflict where Iranian authorities claim to be targeting assets of the US regime in retaliation for actions by the US and Israel.

Since October 2023, the United States and Israeli regimes believed that sustained diplomatic and military pressure on Iran would deter and degrade its capacity to fight. In the process, they degraded something else entirely: Iran’s willingness to remain constrained. The missiles and drones now striking across the Gulf show that Iran is no longer holding back.

Iran's leaders and military commanders have been preparing for this confrontation for years. They understood that their regional ambitions could eventually trigger a direct clash with Israel or the US, and that a war with one would almost certainly draw in the other. This pattern was evident in the 12-day war last summer, when Israel struck first and the US joined days later. In the current round of fighting, the US and Israeli regimes launched simultaneous strikes against Iran.

Amid estimates that Iran possesses tens of thousands of Shahed drones, this weaponry is playing a pivotal role in the expanding conflict in the Middle East. Recently released footage from Iranian media appears to show vast supplies stored in underground production facilities, signaling Iran's capacity to deploy these assets long-term. Drones have been used in several Middle Eastern countries this week, with Tehran claiming to attack United States assets in retaliation for a war allegedly initiated by the US and Israel, which it says has killed over 1,000 people and seen its supreme leader assassinated.

Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev unveiled comprehensive plans for a fundamental overhaul of the state system, enhanced anti-corruption efforts, and economic growth stimulation during a meeting of the State Governance Reform Council. He stated that these reforms aim to boost the country's competitiveness and improve citizens' quality of life.

Asian stock markets have rebounded after days of heavy losses driven by the war in the Middle East, but oil and gas prices have continued to climb amid significant disruption to supplies. South Korea’s KOSPI index, which posted its biggest ever fall of 12% on Tuesday, rose by almost 10% on Thursday, while Japan’s Nikkei climbed by 1.9%. MSCI’s Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan jumped by 2.7%.

The United States and Israel have launched a fresh wave of airstrikes against Iran and Lebanon, threatening a major escalation in the regional conflict that has already caused widespread disruption. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed that US firepower was "about to surge dramatically" with the deployment of additional bombers, while Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir declared that Israel is moving to a new phase of its offensive to "further dismantle the regime and its military capabilities".