Overview
- Israel reports a large wave of strikes on targets in Tehran and other Iranian cities as Iran launches new missiles toward Israel, with Saudi Arabia saying it intercepted projectiles and Israeli media assessing that one Iranian ballistic missile struck inside Lebanon for the first time.
- President Donald Trump threatens to destroy Iranian power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened within 48 hours, and the IRGC warns it would completely close the strait and hit Israeli and Gulf energy and desalination sites if Iran’s grid is attacked.
- Tehran insists Hormuz is only restricted to its enemies and Iranian figures float transit fees for passage, while Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer speak by phone and agree reopening the waterway is essential for energy market stability.
- Axios reports the US has begun exploring a diplomatic track, with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff involved in discussions and mediators including Egypt, Qatar and the UK, as Tehran sets broad conditions for a ceasefire and Washington states demands on uranium enrichment and missiles.
- Regional fallout deepens as Iraq says it has lost about 70% of its oil exports during the crisis and European leaders warn that further escalation could trigger a prolonged global energy shock.