Overview
- The United States and Iran announced a two-week halt to hostilities and agreed to begin direct negotiations in Islamabad following urgent, last-minute mediation by Pakistan.
- Israel launched heavy strikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon with at least 182 reported dead, while U.S. officials signaled the Lebanon front is not covered by the truce as Hezbollah fired back.
- Gulf governments reported new Iranian drones and missiles targeting the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, and said air defenses intercepted many of them.
- The UAE and Bahrain called for firm guarantees, full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for damages, citing UN Security Council Resolution 2817 that condemned Iran’s attacks.
- Commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited with only a few ships transiting and high insurance costs, reflecting continued caution from shippers and insurers.