QtrendsIran re-closes Strait of Hormuz ahead of US talks
Iran has announced it is closing the Strait of Hormuz again, citing Israeli attacks in Lebanon, just days after the waterway officially reopened. A brief wave of ships that exited after Thursday's reopening appears to have stalled. The US and Iran are scheduled to hold talks Sunday in Switzerland, with Pakistan also mediating. The closure threatens global oil shipments through one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints.
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Israeli military strikes have killed 32 people in Lebanon, escalating regional tensions and jeopardizing US-Iran diplomatic efforts. In Gaza, an Israeli attack killed six people including Al Jazeera cameraman Ahmed Wishah. The incidents have drawn widespread condemnation and compound the volatile security situation across the Middle East.
Donald Trump has escalated a public dispute with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, insisting she asked for a photo with him at the G7. Meloni fired back, telling Trump to focus on his own popularity. Italy's top diplomat canceled a US trip amid the row. The feud marks a notable rift between Trump and what was once his closest European ally.
President Trump signed a preliminary US-Iran agreement during a dinner at the Palace of Versailles, with AP reporting it was a hard-fought negotiation. The deal outlines a framework for bilateral relations, though key details remain unclear. China's Wang Yi has urged concrete implementation of the memorandum.