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The US military struck Iranian air defence and radar sites near the Strait of Hormuz after an American Apache helicopter was downed, with Iran's IRGC claiming retaliatory strikes on 21 US military targets in Bahrain and Jordan.

This comes as the EU moves to sanction Russia's Patriarch Kirill, and a new poll found just 11% of Europeans now view the US as an ally.

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2️⃣ 🇺🇸🇪🇺 European trust in US security guarantee hits historic low: Just 11% of Europeans now view the US as an ally, down from 22% in late 2024, with majorities in all 15 countries surveyed doubting Washington would come to their aid if attacked. Support for higher defence spending and reduced reliance on American military hardware is growing across the continent, according to an ECFR poll.

3️⃣ 🇮🇶🇦🇪 Iraq and UAE race to bypass Hormuz disruption: Both countries are accelerating alternative oil pipeline projects after Iraq's monthly exports through the strait fell from 93 million barrels to just 10 million in April. Iraq is expanding a Kurdistan-Turkey route while the UAE pushes ahead with a new pipeline to Fujairah, despite existing alternatives having also come under Iranian attack.

4️⃣ 🇷🇺🇪🇺 EU moves to sanction Russia's Patriarch Kirill: The bloc has proposed blacklisting the head of the Russian Orthodox Church after Hungary's new government reversed its predecessor's 2022 veto on the measure. Unanimous approval from all 27 member states is required, leaving the outcome uncertain as names are often dropped during final negotiations.

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Major Story

🇺🇸🇮🇷 US and Iran exchange strikes near Strait of Hormuz

The US military struck Iranian air defence, radar and ground control sites near the Strait of Hormuz in response to the downing of an American Apache helicopter on Monday, whose two crew members survived. 

Iran's IRGC said it retaliated with strikes on 21 targets at US bases in Bahrain and Jordan.

It remains unclear whether the initial helicopter attack was deliberate, with Iran not claiming responsibility. 

Iran's Foreign Minister warned Tehran would leave no attack unanswered, while Trump said a broader deal could be finalised within days and the Strait would reopen immediately upon agreement.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇵🇭🇨🇳 Philippines protests Chinese structure on Scarborough Shoal: Manila lodged a formal complaint after spotting what it described as a floating structure with personnel deployed by China on the disputed shoal, raising fears of another artificial island base. Beijing dismissed the protest, reiterating its sovereignty claim and urging the Philippines to halt what it called maritime provocations.

2️⃣ 🇪🇺🇮🇪 Kallas warns neutrality no shield against Russia: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told Dublin that no European country is off Moscow's target list, pushing back against Ireland's longstanding military neutrality policy. Ireland, which takes over the EU presidency in July, announced a 55% increase in defence spending by 2030 and flagged maritime security as a priority.

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