Erdoğan, Meloni discuss regional conflicts, urge diplomatic solutions

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni discussed bilateral ties and regional developments in a phone call Friday, with Erdoğan warning against steps that could increase instability. The Turkish leader stressed the importance of diplomacy and international cooperation as conflicts expand across the Middle East.

Türkiye extends flight suspensions across Middle East amid worsening security

Türkiye has extended flight suspensions to multiple Middle Eastern destinations due to escalating security risks from the Iran-US-Israeli conflict, Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced Friday. Airspace closures continue across seven countries with grounded aircraft at Turkish airports as authorities monitor the volatile situation.

Turkish Embassy in Manama organizes bus service to Riyadh for citizens leaving Bahrain

The Turkish Embassy in Manama announced Friday it will organize bus services to Riyadh for Turkish citizens wishing to leave Bahrain due to Iranian retaliation against US-Israeli attacks and the closure of Bahraini airspace. The six-to-seven hour journey requires Saudi visas obtained online before travel.

First 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury cost US estimated $5.82 billion

The initial 100 hours of the US-Israeli "Operation Epic Fury" against Iran have cost an estimated $5.82 billion, including $3.3 billion in operational expenses and $2.52 billion in lost military assets, according to Anadolu calculations. Major losses include a $1.1 billion radar system in Qatar and three F-15E fighter jets destroyed in friendly fire.

UN rights chief urges immediate de-escalation as Middle East conflict widens

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called Friday for urgent containment of the Middle East escalation, warning that "inflammatory, bellicose rhetoric" and continued bombing are fueling further violence. Turk expressed concern over civilian sites being targeted, Lebanon becoming a flashpoint, and the need for human control over AI weapons systems.

Trump demands role in choosing Iran's next supreme leader, calls Khamenei's son 'unacceptable'

President Donald Trump asserted Thursday he expects personal involvement in selecting Iran's next leader, comparing it to his role in Venezuela's post-Maduro transition. Trump dismissed Mojtaba Khamenei, the slain supreme leader's son, as "a lightweight" and warned that a wrong choice would drag the US back to war within five years.

US seeks Kurdish ground offensive in Iran as Kurds reject 'pawn' role

The Trump administration has approached Iraqi and Iranian Kurdish leaders proposing logistical support and air cover for a ground campaign inside Iran, aiming to destabilize the regime from within. Kurdish figures, however, are resisting the overtures, with Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed declaring: "Leave the Kurds alone. We are not mercenaries."

Iran threatens to strike Israel's Dimona nuclear site as conflict escalates

A senior Iranian military official has warned that Tehran's "final effective missiles" will target Israel's Dimona nuclear reactor if the US and Israel pursue regime change. The threat brings the Middle East's most sensitive strategic facility into the escalation equation as the death toll from US-Israeli attacks surpasses 1,000.

US flexes muscles as China watches in silence: The real US-Iran power play

The US-Israeli campaign against Iran transcends regional grievances or nuclear ambitions—it is Washington's desperate attempt to salvage a crumbling global hegemony. With China rising silently, the White House uses Iran as a geopolitical punching bag to send a clear message: The architect of the old world order is still in charge.

Western circles call for 'reining in Türkiye' as Ankara's regional influence grows

The Wall Street Journal published a controversial analysis targeting Türkiye's rising regional role, describing Ankara's independent policies as a "threat" and suggesting measures to prevent Türkiye from filling any power vacuum following potential Iranian collapse. The piece reflects Western discomfort with President Erdoğan's diplomatic activism.

Iran strikes Tel Aviv with cluster missiles, causing widespread damage

Iran employed cluster munitions in its latest missile barrage targeting central Israel, Israeli media reported Thursday. Fires and significant destruction were recorded in at least three locations in and around Tel Aviv, with witnesses describing the attack as more devastating than previous strikes.

KFOR denies false claims of NATO missiles launched at Iran from Kosovo

NATO's Kosovo Force has categorically rejected social media disinformation alleging that missiles were fired toward Iran from the alliance's Bondsteel camp or other facilities in Kosovo. KFOR reminded that NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has clearly stated the alliance is not participating in the current air campaign against Iran.

Zelenskyy: US requests Ukraine's help against Iranian Shahed drones

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Friday that the United States has requested Kyiv's assistance in countering Iranian Shahed kamikaze drones in the Middle East. The request follows closed-door briefings where US officials reportedly told Congress that American air defense systems may not be able to intercept all Iranian drones, which pose a greater threat than anticipated.

Trump calls for removal of Iran's leadership, claims to have replacement candidates

President Donald Trump declared Thursday he wants Iran's entire leadership structure removed and claims to have identified several potential "good leader" candidates for the country. In an NBC News interview, Trump said he is taking steps to ensure those on his list survive the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign.

WHO resumes Dubai logistics hub operations after security pause

The World Health Organization announced Friday that its global health emergencies logistics hub in Dubai is resuming operations after a temporary pause due to "insecurity." More than 50 emergency supply requests across 25 countries affecting over 1.5 million people had been affected, including shipments for Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen and Somalia.

Iranian strikes hit civilian sites in Bahrain's capital, ministry says

Iranian attacks targeted two hotels and a residential building in Bahrain's capital Manama on Friday, causing material damage but no casualties, the Interior Ministry reported. The strikes come as the US-Israeli conflict with Iran expands across the Gulf, with Bahrain hosting the US Fifth Fleet headquarters.

NATO maintains heightened missile defense after Iran targets Türkiye

NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe announced Thursday that the alliance's ballistic missile defense posture will remain at a "heightened level" until Iran's retaliatory strikes subside. The decision follows the successful interception of an Iranian missile that entered Turkish airspace, with NATO emphasizing its commitment to defending allies amid escalating regional conflict.

Lithuania: France's nuclear umbrella cannot replace US deterrence

Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas has affirmed that Vilnius continues to rely on the United States for nuclear deterrence, despite French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to expand France's nuclear arsenal into a European "umbrella." Kaunas welcomed the French initiative as complementary but stressed NATO's existing framework remains central for Lithuania's security.

Israel launches 26 airstrike waves on Beirut suburbs as Lebanon toll climbs

The Israeli army announced Friday it has carried out 26 waves of airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs since Monday, targeting what it claims are Hezbollah command centers and infrastructure. Lebanese officials report 123 killed and 683 wounded since the offensive began, as the conflict expands across multiple fronts.

Kosovo president dissolves parliament after presidential election failure

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani dissolved parliament Friday after lawmakers failed to elect a new head of state by the constitutional deadline. Snap elections are expected soon as the country faces political crisis following Prime Minister Kurti's inability to secure opposition support for his candidate.

Turkish intel helps dismantle Daesh cell in Damascus, 3 terrorists held

Turkish intelligence sources confirmed Thursday that MIT shared critical information with Syrian authorities, leading to the dismantling of a Daesh cell preparing sabotage attacks in Damascus. Three terrorists were detained and a vehicle loaded with explosives was discovered at a strategic location, averting potential mass casualties.

Evangelical pastors lay hands on Trump in Oval Office prayer ceremony

As the US-Israeli war against Iran enters its seventh day, images from the White House showing President Donald Trump surrounded by Evangelical clergy in a laying-on-of-hands prayer service have captured global attention. The video, shared by Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, shows prominent religious leaders gathering around Trump with eyes closed in supplication.

Iran: Over 4,000 civilian structures damaged in US-Israeli strikes

More than 4,000 civilian buildings in Iran have been damaged or destroyed since the US-Israeli offensive began Feb. 28, the Iranian Red Crescent reported Friday. Head of the organization Pir-Hossein Kolivand stated that 3,646 homes and civilian facilities have been targeted, while 528 commercial units were completely destroyed, with three hospitals forced out of service.

Erdoğan, Aliyev discuss drone attack on Nakhchivan, reaffirm solidarity

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev held a phone call Thursday to discuss a drone strike on Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave that injured four people. Erdoğan condemned the attack launched from Iranian territory and conveyed well wishes to Aliyev and the Azerbaijani people.

Macron: France 'not waging war' in Middle East, will stay out of conflict

President Emmanuel Macron declared Friday that France is "not waging war" in the Middle East and will not get involved in the ongoing Israeli-US offensive against Iran. In an Instagram response to a concerned young user, Macron said Paris is focused on protecting citizens and allies, not participating in the fight.