Foreign Office appoints first special envoy for Britons detained overseas

• The U.S. has launched additional military strikes against Iran amid escalating tensions in the region. • President Trump reversed a previous decision to impose a 20% fee on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, opting instead for trade and investment deals with Gulf states.

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar officially launched India's bid for the single Asia-Pacific seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028–29 term. • The campaign, initiated at the UN Headquarters, involves New Delhi actively seeking international support to secure the position.

• India has officially backed Palestine’s bid for membership in the United Nations, reaffirming its diplomatic support for the Palestinian people. • The Indian government reiterated its commitment to a two-state solution as the primary means to resolve the long-standing conflict between Palestine and Israel.

• The ongoing dispute over Taiwan's status stems from the Chinese Civil War, which ended in 1949 when the defeated Nationalist (Kuomintang) government relocated to the island. • While the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has never exercised actual control over Taiwan, it maintains that the island is an inalienable part of China.

• Donald Trump is positioning Turkiye as an indispensable ally and the cornerstone of his strategy to reshape the regional order. • This strategic bet persists despite ongoing disputes regarding Turkiye's acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile system.

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss current global developments and international stability. • During the visit to UN headquarters, Jaishankar officially launched India's campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028-29 term.

• U.N. humanitarian official Ramiz Alakbarov reported that armed personnel linked to Hamas raided a World Food Program (WFP) distribution site in Gaza on Saturday, July 12, 2026. • The raid disrupted critical food aid operations, forcing the WFP to immediately suspend its activities at the targeted location.

• Gulf nations are intensifying competition for influence in the Horn of Africa through strategic military agreements and significant port investments. • The geopolitical struggle centers on competing alliances and differing diplomatic positions regarding Somalia, Somaliland, and Sudan.

• Shusha will host the fourth edition of the Global Media Forum on July 13–14, focusing on the theme "The Mission of Media in Promoting Peace: Restoring Truth and Rebuilding Trust." • The event expects nearly 160 participants from 54 countries, including representatives from approximately 30 international news agencies and over 60 leading media organizations.

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar embarked on a four-nation visit to the Gulf region to strengthen India's strategic ties and protect its energy, trade, and maritime interests. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reinforced India's diplomatic stance, emphasizing that regional conflicts must be resolved through diplomacy rather than escalation.

• The military confrontation between the United States and Iran escalated on Tuesday as U.S. forces conducted their third consecutive night of strikes against Iranian targets. • In retaliation, Tehran claimed to have launched missile and drone attacks targeting U.S.-linked military facilities located in Bahrain and Jordan.

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres to discuss critical global developments, specifically focusing on the conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine. • The discussions emphasized India's commitment to "Shanti" (peace) and humanitarian relief efforts in response to global instability and natural disasters.