International

US launches fresh strikes on Iran as Strait of Hormuz crisis escalates

Published

2 months ago

September 1, 2026

US launches fresh strikes on Iran as Strait of Hormuz crisis escalates

The United States has launched a fresh wave of airstrikes on Iran, marking the second American military operation against Iranian targets in two days as tensions intensify around the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The latest strikes were carried out on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, with the US Central Command (CENTCOM) saying American forces targeted positions belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

CENTCOM said the operation followed what it described as recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and American service members deployed in the region. (Reuters)

The renewed US military action came two days after American forces struck Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island, located in the Strait of Hormuz, in the first direct US attack on Iran in about a month.

The US military said IRGC personnel had been preparing to launch rockets and lay sea mines in the waterway. Washington described the operation as a limited action aimed at protecting shipping and US personnel rather than the beginning of a broader offensive. (AP News)

Iran responded to the earlier strikes by launching missiles towards US military positions in Jordan. Jordanian authorities said eight missiles that entered the country’s airspace were intercepted.

The latest exchange has significantly increased the risk of a wider US-Iran conflict, with the Strait of Hormuz emerging as the central flashpoint.

The waterway is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, and disruption to shipping through the strait has already created significant concerns for global oil supplies and international trade.

The situation worsened on Monday when two supertankers carrying Saudi crude oil were struck by unidentified projectiles while passing through the Strait of Hormuz near Khasab, Oman.

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The vessels, identified as the Saudi-flagged Sidr and Liberian-flagged Senegal Prosperity, had each loaded about two million barrels of Saudi crude at the Juaymah terminal before the incidents. No casualties were reported among the crews. (Reuters)

The attacks on the tankers have raised fresh concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through the waterway and the possibility that the conflict could disrupt international energy supplies even further.

Shipping activity through the strait has already fallen sharply, with vessel movements significantly below normal levels as operators assess the security risks associated with the renewed fighting.

The impact has also been felt in international oil markets. Oil prices climbed above $90 a barrel as traders reacted to the renewed US-Iran military confrontation and the possibility of prolonged disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. (The Wall Street Journal)

The renewed fighting has also placed greater pressure on regional governments trying to prevent the crisis from escalating.

Qatar and Oman have been involved in diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and restoring safer commercial navigation through the waterway, but the latest strikes and tanker attacks have complicated those efforts. (Reuters)

US President Donald Trump has defended the latest American military action and warned Iran against retaliating.

Trump said the strikes were justified, citing what he described as Iran’s attempt to deploy sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz and its missile attack on a US military base in Jordan.

He warned that Washington would respond with an even stronger military action if Tehran retaliated against the latest strikes. (Al-Monitor)

Iran, however, has rejected the US position and warned that Washington would face consequences for the renewed attacks.

Iranian officials have continued to insist that Tehran remains open to a diplomatic solution, but President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran would respond positively if the United States returned to its commitments under an interim agreement reached in June.

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Pezeshkian’s comments came as regional efforts to restore a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz faced fresh complications following the latest military exchanges. (Al Jazeera)

The Iranian leadership has also warned that continued American pressure could have consequences for the flow of oil from the Gulf, increasing fears among energy-importing countries about possible supply shortages.

The United States, meanwhile, is combining military pressure with additional economic measures against Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has indicated that Washington could announce further sanctions targeting Iranian financial institutions this week. (Al-Monitor)

The latest escalation has effectively ended hopes that the weekend exchange of fire would remain a limited confrontation.

Instead, the conflict is increasingly centred on the Strait of Hormuz, where military operations, attacks on commercial vessels, threats from both governments and diplomatic efforts are unfolding simultaneously.

Any prolonged disruption to the waterway could have consequences well beyond the Middle East. Higher oil prices, increased shipping and insurance costs and disruptions to global energy supplies could place additional pressure on economies already dealing with inflation.

For Nigeria and other oil-producing countries, developments around the Strait of Hormuz are also being closely monitored because sustained disruption to global crude supplies could influence international oil prices and government revenues.

The immediate concern, however, is whether Iran will retaliate against the latest US strikes and whether Washington will respond with further attacks.

The coming days could therefore determine whether the latest confrontation remains concentrated around the Strait of Hormuz or develops into a much wider regional conflict.

With commercial shipping already under pressure and diplomatic efforts struggling to keep pace with the military escalation, international attention is now focused on Washington and Tehran and whether either side will take steps to prevent another cycle of retaliation.

US launches fresh strikes on Iran as Strait of Hormuz crisis escalates

Related Topics:Iran Strait of Hormuz strikes US

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International

School Turns Death Trap as Roof Collapse Claims 22 Lives

Published

2 days ago

October 15, 2026

Trends Admin

School Turns Death Trap as Roof Collapse Claims 22 Lives

At least 21 children and a teacher have been killed after the roof of a private school collapsed in Peshawar, north-western Pakistan, triggering an emergency rescue operation as authorities searched for people feared trapped beneath the rubble.

The incident occurred on Thursday, October 15, 2026, in the Dir Colony area of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The victims were pupils attending the school when the roof gave way, according to reports citing local officials and hospital authorities.

More than 40 people were reportedly injured in the collapse, with several taken to hospital for treatment. Some of the injured were said to be in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll could increase as rescue efforts continued.

Mohammad Asim, a spokesperson for Lady Reading Hospital, confirmed that children and a teacher were brought to the facility after the incident. Early reports said the children killed were all aged 13 or younger.

Emergency responders, including personnel from Rescue 1122, were deployed to the scene to remove debris, search for survivors and transport injured pupils to medical facilities. Rescue workers continued to check the wreckage for anyone who might still be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.

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The cause of the collapse had not been established at the time of reporting. Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the condition of the school building and whether construction and safety standards were observed.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He also prayed for the strength of the families affected by the tragedy.

The disaster has renewed concerns about building safety and construction standards in Pakistan, where structural collapses have repeatedly caused deaths and injuries. Poor construction materials and weak enforcement of safety regulations have been cited in reports on previous incidents, although the cause of the Peshawar collapse remains unconfirmed.

In June 2026, a roof collapse at a tutoring centre in Lahore killed at least 14 children. The recurring incidents have intensified calls for stricter inspections of educational facilities and stronger enforcement of building regulations to protect pupils and school staff.

Authorities are expected to establish what caused the latest collapse and determine whether any safety breaches contributed to the tragedy.

School Turns Death Trap as Roof Collapse Claims 22 Lives

International

Nigeria Secures UN Human Rights Council Seat With 172 Votes

Published

2 days ago

October 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigeria Secures UN Human Rights Council Seat With 172 Votes

Nigeria has secured a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) after receiving 172 votes in an election by the UN General Assembly, earning the country a three-year term on the international body responsible for promoting and protecting human rights worldwide.

The election was held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Nigeria will serve on the 47-member council from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2029.

Nigeria was among 15 countries elected to the council for the new term. The other successful candidates included Zambia, Ghana, Burundi, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Nepal, Moldova and Ukraine.

Among the African candidates, Zambia received 177 votes, Ghana secured 173, Nigeria obtained 172, while Burundi received 160 votes.

The election gives Nigeria an opportunity to participate in international deliberations on human rights standards, alleged violations and measures aimed at improving the protection of fundamental freedoms across the world.

However, the process has attracted criticism from human rights organisations because the election was uncontested. Regional groups nominated exactly as many candidates as there were available seats, meaning there was no competitive ballot among rival candidates within the respective groups.

The UN Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body based in Geneva, Switzerland. Established in 2006, it is mandated to address human rights violations, promote respect for fundamental freedoms and make recommendations to governments and the international community.

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The council comprises 47 member states elected by the UN General Assembly through a secret ballot. Its seats are allocated among five regional groups to ensure geographical representation, and members serve staggered three-year terms.

The body examines human rights situations in individual countries, conducts its Universal Periodic Review of UN member states and considers complaints and reports concerning alleged abuses. It can also appoint independent experts, establish commissions of inquiry and authorise fact-finding missions to investigate serious allegations.

Although the council plays an important role in international human rights oversight, it does not operate as a criminal court and cannot independently impose criminal sentences on individuals accused of abuses.

Nigeria’s election comes amid continuing international scrutiny of human rights conditions in several countries, including concerns about police conduct, accountability, freedom of expression and the treatment of vulnerable groups.

The selection of countries with contested human rights records has been criticised by advocacy organisations, which argue that uncontested elections can weaken accountability and reduce pressure on candidates to demonstrate their commitment to protecting fundamental rights.

The criticism has also raised questions about how elected countries will use their positions on the council to address allegations of abuses and support international human rights standards.

For Nigeria, membership offers a platform to contribute to debates on issues such as unlawful killings, torture, discrimination, the rights of women and children, freedom of expression and the protection of civilians during armed conflicts.

The country will also be expected to participate in council sessions, consider resolutions and engage with other member states on international human rights concerns.

Nigeria’s three-year membership begins in January 2027. Its performance on the council will be watched alongside its domestic human rights record, including how authorities address allegations of misconduct and strengthen accountability and protection for citizens.

The election is therefore both a diplomatic achievement for Nigeria and an opportunity for the country to demonstrate its commitment to the principles the council was established to uphold.

Nigeria Secures UN Human Rights Council Seat With 172 Votes

International

Houthi Missile Targeting Riyadh Shot Down as Debris Injures Four, Damages 15 Homes

Published

2 days ago

October 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Houthi Missile Targeting Riyadh Shot Down as Debris Injures Four, Damages 15 Homes

Saudi Arabia’s air defences have intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile targeting Riyadh, as debris from earlier missile interceptions injured four people and damaged about 15 residential homes in the Saudi capital.

The developments were announced on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, amid escalating attacks involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi armed group.

Major General Turki Al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government, confirmed that a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh had been intercepted and destroyed.

Saudi authorities subsequently lifted danger warnings issued for Riyadh and Al-Kharj Governorate through the country’s National Early Warning Platform, indicating that the immediate threat covered by those alerts had passed.

The missile interception came after loud explosions were heard over Riyadh late on Tuesday as Saudi air defences engaged incoming aerial threats.

According to the Saudi Civil Defence, debris from two previously intercepted cruise missiles fell on residential areas, injuring four people and causing material damage to approximately 15 homes.

The injured comprised two women, a man and a child. Authorities said the debris caused limited damage to the affected properties, while images released by Saudi officials showed damage inside residential buildings.

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Emergency services responded to the incident, and the relevant authorities implemented established safety procedures. The four injuries were attributed to falling missile fragments rather than a direct impact from the intercepted missiles.

The latest interception was part of a broader series of missile and drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting threats over Riyadh and other parts of the kingdom, including Dhahran and Al-Kharj.

Saudi officials also reported that three drones had been destroyed north of Riyadh on Tuesday.

In a separate incident, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry confirmed that an administrative building belonging to state-owned oil giant Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, in the kingdom’s Eastern Province, was struck on Tuesday evening, causing what authorities described as a limited fire.

The ministry said there were no casualties from the fire. Reports indicated that the building was part of the Aramco headquarters complex, which houses offices associated with the company’s extensive oil and energy operations.

The Houthis have claimed attacks against Saudi strategic and energy facilities, including Aramco installations and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The latest developments have raised further concerns about the security of civilian areas and critical infrastructure across the kingdom.

Saudi Arabia has vowed to respond to attacks against its territory. The Saudi Cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, condemned the attacks and reaffirmed the kingdom’s commitment to protecting its security and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The renewed confrontation has also prompted military action by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. On Tuesday, the coalition announced operations targeting facilities it said were being used to support Houthi attacks. It issued warnings urging civilians to stay away from designated locations.

The Houthis, who control Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, have said their attacks are retaliation for Saudi military operations against them. The conflict has intensified after years of intermittent fighting and has increased concerns about the potential impact on regional stability, energy supplies and international shipping.

The latest missile interception in Riyadh underscores the continuing threat posed by missiles and drones in the conflict. Although the ballistic missile targeting the capital was destroyed, falling debris from earlier interceptions demonstrated the risks to residents even when air defences successfully engage incoming weapons.

Saudi authorities have not reported further casualties from the latest ballistic missile interception. The situation remains tense as the kingdom continues to monitor and respond to incoming aerial threats.