US

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Iranian media say a United States search helicopter has been shot down during an operation to locate a missing fighter jet, in what marks a further escalation following an earlier aerial incident.

Reports indicate that the helicopter, which was deployed to search for the downed aircraft’s crew, was struck by a projectile. “The US search helicopter was hit by a projectile.”

This development comes after Iranian authorities claimed they had brought down a US fighter jet, though details about the aircraft and its crew remain uncertain. No official confirmation has been issued by US authorities regarding the condition or location of those on board.

A source familiar with the situation said efforts are ongoing to locate the crew of the aircraft, according to a report by the UK Guardian.

Earlier, Iranian state media identified the downed aircraft as an F-35 warplane. However, this claim has not been independently verified. Questions have also emerged about the accuracy of that identification.

Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that US forces are searching for a pilot “of a fighter jet that was attacked by the Iranian armed forces this morning”. The agency also released images it claimed showed debris from the aircraft, although some analysts have raised doubts about the type of jet involved.

Providing a different assessment, Peter Layton, a visiting fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute in Australia, told NBC News: “I think the structure looks like an F-15 and from the tail flash stripe markings from the 48th Fighter Wing, based at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom.”

His analysis suggests the aircraft could be an F-15E Strike Eagle, rather than the F-35 initially reported.

Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that a broadcaster linked to Iranian state television aired details about the missing pilot. The report said the transmission came from Kohkilouyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, a mountainous area in southwestern Iran.

As of the time of filing this report, US officials have yet to issue a formal statement on the incidents.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Tensions between Iran and the United States have deepened after Tehran dismissed recent remarks by President Donald Trump on the status of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the strategic waterway remains under its authority and will not be influenced by pressure from Washington. In a statement, the IRGC said the situation in the Strait of Hormuz is “firmly and dominantly” under its control and “will not be opened to the enemies of this nation by the ridiculous displays of the U.S. President”.

The reaction followed comments by Trump, who claimed that Iran had sought a ceasefire amid ongoing hostilities. He linked any possible consideration by the United States to the reopening of the strait.

“Iran’s New Regime President, much less Radicalized and far more intelligent than his predecessors, has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE! We will consider when Hormuz Strait is open, free, and clear. Until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!” Trump said earlier.

The exchange has drawn attention to the Strait of Hormuz, which serves as a vital channel for global energy supplies. The IRGC’s position reflects Tehran’s refusal to уступ control or accept conditions tied to external demands.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian had earlier indicated that his country is willing to end the conflict under certain terms. “We possess the necessary will to end this conflict, provided that essential conditions are met, especially the guarantees required to prevent repetition of the aggression,” Pezeshkian said during a phone conversation with António Costa on Tuesday, according to a statement from his office.

The disagreement highlights sharp differences between both countries over how to reduce tensions and manage access to key maritime routes. Observers say developments around the strait could affect global oil supply and market stability.

In a related development, Trump criticised the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) after member states declined to support U.S. efforts linked to the situation. He described the alliance as a “paper tiger” and said pulling the United States out of NATO is now “beyond reconsideration,” according to an interview with The Telegraph.

The remarks signal growing strain between Washington and its European allies, as the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz continues to shape international security and economic concerns.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Spain has barred United States military aircraft involved in the ongoing Iran war from using its airspace, a move that signals rising tension between Washington and several European capitals.

The decision was announced by Spain’s Defence Minister, Margarita Robles, who made it clear that the country would not support any military activity linked to the conflict. She stated: “Neither [of] the bases are authorised, nor, of course, is the use of Spanish airspace authorised for any actions related to the war in Iran.”

She also criticised the conflict itself, describing it as “profoundly illegal and profoundly unjust”.

The development marks a firm stance by Madrid, which has been one of the most outspoken European critics of the war launched by the United States and Israel more than a month ago. The decision is expected to further strain relations with the administration of former US President Donald Trump, who had earlier warned of possible trade measures against Spain over its position.

Spain had previously indicated that jointly operated military bases within its territory would not be made available for operations connected to the war.

Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said the restriction on US aircraft is aimed at preventing further escalation. He explained that the move is intended to “not do anything that could encourage an escalation in this war”.

Meanwhile, the White House has suggested that the conflict could end within weeks, although it warned that Iran must agree to negotiations or face serious consequences. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration remains focused on its objectives, adding that failure to reach a deal would mean Iran would “pay a grave price”.

She also noted that discussions behind the scenes appear more encouraging, stating that Iranian signals are “more reasonable”, even though Tehran has publicly denied any ongoing negotiations.

As fighting continues across the Middle East, casualties have risen sharply. Thousands of people have reportedly been killed in Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and parts of the Gulf, although exact figures remain uncertain.

Tensions have also spread beyond the immediate conflict zone. Nato confirmed that it intercepted another Iranian missile over Turkey, the fourth such incident since the war began. The alliance reiterated its readiness to defend member states against emerging threats.

Despite growing international concern, uncertainty remains over how and when the conflict will end, with diplomatic efforts continuing alongside military operations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Fresh reports have emerged that Russia provided intelligence support to Iran shortly before a major strike on a United States military base in Saudi Arabia, an attack that left several American personnel injured.

According to Ukrainian authorities, Russian satellite data was shared with Iran in the days leading up to the assault on Prince Sultan Air Base in Al Kharj. The strike, which involved missiles and drones, injured at least 12 US troops and caused significant damage to military assets.

Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian surveillance activity intensified prior to the attack. He revealed that Kremlin satellites captured images of the base three separate times, suggesting a deliberate pattern.

“We know that if they make images once, they are preparing. If they make images a second time, it’s like a simulation. The third time it means that in one or two days, they will attack,” he told NBC News.

The Ukrainian leader added that he was “100 per cent” certain that Russian intelligence played a role in helping Iranian forces target American troops in the region.

The strike destroyed a high-value E-3 Sentry radar aircraft, reportedly worth hundreds of millions of pounds, and also damaged refuelling planes stationed at the base. Military analysts describe the incident as one of the most serious breaches of US air defences since the conflict began last month.

Moscow has denied passing intelligence to Tehran. However, Russian officials acknowledged that they have supplied Iran with “certain types of military equipment.” European intelligence sources now believe Russia may be preparing to deliver additional military hardware, including attack drones.

The development comes amid rising tensions across the Middle East. Reports indicate that the United States is reviewing possible ground operations targeting strategic Iranian مواقع, including key oil infrastructure. At the same time, Iran has warned that its forces are ready to respond to any escalation.

The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic efforts ongoing in several countries aimed at reducing hostilities and preventing a wider regional conflict.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Members of Iran’s national football team staged a solemn tribute to schoolgirls who lost their lives in an airstrike amid the country’s ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel.

The gesture took place on Friday before an international friendly match against Nigeria at the Mardan Titanic Sports Complex in Antalya. Iranian players entered the pitch carrying school bags to symbolise the children killed in the attack.

The tribute followed a deadly incident on February 28, when a US/Israel missile struck Shajareh Tayyebeh Primary School in Minab, located in Hormozgan province. Authorities in Tehran reported that more than 175 people, including pupils and teachers, died in the bombing.

The attack marked the start of a broader conflict that has since claimed over 2,000 lives. The situation also forced Iran to pull out of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

In the match itself, Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a 2-1 victory over Iran. Moses Simon and Akor Adams scored the goals for Nigeria.

Nigeria is expected to face Jordan in its next game on Tuesday. Iran will take on Costa Rica in its final fixture of the international window.

By Anwar Usman

The United Nation Security Council will hold closed-door consultations on Friday to discuss strikes on Iran at Moscow’s request, Russian state media reported, as the Middle East war nears its second month.

Iran has come under near-daily bombardment since US-Israeli strikes on February 28 triggered the war, which has since widened to large parts of the region.

According to state news agency TASS, spokesman for Russia’s envoy to the United Nations, Evgeny Uspensky, said “The Russian Federation has requested closed-door consultations with the UN Security Council due to the ongoing strikes on civilian infrastructure in Iran, including educational and healthcare facilities.”

A strike on the first day of the war hit a school in the southern Iranian city of Minab, killing more than 160 children, according to authorities.

Reports from the US military investigation by The New York Times indicated that a US Tomahawk cruise missile had hit the school due to a targeting mistake.

The United States, which holds the Security Council presidency this month, scheduled the meeting for 10:00 am in New York (1400 GMT), according to TASS.

The US-Israeli military campaign has targeted Iranian leadership, missile sites and military infrastructure, prompting a large-scale Iranian retaliation across the Gulf and the effective closure of the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global crude and liquefied natural gas passes during peacetime.

AFP reports that, the UN Human Rights Council will hold a separate meeting on Friday in Geneva focused on the deadly school strike.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Iran has turned down a ceasefire proposal from the United States, stressing that the ongoing conflict will only end based on its own terms and after certain conditions are satisfied.

In a statement released through the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Mumbai, the country outlined its position on the war. It said any ceasefire must come with clear commitments. These include an end to hostilities, payment of war damages, and recognition of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz.

A senior political-security official, cited in the statement, made it clear that Tehran would not accept any timeline imposed by the United States.

“Iran will end the war at a time of its own choosing and only if the conditions it has set are fulfilled. It will not allow Trump to determine the timing of the war’s end,” the official said.

The statement also disclosed that the United States had reached out through diplomatic channels with proposals for talks. However, Iran rejected the move and described it as misleading. It claimed the approach contradicts what it called a U.S. setback on the battlefield.

“Iran has evaluated these proposals… and considers them a deception aimed at escalating tensions,” the source added.

Tehran accused Washington of using negotiations in the past as a cover for military action. It insisted that any future agreement must include a “complete end to aggression and acts of assassination,” along with guarantees to prevent a repeat of the conflict. It also called for compensation for damages caused by the war.

In addition, Iran demanded a ceasefire that would apply across the region, including all allied groups. It also reaffirmed its “natural and legal right” to sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route.

“Iran has informed all mediators acting in good faith that a ceasefire will only take place once its conditions are accepted; until then, no negotiations will be conducted,” the statement said.

This development is expected to heighten tensions between Tehran and Washington. It follows earlier remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that discussions were ongoing and that Iran was open to reaching an agreement.

Iranian officials have repeatedly denied such claims. Military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaqari had earlier dismissed the U.S. position and stated that no direct negotiations were taking place.

Despite increasing calls from the international community for calm, both sides have maintained firm positions. Missile exchanges and airstrikes have continued across several fronts, prolonging the conflict.

Switzerland has halted the approval of licences for weapons exports to the United States due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, citing its policy of neutrality.

The Swiss government announced the decision on Friday. It said the measure would remain in place for the duration of the war.

“The export of war materiel to countries involved ⁠in the international armed conflict with Iran cannot be authorised for the duration of the conflict,” the government said.

“Exports of war materiel to the USA ‌cannot currently be authorised,” it added.

The development comes as the US-Israel war on Iran approaches its third week. The conflict has worsened the humanitarian situation across the Middle East and pushed global energy prices higher.

Swiss authorities have also shut their airspace to US military flights connected to the war. Last weekend, officials rejected two requests from the US for overflight linked to Iran operations, although three others were approved.

Switzerland’s neutrality law guides decisions on arms transfers. A federal act adopted in 1996 requires export licences for military equipment. The law is based on respect for human rights and the country’s neutral stance.

Since the war began on February 28, Switzerland said it has not issued any new export licences to the United States.

The government noted that it has not granted definitive licences for arms exports to Israel for several years. The same position applies to Iran.

Existing licences issued to the US will now undergo periodic review by a panel of experts. The group will assess whether further action is needed under neutrality rules.

Officials also confirmed that exports of dual-use goods and certain military items will face regular checks.

“A restrictive approach is already in place with regard to Israel,” the government said.

Data from Swiss authorities show that the United States was the second-largest buyer of Swiss arms last year. The total value of exports stood at $119 million.

Switzerland has taken similar steps in the past. It blocked the transfer of Swiss-made weapons to Ukraine after Russia’s invasion in 2022. It also imposed restrictions on flights and arms exports during the US-led Iraq war in 2003, although those measures were later lifted.

Switzerland has halted the approval of licences for weapons exports to the United States due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, citing its policy of neutrality.

The Swiss government announced the decision on Friday. It said the measure would remain in place for the duration of the war.

“The export of war materiel to countries involved ⁠in the international armed conflict with Iran cannot be authorised for the duration of the conflict,” the government said.

“Exports of war materiel to the USA ‌cannot currently be authorised,” it added.

The development comes as the US-Israel war on Iran approaches its third week. The conflict has worsened the humanitarian situation across the Middle East and pushed global energy prices higher.

Swiss authorities have also shut their airspace to US military flights connected to the war. Last weekend, officials rejected two requests from the US for overflight linked to Iran operations, although three others were approved.

Switzerland’s neutrality law guides decisions on arms transfers. A federal act adopted in 1996 requires export licences for military equipment. The law is based on respect for human rights and the country’s neutral stance.

Since the war began on February 28, Switzerland said it has not issued any new export licences to the United States.

The government noted that it has not granted definitive licences for arms exports to Israel for several years. The same position applies to Iran.

Existing licences issued to the US will now undergo periodic review by a panel of experts. The group will assess whether further action is needed under neutrality rules.

Officials also confirmed that exports of dual-use goods and certain military items will face regular checks.

“A restrictive approach is already in place with regard to Israel,” the government said.

Data from Swiss authorities show that the United States was the second-largest buyer of Swiss arms last year. The total value of exports stood at $119 million.

Switzerland has taken similar steps in the past. It blocked the transfer of Swiss-made weapons to Ukraine after Russia’s invasion in 2022. It also imposed restrictions on flights and arms exports during the US-led Iraq war in 2003, although those measures were later lifted.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has stated that Iran did not present an active nuclear threat at the time American forces carried out strikes on the country.

Her position challenges a key reason advanced by former President Donald Trump for the military action. Mr Trump had cited what he described as an imminent danger from Iran.

In written testimony submitted to the Senate intelligence committee, Ms Gabbard said Iran had not taken steps to rebuild its nuclear programme after it was damaged in a joint US-Israeli operation in June 2025.

“As a result of Operation Midnight Hammer, Iran’s nuclear enrichment program was obliterated. There have been no efforts since then to try to rebuild their enrichment capability,” Ms Gabbard said in the testimony to the Senate intelligence committee.

However, she did not include this conclusion in her oral presentation to lawmakers. When questioned by a Democratic senator, she explained that time constraints prevented her from presenting the full contents of her written submission. She did not dispute the findings.

Mr Trump has repeatedly defended the strikes, insisting they were necessary due to an “imminent threat” from Iran. After the operation in June 2025, he said US forces had “obliterated” Iranian nuclear facilities. He later claimed the country was only weeks away from producing a nuclear weapon.

Many analysts have disagreed with that assessment. Their views also contrast with ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring a nuclear agreement with Tehran.

During her remarks to senators, Ms Gabbard acknowledged that recent attacks had significantly weakened Iran. She referenced major developments, including the killing of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Despite this, she maintained that the country’s government structures were still functioning.

Earlier in her political career as a congresswoman, Ms Gabbard had opposed military action against Iran.

Meanwhile, Joe Kent, a senior aide to Ms Gabbard, resigned earlier this week. He argued there was no “imminent threat” from Iran. Mr Kent, who previously served as a counterterrorism director, alleged that he and other officials were not given the opportunity to present their concerns to Mr Trump.

Mr Trump dismissed the criticism. He said he had always considered Mr Kent “weak on security” and added that individuals who did not see Iran as a threat had no place in his administration.

Reports on Thursday indicated that the FBI has opened an investigation into Mr Kent over claims that he disclosed classified information.

In an interview with commentator Tucker Carlson, Mr Kent said key officials were excluded from the decision-making process that led to the strikes.

“A good deal of key decision makers were not allowed to come and express their opinion to the president,” he told Mr Carlson.

“There wasn’t a robust debate,” he said in the interview.

He also supported Ms Gabbard’s earlier assessment on Iran’s nuclear capability.

“No. They weren’t three weeks ago when this started, and they weren’t in June either,” he said, referring to claims that Iran was close to building nuclear weapons.

Mr Kent further alleged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials lobbied Mr Trump directly, often relying on information that had not been verified by US intelligence.

“When we would hear what they were saying, it didn’t reflect intelligence channels,” Mr Kent said.

He also recounted a conversation with conservative activist Charlie Kirk before his death, stating: “He looked me in the eye and said, ‘Joe, stop us from getting into a war with Iran’.”

Mr Kent went on to suggest, without providing evidence, that Israel may have been involved in Mr Kirk’s death. His remarks, along with claims about an “Israeli lobby” influencing US policy, have attracted criticism from several groups who described the statements as anti-Semitic.