Overview
- President Trump, who on Monday extended his 48-hour Hormuz ultimatum by five days, said planned strikes on Iranian energy sites are on hold after what he called productive talks.
- Iran warned it could keep the strait closed and strike regional energy facilities if attacked, and the 21-mile channel carries about 20 million barrels a day, a fifth of global oil and gas flows.
- Gulf states raised their stakes, with the UAE’s energy chief labeling any closure "economic terrorism" and the GCC leader insisting any agreement include Gulf security demands on missiles, drones and proxies.
- China urged an immediate stop to military operations and cautioned the region could fall into chaos, while regional reporting described about 22 countries preparing to help keep shipping lanes open.
- The fallout is already visible, with ADNOC reporting attacks that affected operations, Lebanese border towns such as Shebaa describing displacement and shortages, and fuel prices climbing about 50% in three weeks.