US President Donald Trump has threatened to expand military strikes on Iran next week to include civilian infrastructure such as power plants and bridges if Tehran does not agree to a deal. Such attacks on civilian facilities would likely violate international humanitarian law and could constitute war crimes.

In a significant policy reversal, Trump also announced he would scrap a previously threatened 20% fee on ships for "security" in the Strait of Hormuz. He attributed this decision to "highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership" and highlighted "massive" investments in the region. However, he confirmed that the US would continue to blockade Iranian ports.

In response to the renewed hostilities, Senate Democrats blocked the advancement of a must-pass defense bill, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated that his party could not support advancing the NDAA while fighting persisted. Meanwhile, top House Democrats pledged to oppose efforts to cut US military aid to Israel amid internal party tensions over support for the Middle Eastern ally.

Other news includes the execution of Dennis Sochor, a 74-year-old convicted murderer, at a Florida state prison, and authorities searching for a bear responsible for multiple break-ins in a Japanese town.

Sources