India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar strongly protested to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about US Navy attacks in the Gulf of Oman that killed three Indian mariners aboard the commercial tanker MT Settebello. India has summoned the US Charge d'Affaires to register a diplomatic protest over ongoing attacks on commercial vessels.
US Secretary of State stated that the US will lift the blockade on Iranian ports if navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is restored, emphasizing it as a key priority in negotiations with Iran.
The US Central Command says a missile was fired into the engine room of the Gambia-flagged vessel Lian Star to stop it from breaching the blockade around Iranian ports. Six ships have been stopped, one allowed to proceed, and 116 redirected, as ceasefire talks and broader tensions continue in the region.
President Trump attacked "losers who know nothing" after Republicans like Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham criticized his reported plan to end the war in Iran, warning it could embolden Tehran. Details suggest a deal involving reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran surrendering enriched uranium.
Iran's foreign ministry stated it is collecting fees for navigational services in the Strait of Hormuz, clarifying they are not tolls. This follows Iran's claim of regulatory control over a zone extending into UAE and Oman waters, prompting a warning from five Gulf states via the IMO.
Donald Trump defended ongoing negotiations with Iran, emphasizing a desire for a "good and proper" deal that avoids mistakes and ensures Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons. He addressed concerns from Republicans like Mike Pompeo and Ted Cruz, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also spoke with Trump about the potential agreement.
Donald Trump stated on Truth Social that "time is on our side" in negotiations with Iran to end the ongoing conflict, emphasizing the need to "get it right" and avoid mistakes. The US naval blockade will remain until an agreement is certified and signed. The deal reportedly aims to open the Strait of Hormuz, end hostilities, unfreeze assets, and curb Iran's nuclear program.
A cargo ship caught fire on Sunday after being hit by an unknown projectile off Qatar’s coast, the British military said, in the latest attack on vessels in the Persian Gulf since a shaky ceasefire stopped fighting between the US and Iran. The Trump administration says the month-old ceasefire remains in effect, but it has been repeatedly tested with Iran restricting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the US imposing a blockade of Iranian ports. Washington has been awaiting Iran’s response...
US forces struck an Iranian oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Wednesday, even as Washington and Tehran appeared to move closer to a tentative agreement to end their two-month war, with US President Donald Trump warning that renewed bombing could begin if Iran rejects the proposed deal. A US fighter jet disabled the tanker by targeting its rudder as the vessel attempted to breach an American naval blockade of Iranian ports, US Central Command said in a social media post. The strike highlighted...
Trump said the decision had been taken following a request by Pakistan and other countries, but added that the blockade of Iranian ports will “remain in full force.”
The US president has paused his Project Freedom in the Strait of Hormuz, but said the blockade of Iranian ports would “remain in full force” Read Full Article at RT.com
US has blockaded the ships going into or out of Iranian ports, Scott Bessent said
A bulk carrier was attacked by small craft near Iran's coast in the Strait of Hormuz, with all crew reported safe and no environmental impact. This incident occurs amidst heightened tensions as the US enforces a counter-blockade on Iranian ports and plans to guide ships through the strait, drawing a strong warning from Tehran.
Trump acknowledged US Navy actions as 'like pirates' while enforcing a naval blockade of Iranian ports, describing the seizure of ships and cargo including oil as 'profitable.' The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz enters its third week as ceasefire talks remain stalled, with Iranian President Pezeshkian calling the pressure 'intolerable.'
Brent crude oil surged above $126 per barrel, its highest level since 2022, after Donald Trump warned the US blockade of Iranian ports could last months. The 13% price jump in 24 hours comes as US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad failed to materialize and the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed. Analysts warn a prolonged Hormuz crisis could send oil to $190 by August and trigger a global recession.
Brent crude oil surged above $126 per barrel, its highest level since 2022, after Donald Trump warned the US blockade of Iranian ports could last months. The 13% one-day surge came as US-Iran peace talks failed to materialise and Iran kept the Strait of Hormuz largely shut to oil tankers. Analysts warn a six-month blockade could push prices to $190, with economist Paul Krugman warning a global recession is more likely than not if the strait remains closed for three months.
Trump discussed Ukraine and Iran conflicts with Putin on Wednesday, as the US maintains its naval blockade of Iranian ports. Trump said Putin offered to help with Iran uranium enrichment but Trump prefers Putin focus on ending the Ukraine war. Trump indicated a nuclear deal is possible only if Iran agrees to no nuclear weapons.
Oil prices jumped more than 6% Wednesday after President Trump said he will maintain the U.S. naval blockade against Iran until they agree to a nuclear deal. Brent crude futures rose to $118.33 per barrel and WTI to $106.37 per barrel. Trump told Axios the blockade is 'more effective than the bombing' as Iran refuses to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the UAE's decision to quit OPEC represents a 'big blow' to the oil producer group, analysts said.
Oil prices jump 5%+ as Trump prepares to keep U.S. Navy blockade of Iran in place indefinitely to pressure Tehran. Brent crude futures rose to $117.58 per barrel, WTI to $105.33. Trump threatened Iran on Truth Social, saying the country 'better get smart soon!' Meanwhile, UAE announced its exit from OPEC, with analysts calling it a 'big blow' to the oil producer group.
Oil and gas prices surge as reports indicate the US may extend its blockade of Iranian ports for months. Brent crude rose 5% to almost $117 a barrel, approaching the highest level since the Iran war began. UK gas prices also increased 5%, while the FTSE 100 fell 1.2% to its lowest level since April 1. President Trump met with energy company executives to discuss measures to calm oil markets amid the prolonged blockade.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a powerful figure, has grown in prominence since the start of the war and was the lead negotiator in the so far only round of direct US-Iranian talks.
Oil prices advanced sharply on Wednesday as markets digested the UAE's shock exit from OPEC alongside reports the US will extend its blockade of Iranian ports, deepening fears of prolonged disruption through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude rose 3% to $114.64 per barrel while WTI jumped 3.6% to $103.54, with the market focusing on developments in the Persian Gulf rather than OPEC's internal rupture.
Oil prices advanced Wednesday as traders weighed the UAE's shock departure from OPEC against signs the Iran war will continue. Brent crude rose 3.5% to $115.13 per barrel, marking its seventh consecutive positive session. WTI climbed 3.7% to $103.69, up 49% since the US-Israel war against Iran began Feb. 28. The US plans to extend its blockade of Iranian ports, deepening Strait of Hormuz disruption fears, while Trump threatened Iran on Truth Social.
As the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports drags on, thousands of seafarers are stranded on ships, and economic shockwaves ripple around the world.
