Global Crises Unfold

How a Tanker Attack Sparked a Gulf Escalation

The current crisis traces back to June 27, when a drone struck the Panamanian-flagged tanker *Kiku* in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command responded by hitting 10 Iranian targets, including drone storage facilities and coastal radar sites, according to Jerusalem Post. Iran called the strikes "brutal attacks" that show Washington "places no value on its commitments," said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

President Trump claimed Iran had violated the ceasefire agreement "AGAIN" and warned the country might "no longer exist" if it forces the U.S. to "militarily complete the job," according to CBS News. Iran fired at least 7 ballistic missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain in response. One person was killed in a strike near Kuwait's airport.

The Peace Deal That May Already Be Dead

The U.S. and Iran signed a Memorandum of Understanding in mid-June aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the war that began on February 28, 2026. That conflict started when U.S. and Israeli strikes killed top Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The deal has been rocky from the start, according to AP News.

Israel was largely left out of the agreement. An estimated 86% of Israelis view the deal negatively, fearing it strengthens the IRGC. VP JD Vance has pushed back against Israel's bombing of Beirut, saying it hurts peace efforts. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, however, calls the framework "performance-based" and defends Israel's right to pursue Hezbollah, according to Jerusalem Post.

Ukraine Burns a Russian Refinery, Venezuela Counts Its Dead

Elsewhere, Ukraine sent drones deep into Russian territory on June 28, setting fire to the Slavyansk-na-Kubani oil refinery in the Krasnodar region. At least two civilians were killed in Russian border areas during the assault, according to AP News. President Zelenskyy called the strikes "long-range sanctions" designed to cut resources for the "Russian war machine."

In Venezuela, the death toll from twin earthquakes on June 24 has climbed to 1,430 people, with 3,238 injured and as many as 68,900 still missing. The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes struck near San Felipe, Yaracuy. The government faces growing public anger over what critics call an "inadequate" rescue response, according to AP News.

Three Firefighters Die on the Colorado-Utah Border

Three wildland firefighters were killed and two more were injured while battling the Knowles and Gore fires along the Colorado-Utah border, according to AP News. The U.S. Wildland Fire Service confirmed the deaths on June 28. No further details on the cause of death have been released. The fires are still active.