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Philippine Senate declares leadership vacant, ousts Cayetano

Venus L Peñaflor
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Philippine Senate declares leadership vacant, ousts Cayetano

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Senate was plunged into political uncertainty on Wednesday after a group of 12 senators declared all leadership positions vacant and announced that Senator Alan Peter Cayetano was no longer Senate President, in a move immediately disputed by rival lawmakers and the outgoing leadership.

In a joint statement, the 12-member bloc said it convened with a quorum and invoked the Supreme Court ruling in Avelino v. Cuenco to justify proceeding with chamber business despite the absence of other senators. The group voted to vacate all Senate posts, including the presidency.

“For clarity, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano is no longer Senate President after the Senate, with 12 senators present and a quorum declared based on the recognized base number of 22 under Avelino v. Cuenco, voted to declare all positions vacant,” the statement read.

The bloc acknowledged that Senator Sherwin Gatchalian cannot yet be formally elected Senate President, citing the constitutional requirement of at least 13 votes. Gatchalian was instead named acting Senate President pending a formal election.

The senators identified as part of the bloc include Sherwin Gatchalian, Vicente Sotto III, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Francis Pangilinan, Francis Escudero, Bam Aquino, Lito Lapid, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo Lacson, and JV Ejercito.

The development followed two days of stalled Senate sessions after members aligned with Cayetano failed to attend plenary proceedings. The deadlock was broken when Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero unexpectedly appeared, allowing the chamber to reach quorum.

The new majority cited legal precedent to argue that the Senate could continue functioning despite the absence of a full membership, emphasizing the need to prevent legislative paralysis.

Erwin Tulfo said Escudero’s presence was decisive in establishing quorum and enabling the session to proceed. He also said Escudero had initially intended to attend earlier but delayed his decision after consulting family members and advisers.

Cayetano rejected the move, calling it an “illegal coup d’etat” in a social media broadcast and insisting that at least 13 votes are required under the Constitution and Senate rules to elect or remove leadership.

He argued that a group of 12 senators could not legally declare the presidency vacant and questioned the validity of the proceedings.

Cayetano also cited Senate rules stating that the Senate President Pro Tempore only assumes presidential functions in cases of absence, resignation, death, or incapacity, not through a contested leadership declaration.

Escudero, in a separate statement, said his decision to attend was guided by institutional responsibility rather than political alignment.

“My allegiance is not to any faction, personality, group or alliance,” he said, adding that the prolonged standoff had become “untenable and unacceptable” and was disrupting the Senate’s ability to function.

The Philippine government’s executive branch said it recognizes the leadership change, signaling possible administrative acceptance of the shift.

The Senate remains divided as questions persist over quorum interpretation, voting thresholds, and procedural legitimacy under Philippine constitutional law.

Wire report for international publication

Iran attacks Kuwait airport as Gulf tensions escalate; U.S. strikes near Hormuz

Venus L Peñaflor
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Iran attacks Kuwait airport as Gulf tensions escalate; U.S. strikes near Hormuz

DUBAI/WASHINGTON — Regional tensions in the Gulf intensified on Wednesday after Iranian missile and drone attacks struck Kuwait, damaging facilities at Kuwait International Airport, killing at least one person, and injuring more than 60 others, according to Kuwaiti authorities and state media.

The latest hostilities have further strained a fragile ceasefire and raised concerns over the stability of the region, sending global oil prices up by more than two percent as the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed.

Kuwaiti officials reported that airport operations were temporarily suspended following the attack, which also damaged diplomatic facilities. The country’s civil aviation authority later announced the partial resumption of flights through Terminal 4 after safety inspections and damage assessments were completed.

In neighboring Bahrain, military officials said air defense systems intercepted three missiles and several drones. Iran, meanwhile, claimed responsibility for attacks targeting the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, along with an airbase and military helicopters in another Gulf state.

The U.S. military stated that two Iranian missiles directed toward Kuwait either fell short or disintegrated during flight. Several other ballistic missiles reportedly failed to reach their intended targets across the region.

Since the conflict erupted on February 28, Iran has repeatedly launched attacks against military and civilian sites in Gulf nations hosting American military installations. Although a ceasefire was reached in early April, sporadic exchanges of fire have continued.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a central flashpoint in the conflict. Before the war, the waterway handled roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Efforts led by Washington to reopen the route have so far yielded limited results.

Diplomatic momentum appeared to build last week when both Tehran and Washington signaled progress toward a preliminary agreement aimed at ending hostilities and restoring maritime traffic through the strait. However, negotiations remain incomplete, with both sides yet to formally approve a framework deal.

Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, warned that Iran would not allow the United States to gain excessive leverage in either ceasefire arrangements or ongoing negotiations. Writing on social media platform X, Rezaei said any aggression against Iran would trigger a large-scale missile and drone response.

Meanwhile, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates, called for a unified Gulf response to repeated attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, describing the assaults as a threat to the entire region.

Further signs of escalation emerged as the U.S. military reported intercepting drones targeting civilian vessels and American forces stationed in Kuwait. U.S. forces also conducted strikes on Qeshm Island after what officials described as attempted Iranian attacks.

Iranian media reported that the naval arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched missile strikes against a vessel identified as the Panaya, claiming the action was retaliation for a U.S. attack on an Iranian tanker near Hormuz.

Since mid-March, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed optimism about reaching a broader agreement that could end the conflict and open negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and regional security issues.

Iran is reportedly seeking an end to fighting in Lebanon, expanded access to oil revenues, relief from export restrictions, the lifting of U.S. maritime blockades, and continued influence over the Strait of Hormuz as part of any future settlement.

Trump has maintained that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains Washington’s top priority. Tehran continues to insist that its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes.

However, Iranian media reported Wednesday that indirect communications with Washington had stalled, with Tehran suspending exchanges through intermediaries until its demands regarding Lebanon are addressed.

In a podcast interview released Wednesday, Trump claimed Iran had already agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons and said Khamenei was directly involved in negotiations.

Israel-Hezbollah Conflict Continues

The broader regional conflict has claimed thousands of lives, primarily in Iran and Lebanon, while disrupting global energy supplies and international shipping routes.

The war has also fueled renewed fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. Israel has launched its deepest military operations inside Lebanon in more than two decades.

Lebanese security sources said Israeli drone strikes on Wednesday killed at least six people in southern Lebanon and targeted a vehicle south of Beirut. Israeli authorities separately reported intercepting a hostile aircraft believed to have been launched by Hezbollah.

The strike near Beirut appeared to be among the closest attacks to the Lebanese capital since the announcement of a U.S.-mediated partial ceasefire earlier this week.

Trump acknowledged tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the podcast interview, saying he was frustrated by the continued fighting involving Lebanon despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

As military operations continue and negotiations remain unresolved, concerns are growing that the conflict could widen further, threatening regional stability and global energy markets.

Barzaga sinibak sa Kamara

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Barzaga sinibak sa Kamara

MAYNILA — Pormal nang pinatalsik ng House of Representatives si Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga matapos aprubahan ng Kamara ang rekomendasyon ng Committee on Ethics and Privileges na tanggalin siya sa talaan ng mga miyembro ng kapulungan dahil sa umano’y paulit-ulit na paglabag sa mga alituntunin at pamantayan ng institusyon.

Sa botong 265 pabor, 14 tutol, at walong abstensiyon, inaprubahan ng Kamara noong Martes ng gabi ang Committee Report No. 298 na nagrekomenda ng pinakamabigat na kaparusahang maaaring ipataw sa isang miyembro ng kapulungan. Ayon sa komite, napatunayang nagkasala si Barzaga ng disorderly behavior at conduct unbecoming of a Member of the House of Representatives.

Ayon kay House Committee on Ethics and Privileges Chairperson Rep. Jonathan Clement “JC” Abalos, paulit-ulit na umanong nasangkot si Barzaga sa mga gawaing nakasira sa dignidad at kredibilidad ng Kamara, kabilang ang mga kontrobersiyal na pahayag at social media posts laban sa mga kapwa mambabatas at iba pang opisyal ng pamahalaan.

Ito ang ikatlong pagkakataon na pinatawan ng parusa ng Kamara si Barzaga. Noong Disyembre 2025, sinuspinde siya ng 60 araw dahil sa kasong disorderly behavior at misconduct. Nakabalik siya sa serbisyo noong Enero 2026 ngunit muling sinuspinde ng karagdagang 60 araw noong Pebrero matapos umanong magpatuloy sa paglalathala ng mga pahayag sa social media na itinuturing ng Kamara na nakasisira sa institusyon.

Batay sa ulat ng ethics committee, hindi na umano naging sapat ang mga naunang suspensiyon upang maituwid ang asal ng kongresista, dahilan upang irekomenda ang kanyang pagpapatalsik.

Bago ang botohan, kinilala mismo ni Barzaga na inaasahan na niya ang kanyang pagpapatalsik. Sa mga ulat matapos ang desisyon ng Kamara, sinabi niyang hindi muna niya tututukan ang anumang susunod na hakbang at isasaalang-alang muna ang pagpapahinga habang hinihintay ang mga posibleng legal at elektoral na usapin kaugnay ng kanyang kaso.

Sa oras ng pagsulat, wala pang pahayag si Barzaga na direktang tumututol o umaapela sa naging desisyon ng Kamara. Gayunman, nagpahayag siya sa mga panayam matapos ang botohan na pinag-aaralan pa ang mga susunod na hakbang kaugnay ng kanyang pagpapatalsik.

Minority senators kay Cayetano: Resign

Venus L Peñaflor
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Minority senators kay Cayetano: Resign

MAYNILA — Nanawagan noong Martes ang mga minority senator sa pagbibitiw ni Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, kasunod ng patuloy na hindi pagdalo ng majority bloc sa plenary sessions ng Senado.

Sa isang pinagsamang pahayag na binasa ni Senator Erwin Tulfo sa isang media briefing, sinabi ng minority bloc na dapat bumaba sa puwesto si Cayetano dahil sa umano’y kakulangan sa pamumuno sa Mataas na Kapulungan.

“Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano should resign as he has shown that he cannot function as the leader of the Senate,” ayon sa pahayag.

Inilarawan ng mga senador ang sitwasyon bilang “clear abandonment of responsibility, a dereliction of duty, and a blatant disregard of the rules that govern this institution.”

Giit pa nila, hindi dapat huminto ang operasyon ng Senado dahil lamang sa hindi pagganap ng tungkulin ng presiding officer nito.

“The Senate cannot be made to stop working simply because its presiding officer refuses to lead,” dagdag nila.

Tinukoy rin ng minority bloc ang Rule XIV, Section 41 ng Rules of the Senate, na nagsasaad na maaari lamang ipagpaliban ng Senate President ang sesyon matapos ang konsultasyon sa Majority Leader at Minority Leader.

Ayon sa kanila, hindi nasunod ang naturang proseso.

“That rule was violated. This is not merely a procedural lapse, it is a direct violation of the Rules of the Senate and a serious disrespect for the institution and the Filipino people,” pahayag ng mga senador.

Wala pang agarang tugon ang liderato ng Senado hinggil sa panawagan ng pagbibitiw.

UN urges the world to prepare for extreme heat risk from El Niño

Venus L Peñaflor and Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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UN urges the world to prepare for extreme heat risk from El Niño

GENEVA — The United Nations weather agency has warned that a moderate to potentially strong El Niño could develop in the coming months, raising global temperatures and increasing the likelihood of extreme weather events worldwide.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Tuesday that unusually warm ocean waters in the central and eastern Pacific are driving the development of the climate pattern, which typically lasts nine to 12 months. It added that above-average global temperatures are expected from June to August, with conditions likely persisting until November.

While forecasts differ on the eventual strength of the phenomenon, the WMO cautioned that uncertainty should not delay preparedness measures.

“We need to prepare for a potentially strong El Niño event, which will exacerbate drought and heavy rainfall and increase the risk of heatwaves both on land and in the ocean,” said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

El Niño is known to disrupt global weather systems, bringing increased rainfall to parts of South America, the southern United States, the Horn of Africa, and central Asia, while triggering drought conditions in regions including Australia, Central America, Indonesia, and parts of South Asia. It can also influence hurricane formation in the central and eastern Pacific.

The agency noted that the last strong El Niño in 2023 to 2024 contributed to record global temperatures in 2024, the hottest year on record.

Saulo warned that extreme heat linked to the phenomenon can worsen the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue, while also straining food and water supplies.

“Communities that were already struggling will be pushed farther beyond their limits,” she said.

The WMO also flagged potential economic impacts, including pressure on global food prices at a time when consumers are already facing inflation linked to geopolitical tensions.

In the agricultural sector, cocoa industry executives have raised concerns about possible crop stress in major producing regions such as Ecuador and West Africa. Hein Schumacher, chief executive of Barry Callebaut, said the company is closely monitoring conditions, warning that El Niño could further tighten supply.

London cocoa futures were last trading at £2,944 ($3,964.10) per metric ton, significantly below highs recorded in April 2024 when prices exceeded $9,000.

Some national meteorological agencies have suggested the possibility of a particularly strong event, though the WMO said it has observed unusually warm subsurface waters across the tropical Pacific, with temperatures more than 6 degrees Celsius above average, forming a heat reservoir that is driving surface warming.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said the development underscores the urgency of transitioning away from fossil fuels.

“The world must treat it as the urgent climate warning it is. El Niño conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world,” he said.

Rescuers recover bodies after mining explosives blast kills at least 43 in Myanmar

Venus L Peñaflor
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Rescuers recover bodies after mining explosives blast kills at least 43 in Myanmar

BANGKOK — Rescue and charity teams continued recovery operations Monday after a powerful explosion from stored mining explosives killed at least 43 people, including children, in northeastern Myanmar’s Shan state near the Chinese border.

Authorities said more than a dozen groups used excavation machinery to search through debris in Kaungtup village, Namhkam township, following the midday blast on Sunday.

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), which controls the area, said in a Monday statement that the death toll had reached 43, including seven children. Earlier estimates from rescue workers ranged from 38 to 45, with officials warning that the final number could still rise as recovery efforts continue.

The group also reported 112 injuries, including 25 children, with 37 people in critical condition. It said rescue operations and verification of casualties were still ongoing.

“Rescue operations and the compilation of casualty figures were still underway,” the TNLA said.

Determining the full extent of the casualties has been difficult because of the force of the explosion, which reportedly caused severe fragmentation of bodies.

The explosion involved gelignite used in mining and quarrying operations, according to the TNLA. While commonly used in extraction work, gelignite becomes increasingly unstable when improperly stored over time.

Residents of the 200-household village said they were not informed that explosives were being stored in the area.

An investigation into the cause of the blast is underway, the group added.

The incident has drawn renewed attention to Myanmar’s largely unregulated mining sector, particularly in conflict-affected areas controlled by ethnic armed groups.

Two local residents told The Associated Press that mines producing raw materials for silicon metal, used in semiconductors, solar panels, and aluminum alloys, operate in mountainous areas around 15 kilometers southwest of Namhkam town. They said the operations are jointly managed by the TNLA and Chinese business interests, although this could not be independently verified.

Myanmar is a major global source of minerals including rare earths, copper, tin, jade, and rubies, with much of the output exported to China for processing.

China maintains ties with Myanmar’s military-backed government while also engaging with ethnic armed groups operating along the border.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed condolences and confirmed that a Chinese national injured in the blast is receiving medical treatment. Beijing also said it is prepared to assist in response efforts.

The TNLA, part of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, seized control of the Namhkam area in late 2023 during an offensive against Myanmar’s military government. The broader conflict escalated after the 2021 coup that ousted the elected administration of Aung San Suu Kyi and triggered widespread armed resistance.

Although the TNLA signed a China-mediated ceasefire with the military in late 2023, the region remains unstable, with mineral extraction continuing to serve as a key source of revenue for both government and armed groups.

Iran studies temporary deal as war stalemate persists

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Iran studies temporary deal as war stalemate persists

DUBAI — Iran is reviewing a proposed temporary agreement with the United States aimed at halting ongoing hostilities, Iranian media reported Tuesday, as the conflict between Iran, the U.S., and Israel remains locked in a costly stalemate.

The proposed arrangement, described by Iranian sources as a memorandum of understanding, comes more than three months after U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran escalated tensions across the region. Central to the crisis is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route that has remained largely restricted, disrupting global energy markets and intensifying geopolitical pressure.

According to Iran’s Mehr News Agency, Tehran has yet to respond to a proposed final text and is approaching negotiations with caution due to what officials view as a longstanding history of mistrust and U.S. non-compliance with prior agreements.

The semi-official Fars News Agency reported that communications regarding the proposed deal had stalled in recent days. The last exchange reportedly involved Tehran reiterating its position on Lebanon, where Iran seeks an end to Israeli military operations targeting Hezbollah.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that negotiations were continuing and expressed confidence that an agreement could be reached within the next week. Such a deal, he said, could extend a ceasefire first agreed upon in early April and lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump has repeatedly signaled optimism about reaching an agreement since mid-March. The proposed framework is expected to postpone more contentious issues, including the future of Iran’s nuclear program. Although the ceasefire has largely held since early April, military exchanges between Iran and U.S. forces have continued intermittently over the past week.

Financial markets reacted to the uncertainty, with oil prices falling by more than one percent on Tuesday. A senior official from the International Energy Agency warned that global oil inventories could decline to historically low levels if disruptions persist.

The conflict, which began on February 28, has killed thousands, primarily in Iran and Lebanon. It has also heightened pressure on international energy markets after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a passage that previously handled roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

The crisis has also intensified fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, with Israeli forces carrying out their deepest incursion into Lebanon in 25 years.

Lebanese security sources reported that Israeli strikes continued Tuesday across several towns in southern Lebanon despite a U.S.-mediated partial ceasefire announced a day earlier. Under the arrangement, Israel would refrain from striking Beirut and Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs, while Hezbollah would suspend attacks against Israel.

However, the ceasefire announcement has provided little reassurance to many Lebanese civilians. More than 1.2 million people remain displaced, and Israeli drone activity over Beirut continued to fuel anxiety among residents.

“Every time we return to our homes, there is a warning for us to be displaced again,” said Faten Al Chehime, who fled to a displacement camp after renewed warnings near her home in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing domestic criticism over any agreement that could limit further military operations in Beirut, particularly ahead of elections later this year.

Iranian sources said Tehran is pursuing a limited interim agreement to ease economic strain while avoiding significant concessions on its nuclear program. Iran is reportedly seeking an end to hostilities across multiple fronts, including Lebanon, access to frozen oil revenues, waivers for crude exports, removal of restrictions affecting its ports, and continued strategic influence over the Strait of Hormuz.

For Washington, the stakes remain high. Trump faces pressure to reopen the strait and stabilize fuel prices without appearing to concede too much to Tehran.

John Bolton, who served as Trump’s national security adviser during his first term and later became a critic, said the president faces difficult choices.

“I think he wants to have a deal that opens the Strait of Hormuz, and he can declare victory and get the price of gasoline down,” Bolton told Reuters. “But he knows if he makes a bad deal, he’ll be justifiably criticized for it.”

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Tuesday that 24 vessels had transited the strait during the previous 24 hours after securing authorization from the Guard’s naval forces.

Tehran also warned Monday that it could extend maritime restrictions to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near the Red Sea if Israeli attacks on Beirut resume.

Shipping risks continue to grow. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest shipping group, reported Tuesday that one of its vessels was struck by two projectiles while docked at Iraq’s Umm Qasr port the previous day. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility, describing the strike as retaliation for a U.S. attack on an Iranian vessel in the Gulf of Oman.

The broader humanitarian impact is also becoming increasingly severe. UNICEF warned that rising transport costs and supply chain disruptions linked to the conflict are hampering delivery of life-saving aid to crisis-hit areas including Gaza, Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, and Nigeria.

As diplomatic efforts continue, uncertainty over a possible agreement and the future of regional stability remains high.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada detained over plunder charges

Venus L Peñaflor
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Senator Jinggoy Estrada detained over plunder charges

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada was detained Monday after surrendering to authorities following a court order linked to a high-profile graft case that triggered widespread anti-corruption protests last year.

The anti-graft court ordered Estrada’s arrest on charges of plunder, a non-bailable offense under Philippine law. The Office of the Ombudsman had earlier charged the senator with allegedly receiving illicit kickbacks amounting to ₱573 million in connection with a corruption scandal involving public infrastructure projects.

Estrada, son of former President Joseph Estrada, was brought to a detention facility in Quezon City, where he will remain in custody pending trial.

Several co-accused individuals, including former public works minister Manuel Bonoan, were also taken into custody as part of the same case.

Speaking to reporters at the Senate before his surrender, Estrada said he would face the allegations in court and would not seek protection from arrest through the legislative institution.

“I am ready to defend myself before the court and I will not hide behind the institution to evade the process,” Estrada said.

The senator had posted bail last week in connection with a separate case.

The corruption controversy, linked to allegedly flawed flood-control projects across the country, fueled large-scale anti-corruption demonstrations in Manila last year and contributed to uncertainty that weighed on economic activity in recent quarters.

Estrada has previously faced imprisonment on corruption-related cases. His father, former President Joseph Estrada, became the first Philippine president convicted of plunder before later receiving executive clemency from his successor, former President Gloria Arroyo, allowing his return to public life.

Authorities have yet to announce the timetable for court proceedings in the plunder case.

Editor’s Note: This report is prepared for international distribution and includes material sourced from wire reporting, including Reuters.

Asia faces early heat wave, raising energy demand and climate concerns

Venus L Peñaflor
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Asia faces early heat wave, raising energy demand and climate concerns

MANILA, Philippines — Countries across Asia are experiencing an unusually early and intense heat wave, raising concerns over energy supply pressures, increased fossil fuel use, and broader climate-related risks as the region moves toward peak summer months.

Reports from multiple countries, including the Philippines, India, China, Japan, South Korea, and parts of Southeast Asia, indicate rising temperatures that have significantly increased electricity demand, particularly for cooling systems. The surge is placing strain on power grids, with utilities in some areas relying more heavily on coal and gas to meet consumption needs.

Energy analysts warn that the situation could slow progress in emissions reduction efforts, as higher demand for electricity often leads to increased fossil fuel generation in economies still dependent on conventional energy sources.

The heat wave is also raising concerns over potential water shortages, agricultural stress, and localized power interruptions, particularly in regions with weaker infrastructure and limited climate adaptation capacity.

Experts describe the trend as part of a broader climate-energy cycle, where extreme heat drives higher energy consumption, which in turn contributes to higher emissions that worsen long-term warming patterns.

Meteorological agencies have linked the early onset of extreme temperatures to shifting climate patterns, including the influence of El Niño conditions, which continue to affect weather variability across Asia.

Authorities in several countries have issued advisories urging the public to limit outdoor exposure, conserve electricity, and take precautions against heat-related illnesses as conditions are expected to persist in the coming weeks.


Kuwait caught in crossfire as US and Iran exchange fresh strikes

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Kuwait caught in crossfire as US and Iran exchange fresh strikes

DUBAI — Kuwait came under heightened security alert after Iran and the United States exchanged military strikes following U.S. attacks on Iranian targets, as a fragile ceasefire and diplomatic efforts struggle to contain a widening regional conflict.

Iran said it struck a U.S. air base in retaliation for American strikes over the weekend on its military facilities. Kuwait, meanwhile, reported coming under fire, prompting the activation of its air defense systems amid rising regional tensions.

Oil prices surged by more than 3% following the latest escalation, fueled further by Israel’s order to deploy additional troops into Lebanon against Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group. The developments are part of a broader conflict that reignited after the U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he believes Tehran still wants to reach a deal, but Iranian officials accused Washington of inconsistent positions and condemned Israeli operations in Lebanon, where a separate ceasefire is also in place.

“Violation on one front is a violation of the ceasefire on all fronts. The U.S. and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on X.

The conflict, which began with the U.S. and Israel’s military campaign on February 28, has killed thousands, mostly in Iran and Lebanon, and disrupted global energy markets after instability in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil and liquefied natural gas shipping route.

The U.S. military said it struck Iranian air defenses and command infrastructure in response to what it described as aggressive Iranian actions, including the downing of a U.S. drone over international waters.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted a U.S.-used air base in retaliation, though it did not specify the location. Kuwait activated air defenses following reports of missile and drone threats and condemned the attacks as undermining de-escalation efforts in the region.

The U.S. military said it intercepted two Iranian ballistic missiles aimed at American forces in Kuwait late Sunday. No casualties were reported.

In a social media post, Trump reiterated his belief that Iran is seeking a negotiated settlement.

“I will not yield to threats. I will not be intimidated. I will not be pressured into surrendering my independence of judgment,” he said, as political debate intensified over U.S. strategy toward Tehran.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry responded by accusing Washington of sending contradictory signals that are undermining negotiations.

“The other party is constantly changing its views and putting forward new or contradictory demands… it is natural that this situation will prolong negotiations,” spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said.

Iran also said Israeli actions in the region, including operations in Lebanon, cannot be separated from U.S. policy.

Trump faces growing domestic pressure over energy prices and geopolitical risks, including concerns over the Strait of Hormuz, while also navigating divisions within his political base over potential concessions to Tehran.

The U.S. says its main objective remains preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and demands the lifting of sanctions and the release of frozen oil revenues abroad.

Shipping stakeholders said any long-term de-escalation agreement would need clear guarantees to restore normal maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel’s war with Hezbollah in Lebanon continues to complicate diplomatic efforts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered expanded military operations in southern Lebanon and strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, which Israel described as Hezbollah strongholds.

The Israeli government accused Hezbollah of violating ceasefire terms agreed in late April.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held discussions with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Netanyahu regarding a proposed framework for gradual de-escalation, according to a U.S. official.

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