Controversy clouds Zelensky's US trip

Hello. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stoked anger among US Republicans as he presents his "victory plan" to the White House. My colleagues report on the controversy. As Israel claims the killing of another Hezbollah commander in Lebanon, Jiyar Gol explains Iran's unusually restrained response to the escalating conflict. Also, Kayla Epstein looks into the troubled history of a Brooklyn prison that counts high-profile inmates among its detainees. And finally, we learn more about a temporary addition to Earth's orbit.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What to make of Iran's response to attacks

Missiles are currently on public display in Tehran for Iran's Defence Week. Credit: EPA

When Israel struck the Iranian consulate in Damascus in April, Iran swiftly responded by launching hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel. In contrast, the Islamic Republic's reaction to the targeting of Hezbollah in Lebanon appears to show unusual restraint.

What is Iran's relation to Hezbollah?

Iran has armed, funded and trained Hezbollah. Tehran's leaders rely on the group to be a major deterrent preventing direct attacks on their country by Israel. Iranian support has been critical to Hezbollah’s transformation into Lebanon’s most powerful armed force and political actor.

What's been Iran's response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah?

President Masoud Pezeshkian, who was elected in July, has adopted a more conciliatory tone than his hard-line predecessors, avoiding rhetoric about annihilating Israel. Senior Iranian officials and commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) have also appeared to be unusually restrained when expressing their intentions to take revenge on Israel.

How much support is there for this position?

In Iran, power lies in the hands of Ayatollah Khamenei and the IRGC. It is notable that Ayatollah Khamenei also did not mention any plans for retaliation or issue threats toward Israel, which is quite unusual for him, when he addressed veterans on Wednesday. A former IRGC commander told the BBC that repeatedly threatening Israel without following through was damaging the force’s credibility among its supporters in Iran and abroad.

THE BIG PICTURE

Notorious jail holding Sean 'Diddy' Combs

High-profile defendants like Mr Combs sometimes receive special protection when jailed. Credit: Getty Images

The Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn is the only federal jail in New York City. Rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to charges including sex trafficking and racketeering, is the latest in a list of notable names to be detained in the facility, which has a less than stellar reputation.

And finally... in space

The Moon is about to get some company. A small asteroid is going to be captured by Earth’s gravitational pull and circle the planet for a couple of months. This video explains the science behind it all.