5 Top International News Stories Today
A United States F-15 fighter jet pilot, rescued after being shot down in Iran last April, has provided startling testimony. He reported seeing Iranian drones form a formation resembling a ‘jellyfish’ before he ejected from the jet. The pilot’s account, disclosed by four sources familiar with the matter and previously unreported, was given to US intelligence officials during a briefing after the incident. It immediately sparked a fierce debate within the US intelligence community, which remains unresolved.
In other news, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the United States ‘very naive’ for believing Iran would abandon its nuclear programme and signalled that Tel Aviv ‘may act alone’ against Tehran. ‘America is very naive if it thinks Iran will abandon its nuclear programme and cancel it, and give up their dreams of destroying Israel,’ the hardline minister said in an interview with Israel’s Channel 7.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio firmly stated that Washington will not accept Iranian tariffs on the Strait of Hormuz. Disputes over the vital waterway, nuclear inspections, and missiles have been a source of tension in negotiations to end the war in the Middle East. Washington and Tehran have signed a preliminary agreement to halt the conflict and completed a first round of talks in Switzerland, opening a 60-day negotiation period on sanctions relief, Iran’s nuclear programme, and the future of the strait.
The US Senate passed a resolution calling for an end to President Donald Trump’s war against Iran, delivering a new rebuke to the White House as it attempts to negotiate a settlement. The bill, passed by the House of Representatives, was approved by the Senate in a 50-48 vote. It directs Trump to withdraw US forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress explicitly authorises military action, though the measure is largely symbolic as it does not go to Trump’s desk for signature.
Denmark’s government announced it will begin deploying conscripts to Greenland, the autonomous Danish territory coveted by President Trump. Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said conscripts will be deployed alongside professional soldiers and will participate fully in all missions, responding to parliamentary questions. Danish media previously reported the military was considering the deployment as it has strengthened its presence in response to pressure from the United States.