World News Today Live Updates: At least 1 killed in explosion at Europe’s biggest port in Netherlands

Romania has begun the complete shutdown of its only nuclear plant after water levels in the Danube fell to a record low, affecting the facility’s cooling system, according to news agency AFP.

The Strait of Hormuz is "under Iran's control and ⁠management", ​the head of Iran's ​Basij paramilitary ​unit, Hossein ⁠Taeb, said on ‌Thursday, according to semi-official Fars news agency.

The comments came after US President Donald Trump claimed that Washington had "total control" of ⁠the strategic waterway.

Iran hit back at France and other countries after they condemned the Islamic Republic for alleged executions of protesters.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday took to his X account and accused the countries of hypocrisy, stating that their support for Israel amid the Gaza conflict and their military action against Tehran had undermined their claims.

He further said that France should refrain from lecturing others on human rights and international law.

"Countries like France should stop lecturing the world about "human rights" and international law. The hypocrisy is blatant and embarrassing. Your backing of Israel's genocide in Gaza--and aggression against Iran--has destroyed whatever moral high ground you imagined you had," the post read.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei called for environmental protection to be central to the future of the Strait of Hormuz administration after oil pollution. In a post on X, Baqaei referred to the videos that showed oil pollution along the shores of Qeshm Island. "In recent days, videos have circulated showing oil pollution along the shores of Qeshm Island. This pollution drifted toward the coast from the Persian Gulf, and preliminary evidence indicates a foreign bulk carrier as the source. Contamination has been documented at three coastal sites and across portions of the sea surface," he said.

Baqaei further added, "This incident is only one visible example of the extensive pollution, both overt and concealed, that has degraded the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, as well as the region's marine ecosystem, over recent decades, imposing trillions of dollars in damage on Iran's coastal areas. Who bears responsibility for compensating these damages?"

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the youngest person to hold the role, will step down and leave the administration by the end of this month, US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday.

“Our wonderful White House Press Secretary, and one of my most trusted aides, Karoline Leavitt, will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect! Karoline will now be one of my top outside advisors, and an influential voice within the Republican Party, as we work to defy History, and conclusively win the Midterm Elections,” Trump announced on Truth Social.

28-year-old Leavitt, also served as a press aide during Trump’s first term and has been one of the most visible advocates of his “Make America Great Again” movement.

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