Netanyahu says Israel acted alone in Iran gas field strike

Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel “acted alone” in its attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field, distancing Washington from a move that has intensified concerns over coordination between allies.

The strike on South Pars, part of the world’s largest natural gas field, marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran. Tehran responded swiftly, targeting energy infrastructure across the Gulf region, including facilities in Qatar.

Despite earlier reports suggesting prior coordination, Netanyahu insisted that Israel had neither misled nor pressured Donald Trump, adding that no one dictates decisions to the US leader. Trump later indicated he had not been informed in advance and urged restraint on further attacks targeting energy infrastructure.

The fallout has raised broader concerns about unity within the US-Israel alliance, particularly as strikes on critical oil and gas infrastructure continue to disrupt global energy markets. With roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the crisis threatens prolonged economic consequences.

Iran executes protesters as crackdown intensifies

Iranian authorities have executed three men accused of killing police officers during anti-government protests, marking the first known executions linked to the unrest.

Among those killed was teenager Saleh Mohammadi, reportedly a member of the national wrestling team.

The executions, carried out in Qom province, follow a Supreme Court ruling upholding death sentences on charges including “waging war against God”—a charge frequently used against political dissidents.

State media reported that the men were convicted of involvement in attacks on security forces.
However, rights groups have strongly condemned the process, alleging that confessions were extracted under torture and that the defendants were denied fair trials.

The protests, which spread across the country earlier this year, were initially triggered by economic grievances but quickly evolved into broader demands for political change. Human rights organisations estimate that thousands were killed in the subsequent crackdown, making it one of the most severe internal crises faced by Iran in decades.

White House seeks $200bn war funding as conflict costs mount

The White House has requested an additional $200bn in military funding to sustain operations linked to the Iran conflict, underscoring the growing financial burden of the war.

President Donald Trump said the funding would replenish depleted ammunition stocks and prepare for future contingencies in what he described as an increasingly volatile global environment.

The Pentagon estimates that the war cost $11.3bn in its first week alone, with expenses continuing to rise as operations expand. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasised that sustained military engagement requires significant financial resources.

US approves $16.5bn arms deal to Gulf states 
 amid rising Iran tensions

The United States Department of State has approved a $16.5bn arms deal to strengthen security ties with Gulf allies as tensions with Iran continue to escalate.

The package includes $8.4bn in military equipment for the United Arab Emirates, covering drones, missiles, radar systems and F-16 aircraft. A further $8bn has been allocated to Kuwait for air and missile defence systems, while Jordan will receive $70.5m in aircraft and munitions support.

US officials said the deal is intended to reinforce regional security and support key allies, describing the UAE as a stabilising force in the Middle East. The State Department added that the agreement bypasses congressional approval on the grounds of an emergency, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio providing the necessary justification.

Allies signal support for reopening Strait of Hormuz

Several European nations and Japan have pledged to support moves aimed at stabilising global energy markets and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit route.

Leaders from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan issued a joint statement expressing readiness to contribute to efforts ensuring safe passage through the waterway. They also called for an immediate halt to attacks on civilian infrastructure, particularly oil and gas facilities.

The International Energy Agency has already authorised a coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves—its largest such move—to ease pressure on global markets.
Energy markets shaken as conflict disrupts supply.

The ongoing conflict has severely disrupted flows through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply typically passes. Iranian strikes on energy infrastructure across the Gulf have driven oil prices higher and unsettled global markets.

Despite calls from Donald Trump for a coordinated naval effort to secure the route, European leaders have ruled out direct military involvement, instead favouring diplomatic and economic measures to restore stability.

The developments come amid broader concerns that continued attacks on energy infrastructure could prolong market volatility and deepen the global economic impact of the conflict.

AFRICA

South africans protest water shortages as crisis deepens

Residents in parts of Johannesburg have taken to the streets to protest worsening water shortages, with many communities reporting weeks without reliable access to running water.

Demonstrators in suburbs such as Greenside described the situation as a public health risk, warning that prolonged shortages could lead to disease outbreaks and further strain already fragile infrastructure.

The crisis follows years of electricity instability and ageing infrastructure, with experts pointing to chronic underinvestment and governance challenges. Some residents have also accused criminal groups of exploiting the shortages, including through illegal water distribution networks.

The growing unrest reflects deeper systemic issues facing South Africa’s urban centres, where basic service delivery has become an increasingly urgent political and economic concern.

Kenya revives China-backed railway project

Kenya has restarted construction on a major railway extension project linking Nairobi to the Rift Valley, reviving plans that had stalled for six years due to funding constraints.

President William Ruto said the project would now be financed through alternative mechanisms, marking a shift away from heavy reliance on Chinese loans under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The railway is expected to boost regional trade and connectivity, particularly with neighbouring Uganda, although critics remain cautious about long-term financing and economic viability.

Chad warns Sudan after deadly drone strike

Chad has threatened retaliation against Sudan following a drone strike that killed at least 17 people attending a funeral near the border town of Tiné.

President Idriss Mahamat Déby ordered the military to remain on high alert and announced the closure of the border with Sudan, describing the attack as a violation of the country’s territorial integrity.

Dr Congo and Rwanda agree steps to ease tensions

Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have agreed to take “concrete steps” to reduce tensions following talks hosted by the United States.

The agreement includes commitments to respect territorial sovereignty and reduce military activity in eastern Congo, where conflict involving armed groups has persisted despite previous peace efforts.

Migrant boat tragedy off Comoros leaves at least 17 dead

At least 17 bodies have been recovered off the coast of Comoros after a boat carrying African migrants capsised while attempting to reach the French territory of Mayotte.

Authorities said around 30 people survived, with many of the victims believed to be from the Democratic Republic of Congo.