Oil prices dropped sharply after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested a potential deal to open the Strait of Hormuz by this week, with Brent down 5.3% to $79.36/barrel and WTI losing 5.7% to $75.77.
Residents in southern Iran, particularly in Bandar Abbas and Sirik, experienced two nights of fear due to US strikes targeting port cities. US Central Command confirmed the attacks aimed to degrade Iran's ability to threaten navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes have resulted in civilian casualties and exacerbated existing challenges like water shortages.
The US launched new strikes on Iran on Wednesday after President Trump vowed to retaliate for Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command stated the strikes aimed to degrade Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the vital waterway.
India and Malaysia reviewed bilateral military cooperation in New Delhi, discussing defense engagements, exchanges, and training. Both nations agreed to strengthen ties through enhanced interactions and collaboration in areas like defense industry, cyber security, and disaster relief, reaffirming commitment to Indo-Pacific stability.
A Beijing-based report indicates the South China Sea remains the US military's most critical strategic theatre, predicting increasingly aggressive operations despite a potential second Trump administration or other global hotspots. US freedom-of-navigation operations in the disputed waters were fewer in 2024 and last year compared to 2023 and 2022.
PM Narendra Modi will attend the G7 summit in France, representing the Global South and discussing West Asia conflict consequences, including energy crisis and freedom of navigation. He will also hold bilateral meetings with leaders like Macron, Trump, and Carney.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov expressed readiness to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional issues, including the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing freedom of navigation. Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya declared the Strait closed due to insecurity, following a US Apache helicopter downing and retaliatory strikes.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah met to discuss regional security, reaffirming commitments against Iran's nuclear ambitions and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Blinken condemned Iran's alleged attack on Kuwait International Airport.
India and Australia emphasized maritime security, freedom of navigation, and a free Indo-Pacific during their second Defence Ministers' Dialogue. They discussed enhancing maritime domain awareness and collaboration.
Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, stressed to Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is a non-negotiable principle. The two discussed mediation efforts between the US and Iran and developments in Lebanon.
Vietnam and the Philippines have elevated their relationship to an enhanced strategic partnership, agreeing to closer coordination on regional and global issues. The move includes a renewed defense cooperation agreement aimed at bolstering maritime security.
Qatar urges safe navigation in the Persian Gulf amid rising tensions. Meanwhile, Russia and China hold talks, and the US considers military options against Iran, though diplomacy is being pursued.
Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari stressed ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions and ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. He highlighted Qatar's support for Pakistani mediation and its calls for a ceasefire, while affirming that closing the strait violates international law. Al-Ansari also noted that Qatar's energy supply chains remain stable despite the closure.
US President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping offered to help broker an end to the Iran conflict and ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring how Middle East tensions have become intertwined with a broader effort by Washington and Beijing to steady relations. In an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity set to air on Thursday evening in the US, Trump said Xi had personally expressed willingness to assist amid mounting concerns over disruptions in...
SEOUL, May 8 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung held a phone call with Canadian...
The US administration is seeking to form an international coalition to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, inviting foreign nations to participate as diplomatic or military partners.
Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono stated on Thursday that Indonesia supports freedom of navigation and expects open sea lanes, adding that Indonesia is not in a position to impose transit charges on vessels. Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa had previously questioned whether it was right or wrong that Indonesia does not charge tolls on vessels transiting narrow waterways.
South Korea is considering various options including diplomatic, humanitarian and military roles to contribute to international efforts securing freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a senior foreign ministry official said Tuesday. President Lee Jae Myung committed to making substantive contributions at a multilateral summit led by Britain and France, though specific roles have not yet been detailed.
