A major escalation has been reported in the Middle East conflict as Iran carried out a drone strike targeting the European Union mission headquarters in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. The attack hit the Al Rasheed Hotel, where the European Union mission is based. The drone reportedly struck the upper floors of the building, causing a powerful explosion, though no casualties have been confirmed so far. Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its military operations in Lebanon, launching fresh airstrikes in Beirut that reportedly targeted residential areas and caused significant damage. At the same time, Iran continued its retaliation by firing missiles toward Israel, with Israeli defense systems claiming to have intercepted several of them over Tel Aviv. Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz remain high, impacting global oil and gas supplies. US President Donald Trump has urged countries like China, Japan, and South Korea to help secure the route, though his statements on seeking assistance have appeared inconsistent. In another development, Iran launched fresh missile strikes near Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, prompting authorities to temporarily close airspace amid rising security concerns.


