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US President Donald Trump says the US will launch “Project Freedom” to escort neutral ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. He cites humanitarian needs and deteriorating onboard conditions, amid rising regional tensions.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said US “many demands” caused peace talks in Islamabad to fail. Speaking in Russia, he said Iran will consult allies after talks collapsed following a Trump-cancelled planned US diplomatic mission.
Iran and the United States say negotiations are progressing, but disputes over nuclear limits and control of the Strait of Hormuz remain. Restrictions have reimposed amid renewed maritime tensions as a ceasefire deadline nears.
Pope Leo XIV says he has “no fear” of Donald Trump and will keep condemning war, after the US president attacked him over Iran, nuclear weapons and foreign policy.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the temporary suspension of attacks on Iran, saying it would last two weeks to allow negotiations to be finalized, provided Tehran guarantees safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.
At the White House on Monday, Trump said discussions were ongoing and described some Iranian participants as engaging in “good faith,” though he noted that uncertainty still surrounded the outcome of the negotiations. He also pointed out that Iran had not accepted proposals calling for a ceasefire, instead pushing for an immediate halt to hostilities, reconstruction efforts, and the lifting of sanctions.
The sharp market reaction followed a strongly worded social media post by Trump on Sunday, in which he warned that the United States would target critical Iranian infrastructure if ships were not allowed safe passage through the vital shipping lane by Tuesday.
The delay is meant to allow further negotiations aimed at resolving Middle East hostilities, signaling a possible diplomatic breakthrough amid rising tensions between the two countries.
The threats come as the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, remains effectively closed, sending European gas prices surging as much as 35% last week.
His remarks come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, as he claims significant military success against Iran, raising fresh questions about alliances and global security dynamics.
He argues that the conflicts in the Middle East, particularly in Iran, have been exacerbated by external influences rather than by immediate national security needs.
Speaking on Monday, he urged major nations including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the UK to join efforts to reopen the vital oil transit route, which has faced threats amid escalating Middle East tensions.