The Media Line

This year, Purim in Israel is celebrated inside shelters, with sirens interrupting festivities as Iranian missiles target cities. Despite the danger, the resilience of Israelis shines through.

As Israel confronts Iran, the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange climbs, driven by optimism for reduced geopolitical risk and market resilience.

Regional security officials say cross-border threats could intensify for Central Asia and Pakistan as armed groups expand their footprint.

Across the border, two analysts describe a situation shaped not only by military maneuvers, but also by eroding trust, weak institutions, and a profound uncertainty about what comes next.

According to the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency, the Assembly of Experts building in Qom was targeted in a missile strike, with images on social media suggesting the building had been destroyed.

Officials said seven of those detained had been assigned to gather intelligence on critical and military sites across the country. The remaining three were allegedly preparing acts of sabotage.

Trump's announcement came as oil and gas prices climbed amid concerns about shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between Oman and Iran that is vital to global supply.

The narrow waterway between Oman and Iran is a critical artery for global energy supplies. In 2025, roughly 13 million barrels of oil moved through the channel each day.

Gulf governments emphasize sovereignty and civilian protection as Iran-aligned actors frame the confrontation as external aggression

The US military has so far confirmed the deaths of only six service members, three of whom were killed in an attack on a US military base in Kuwait.