South Korea's defence ministry has said that it will deploy maritime patrol aircraft and an explosive ordnance disposal team to waters near the Strait of Hormuz as part of a mission to help keep the strategic waterway open.

The ministry also confirmed that the government has decided to expand the operational area of its Cheonghae anti-piracy naval unit, which currently operates in waters south of Oman near the strait.

US President Donald Trump faces a difficult choice over the future of the war with Iran following Republicans' sweeping midterm election defeat, with renewed military strikes, a negotiated settlement and continued economic pressure all carrying significant risks, Axios reported on Wednesday.

Citing US officials and sources familiar with internal deliberations, the report said Washington was simultaneously preparing for a possible resumption of major combat operations and exploring diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.

According to Axios, Qatari mediators are seeking agreement on a draft proposal that could avert renewed hostilities and pave the way for direct US-Iranian negotiations.

The report said Trump had yet to settle on a course, leaving Washington weighing the political costs of renewed warfare against the uncertainties of diplomacy and a prolonged economic confrontation.

Yemen’s pro-government Giants Brigades said that they destroyed three Houthi militia missile launch systems and killed their crews.

In a brief statement, the brigades said the systems were ready to fire when they were struck. They released footage they said showed the operation and gave no details on where it took place or how many crew members were killed.

The Houthi militia made no immediate comment.

The Israeli army detained at least 45 Palestinians, including five women and two journalists, in raids across the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, said the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society.

The organisation said in a statement that most of the arrests took place in Nablus and Hebron, with others in Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and Bethlehem. Among those detained was journalist Hazem Nasser, who was rearrested just two weeks after his release.

The Pentagon has said that it delivered more than 25,000 unmanned systems and counter-drone capabilities to the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) this year, following a $782 million investment.

The "massive surge" of deliveries includes more than 1,300 one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), over 100 unmanned surface and underwater vessels, and more than 24,000 counter-unmanned aerial systems designed to protect US forces against hostile drone attacks.

The Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems (DRPM-UxS) delivered these capabilities, with counter-drone operations supported by Joint Interagency Task Force 401.

Yemen’s armed forces say they have carried out 1,322 operations targeting Houthi militia positions and military capabilities, killing or incapacitating around 340 members and commanders.

In a statement on the US social media company X, the Yemeni military spokesperson said the operations also destroyed or damaged 114 military vehicles and pieces of equipment.

The spokesperson said government forces had gained territory in Al-Jawf province as part of the ongoing “Dawn of Yemen” military operation.

Houthi militia encircled Taiz since early October, blocking the road that links it to Aden, the interim seat of the internationally recognised government.

Barrister Raza Husain argued that the ban was disproportionate and infringed on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful protest.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer signals Democrats could use congressional funding powers to pressure President Trump to end the war on Iran, citing a lack of public consent.

A leading Arab-Israeli party has said it would recommend that opposition bloc leader Gadi Eisenkot form the next government following last week's election.

"The parliamentary group of the United Arab List has decided to recommend Eisenkot to form the next government," the party, known by its Hebrew acronym Raam, said in a press statement ahead of a meeting with President Isaac Herzog, who is consulting with various political forces on the formation of a new government.