Iran has confirmed the death of veteran diplomat and former foreign minister Kamal Kharazi, who succumbed to injuries sustained during the April 1 strikes reportedly linked to US-Israel operations. His wife was also killed in the same attack, marking a significant moment in the rapidly escalating tensions across West Asia. Kharazi, who served as Iran’s top diplomat and later headed the Strategic Council for International Relations, was considered one of Tehran’s most influential foreign policy voices. Iranian state-linked outlets Mehr and ISNA have described the strike as a “terror operation” carried out by what they termed an “American-Zionist”, front language that signals a sharp escalation in rhetoric from Tehran.

The FBI says it has thwarted a potential ISIS-inspired terror attack planned for New Year’s Eve in North Carolina, arresting an 18-year-old suspect before any harm could occur. Federal prosecutors allege the suspect, Christian Sturdivant of Mint Hill near Charlotte, attempted to provide material support to ISIS after making contact with individuals he believed were affiliated with the terror group. Authorities say those contacts were actually FBI undercover agents.