A US fighter pilot is in Iranian custody after his F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down. Iran also claimed to have downed an F-35 using surface-to-air missiles. The incidents occurred during intense aerial operations over Iranian airspace. The development marks a significant escalation with potential human cost. US officials are working on securing the pilot’s safe return while continuing operations.

Iran has refused to meet US officials in Pakistan, describing American demands as unacceptable. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Tehran conveyed this to mediators. The development comes amid the ongoing Middle East conflict and stalled diplomatic efforts. Iran maintains its firm position on key issues including sanctions relief and security guarantees. Mediators were trying to arrange indirect talks through Pakistan.

President Donald Trump said with a little more time the US can easily open the blocked Strait of Hormuz, take the oil, and make a fortune. He made the remarks amid Iran’s continued blockade of the strategic waterway. Trump expressed confidence that American forces would soon regain control and resume oil flow. The statement comes as global oil prices remain highly volatile due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.

As the US launched war against Iran promising regime change in Tehran, a regime change appears to be unfolding in Washington. President Trump is firing top officers in what experts call an escalating purge. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is leading efforts to overhaul the US armed forces. The development raises questions about stability within the Trump administration amid the Middle East conflict.

Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir held a high-level meeting to assess the geopolitical and energy security implications of the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict. The meeting evaluated potential effects on Pakistan’s economy, regional stability, and energy supplies. Discussions focused on contingency planning to safeguard national interests amid rising oil prices and possible disruptions in the Middle East. General Munir emphasised maintaining vigilance and preparedness in the evolving situation.

Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong urged stronger cooperation between China and India, invoking “Eastern wisdom” of peaceful coexistence and mutual learning. Addressing the 4th China-India Youth Dialogue, he called for joint efforts to safeguard Global South interests and resist divisive narratives. Xu highlighted youth collaboration in AI, digital economy, and green technology, while emphasising that both nations are neighbours that cannot be separated and should support each other’s development.

US Senator Chris Murphy slammed the Middle East war as “insanity,” blaming President Donald Trump for creating a crisis in the Strait of Hormuz that was open before the conflict. Iran has begun charging some vessels a $2 million toll (approx Rs 18.8 crore) to assert sovereignty and offset war costs. Murphy highlighted the daily $2 billion expense to the US. Iran rejected negotiations and proposed its own five-point plan including reparations. The development adds pressure amid ongoing strikes and economic fallout.

Iran has threatened to block the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait if the US or Israel attacks its islands, including Kharg. The warning comes as Tehran already controls access through the Strait of Hormuz. Bab al-Mandeb, the world's fourth-largest shipping route handling 12% of global seaborne oil, connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Iran-backed Houthis are prepared to assist in taking control, potentially opening new fronts and doubling costs for adversaries amid the ongoing oil crisis.

Iran is preparing a draft bill to charge tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for providing security. The legislation aims to formally recognise Iran's sovereignty and generate revenue amid the ongoing Middle East war. The strait, which handles one-fifth of global oil, has been largely closed to tanker traffic. The move could raise shipping costs and further impact oil prices already surging past $114 per barrel for Brent crude.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the US-Israel strike on a school in Minab, Hormozgan province, calling it a “war crime, not a miscalculation.” The attack reportedly killed over 160 students, mostly girls. Araghchi demanded an immediate international investigation and accountability. The statement came as the conflict with the US and Israel continues to escalate, with Iran vowing strong retaliation. The strike has drawn widespread condemnation and heightened tensions in the region.