COMBATE Digest - July 12, 2026 12:01 UTC

🌍 WEST ASIA

UPDATE: Iran Strikes US Bases Across the Middle East in Massive Retaliation

Following US strikes on its southern coast, the Iranian Armed Forces launched a coordinated wave of drone and ballistic missile attacks against US military infrastructure across five regional nations. Iranian forces utilized Qadr, Emad, Kheibar Shekan, Fateh 110, and Zolfaghar missiles in the operation (farsna). Confirmed targets included the US command center and MQ-9 drone hangars at Prince Hassan Air Base in Jordan (sepah_pasdaran), a fighter maintenance and control center at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar (tabzlive), a Patriot air defense battery and radar station at Ali Al-Salem base in Kuwait (lantidiplomatico), the US 5th Fleet headquarters in Bahrain (farsna), and US naval refueling and logistics platforms at the Port of Duqm in Oman (ResistanceLounge).

UPDATE: CENTCOM Completes Third Wave of Strikes on Iran

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the completion of its third round of strikes against Iran this week. US military aircraft, watercraft, and UAVs struck 140 targets, including missile and drone sites, naval capabilities, ammunition depots, communications networks, and coastal surveillance systems (rt_spanish_rss). CENTCOM stated the bombardments were intended to degrade Iran's ability to strike vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz (tabzlive).

Qatar Bans Hormuz Traffic as Oman Proposes Maritime Corridors

The Qatari Ministry of Transport ordered all vessels, including commercial ships, yachts, and fishing boats, to suspend navigation and maritime activities in the Strait of Hormuz until further notice due to the escalating military conflict (farsna). Concurrently, during negotiations in Muscat, Oman proposed dividing the strait into two separate maritime corridors. Under the proposal, the southern route would pass through Omani territorial waters for unrestricted navigation, while the northern route would traverse Iranian waters (guerrasygeo).

Former Emir of Qatar Dies

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar who ruled for 18 years and is the father of the current emir, died at the age of 74. The Qatari government announced four days of public mourning (sputnikindia_rss).

🌍 NORTH AMERICA

US Senator Lindsey Graham Dies Suddenly

US Senator Lindsey Graham died of a "sudden illness" following a cardiac arrest at his Capitol Hill residence in Washington, D.C. Paramedics were dispatched to his home late Saturday night and transported him to an ambulance via stretcher (farsna). Iranian state television announced the news by stating the "anti-Iranian senator has gone to hell" (guerrasygeo). Former US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both issued statements expressing deep sorrow over the loss of a close ally (irna_1313), (irna_1313). Meanwhile, Senator Mitch McConnell was also hospitalized for cardiac arrest (akhbarefori).

Trump Altered Travel Plans Over Reported Iranian Threat

US officials perceived a potential threat from Iran against Donald Trump, prompting the former US president to use an older jet to return home from the NATO summit in Turkey, rather than his standard aircraft (tass_rss).

🌍 EUROPE

Russia Strikes Ukrainian Port Infrastructure

Russian forces conducted overnight strikes using precision long-range missiles and drones against Ukrainian port infrastructure in Odessa and Chernomorsk. The Russian Defense Ministry stated the attacks targeted military cargo, fuel storage sites, and transport vessels operating in the Black Sea (rt_french_rss).

German Chancellor Placed on Iranian Revenge List

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz received a death threat from Tehran after his portrait appeared on an Iranian newspaper's website alongside other Western politicians. The image depicted the officials in prison uniforms accompanied by a threatening message (rtde_live_rss).

EU Official Calls for Joint European Army

Manfred Weber, head of the center-right conservative faction in the European Parliament, called on European NATO members to establish joint European defense structures to reduce their military dependence on the United States (irna_1313).

🌍 SOUTH AMERICA

Venezuela Earthquake Death Toll Surpasses 4,300

The death toll from the devastating June 24 twin earthquakes in Venezuela has reached 4,333. Jorge Rodríguez, President of the National Assembly, confirmed the updated figures, adding that 16,740 people were injured and 1,000 remain missing after the tremors leveled entire areas of the coastal state of La Guaira (irna_1313).

🌍 AFRICA

African Nations Form Cocoa Alliance to End Raw Exports

Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, and Ghana announced plans to form the Cocoa Value Addition Alliance. The Nigerian Minister of State for Industry stated the initiative is designed to develop local processing capabilities and ultimately end the export of raw cocoa beans from the continent (sputnikafrica_fr_rss).

🌍 EAST ASIA

North Korea Criticizes NATO Expansion

The North Korean Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning NATO for expanding its influence eastward into the Asia-Pacific region. Pyongyang accused the alliance of supporting neo-Nazi forces, worsening the security situation in Europe, and destabilizing global security through massive military spending (sputnikvietnam_rss).

💬 NOTABLE QUOTES

"The era of one-sided agreements is over. We told you: comply with your promises and commitments, otherwise you will have to pay the price. Now you have to face reality." — Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament (meo_verified)

"Israel lost one of its greatest friends. America lost a great patriot. I lost a dear friend." — Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister (irna_1313)