News in Brief: Escalation in the Middle East, Energy Risks, and Anti-Corruption Investigation in Armenia

Here are the news highlights from the past hour:

• The brother of former Prime Minister in Armenia has been summoned to the prosecutor's office as part of an investigation into the possible confiscation of illegally obtained assets. Family members and related individuals are also involved in the process.
• The Israeli military has reported strikes on sites in Iran related to the production of missile engines and launch pads for long-range missiles.
• The Iranian Foreign Minister has pledged allegiance to the new Supreme Leader on behalf of Iranian diplomats, emphasizing the commitment to protect the country’s interests and security.
• Several members of the Iranian experts council have stated they were not informed about the meeting where the country’s new Supreme Leader was elected. The opposition deems the process non-transparent.
• The finance ministers of G7 countries are convening an urgent discussion due to a sharp rise in oil prices and are considering the possibility of releasing oil from strategic reserves.
• Japan is working on expanding oil supply sources in response to escalating tensions in the Middle East and risks surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
• Natural gas reserves in Great Britain have dropped to dangerous levels, raising concerns over an energy crisis.
• U.S. military forces have struck a ship in the eastern Pacific suspected of drug trafficking.
• Turkey has deployed F-16 fighter jets and air defense systems in Northern Cyprus amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
• The Israeli military has again urged residents of southern Beirut to evacuate due to the risk of impending strikes.