QtrendsIran claims closure of the Strait of Hormuz ahead of US-Iran talks in Switzerland, while the US denies the strait is shut. Israeli strikes in Lebanon kill 32, escalating regional tensions and threatening diplomatic efforts. Israel and Hezbollah renew a ceasefire after a deadly flareup. Trump escalates a public feud with Italian PM Meloni over a G7 photo incident. The US lifts its blockade on Iranian ports as a 60-day clock for a final nuclear deal begins.
Iran announced it has closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon, a claim the US has denied. The closure threat comes just before US-Iran talks scheduled for Sunday in Switzerland. Pakistan confirmed new talks with the US are also due Sunday. The strait is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, making the situation a major geopolitical flashpoint.
Israeli military strikes in Lebanon have killed at least 32 people, including a prominent ecologist known for protecting a turtle sanctuary. A family of four — parents and two daughters — was killed in a separate strike in Gaza. The escalation threatens to derail upcoming US-Iran talks and has drawn international condemnation.
Donald Trump has doubled down on his claim that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked for a photo with him at the G7, insisting she 'begged' for the opportunity. Meloni has strongly denied the claim, calling it fabricated, and Italy's top diplomat has canceled a planned trip to the US. The feud marks a sharp deterioration in what was once seen as a close alliance between the two leaders.
Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to renew their ceasefire following a deadly escalation that threatened to unravel the fragile truce. The renewed fighting had killed dozens and disrupted the opening of US-Iran talks. Multiple previous ceasefires have failed to hold, and the situation on the ground remains volatile. The agreement comes as diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent a wider regional war.
US-Iran talks are scheduled to begin Sunday in Switzerland, with Vice President Vance's push to get negotiations started hitting early complications. The US has lifted its blockade on Iranian ports, and a 60-day clock for reaching a final nuclear deal has started ticking. Iran's claim of closing the Strait of Hormuz adds significant tension to the diplomatic backdrop.