Iran fires two long-range missiles at Diego Garcia, says its Natanz n-site hit, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• Iran fired two ballistic missiles towards the US-British military airport on Diego Garcia, but the base was not hit.
• Iranian media reported that the Natanz enrichment complex was attacked by US-Israeli forces, but no radioactive leaks occurred.
• The US is considering "winding down" its military operation against Iran, according to President Trump.
• Israel attacked targets in Beirut, claiming to target the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia.
• The US announced a temporary lifting of sanctions on the sale of Iranian oil to cool down crude prices, making available 140 million barrels.
• Natural gas prices in Europe surged as much as 35% due to attacks on gas infrastructure.

Detailed Insights:

• The attack on Diego Garcia occurred before the British government authorized the US to use its bases for strikes on Iranian missile sites.
• President Trump suggested other nations should police the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane, to prevent a global energy shock.
• Iranian media reported strikes on a passenger terminal in Bushehr and an empty passenger ship at Kharg Island, a key oil export hub.
• Israel claimed attacks on Tehran, Karaj, and Isfahan, while Iranian media reported casualties in Ramsar.
• The European Union urged members to lower gas-storage targets and refill reserves to curb demand amid the Strait of Hormuz closure.
• Germany and France stated that fighting must stop before they join efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran stated readiness to allow Japan-related vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 90% of Japan's oil imports.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Ballistic Missile: A missile that follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver one or more warheads to a predetermined target.
• Strait of Hormuz: A narrow waterway between Iran and the Oman that connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, a vital route for oil transport.
• Sanctions: Commercial and financial penalties applied by one or more countries against a targeted country, group, or individual.