Top 5 International News Stories
The United States military has stated that its forces fired upon and disabled an Iranian-flagged tanker heading to an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman. The incident occurred after the vessel ignored warnings that it was violating the US naval blockade.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that a US Navy fighter jet fired several rounds from a 20mm cannon, disabling the tanker M/T Hasna on Wednesday (6/5) local time.
In addition to this news, here are the international stories that caught the attention of detikcom readers today, Thursday (7/5/2026):
- Japan Fires Missiles in Military Exercise, China Furious!
Japan’s military fired missiles, sinking an old warship in waters between the Philippines and Taiwan. This was part of a large-scale military exercise involving US forces. The action immediately angered the Chinese government.
The launch of two Type-88 surface-to-ship missiles on Wednesday local time was part of exercises in the Philippines involving US, Australian, Philippine, and Japanese forces, as well as contingents from France, New Zealand, and Canada.
According to AFP news agency on Thursday (7/5/2026), Japan’s and the Philippines’ defence ministers observed the launch in northern Ilocos Norte province, about 400 kilometres (250 miles) from Taiwan, said an AFP reporter at the scene.
- Trump Confident on Deal with Iran, Threatens Further Attacks if It Fails
US President Donald Trump stated that he is confident a deal with Iran is “very possible.” However, he threatened to continue attacks on the country if negotiations fail.
Despite the US leader’s optimism, the Iranian government has not responded to the new US proposal, with its chief negotiator warning that Washington is trying to force Tehran to “surrender.”
According to Al Arabiya English on Thursday (7/5/2026), Trump wrote on social media on Wednesday (6/5) local time that if “Iran agrees to give what has been agreed,” the war will end, but if not, bombing will continue at a much higher level and intensity.
- UAE-Bahrain Urge UN Security Council to Act on Iranian Attacks
The governments of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain have condemned recent Iranian attacks on the UAE and called for a “credible, unified, and firm response from the international community, and particularly from the United Nations Security Council.”
Speaking to reporters ahead of closed-door UN Security Council talks requested by Bahrain, Bahrain’s Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei reaffirmed “full solidarity with the UAE” and condemned “Iran’s attack on the UAE on 4 May.”
“Regional security is indivisible, and such attacks must be stopped immediately… these attacks require a credible, unified, and firm response from the international community and particularly the Security Council,” Alrowaiei said, according to Al Arabiya on Thursday (7/5/2026).
- At It Again, Israeli Soldier Puts Cigarette in Mouth of Virgin Mary Statue
Israeli soldiers have acted out again. A photo circulated of an Israeli soldier putting a cigarette in the mouth of a Virgin Mary statue in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military stated on Thursday (7/5) that they would investigate it.
A photo showing an Israeli soldier with one arm around the Virgin Mary statue and his hand placing a cigarette in the statue’s mouth spread widely on social media on Wednesday (6/5).
When asked for their response to the photo, the Israeli military said they “view the incident very seriously and emphasise that the soldier’s behaviour is completely contrary to the values expected of its personnel.”
- Tense! US Fires on Iranian-Flagged Tanker in Gulf of Oman
The United States military has stated that its forces fired upon and disabled an Iranian-flagged tanker heading to an Iranian port in the Gulf of Oman. The incident occurred after the vessel ignored warnings that it was violating the US naval blockade.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that a US Navy fighter jet fired several rounds from a 20mm cannon, disabling the tanker M/T Hasna on Wednesday (6/5) morning local time.
“After the crew failed to comply with repeated warnings, US forces disabled the tanker’s steering by firing several rounds from a 20mm cannon from a US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft launched from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Hasna is no longer transiting to Iran,” CENTCOM said, according to Al Arabiya on Thursday (7/5/2026).