Overview
- The United States carried out strikes near the Strait of Hormuz and said it shot down four drones from an Iranian position, actions officials described as defensive to preserve the ceasefire.
- Multiple outlets reported on Friday that US and Iranian negotiators have provisionally agreed to extend the weapons halt for 60 days and ease shipping restrictions, but implementation depends on the president’s sign-off.
- Markets swung sharply as the new military exchanges pushed oil prices higher on Thursday before falling on reports of the tentative deal, while US equity indexes reached records driven by strong AI-related corporate news.
- The US Department of the Treasury added an Iranian agency that planned to collect transit fees for Hormuz to its sanctions list, saying the proposal violated international law and signaling economic pressure alongside military action.
- Conflicting regional and US accounts of strikes and damage leave the situation fragile, raising the cost of insurance and shipping and keeping investors alert for the president’s decision and further on‑the‑ground verification.