U.S. Treasury yields slid on Friday, with the 10-year note dropping over 2 basis points, as oil prices declined following reports of Pakistan exploring U.S.-Iran peace talks. This occurred amidst President Trump's consideration of a "massive attack" on Iran.
President Trump is considering a "massive attack" on Iran following escalating conflict in the Red Sea, while Pakistan seeks to restart stalled US-Iran peace talks. This diplomatic effort, supported by China, led to a rise in stocks and a fall in oil prices, offering hope amidst ongoing US strikes and Iranian defiance.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held their first in-person talks since September 2025 on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Manila. The 35-minute meeting, requested by the US, aimed to revive stalled peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, but no breakthroughs were reported.
The US and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark deal for a civilian nuclear program in the Gulf country, with Washington insisting on non-proliferation safeguards. The agreement, signed by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, lays the foundation for a multibillion-dollar partnership amidst US concerns over Iran's nuclear ambitions.
One year after the PKK symbolically burned weapons, a conference in Diyarbakir assessed the fragile peace process between Turkey and the militant group. Despite progress, challenges remain regarding disarmament, legal guarantees, and the future of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, amidst changing regional security dynamics.
U.S. forces conducted airstrikes in Iran following the deaths of three service members, including two in Jordan and one in Iraq, amidst ongoing conflict. Iran retaliated with strikes targeting infrastructure in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, while oil prices rose above $90 per barrel.
UK fuel prices are increasing again after peace talks to end the US-Israel war with Iran collapsed. Prices surged at the conflict's start, fell after a framework deal in June, but are now rising due to resurfacing tensions, with analysts predicting further hikes. The government postponed a fuel duty increase.
President Trump announced the US and Iran will continue peace talks after the ceasefire was scrapped. Trump stated Iran requested the talks, but the US has made it clear the ceasefire is over following recent hostilities.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow no longer believes the West is genuinely interested in negotiating an end to the Ukraine conflict. He accused the West of "imitating a willingness to negotiate while openly issuing ultimatums to Russia."
Czech President Petr Pavel stated Ukraine has a two-month window to restart peace talks with Russia before the State Duma elections in September, warning of potential escalation if negotiations fail. He urged continued military support for Ukraine and diplomatic efforts to compel Russia to negotiate, alongside increased European militarization.
The US conducted a second, larger air attack on Iran, targeting military sites and civilian infrastructure, killing at least 14 people. This escalation follows Iran's attacks on commercial ships and raises fears of wider conflict, while peace talks appear to be collapsing.
Kremlin sources indicate a high probability of conflict escalation in coming months as President Putin rejects peace talks, seeking full Donbas control. Ukraine's intelligence suggests Putin prepares new operations, possibly beyond borders, with recent drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure strengthening his resolve.
US President Donald Trump's recent actions, including withdrawing from a peace deal with Iran and criticizing allies like Spain and Denmark, have sparked concerns about the erosion of the post-WWII international order. Allies are reportedly contemplating strategic autonomy due to perceived unpredictability in US foreign policy.
A tanker caught fire off Oman's coast after being struck by an "unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz, with reports suggesting Iran's IRGC may have fired missiles at commercial ships. The incident occurs amid sensitive US-Iran peace negotiations.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated he doesn't know what it will take to get Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate peace with Ukraine. Rutte noted Putin's refusal to engage despite Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's willingness, highlighting recent Russian attacks and Putin's high casualty tolerance.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated in an interview with The New York Times that Turkey is ready to facilitate negotiations on Ukraine but does not expect dialogue to resume soon. He emphasized the need for sincere peace efforts from both sides.
Two weeks into a 60-day Iran-US peace negotiation, little progress is evident. Hostilities have flared, with both sides trading strikes and refusing direct talks, despite US claims of success. Key issues like Iran's nuclear program remain unresolved.
At least 17 people, including children, were killed and 86 injured in a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv. The Russian defense ministry claimed the strikes were retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure. Analysts suggest Russia deliberately targets civilian infrastructure to demoralize the Ukrainian population.
A US-led Board of Peace, including Tony Blair and Nickolay Mladenov, is meeting in Cyprus to plan Gaza's administrative future, aiming to isolate Hamas through temporary reconstruction under Trump's Article 17. The initiative faces significant challenges, including a funding collapse, Israeli resistance, and controversy over legal immunity and property seizure.
Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, declared the Strait of Hormuz Iran's "greatest instrument of power" in ongoing peace talks with the US. This comes as US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrived in Qatar for mediation, while Iran insists on controlling the strait and imposing tolls post-interim deal.
Konstantin Kosachev, Deputy Speaker of Russia's Federation Council, stated that the EU should not participate in negotiations regarding Ukraine, as it would "side" with Kiev and strengthen the opposing side. He suggested dialogue with individual EU leaders is possible but not as a formal negotiation process.
Iran states it will not resume peace talks with the US until all 14 points of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) are met, including the safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and termination of US sanctions. US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are in Qatar for mediation, but Iran insists no direct talks are planned.
The US and Iran have agreed to cease hostilities and continue peace negotiations in Doha, Qatar, following recent exchanges of strikes over the Strait of Hormuz, with talks focusing on the waterway's management and reopening.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that disrupting Tehran's control over the Strait of Hormuz would escalate tensions, amidst ongoing peace talks and recent exchanges of attacks with the US.
