Morning Digest: Kerala, Assam and Puducherry to vote in high-stakes polls today; Iran closes Strait of Hormuz after Israeli attacks on Lebanon, and more

Three Indian states—Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry—head to the polls in a crucial electoral showdown with significant implications for regional governance. Simultaneously, international tensions escalate as Iran implements strategic measures affecting global maritime commerce following military escalations in the Middle East. These concurrent events shape political landscapes and geopolitical dynamics across Asia.