U.S. military bases

Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed El Khereiji and his delegation visited Tehran to pay respects to Iran's late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei was killed on 28 February during an Israeli and US war on the Islamic Republic, which led to Iranian attacks on Gulf states hosting US military bases, including Saudi Arabia.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un emphasized strengthening military capabilities including nuclear and conventional weapons, while South Korea announced plans to expand its drone warfare forces in response to perceived threats. North Korea's recent weapons tests and South Korea's defense upgrades highlight escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed missile and drone attacks on U.S. military bases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, retaliating for American strikes near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President Donald Trump alleged Iran downed a U.S. Apache helicopter in the region, escalating tensions.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei warned that U.S. military bases in the Middle East are no longer safe following recent strikes, destabilizing peace deal negotiations between the Trump administration and Iran. The warning was issued during a message marking the start of the Hajj pilgrimage.

The EU's Article 42.7 mutual defense clause, previously obscure, is gaining attention due to Donald Trump's skepticism about U.S. NATO commitments. This clause obligates EU members to aid one another under armed attack, contrasting with the U.S.-led NATO Article 5. The shift highlights reduced reliance on U.S. military presence in Europe.