U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites were not aimed at regime change but to neutralize threats. The operation, “Midnight Hammer,” involved 125 aircraft and 75 precision munitions, including bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawks. General Dan Caine confirmed the strikes caused “extremely severe” damage. Amid escalating regional tensions, the U.S. warned Iran against retaliation while bolstering defences across bases in the Middle East. Tehran’s response remains measured, despite calls to close the Strait of Hormuz. The Pentagon emphasized the mission is not open-ended but warned of a strong response if provoked.
JAPAN EXPANDS INDO-PACIFIC SECURITY AID
Japan will supply defence equipment like drones and patrol boats to eight Indo-Pacific nations, including Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia, under its expanded Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework. The move aligns with the US Indo-Pacific strategy and reflects Japan’s military ambitions amid China’s growing regional influence. Two Japanese destroyers also docked in Manila, deepening naval ties with the Philippines. Analysts suggest Japan is leveraging US overstretch to bolster its defence outreach, risking regional bloc tensions. Its OSA budget surged to 8.1 billion yen for FY2025, a sharp rise from previous years.
REBELS SEIZE HEINEKEN CONGO SITES
Heineken has lost operational control of its facilities in eastern DR Congo as armed rebels seize sites in Bukavu and Goma. The Dutch brewer withdrew all staff from these conflict zones, citing unsafe conditions. Its local unit, Bralima, remains active in safer regions. Operations in Goma, Bukavu, and Uvira once made up nearly one-third of Heineken’s Congolese business. The escalating conflict, driven by the M23 rebel advance, has disrupted major commercial activity. Despite the turmoil, Heineken continues to support displaced employees and monitor the situation closely as peace talks between Congo, Rwanda, and the U.S. progress.
BODIES OF THREE HOSTAGES RECOVERED
Israel recovered the bodies of three hostages — IDF soldier Shay Levinson, and civilians Ofra Keidar and Yonatan Samerano — during a joint ISA-IDF operation in Gaza. All were killed during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks. Levinson was a young tank commander, Keidar a beloved kibbutz leader, and Samerano a DJ taken from the Nova festival. Their families endured 625 days of uncertainty. Israeli leaders praised the mission’s success while reaffirming commitment to retrieving 50 remaining hostages. The recovery occurs amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in over 55,000 deaths since the conflict began.
IRAN SLAMS US STRIKE AS BETRAYAL
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, calling them a “grave betrayal” of diplomacy and an “unforgivable” breach of international law. Speaking in Istanbul, Araghchi declared there’s “no room for diplomacy right now,” asserting Iran’s right to self-defence. He blamed the U.S. for sabotaging ongoing negotiations, claiming diplomacy was underway with Washington and Europe before the attacks. Araghchi also accused Trump of deceiving both Iranians and his voters. The U.S. strike marks a major escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict, igniting fears of broader regional instability.
