00:02Hello and welcome to One India. I am Pankaj Mishra and you are watching World News,
00:06the top stories. The claims of a Mossad official being assassinated inside Israel,
00:12a fresh warning from Iran to America's Gulf allies, shocking footage showing damage aboard
00:19America's most advanced aircraft carrier, Gerald R. Ford, and new efforts by British and France
00:26to reopen one of the world's most important shipping routes, the Strait of Harbuns.
00:32Let's begin. A mysterious claim is making headlines across the Middle East. A hacker
00:37group called Handala says a senior Israeli Mossad official was killed when a bomb exploded inside
00:44his personal vehicle. The group claims it tracked the official for months before carrying out the
00:49attack. So far, Israeli authorities have not confirmed the claim. But if true, it would
00:54raise serious questions about security inside Israel and whether Iranian-linked networks can
01:00operate deep within Israeli territory. For now, the story remains unverified, but it highlights
01:06how the shadow war between Israel and Iran may be moving beyond cyberattacks and into targeted operations.
01:14A new report has revealed the extent of Israel's covert operations during the 2026 war with Iran.
01:23According to an exclusive CNN investigation, Israel secretly deployed elite military and intelligence
01:31personnel to southern Azerbaijan, just miles from Iran's northern border. The report, citing multiple
01:38sources familiar with the operation, says several dozen Israeli operatives were positioned at various
01:45sites inside Azerbaijan during the conflict. Among them were members of Israel's Special Operations
01:52Forces, elite combat search and rescue units, and operatives from the Mossad Intelligence Agency.
01:59The closest reported positions were located roughly 60 miles from the Iranian city of Tabriz, one of the key
02:07targets of Israeli strikes during the war. Sources say the deployment was initially intended to
02:13support emergency rescue missions, including the recovery of downed Israeli pilots operating over
02:20Iranian territory. However, the mission reportedly expanded as the conflict intensified. Israeli personnel
02:27are said to have conducted intelligence-gathering operations, monitored military activity inside Iran,
02:34operated surveillance drones, and installed listening devices near the border. The report also
02:41suggests that the Azerbaijani positions formed part of a broader network of covert forward operating sites
02:48surrounding Iran. Additional locations were reportedly established in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and
02:56Somaliland, creating what analysts describe as a surveillance and rapid response ring around the Islamic Republic.
03:04Neither Israel nor Azerbaijan has officially confirmed the allegations. Azerbaijan has repeatedly denied
03:12allowing its territory to be used for military operations against Iran, maintaining that it remains neutral
03:19despite close economic and defense ties with Israel. The revelations are likely to increase tensions between
03:27Tehran and Baku. For years, Iran has accused Azerbaijan of facilitating Israeli intelligence activities near its
03:35borders, claims that Azerbaijani officials have consistently rejected. The report comes amid continued fallout from the
03:442026 Iran-Israel conflict, which dramatically reshaped security dynamics across the Middle East and the Caucasus. If confirmed, the
03:54deployment would represent one of Israel's closest known military footholds to Iranian territory during the war. The
04:03allegations also highlight the growing importance of intelligence, drone operations, and covert partnerships in
04:10modern regional conflicts. For now, neither government has publicly addressed the details of the report, but the
04:17revelations are expected to fuel fresh diplomatic and security concerns across the region.
04:30Iran is sending a strong message to America's partners in the Gulf. A military advisor to Iran's supreme leader has
04:36praised Qatar and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for what he called a balanced approach. But he issued a
04:43warning to the
04:44the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait. The advisor accused those countries of relying too heavily on American
04:50military power and reminded them of their support for Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war. His message
04:57was blunt. If these countries continue supporting policies hostile to Iran, they could face consequences
05:04after the current conflict ends. The statement underscores growing tensions between Iran and several
05:10Gulf monarchies as the region's security landscape continues to shift.
05:16A senior Iranian military advisor has issued a sharp warning to several Gulf nations amid rising regional
05:24tensions. Mohsin Rezaei, a senior advisor to Iran's supreme leader and former commander of the Islamic
05:31Revolutionary Guard Corps, reportedly warned the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait over their
05:38alignment with the United States. The statement circulated widely through video clips and social
05:44media platforms in early June 2026. In his remarks, Rezaei claimed that while some regional leaders are
05:52on the right path in history, others are still relying on what he described as declining American power. He
06:00specifically accused the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait of continuing to support U.S. strategic presence in
06:08the region and warned of consequences after the ongoing conflict ends. Rezaei also referenced historical
06:15tensions, including past Gulf support for Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war, framing it as part of Iran's
06:23long-standing grievances. At the same time, his comments appeared to draw a distinction,
06:29praising Qatar's leadership and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, suggesting a shifting regional
06:35alignment. The statement comes amid the broader 2025-2026 Iran-U.S.-Israel confrontation, which has
06:45significantly heightened tensions across the Gulf and the wider Middle East. Since the escalation began,
06:51Iran and its allies have exchanged strikes and threats with U.S. and Israeli forces, while Gulf states continue
06:59to host key American military installations. Iranian officials have repeatedly accused Gulf countries
07:06of enabling U.S. military operations from their territory, describing them as extensions of Western influence.
07:14The latest warning reflects Tehran's ongoing strategy of combining diplomatic outreach
07:20with hard-line messaging aimed at dividing Gulf Cooperation Council members. While no immediate
07:27military action has been announced, the rhetoric adds to already heightened fears of further escalation
07:33in an unstable region. Diplomatic channels remain active, but mistrust between Iran and several Gulf states
07:41continues to deepen, as tensions show no signs of easing. Now, newly released footage is revealing just how
07:49serious a fire was aboard America's newest aircraft carrier. Video from the USS Gerald R. Ford shows
07:55blackened compartments, melted equipment, and heavily damaged living areas after a fire broke out while the
08:02ship was deployed in the Red Sea. One sailor described the situation as fight or die and said he feared
08:10the
08:10Navy could lose the ship. Even more concerning, reports suggest parts of the vessel's fire suppression
08:17system failed during the emergency. The USS Gerald R. Ford is one of the most advanced warships ever built,
08:25making these revelations particularly significant and concerning too for the US Navy.
08:31A major fire aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, the US Navy's newest and largest aircraft carrier,
08:40has come under renewed scrutiny after new reporting revealed the scale of the incident was far greater
08:47than initially disclosed. The fire broke out on March 12, 2026, in the ship's aft laundry area,
08:56while the carrier was operating in the Red Sea as part of Operation Epic Fury. According to later
09:03investigations and exclusive footage, the blaze is believed to have started in a dryer vent before
09:09rapidly spreading through ventilation systems into nearby compartments. Initial Navy statements described
09:17the incident as contained and quickly managed. However, new reports show the situation escalated far beyond
09:24those early assessments. Sailors reportedly battled the fire manually for more than 30 hours after the
09:32ship's fire suppression system failed to activate as expected. One crew member described the ordeal as
09:39fight or die, highlighting the intensity and danger faced on board. The fire caused extensive damage to
09:47berthing areas, including destroyed bunks, melted ceilings, exposed wiring, and heavy smoke contamination. More than
09:56600 sailors were reportedly displaced, forced to sleep in makeshift conditions for weeks after the incident.
10:04Dozens of crew members suffered smoke inhalation injuries, while others sustained minor cuts and related
10:11injuries during the emergency response. Despite the severity of the fire, the Navy stated that the carrier
10:18remained operational with no damage to propulsion or nuclear systems. The USS Gerald R. Ford later diverted
10:27to ports in the Mediterranean for repairs before eventually returning to its home base in Virginia.
10:33The U.S. Navy has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, including possible equipment
10:40failure, maintenance issues, and operational strain during the carrier's extended deployment in high
10:47tension regions. CNN's exclusive footage released months later has raised new questions about transparency
10:55and the true extent of the damage. While no fatalities were reported, the incident has sparked renewed
11:02concern over readiness and resilience of even the most advanced warships during prolonged deployments in
11:09high-tension regions. Investigations remain ongoing. Britain and France are preparing to lead an
11:17international mission to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway is one of the world's most
11:22important energy and trade routes, but shipping traffic has slowed dramatically following recent clashes
11:28between the United States and Iran. Military planners from several countries are reportedly ready to begin
11:34clearing naval mines believed to have been deployed by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. President Donald Trump
11:40says most of the threat has already been dealt with and predicts the Strait could reopen quickly if
11:47negotiations with Iran succeed. But Tehran says talks have made little progress, meaning uncertainty remains
11:54over when normal shipping can fully resume. For global markets though, the Strait of Hormuz remains one of
12:01the most important geopolitical flashpoints to watch.
12:06The war may be slowing down, but the danger remains hidden beneath the water. Even if diplomats secure a deal,
12:14and even if the guns fall silent, one of the world's most critical waterways remains littered with a threat
12:21capable of disrupting global trade overnight. Now, Britain and France are preparing for what could
12:28become one of the largest mine-clearing operations in recent history. A multinational mission aimed at
12:35reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and restoring confidence in a route that carries a significant
12:40share of the world's energy supplies. According to reports, the United Kingdom and France have finalized
12:47plans to lead an international naval operation to remove mines laid during the recent Iran crisis.
12:55The mission would only begin after a formal agreement between the United States and Iran
13:00guarantees safe navigation through the Strait. But military planners are already preparing,
13:07and the scale is substantial. Roughly 15 countries have reportedly committed personnel,
13:13minesweepers, unmanned underwater vehicles, and support ships. The coalition is expected to operate
13:20under a multinational framework, with command responsibilities rotating between British and
13:26French naval forces. Both countries bring extensive experience. Their navies have conducted mine
13:32countermeasure operations across the Gulf, Red Sea, and other strategically important waterways.
13:38This mission, however, presents a unique challenge. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most vital
13:45maritime choke points on Earth. Nearly one-fifth of global seaborne oil trade normally passes through
13:52these narrow waters. Any disruption, even temporary, can have immediate consequences for fuel prices,
13:59shipping costs, and global markets. The crisis began earlier this year,
14:04as tensions escalated between Washington and Tehran. Iran reportedly mined sections of the strait.
14:11The move dramatically reduced shipping traffic, forced tankers to seek alternative routes,
14:17and contributed to significant volatility in global energy markets. Some shipping companies responded by
14:23taking extraordinary measures. Reports suggest several firms began paying substantial transit fees,
14:30sometimes exceeding hundreds of thousands of dollars for escorted passage through the region.
14:36A reflection of just how costly uncertainty has become. The planned mine clearing operation aims to
14:43restore unrestricted navigation, and reassure commercial shipping that the route is safe once again.
14:50But removing the mines will not be simple. Modern naval mines can remain active for extended periods.
14:57Many are difficult to detect, and some may drift from their original locations. Military planners expect the
15:05operation to take weeks or even months, depending on the final number and type of mines encountered.
15:12Analysts warn that political agreements alone will not solve the problem. Even after a ceasefire,
15:18the physical threat beneath the water could persist. Residual mines, unexploded ordnance,
15:24and the possibility of interference from armed groups all remain concerns. For Europe, the mission carries
15:30broader significance. The leadership role assumed by Britain and France signals a desire for greater
15:37European involvement in Gulf security, at a time when energy markets remain fragile and strategic
15:43competition continues to intensify. The operation is being described as humanitarian, focused entirely on
15:51maritime safety and freedom of navigation. But its success will depend heavily on the durability of
15:57any political agreement between Washington and Tehran. For now, the plans are ready, the ships are
16:03waiting, and the world is watching one narrow stretch of water. Because before global trade can fully return,
16:10someone must first clear the path. So those are the top international stories making headlines around the
16:17world today. From the Israel-Iran shadow conflict to tensions in the Gulf, challenges facing the U.S. Navy,
16:24and the future of global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. These developments could have consequences
16:30far beyond the Middle East.
16:32I am Pankaj Mishra.
16:33Thanks for watching World News.
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