In an initial statement, the military reported that warning sirens had sounded in the area of Sasa and surrounding communities after systems detected what was believed to be a hostile aircraft entering Israeli airspace.

Following an assessment, the military said the alert had been caused by a mistaken identification and that no hostile aerial object had entered the area.
“The sirens warning of a hostile aircraft infiltration were determined to have been a false identification,” the military said in a statement.

No injuries or damage were reported.

The incident occurred as Israel remains on heightened alert due to continuing regional security tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran and recent missile and drone activity across the region.

False alarms have become increasingly sensitive security events as Israeli air-defense and early-warning systems operate under elevated readiness conditions amid concerns over potential aerial threats, including drones, missiles and other unmanned platforms.

Israeli authorities did not provide further details regarding the nature of the misidentification or the systems involved in triggering the alert.

Speaking at the Tel Aviv Conference in Tel Aviv, Huckabee said Israel had assisted the UAE’s air defenses amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing uncertainty surrounding the fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel.

“Israel just sent them Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help operate them,” Huckabee said, praising the UAE as the first Gulf state to normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords.
The UAE did not immediately comment on Huckabee’s remarks.

The disclosure underscores increasingly open military coordination between Israel and Gulf Arab states that share concerns over Iran’s regional influence and missile capabilities.

Regional tensions remain elevated despite the current ceasefire, with concerns continuing over security in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil shipping route long viewed as vulnerable to disruption during confrontations involving Tehran.

Huckabee also expressed optimism that additional Middle Eastern countries could join the Abraham Accords, which established formal diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab states, including Bahrain.

The accords, brokered in 2020, reshaped regional alignments by fostering economic, diplomatic and security ties between Israel and Arab governments concerned about Iran’s expanding influence.

However, broader normalization efforts across the Arab world have been complicated by Israel’s military operations following the Hamas-led attacks in 2023 and the continuing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.

Huckabee said Gulf governments increasingly viewed Iran, rather than Israel, as the more immediate regional security threat.

In a written message read on Iranian state television, Khamenei said Iran’s scientific and military capabilities, including its nuclear and missile programs, formed part of the country’s sovereign identity and would be defended like its territorial integrity.

“Ninety million proud and honorable Iranians inside and outside the country regard all of Iran’s identity-based, spiritual, human, scientific, industrial and technological capacities from nanotechnology and biotechnology to nuclear and missile capabilities as national assets,” he said.

He added that Iranians would protect those capabilities “just as they protect the country’s waters, land and airspace.”Khamenei has led Iran since Feb. 28, following an airstrike that killed his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, during the early phase of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran.

In his statement, he also sharply criticized the U.S. military presence in the Gulf region, saying the only place Americans belonged in the Arabian Gulf was “at the bottom of its waters.”“By God’s help and power, the bright future of the Arabian Gulf region will be a future without America,” he said, adding that regional prosperity should be determined by neighboring states rather than outside powers.

His comments came as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively under Iranian control following weeks of confrontation, severely disrupting global energy shipments through the strategic waterway that previously handled about one-fifth of world oil supply.

The remarks followed reports that Washington is advancing plans for an international naval coalition to reopen the strait and secure maritime transit after the conflict.According to a U.S. State Department cable seen by Reuters, Washington has invited partner countries to join a proposed coalition called the Maritime Freedom Construct (MFC), aimed at restoring shipping access and building what it described as a post-conflict maritime security framework for the Middle East.

“The MFC constitutes a critical first step in the establishment of a post-conflict maritime security architecture for the Middle East,” the cable said.France, Britain and other allied governments have discussed contributing to such an initiative but indicated they would only participate in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after active hostilities end.

Oil prices have remained volatile amid fears of prolonged disruption to Gulf shipping routes, with energy markets closely watching whether diplomatic efforts can reduce tensions between Washington and Tehran.

In an interview with CNN, Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine has so far experienced no disruption in the delivery of such systems or related intelligence support, but cautioned that an extended Middle East conflict could place existing supply arrangements under pressure.

He noted that Ukraine has secured portions of its U.S. weaponry through a program under which NATO countries finance purchases for Kyiv, enabling access to critical systems including anti-ballistic missiles for Patriot platforms.

“Through this program, we can include and buy anti-ballistic missiles for Patriot systems and some other weapons which is very important for us,” Zelenskiy said, adding that similar mechanisms were not available through European partners.

The Ukrainian leader emphasized that U.S. supply volumes remain limited due to constrained production capacity, acknowledging that Washington has provided only a relatively small number of such systems.“We understand why, because the production in the United States is not so big,” he said, warning that delays in de-escalation or ceasefire efforts in the Middle East could exacerbate supply risks.

Zelenskiy also highlighted Ukraine’s growing role in sharing military expertise abroad, particularly in countering drone threats. He said Kyiv had signed agreements with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to provide training and technical know-how developed during its conflict with Russia, where Iranian-designed drones have been widely deployed.

He added that Ukraine intends to expand such cooperation with other countries, focusing initially on knowledge transfer and training missions.

The refinery attack triggered fires that emergency and firefighting teams were working to contain, the company said in a statement carried by state media. No injuries were reported, and operations were being monitored closely, including air quality in surrounding areas, which officials said showed no immediate environmental impact.

Earlier, Kuwait’s military said its air defense systems were engaging incoming missile and drone threats.

The Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy said a separate strike hit a power and desalination plant, causing material damage to parts of the facility. Emergency teams were deployed under contingency plans to maintain operations and secure infrastructure.

Kuwait has faced repeated missile and drone attacks since the outbreak of conflict involving Iran and its regional adversaries, increasing pressure on critical energy and utility infrastructure.

The latest strikes highlight the growing risk to energy supply chains and essential services in the Gulf, even as authorities seek to contain damage and maintain operational continuity.

The visit comes at a time when both nations are working to enhance security coordination in response to evolving regional challenges. Hegseth’s agenda includes discussions with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and a tour of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which remains a symbol of both division and peace efforts on the Korean peninsula.

During his stay, Hegseth will take part in the annual Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), an important platform where defense leaders from both countries review the status of their military cooperation and plan for future joint strategies.

The discussions are expected to focus on ensuring continued stability in the region and on ways to improve combined defense readiness in light of modern security threats.

Both sides are set to reaffirm their commitment to a robust defense partnership that has safeguarded peace for decades. This year’s talks will emphasize new areas of cooperation, including cyber defense, missile technology, and regional security initiatives.

Officials also plan to discuss adapting the alliance to address the changing security environment in the Indo-Pacific, including challenges posed by emerging military technologies and shifting power dynamics.

Washington is considering ways to make the role of the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea more flexible and dynamic. The idea is to ensure they can effectively respond to a broader range of regional scenarios while maintaining strong deterrence on the peninsula.

This initiative aligns with a broader U.S. strategy to strengthen defense partnerships across Asia in response to regional developments. South Korea, while maintaining its priority of defending its territory, has also taken steps to expand its own defense capabilities through new investments and modernization programs.

Over the past two decades, South Korea has built one of the most advanced military forces in the region, with around 450,000 active personnel and world-class defense technology.

The government is planning one of the largest defense budget increases in years for 2026. This step is intended to further strengthen self-defense capacity and share the responsibility of maintaining regional peace.

Both nations share the view that maintaining a balanced and stable Indo-Pacific region is essential for long-term prosperity. The alliance between the United States and South Korea remains one of the strongest military partnerships in the world, based on shared democratic values and mutual trust.

Hegseth’s visit also highlights the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing shared challenges such as missile threats, cyberattacks, and maritime security.

A symbolic moment of the trip will be Hegseth’s visit to the Panmunjom truce village in the DMZ, where he will be joined by South Korea’s Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back. The site stands as a reminder of past tensions but also as a place of hope for peace and reconciliation.

Despite regional challenges, the United States and South Korea continue to pursue diplomatic engagement and defense readiness to ensure peace and stability on the peninsula.

Hegseth’s meetings are expected to reinforce mutual understanding, strengthen coordination, and set a positive tone for future defense collaboration.

Both leaders are determined to preserve peace and stability in the region through deterrence, cooperation, and innovation.

The visit underlines a shared belief that lasting peace can only be achieved through unity, preparedness, and partnership.

The Pakistani military had launched missiles and drones aimed at at least 15 Indian cities, including Jammu, Jaisalmer, and Pathankot. However, India’s robust defense apparatus, including the S-400 missile system and advanced drone countermeasures, successfully intercepted the threats, averting significant damage or casualties.

As a defensive measure, blackouts were imposed in key Indian border cities—Srinagar, Jammu, Rajouri, Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Bhuj—to prevent visibility to enemy drones and safeguard civilians.

In a calibrated response, India deployed kamikaze drones and neutralized a Pakistani air defense system in Lahore, striking deep within Pakistani territory. Other military targets, including air defense radars in Sialkot and Islamabad, were also engaged.

The Indian Ministry of Defence confirmed, “In response to an unprovoked and unsuccessful attack by the Pakistani military, our armed forces have taken precise and measured action to ensure deterrence and defense.”

The confrontation follows Wednesday’s Operation Sindoor, during which India struck nine high-value terror targets across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including in Bahawalpur, a known hub for the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group. The operation was carried out after a brutal terror attack in Pahalgam killed Indian security personnel and civilians.

Pakistan, for its part, resorted to ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmir—a familiar escalation tactic—but Indian border forces responded swiftly and effectively to protect civilian populations.

Analysts warn that while India’s response remains tactical and targeted, the situation remains volatile.

“There is clearly a shift in India’s posture,” said a regional security analyst. “The Indian government is signaling that attacks on its soil will not go unanswered.”

As night fell across the subcontinent, both sides remained on high alert. Yet the scars of recent violence, especially the Pahalgam attack, remain fresh—fueling public support in India for a firm and decisive response.

Whether this marks a turning point in Indo-Pak relations or a dangerous step toward broader conflict, one thing is certain: the region stands at a fragile crossroads, with diplomacy and restraint now more critical than ever.