Armed conflicts and attacks
Middle Eastern crisis
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reports that an oil tanker has been struck by a unknown projectile off the coast of Oman near the strait. No casualties are reported. (AFP via Arab News) (Gulf News)
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and Omani foreign minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi say that Iran and Oman have discussed a proposal to establish a temporary joint shipping route for ships in the Strait of Hormuz. (CNBC)
2026 Strait of Hormuz campaign
United States president Donald Trump and the United States Navy say that all mines have been cleared from the Strait of Hormuz. (Al-Monitor)
The Wall Street Journal reports that U.S. president Trump launched Operation Epic Fury in February despite warnings from U.S. vice president JD Vance and then-intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard. (Middle East Monitor)
Aftermath of the Syrian civil war
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces announce they have officially dissolved and completed a merger with the Syrian army following the end of the civil war in 2024. (AP)
The Israel Defense Forces and Shin Bet say that they have struck five Hamas weapons storage systems and a launch site in Gaza, including in mosques. (Ynetnews)
Operation Southern Spear
United States strikes on alleged drug traffickers during Operation Southern Spear
The U.S. military launches a strike against a vessel in the Caribbean Sea allegedly carrying drug smugglers, killing four people. (The Guardian)
Sudanese civil war
Around 27 people, including four children, are reported to be killed by Sudan People's Liberation Movement–North (SPLM-N) militants in the South Kordofan areas of Kadugli and Abu Hitan. (Middle East Monitor)
War crimes in the Sudanese civil war
Sudan’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Welfare reports that 224 cases of child sexual violence have been documented since the conflict. (Sudan Tribune)
Arts and culture
AI boom, Artificial intelligence in music
The Australian Recording Industry Association bans wholly AI-generated music from appearing on its charts starting in September 2026. The ruling aims to distinguish fully AI-generated music and AI-assisted music, where the track is human-created but uses AI as a supporting tool. (DW)