US Strikes Iran as Gulf States Caught in Crossfire
CENTCOM hits drone sites in Iran; Kuwait intercepts missiles as Macron demands Hormuz reopening.
US Strikes Iran as Gulf States Caught in Crossfire — US Central Command struck drone command and control sites in Goruk and Qeshm Island over the weekend, the military announced. Iran's Revolutionary Guards retaliated by attacking a US air base in southern Iran. Kuwait, hosting a large American base, reported intercepting missiles and drones over its territory during the exchanges.[^1] French President Emmanuel Macron demanded the unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, calling for a swift US-Iran agreement.[^2] The US Army, however, has already begun secretly smuggling ships through the strait, not waiting for negotiations.[^3] Meanwhile, Iran rapidly rebuilt military infrastructure after previous strikes, with 50 of 69 blocked entrances to underground shelters cleared, according to reports.[^4] Experts quoted by CNN noted the limited effectiveness of the bombings and the high survivability of Iran's missile arsenal.[^5] The global Corruption Perceptions Index fell to 42 out of 100, with Iran and Russia among the worst performers.[^6] In Gaza, the Health Ministry announced two martyrs and 40 injuries in the past 24 hours, bringing totals since the October 11 ceasefire to 932 martyrs and 2,859 injuries. Civil Defense spokesman Major Mahmoud Basal warned of catastrophic humanitarian deterioration.[^7] Kuwaiti journalist Ahmed Al-Jarallah wrote that Hamas leadership is driven by corrupt economic interests and does not want peace, noting the group did not condemn Iranian attacks on Arab Gulf states. The question now: can diplomacy catch up with the military momentum, or will the Strait of Hormuz remain a flashpoint? From Kosher Michelin Stars to a Bus to Hel: Lifestyle Oddities — Kamerin Rene, a 22-year-old content creator, was airlifted from Mount Whitney after falling ill at around 13,000 feet—a stark reminder of the risks of high-altitude trekking.[^1] Meanwhile, in Miami, the kosher restaurant Mutra, led by Israeli chef Raz Shabtai, became the first strictly religious establishment to earn a Michelin star, marking a milestone for kosher cuisine.[^2] In Poland, FlixBus is reviving route 666 to the coastal town of Hel, a number changed to 669 in June