Overview
- U.S. Central Command said it has imposed a total naval blockade on Iranian ports and claims it has halted the country’s sea trade, a step that squeezes Iran’s economy and disrupts shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz.
- The White House said a second round of U.S.–Iran negotiations is very likely in Islamabad after the first face‑to‑face session broke off following 21 hours, with a fragile cease-fire still in place.
- Spain reversed course and will join a Macron–Starmer video conference of non‑belligerent countries on a purely defensive mission to restore safe passage in Hormuz, while reiterating it will not take part in any military operation linked to the war.
- Israel and Lebanon resumed direct contacts and agreed to keep negotiating, though Israel stopped short of pledging a cease-fire in southern Lebanon, and President Trump said the two countries’ leaders are set to speak on Thursday.
- IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva warned the global economy could face “times of difficulty” if the port blockade and shipping restrictions persist, as the strait carries a large share of the world’s oil flows.