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NATO to Massively Increase High-readiness Forces to 300,000

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg attends a NATO foreign ministers meeting, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium April 7, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg attends a NATO foreign ministers meeting, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium April 7, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool
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NATO to Massively Increase High-readiness Forces to 300,000

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg attends a NATO foreign ministers meeting, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium April 7, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg attends a NATO foreign ministers meeting, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium April 7, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool

NATO will increase the number of its forces at high readiness massively to over 300,000, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday.

"We will transform the NATO response force and increase the number of our high readiness forces to well over 300,000," he told reporters ahead of a NATO summit in Madrid later this week in Madrid.

NATO's quick reaction force, the NATO response force, so far has some 40,000 troops.

At the Madrid summit, NATO will also change its language on Russia that in the alliance's last strategy from 2010 was still described as a strategic partner.

"That will not be the case in the strategic concept that we will agree in Madrid," Reuters quoted Stoltenberg as saying.

"I expect that allies will state clearly that Russia poses a direct threat to our security, to our values, to the rules-based international order."

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Strikes Hit Iran’s Island of Qeshm

This frame grab taken from AFPTV video footage on July 12, 2026 shows cargo ships anchoring near the Strait of Hormuz off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates at Khor Fakkan.(AFPTV/AFP)
This frame grab taken from AFPTV video footage on July 12, 2026 shows cargo ships anchoring near the Strait of Hormuz off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates at Khor Fakkan.(AFPTV/AFP)
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Strikes Hit Iran’s Island of Qeshm

This frame grab taken from AFPTV video footage on July 12, 2026 shows cargo ships anchoring near the Strait of Hormuz off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates at Khor Fakkan.(AFPTV/AFP)
This frame grab taken from AFPTV video footage on July 12, 2026 shows cargo ships anchoring near the Strait of Hormuz off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates at Khor Fakkan.(AFPTV/AFP)

Projectiles hit Iran's Gulf island of Qeshm near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, Iran's state broadcaster reported, citing local officials who blamed the United States.

"At 19:00, a location on Qeshm Island was struck by projectiles from the American enemy," Hormozgan governor's office said, according to IRIB.

Fars news agency earlier reported that explosions were heard on the island, amid renewed hostilities between the US and Iran.

"Around 6:45 pm, the sound of several explosions was heard on Qeshm Island," Fars said. "In recent days, the Masan area of Qeshm has been attacked several times by the American enemy".

It comes after the US launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran and Trump vowed to reimpose a naval blockade on Iran, prompting Tehran to respond with strikes on targets in countries around the region.

The US military earlier said it had hit targets across Iran including in the port cities of Bushehr and Bandar Abbas to "degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial shipping".

Iran hit two ships in the Strait of Hormuz, killing a crew member, according to the United Arab Emirates.

A Norwegian tanker was also hit by an explosion caused by an unidentified device off the Omani coast early Tuesday, the crisis response company MTI Network said.

World

Return to US-Iran Hostilities Is Huge Setback for Civilians, UN Rights Chief Says

An aircraft prepares to land aboard the USS George H.W. Bush, at an unknown location, released July 14, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. US Central Command (CENTCOM)/Handout via Reuters
An aircraft prepares to land aboard the USS George H.W. Bush, at an unknown location, released July 14, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. US Central Command (CENTCOM)/Handout via Reuters
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Return to US-Iran Hostilities Is Huge Setback for Civilians, UN Rights Chief Says

An aircraft prepares to land aboard the USS George H.W. Bush, at an unknown location, released July 14, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. US Central Command (CENTCOM)/Handout via Reuters
An aircraft prepares to land aboard the USS George H.W. Bush, at an unknown location, released July 14, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. US Central Command (CENTCOM)/Handout via Reuters

The United Nations human rights chief said on Tuesday the resumption of hostilities between the United States and ‌Iran was ‌a huge ‌setback ⁠for civilians in ⁠the region, and he urged restraint.

"The return to wider hostilities in the ⁠Middle East ‌between the ‌US and Iran ‌is a huge ‌setback for civilians in the region and beyond. It undermines ‌peace efforts and deepens instability, with grave ⁠risks ⁠for human rights across the entire region," the UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk said in a statement.

Iran fired missiles at Jordan and Bahrain on Tuesday after the United States launched a five-hour attack on Iranian targets, stepping up a battle for control of the Strait of Hormuz that has pushed up oil prices to four-week highs.

US forces carried out waves of attacks for the third night in a row after Tehran said it had closed the strait, prompting US President Donald Trump to reinstate a blockade of Iranian shipping.

Iran hit back by attacking a Jordan with ballistic missiles while Bahrain said it had fended off an Iranian aerial attack. Jordan said it had shot down four ballistic missiles and explosions were heard in Manama, Bahrain's capital.

The worsening attacks have increased doubts that a memorandum of understanding signed last month will lead to a permanent halt in the war, which has disrupted global energy supplies and raised fears of a rise in inflation globally.

World

Netanyahu Says Israel Will Deliver ‘Decisive Blow’ if Iran Attacks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Operation Entebbe at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, July 12, 2026. (Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Operation Entebbe at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, July 12, 2026. (Reuters)
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Netanyahu Says Israel Will Deliver ‘Decisive Blow’ if Iran Attacks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Operation Entebbe at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, July 12, 2026. (Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on during a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Operation Entebbe at the President's Residence in Jerusalem, July 12, 2026. (Reuters)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Tuesday to strike powerfully against Iran if it staged a new attack on his country.

"I will say it to the leaders of Iran: Do not count on things remaining quiet if you attack us," Netanyahu said at a conference in Dimona.

The southern town hosts a facility officially dedicated to nuclear research but is widely believed to house Israel's undeclared nuclear arsenal.

"The days are over when someone strikes us and we don't hit back with a decisive blow," Netanyahu added.

He said the strikes would be more powerful than the ones carried out jointly with key ally the United States earlier this year.

"Do not count on a rerun," Netanyahu said, referring to the previous attacks on Iran, according to a video released by his office.

"Because it will not be a rerun, and that was already powerful enough. This will be a different event, much more powerful."

Netanyahu's threat came amid new US strikes on Iran and as US President Donald Trump vowed to reimpose a blockade on Iranian ports.

US strikes on Tuesday also hit the Iranian port city of Bushehr, which hosts Tehran's only civilian nuclear plant.

In retaliation to US strikes that began three days ago, Iran has launched missiles targeting US allies in the region.