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The UN's IMO has suspended plans to evacuate over 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz following an attack on a cargo ship off Oman. The incident comes despite a recent U.S.-Iran MoU aimed at restoring shipping, highlighting unresolved tensions over route control and fees.
Oil prices surged after an attack on a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz forced the UN to cancel ship evacuation plans. Brent crude rose as much as 4 percent, and Asian markets fell as the incident shattered hopes of restoring normal shipping operations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected Iran's plan to impose tolls on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, calling it an international waterway where no nation can charge fees. The dispute highlights major tensions in ongoing US-Iran peace talks in Switzerland, as Tehran insists the strait's post-war status will differ from the pre-conflict era.
The US Senate passed a resolution invoking the War Powers Act to restrict President Trump's military actions against Iran, requiring congressional approval for further operations. The vote was 50-48, with four Republicans joining Democrats. The measure is largely symbolic, as similar resolutions lack binding legal force and the White House has signaled it will be ignored.
As Iranian and US negotiators rush to finalize a comprehensive ceasefire, Tehran marks the anniversary of its 12-day war with Israel from June 2025. Officials say assassinations and airstrikes over the past year have not deterred them, with many framing the conflict as a necessary struggle against foreign domination.
The United States and Iran have signaled that a deal to end the war is close, with a final text agreed upon but key steps remaining. Meanwhile, fighting in Lebanon shows no signs of de-escalation.
The crisis sparked by the US-Israel war with Iran has hit GCC members unevenly: while Oman remained largely unaffected and Saudi Arabia and the UAE rerouted exports, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar face economic isolation. Experts argue that swap agreements—already familiar to Gulf states—could cushion current shocks and serve as long-term insurance against future Hormuz Strait closures.
U.S. President Donald Trump has sent mixed signals on Iran in the past week, threatening military escalation while expressing hope for a lasting ceasefire. Analysts say the 'madman' tactic reveals a strategic dilemma as the administration navigates a tense standoff with Tehran.
Iran confirms it is reviewing the latest U.S. response to a Pakistan-brokered proposal to end the war, while expanding control over the Strait of Hormuz. International criticism mounts after Israel detains activists from a Gaza aid flotilla.
