Daily brief
The United States is deploying a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, described as the world's largest, during a period of heightened tensions with Iran. The US military is reportedly preparing for potentially weeks-long operations. President Donald Trump said regime change in Iran could be the 'best thing' and warned of a 'very big force' if talks fail.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani stated the country's missile power is 'non-negotiable', as Iran accuses enemies of pursuing a strategy to collapse the state.
Iranian authorities have arrested reformist politicians for criticizing the government's crackdown on protests, with an NGO reporting a teenage protester risks execution over a policeman's killing.
The Wall Street Journal reports the US smuggled Starlink terminals into Iran amid protests (ongoing coverage).
In Israel, several individuals have been charged with using classified information about the Iran conflict to place bets.