Here’s how the U.S. blockade of Iranian shipping is taking shape.

The military’s blockade of Iranian ports aims to suppress sea traffic to and from Iran, while leaving the strait itself open.

By John Yoon

Short-term gains for China from US-Iran war may turn to longer-term pain

Beijing may be reaping some diplomatic benefit but Trump’s war holds risks for its energy security and economy Two months ago, China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, promised it would be a “big year” for China-US relations. He was right, but perhaps not in the way he expected. Wang was speaking before a planned visit by Donald Trump to Beijing in March, which would have been Trump’s first trip to China since 2017. But the trip, and a meeting with China’s president, Xi Jinping, was kicked back by ...

By Amy Hawkins in Beijing

Russia's Lavrov says Iran has 'inalienable' right to enrich uranium, openly defying Trump's demands

Russia's Sergey Lavrov says Iran has an inalienable right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes, pushing back against Trump's nuclear demands.

Top Energy Democrat probes Trump administration's preparations for Strait of Hormuz closure

The strait has been effectively closed since the U.S. launched a war with Iran, spiking energy prices and whipsawing markets.

Iran war: Tehran threatens Red Sea, Gulf trade

The Iranian military said it will seek to disrupt trade in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf if a US naval blockade continues. Meanwhile, Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon are trading fresh attacks. DW has the latest.

Given history of ceasefires, it’s no surprise US-Iran truce is fraying

The fraying of the ceasefire in the US-Israel war against Iran reflects grim patterns of history. Truces are often doomed because they focus on stopping battle-related violence and rarely begin to address the underlying struggles that ignited hostilities. A pause without a shared common endgame often resets the battlefield as reasons harden for prolonging warfare. Viable political solutions seldom follow and take hold for peace to endure. Over the past decade, we’ve seen the perils. The Minsk...

By James David Spellman

Mediators move to extend US-Iran ceasefire, Trump says talks could resume soon

President Donald Trump said talks with Iran to end the war could soon resume and end in a deal, telling the world to watch out for an "amazing two days", while US forces imposing a blockade turned back vessels leaving Iranian ports. With the prospect of US and Iranian officials returning to Pakistan for more talks, Vice President JD Vance, who led negotiations that ended on Sunday with no breakthrough, said he felt positive about where things ​stood.

By FRANCE24

Oil futures hold to tight range as hopes of peace deal between U.S. and Iran grow

Crude prices are mixed after President Donald Trump said the war in Iran is ‘very close to being over’

By Nora Redmond

'Xi will give me big, fat hug': Trump says he opened Hormuz for China ... 'and also the world'

President Trump claims China is pleased with his decision to permanently open the Strait of Hormuz, stating he's acting for their benefit and the world's. He asserts China has agreed to cease weapon shipments to Iran and anticipates a warm reception from President Xi during an upcoming visit, highlighting smart cooperation over conflict.

By TOI WORLD DESK

Second round of talks likely? Pak delegation heads to Iran with US message

The Pakistani delegation might also plan for a second round of talks between both countries.

Erdogan says Turkey working to extend Iran ceasefire, continue talks - The Straits Times

Erdogan says Turkey working to extend Iran ceasefire, continue talks  The Straits Times

Erdogan pushes to extend US-Iran ceasefire despite tensions

Turkish President Erdogan says Turkey is working to extend the US-Iran ceasefire, ease tensions, and ensure peace talks continue, despite challenges, while criticizing Israel's Lebanon attacks.

Iran says exchanges with US via Pakistan continue after talks in Islamabad

Iran said on Wednesday that exchanges with the United States via Pakistan had continued following negotiations in Islamabad over the weekend that yielded no result. “Since Sunday, when the Iranian delegation returned to Tehran, several messages have been exchanged through Pakistan,” said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei in a weekly press briefing. “Today, we are very likely to receive a Pakistani delegation as a continuation of the discussions in Islamabad,” he added. Baqaei asserted...

By none@none.com (AFP)

India, US Renew Trade Deal Push, Delegation To Visit Washington This Month

The fresh bout of negotiations comes amid evolving tariff rules in the US, with officials indicating that clarity on Washington's trade stance remains crucial before any final deal.

US sends thousands more troops to Middle East as ground operations planned in Iran

The United States is expanding its military presence in the Middle East, deploying thousands of additional troops and warships as the Trump administration tightens a naval blockade on Iran and weighs the possibility of ground operations on Iranian soil, the Washington Post reports. The reinforcements include around 6,000 personnel aboard the aircraft carrier USS George […]

By newsroom

Where nations stand as Middle East tensions persist

Rappler traces how alliances and emerging blocs respond to evolving geopolitical pressures in the Middle East

By Jodesz Gavilan

US lifts shelter advisory in UAE after halt in drone and missile attacks - Gulf News

US lifts shelter advisory in UAE after halt in drone and missile attacks  Gulf News

Erdogan says Turkiye working to extend Iran ceasefire, continue talks

Israel's attacks in Lebanon harming hopes for peace, he adds

By Reuters

War 'Very Close' To Over, Trump Says, As Iran Ceasefire Extension Reportedly Advances, But More US Troops Deploy

War 'Very Close' To Over, Trump Says, As Iran Ceasefire Extension Reportedly Advances, But More US Troops Deploy Summary The Iran war is "very close to over" with authorities in Tehran eager to agree a peace deal, Trump says, adding: "We've beaten them militarily." AP/Bloomberg reporting the two sides have an "in principle agreement" to pursue further diplomacy; however, this is batted down as 'unconfirmed' by Tehran & a US official. The Pentagon is sending thousands of addit...

By Tyler Durden

Give cease-fire a chance, Erdoğan says, as he warns against Israel

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday urged the parties in the U.S.-Israel-Iran war to proceed with cease-fire talks. “You can’t negotiate with clenched fists; the window of...

Iran threatens to block Red Sea shipping over US naval blockade

Iran’s military issues a Red Sea threat, warning it will block all commercial shipping if the US continues its naval blockade on Iranian ports. Read More: https://punchng.com/iran-threatens-to-block-red-sea-shipping-over-us-naval-blockade/

By Punch Newspapers

U.S. says Iran port blockade fully enforced, trade halted

The U.S. military said it had successfully enforced a naval blockade against Iran, halting maritime trade to and from the country. “A blockade of Iranian ports has been fully implemented,” Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), said in a post on X late on Tuesday. U.S. forces have maintained maritime dominance in the […] The post U.S. says Iran port blockade fully enforced, trade halted appeared first on Vanguard News.

By efosataiwo@vanguardngr.com

Trump Says Iran War ‘Close to Over’ as Blockade on Hormuz Strait Tightens

US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran is “very close to over,” signaling a possible diplomatic breakthrough as Washington prepares for a new round of talks with Tehran. The post Trump Says Iran War ‘Close to Over’ as Blockade on Hormuz Strait Tightens appeared first on Morocco World News.

By Sara Zouiten