QtrendsIran closes Strait of Hormuz ahead of US-Iran talks in Switzerland, accusing the US and Israel of violating the ceasefire deal. Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Gaza kill dozens, threatening the fragile ceasefire and upcoming negotiations. Trump escalates a public feud with Italian PM Meloni over a G7 photo incident. Beijing signals assertiveness ahead of Trump-Xi meeting, with no Taiwan call or new arms sales planned. The US-Iran peace deal draws debate over its implications for Iran's political factions and even the World Cup.
Iran announced it has closed the Strait of Hormuz, accusing the US and Israel of violating a ceasefire deal. The move comes ahead of scheduled US-Iran talks in Switzerland on Sunday. Multiple international outlets report the closure, which could disrupt global oil shipping lanes. The talks are now seen as crucial to de-escalating the situation.
Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 32 people in Lebanon and additional civilians in Gaza, including a family of four. The strikes come amid reports of a renewed ceasefire, placing US-Iran talks at risk. Al Jazeera and The Guardian report that the violence threatens to unravel progress toward regional stability.
President Trump has doubled down on claims that Italian PM Giorgia Meloni asked for a photo with him at the G7, insisting the story is true. Meloni has slammed the remarks as fabricated, and Italy's top diplomat canceled a planned US trip. The feud marks a sharp break in what was once a close transatlantic relationship.
Chinese state media signals Beijing is planning more military surveys east of Taiwan to assert sovereignty. Meanwhile, reports indicate Trump is preparing for Xi Jinping's visit by avoiding a call with Taiwan and declining new arms sales. A prize-winning Taiwanese novel also stirs discussion over Beijing's concerns about historical narratives.
The US-Iran peace deal raises questions across various arenas, from Iran's domestic political factions to the Iranian national football team's World Cup prospects. AP News provides analysis on unresolved questions about the agreement. Al Jazeera examines how different political groups in Iran view the deal and what it means for the country's cultural identity.