The situation in the Middle East has remained critical as the regional conflict enters its fifth day. Following are several key updates on the ongoing conflict:
- US and Israeli strikes across Iran have killed at least 1,045 people since Saturday, hitting cities, hospitals, schools, homes and markets.
- A US submarine torpedoed the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka, killing at least 87 sailors, while 32 were rescued. Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra told parliament that about 80 bodies have been recovered so far from the Iranian naval ship IRIS Dena, which sank off the southern coast of Sri Lanka following an attack by a United States military submarine. Thirty-two Iranian sailors were rescued by the Sri Lanka Navy were brought ashore in Galle and admitted to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital for treatment. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said a U.S. submarine sank the Iranian warship IRIS Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka with a torpedo — marking the first such attack by a U.S. submarine since World War II. U.S. military also released visuals of the torpedo strike on Iranian warship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean off Sri Lanka.
- Israel continues strikes in Lebanon, targeting what it says are Hezbollah positions and ordering residents in several southern villages to evacuate.
- NATO air defences intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile inside Turkiye’s airspace, with the Pentagon saying the incident is unlikely to draw the alliance into the war.
- The US Senate backed President Donald Trump’s military campaign, voting 53–47 to block a resolution seeking to halt the strikes on Iran.
- The conflict has disrupted global oil and gas supplies, with vessels avoiding the Strait of Hormuz after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced its closure.
- Saudi Arabia shot down three Iranian cruise missiles, while Dubai confirmed loud blasts were caused by successful air defence interceptions, with no casualties reported.
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