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Iran announced an agreement with Oman on shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, with final arrangements still being drafted. The deal, reported by Iranian state media and international outlets, comes amid a US naval blockade and heightened tensions.
The US State Department has notified Congress of plans to close diplomatic missions in Grenada, Japan, Indonesia, Cameroon and Canada. Critics, including Democrats, warn the cuts risk undermining American leadership and could leave a vacuum for China, while the administration cites cost-effectiveness.
Organizers of the Intervision 2026 song contest confirmed that Saudi Arabia will host the event, though the exact date and venue are still under discussion. A TASS report citing a source in Riyadh raised uncertainty about the event's future, but organizers and a Russian envoy reaffirmed the plans.
Jordan convened an emergency meeting of Arab and Islamic foreign ministers in Amman to rally support for its custodianship of Jerusalem's holy sites, with Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi warning of a potential religious conflict. The meeting followed tensions over the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, including a mass visit by religious right Israelis in July.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to adopt a comprehensive strategy to attract international investors for the privatisation of power distribution companies, while prioritising consumers' interests. The programme encompasses 27 state-owned enterprises, with recent progress including completed financial closures for PIA and First Women Bank.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel did not agree to the US-backed plan for Gaza, despite assurances that Israeli forces would only withdraw after Hamas disarms. The comments come as far-right ministers within his coalition push for a new vote on the plan, and as tensions rise over the ceasefire's implementation.
Yemen's Houthi rebels said they hit a Saudi oil tanker with ballistic missiles in the Red Sea, the latest in a series of attacks on Saudi shipping. The group also reported that eight tankers have been forced to reroute and dozens more have altered course since a naval blockade was imposed. Saudi Arabia and several allies have formed a naval coalition to protect shipping routes.
US President Donald Trump says a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could come as soon as Wednesday or Thursday, while warning Iran it would be 'hit very hard' if talks fail. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also expressed hope for a deal in the coming days, and oil prices eased on the news.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says progress has been made in talks between Oman and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggesting an agreement could be reached as early as “today or tomorrow.” Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson described the Omani-mediated discussions as “positive” and continuing, though differences remain over operational details.
An Indian-flagged commercial vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya, sank in the Red Sea after being struck by a projectile near Yemeni waters. All 14 crew members, including 13 Indians, were rescued by Yemen's coast guard. India condemned the attack, while Yemen's internationally recognized government blamed Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Qatar says mediators are making progress toward a diplomatic resolution between the US and Iran, though no agreement has been reached and no direct talks are planned. Tehran denies US claims of ongoing negotiations, while Washington officials express optimism about reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
A regional source said operations were suspended at Najran Airport in Saudi Arabia after Yemen's Iran-back Houthis claimed a drone attack on the facility, hitting its main radar. The Houthis said the strike was retaliation for Saudi drone incursions into Yemeni airspace, part of renewed hostilities following a maritime blockade declared last month.
U.S.-brokered peace efforts for Sudan face renewed hurdles after the Rapid Support Forces rejected demands to withdraw from cities, while the Sudanese Armed Forces insist on full RSF withdrawal. Meanwhile, the conflict has fragmented into multiple armed coalitions, complicating any potential truce.
Pakistan has invited Iran's foreign minister and parliament speaker for consultations, stepping up its role as a mediator between Tehran and Washington. The outreach comes after US President Donald Trump canceled planned strikes on Iran, with reports crediting Saudi Arabia's crown prince for persuading him. Iran and Oman continue talks over the Strait of Hormuz.
TASS's reviews of Russian newspaper coverage report that Washington and Tehran are seeking to restart direct negotiations after President Donald Trump called off a planned attack, even as experts quoted in the Russian press warn the underlying conflict could persist for years. The digests also cover Ukraine's intensified strikes on civilian infrastructure after an army reshuffle, a suggestion that Syria could serve as an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, an OPEC+ decision to raise production quotas, and Russian charges against Telegram founder Pavel Durov.
Former senior Israeli security official Avner Vilan said Iran believes it holds a strategic advantage because the US is avoiding broader conflict. He warned that Israel could be blamed if renewed US strikes fail, and noted Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz gives it a sense of victory.
A tanker was struck by an unknown projectile off Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, the latest in a series of maritime incidents. Iran and Oman reportedly agreed on shipping routes, but the US naval blockade and continued hostilities keep the strategic waterway volatile.
US President Donald Trump insists negotiations with Iran are ongoing, calling it Tehran's "last chance before decapitation," while Iran's Foreign Ministry denies talks with Washington, saying its discussions are with Oman. The dispute centers on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran's nuclear program, with multiple sources reporting Trump's ultimatum and Iran's skepticism.
Iran has denied that negotiations with the United States are underway, contradicting President Donald Trump’s announcement of a new round of talks. Tehran says it is in discussions with Oman over a temporary safe route through the Strait of Hormuz, while oil prices fell on hopes of a deal.
Analysts warn that the threat to oil tankers in the Middle East is at its worst since the Iran war began, as attacks in the Red Sea compound the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq's main port of Umm Qasr has come to a standstill, and shipping traffic through the strait has dropped dramatically.