QtrendsNew round of US-Iran talks scheduled in Switzerland as Tehran claims it has closed the Strait of Hormuz, threatening global oil shipments. Russia continues strikes on Ukrainian cities while Ukraine targets Russian refineries deep inside its territory with drones. Israel and Hezbollah reportedly agree to halt fighting, though multiple cease-fires have previously failed to hold.
The United States and Iran are set to hold a new round of talks in Switzerland on Sunday, with Tehran announcing it has closed the Strait of Hormuz again over Israeli strikes in Lebanon. Reports are conflicting, with some outlets noting the talks were canceled and then reinstated. The strait is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, and its closure threatens energy markets worldwide.
US President Trump has vowed that Iran will not charge tolls for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while suggesting the United States might impose its own charges. Iran has announced it is closing the strait in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon, and Pakistan reports new US-Iran talks are due on Sunday.
Russian forces struck an apartment building in Kharkiv, killing at least one person, and a separate attack in Zaporizhzhia left five dead. Russia continues to escalate strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and urban centers as the war enters a protracted phase.
Ukraine has struck Russia's Tyumen oil refinery, 2,000 kilometers from its border, using long-range drones. President Zelenskyy has also warned Belarus to remove Russian military relay stations or face Ukrainian action. The strikes are part of a campaign to disrupt Russia's fuel supply and energy infrastructure.
Israel and Hezbollah have reportedly agreed to halt hostilities, though officials caution that multiple previous cease-fires have failed to hold. The fighting has been linked to the broader US-Iran tensions and the situation in Lebanon remains volatile. The potential truce could affect the trajectory of US-Iran talks.