• Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, has warned that if Trump’s “economic war” continues, Tehran will halt all oil exports from the Gulf and treat any country’s support for US sanctions as “an act of war”.
• Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority says vessels repeatedly violating its passage rules through the Strait of Hormuz will face restrictions on future trips.
• Commercial traffic through the strait has remained at reduced levels over the past 48 hours, according to the latest report by United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

Treasury secretary says US aims to ‘sever every economic lifeline’ that sustains Iran

In an opinion piece for the Financial Times, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the US war on Iran is entering an “endgame”, with an “economic D-Day” coming for Tehran.

In reference to Trump’s announcement last week that the US would target Iran with economic sanctions, Bessent said Washington will wage “the single greatest financial offensive ever marshaled against an adversary”.

Bessent has previously warned that this new economic warfare could include more secondary sanctions on other nations and companies that conduct business with Iran.

“The president has created the conditions to leverage every agency, every authority and action many assumed we would never summon. Any remaining tie to Tehran will hasten the economic ostracism of countries and entities, whether that tie be purposefully constructed or willfully ignored,” he said.

“The world should understand that our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains the tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone.”

We have commented in previous summaries the international illegality of the way how the US wants to continue to attack Iran but economically several times.

US is depending on allies for the success of new sanctions

As of this moment the US treasury has not officially announced the details of the sanctions or exactly what they include.

However, the secretary treasury has threatened that any country he says deals with Iran will also face economic isolation. Last week, he said that allies and parties dealing with Iran must choose either to stand with the United States or to stand against it. This reflects a major US reliance on the parties dealing with Iran for the success of the anticipated new package of sanctions.

These assertions by the treasury secretary come as other officials confirm that Central Command is working to enforce this blockade on Iranian ports strictly.

What is striking in these remarks is that the treasury secretary says that the Iranian regime is on its way to collapse. Thus, he maintains that one of the aims of the maximum economic pressure on Iran is to bring down the regime.

He may be among a small number around President Trump who stress that one objective of this economic pressure is not only to change Iran’s positions, but also to change the regime in Iran.

At the beginning of this war, the administration had said that regime change was not among the war’s main objectives.

The same law forbids the belligerent to force third countries under threat of sanctions, to stop trade with Iran, as forcing under sanction threat is violating the (economic) sovereignty of the countries who chose to decide to participate in the now economic war by the US on Iran.

Choosing to decide to participate in the US' economic war on Iran is in our view no longer an issue of national economic interest the participating countries have in their trade with Iran. It is assisting in the violation of Iran's sovereignty therefore in our view (also) a violation of the UN Charter.

China and Russia won’t participate in new US sanctions on Iran

Washington’s bid to enlist allies against Iran will struggle to gain traction among the states that matter most, according to Mohsen Farkhani, a researcher specializing in international relations.

“China and Russia will not participate in these sanctions, given their already tense relationship with the United States,” he said. “Iran is an important economic partner for China because of the large quantities of oil exported to China.”

Farkhani argued that Tehran retains significant leverage over global trade routes regardless of the sanctions push. “I believe Iran has leverage in the Strait of Hormuz and also in Bab al-Mandeb,” he said.

The researcher said the deeper problem for Washington is a regional crisis of confidence in US security guarantees. “All neighboring countries see that the United States is unable, and no longer credible, to provide a defensive umbrella for those countries under these circumstances,” Farkhani said. “Consequently, many countries have lost confidence in the United States.”

That erosion of trust, he said, will directly undercut the sanctions campaign: “Imposing these sanctions will not be useful, because those countries will not join the United States; therefore, the sanctions will remain unilateral.”

China vows to protect its rights as US readies sanctions on Iran

China’s foreign ⁠ministry ⁠says it will closely watch developments and do ⁠what is necessary to protect its rights as ⁠the US prepares to unveil new Iran sanctions that are expected to target Tehran’s trading partners.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin ⁠Jian also urged parties to act rationally with restraint, warning that sanctions ‌and pressure tactics do not help to resolve issues.

US ‌Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is set to hold a press conference at 1800 GMT today, has threatened to ⁠impose “the toughest sanctions ⁠in history” on Iran and urged China to cooperate with Washington.

Sanctions against Iran will not bring down regime

The new sanctions package against Tehran is designed to reach far beyond Iran itself, according to Michael Mulroy, former US deputy assistant secretary of defence. “These are called secondary sanctions,” he said.

“Sanctions will be imposed on all countries, institutions and entities that deal with Iran and have trade relations with it. We are speaking here about China and other countries, as well as financial institutions that process Iranian financial transactions.”

Mulroy said Washington is also moving against the infrastructure Iran uses to bypass restrictions: “The United States is also targeting the shadow fleet used to smuggle Iranian oil and evade sanctions.”

He said there were limits to the strategy, however: “These measures will not bring down the regime, but they will significantly harm it and the Revolutionary Guard, cutting off funding to that entity.”

Mulroy linked the sanctions push to domestic political timing in Washington. “I believe this option has been pursued instead of military escalation ahead of the US midterm elections, given that this war is not particularly popular among Americans or US public opinion,” he said, adding that the standoff “could move to a military level if Iran targets any regional allies or US targets”.

Oil prices fall as investors wait for US announcements on Iran sanctions

Oil prices slid as Asian markets opened for trading on Monday morning, with investors awaiting details of an expected announcement from Washington on imposing more sanctions on Iran.

Brent crude futures dropped more than 1 percent to $93.45 a barrel, with US oil futures also falling more than 1 percent to $86.14 a barrel, Reuters reported.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said an “economic D-Day” is coming for Iran and is due to hold a news conference on Monday afternoon to announce the sanctions.

Iran may retaliate against countries that join US ‘economic war’

Iran has threatened to retaliate against any country that joins the US’s “economic war” against it, as diplomatic efforts to end the months-long conflict have stalled and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has drastically decreased.

The warning from Iran’s top security official, Mohsen Rezaei, on Saturday came as Washington plans to announce new sanctions on Monday that could further strain the struggling Iranian economy.

Rezaei described Iran’s retaliation strategy as a three-stage sequence, starting with talks with countries cooperating with the US to de-escalate tensions.

“But if they do not act, we will strike. We will target that country’s interests,” he added.

Tehran views sanctions as an act of war

Tehran views Washington’s sanctions and blockade measures as acts of war, not merely economic pressure, according to Mohsen Farkhani, a researcher specializing in international relations in Tehran.

“These sanctions are themselves a war, and the blockade imposed on Iran is also part of that war,” he told Al Jazeera. “Therefore, both the blockade and sanctions are forms of war and require an Iranian response.”

“China, Turkiye and other countries will not cut their relations with Iran,” regardless of whether Tehran would treat states like the UAE, Turkiye, Iraq, Pakistan or China as adversaries if they curtailed trade under US pressure, Farkhani said.

He added that the UAE’s move to cut trade with Iran was made “only because of US pressure. Otherwise, we have been neighbors since time immemorial, and I do not think it is possible to cut relations completely with Iran because there are deep ties”.

Tehran has so far shown restraint, he said. “Iran has consistently exercised caution in adopting its positions and in ensuring that they are in line with international resolutions.”

We know this movie’: Iran mocks latest US sanctions

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said the new US sanctions package, likely to be unveiled on Monday, is like watching the “same movie playing over and over again”. He added that the “bullying” under Trump is no different from that under previous US administrations.

Complicity with US’s siege on Iran has grave consequences: Baghaei

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson has attacked Washington’s economic policies towards Iran as “a clear example of economic terrorism to punish a nation that insists on defending its sovereignty and independence”.

“The naval blockade of Iran is considered an act of aggression, and warnings have been issued that any cooperation with the illegal behaviour of the US will have grave consequences,” he reiterated.

“Iran will never remain idle in the face of such actions.”

Repeating failed US sanctions against Iran will not yield results: Baghaei

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson says Iran will use all its bilateral capabilities to confront US economic sanctions, adding that Washington continues to impose this failed policy on Tehran.

“Washington’s persistence in failed methods has no result other than proving America’s hatred for the Iranian people, because they know very well that the direct consequences of these sanctions are on ordinary citizens,” he said.

The top diplomat stressed that sanctions and intimidation by other countries to restrict trade relations violate the foundations of free trade and the principle of respect for national sovereignty.

“This illegal practice is a wake-up call for the international community, as America’s excesses and violations of the law in international relations have even provoked protests from its close allies.”

How US addresses China will be real test in Bessent’s statement

A press conference has been announced where the new US sanctions on Iran is to be expected to be detailed.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is to unveil what is promised to be the most punishing and robust set of sanctions issued by the US against Iran. We expect this could include a detailed list of countries, banks, vessels and individuals.

But it could also include warnings or deadlines to foreign countries that are currently, or have in the past, done business with Iran.

The real test in all of this is going to be how the US addresses China because, given the fact that China did buy in 2025 some 80 percent of Iranian-shipped oil, the question mark will be whether the US will mention China specifically, or in a veiled manner.

Iran central bank chief says currency’s weakness ‘temporary’

The governor of the Central Bank of Iran, Abdolnaser Hemmati, says the depreciation of the national currency was “temporary” as the Iranian rial continues to plummet in value.

The currency has lost nearly 10 percent of its value over the last two weeks, having already plunged early in the war, with the US set to lay out its plans for “economic warfare” against Tehran.

“These increases are temporary, meaning they fluctuate,” Hemmati said, according to the video of his remarks aired on state TV.

He blamed US “political propaganda” for much of the economic pain affecting Iran, adding that he was sure “the situation will improve and the problems will be resolved”.

US sanctions to ‘sever every economic lifeline’ to Iran: US Treasury Secretary Bessent

“Around the globe, our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has told a press conference.

Countries have ‘finite timeline’ to shut down Iran financial activities: US Treasury

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says countries will have a “finite timeline” to shut down activities identified by US officials including “closing Iran’s bank branches abroad”.

Economic engagement with Iran to severe consequences: US Treasury Secretary

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says economic engagement of any kind with Iran “will expose those responsible to the full reach of American power”.

Bessent made the comments during a press conference as the US launches “unprecedented” economic sanctions against Iran.

International law forbids the belligerent to force third countries under threat of sanctions, to stop trade with Iran, as forcing under sanction threat is violating the (economic) sovereignty of the countries who are forced to choose to decide to participate in the now economic war by the US on Iran.

The US remains the attacking belligerent as long Trump doesn't lift his declaration of war on Iran, he had issued on February 28th.

US not in economic position to impose more restrictions on Iran’s trading partners: Ghalibaf

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has claimed that the United States is not in an economic position to continue restricting Iran’s relations with other countries.

In a post on X ahead of US Treasury Secretary’s new Iran sanctions announcement, Ghalibaf said Iran’s trading partners have made it clear they do not take the US’ statements into account.

• Sovereign Limits: International law limits how far a country can enforce its domestic laws abroad.
• Overreach: Forcing foreign companies in other nations to obey local rules via threats breaks the principle of sovereign equality.
• Disputed Legality: Many legal experts view unilateral secondary sanctions as an unlawful interference in the internal affairs of neutral state.
• Neutral Rights: Third-party countries not involved in the war remain neutral and generally have the right to trade freely.
• Traditional Limits: Belligerents traditionally can stop contraband goods from reaching an enemy, but only through recognized acts like naval blockades.
• Economic Coercion: Using market bans to penalize third-party companies goes beyond classic wartime rules of blockade and contraband.

‘Entities facilitating money laundering for Iran will be removed from US dollar system’

“Entities facilitating money laundering for Iran will be removed from US dollar system”, Treasury Secretary Bessent has told a press conference as the US imposes “unprecedented” sanctions on Iran.

Major financial institution to be sanctioned ‘by the end of this week’ over Iran

“You will see a major financial institution being sanctioned by the end of this week over Iran,” Bessent says.

“We are going to hold everyone accountable, and this is economic asphyxiation of this regime.”

US unveils ‘economic onslaught against Iran’s financial connections around the globe’

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has unveiled crushing sanctions against Iran and entities facilitating it during a news conference on Monday.

“We are launching an economic onslaught against Iran’s financial connections around the globe. Our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone,” Bessent ‌said.

“Our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone,” Bessent told reporters.

The department said it has issued determinations against five sectors – digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping – that the Iranian government is using to prop up its economy. The Treasury has also imposed sanctions on nearly 60 entities, individuals and vessels.

Bessent said it’s “no longer acceptable to operate in the gray spaces” of the conflict.

“Let there be no ambiguity as to the position of the United States,” Bessent told a news conference. “An economic engagement of any kind” with Iran said Bessent, “will expose those responsible to the full reach of American power”.

Even if US imposes further sanctions, Iran not to become economically isolated

Iran can continue to do business with its partners, even after the US sanctions, says Mostafa Khoshcheschm, professor at Tehran’s University of Applied Science and Technology.

The US has maintained since the Obama era that its sanctions isolate Iran on the world stage, Khoshcheschm said.

While the sanctions imposed during former President Barrack Obama’s time in office were the “worst type of sanctions”, Iran has strengthened its relationships with Russia, China and other neighboring countries to effectively bypass them and “stay out of the US surveillance and monitoring system”, he added.

“There are unofficial reports … saying that Iran is still selling over a million barrels of oil per day, and the IRGC spokesman also said yesterday that Iran is doing business outside the US sea blockade,” Khoshcheschm said.

Furthermore, “ever since the blockade has been imposed, Tehran has opened up corridors in the east and north” with five roads going through just one of these countries, which were not in operation before the war began, he said.

“So, it’s not possible to isolate Iran, but the top Iranian security officials have warned that … if any country complies with the US dictats, then that would be a legitimate target because it’s an accomplice in the US war.”

Iran remains defiant against US sanctions

There is certainly concern among the people and among the political establishment, regarding this new round of sanctions, as Iranians are facing a deteriorating economic situation, marked by high inflation, increasing prices, and drastic devaluation of the local currency, which hit a new record low on Sunday and Monday, when it comes to the foreign currency exchange rate.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Ghalibaf, who is also heading the negotiating delegation in talks with the United States, came out on his social media accounts, to downplay the statements by US administration officials, to say, quote, “the Americans know no one will believe their nonsense”.

Ghalibaf said the United States is not in a position economically to restrict its relations with other countries. He also said Iran’s trading partners have announced both in the media and by sending messages directly, that they do not take these statements by US officials seriously.

The spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said these crippling sanctions are attempts by the United States to exert maximum pressure to subdue Iran, which is not ready to give up its rights. It is basically a message of defiance, resistance and resilience.

Iranians have been habituated to years and decades of sanctions and it’s like dancing with the same old tune for them. However, it does not mean that it’s not going to make people suffer as they are dealing with this deteriorating economic situation inside the country.

‘Left with a lot more questions than answers’ after US sanctions announcement

Eva McKend about Bessent's press conference:

"The key takeaway of US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s press conference was that this was not only a message to Iran but a message to countries around the world: Stop working with Iran.

In the administration’s words, stop enabling them. The Trump administration’s strategy is essentially to choke off the infrastructure that they argue the Iranian government is using to wage this battle.

They’re going to go after a number of industries, making this probably the most aggressive sanctions package that we have ever seen. It concerns 60 Iran-linked entities, including digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping.

But we are certainly left with a lot more questions than answers after all of this.

For instance, is this an acknowledgement that the war cannot be won militarily at this point? And also what historical evidence are they using to basically deduce that an aggressive sanctions package is actually going to be effective in forcing Iran to change?"

Iran ready for ‘death before compromise’ over US sanctions

Iran is determined to resist all US pressure, including crushing economic sanctions, as long as its conditions to end the war imposed on it are not met, says Fereshteh Sadeghi, a Tehran-based analyst, speaking on the “unprecedented” sanctions regime the Trump administration in the US says it is imposing on Iran.

Sadeghi said that the Iranian position has hardened after repeated US “betrayals”, and the leadership is not willing to make – or interested in making – any deal on US terms.

“For the Iranians, it is a question of embracing death before compromise,” she said.

Sadeghi notes that Iranian officials are unwilling to make concessions on opening the Strait of Hormuz unless their goals are met, including “an end to the US land and sea blockade of Iran and the complete withdrawal of American forces from the region”.

But it doesn’t end there. Sadeghi says Iran also wants to ensure the US doesn’t escape the economic pain Tehran is being subjected to.

“Iran also has an objective here to play a role in the collapse of the US economy as a result of the rising cost of global energy,” she concluded.

Iran to overcome US sanctions ‘with wisdom and resolve’, government spokeswoman says

Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani has responded to new US sanctions in a post on X, saying Iran’s government and the president will guide the country through these developments.

“The government and the president, with wisdom and resolve, will guide the country through this phase as well. We do not deny the economic hardships; but with sound judgment and by preserving unity, as in days past, we will pass through this intense gauntlet,” she wrote.

New US sanctions announcement part of ‘political show’

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s announcement of new US sanctions intended to create an “economic onslaught” was a “political show,” Iranian political analyst Mostafa Khoshcheschm says.

The announcement was a show of intimidation to pressure foreign governments neighbouring Iran, Khoshcheschm told Al Jazeera.

He compared the new measure to Donald Trump’s first term “maximum pressure policy that failed”, saying that “it was even weaker than that”.

“[Scott Bessent] is trying to hide their paralysis. He was just explaining the targets of the sanctions,” Khoshcheschm said.

US sanctions ‘will fail’, Iran’s economy minister says

Iran’s Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh has responded to new US sanctions against the country, saying they will fail as they have in the past, according to Iran’s Fars news agency.

“US sanctions against us are not new. We have programmes to counter American sanctions, and Washington cannot achieve its goals by severing the arteries of our economy,” Madanizadeh said.

Fars also quoted the minister as saying that the government prevented 600,000 people from becoming unemployed since the US and Israel attacked Iran in February.

‘US must correct its tone’ Iranian president tells Pakistan army chief

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has told visiting Pakistan army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, that “the United States must correct its tone and approach in its interactions with Iran, because relying on coercion and bullying will only complicate the implementation processes”.

That’s according to a statement published by the Iranian presidency, following a meeting between Pezeshkian and Munir, who helped mediate the US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU) in June.

Munir praised Pezeshkian’s efforts for stability and peace in the region, saying: “In order to advance common goals and achieve a comprehensive agreement, it is essential that diplomatic processes be discussed and examined with complete precision and meticulousness.”

Netanyahu congratulates Trump on expanded Iran sanctions

The Israeli prime minister has congratulated Trump and his Treasury secretary on the latest US sanctions they have imposed on Iran.

Netanyahu wrote in a post on X: “Congratulations President @realDonaldTrump and Secretary @SecScottBessent on the latest sanctions against the Iranian regime. You justly exact a steep price from that cruel dictatorship and from those who assist its continued aggression.”

Iran likely to escalate war after US sanctions present ‘surrender or escalation’ choice

The new US economic sanctions are likely to be met by further Iranian escalation, says Trita Parsi, head of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a United States foreign policy think-tank.

“The pattern that we have seen so far is that when faced with either surrender or escalation, the Iranians escalate,” Parsi told Al Jazeera.

The fact that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is aiming for Iranian surrender or collapse with the new sanctions makes escalation even more likely, he maintained.

“He’s not putting forth any other demands [than surrender]”, Parsi said, so an escalation is “the most likely response”.

This works in Iran’s favor because the country has “formidable escalatory options” in terms of how it can respond, he said.

There is still a chance, Parsi explained, that the sanctions will not significantly hurt Iran’s economy and the Iranian response will be muted. But if the measures start to put significant pressure on the Iranians, “a counter escalation is the most likely outcome”, he said.

US sanctions on Iran had in the past

If history is any guide, the new sanctions are unlikely to achieve their intended outcome, says Trita Parsi, head of the Washington, DC-based Quincy Institute.

Iran has faced varying degrees of economic sanctions since 1979, and they’ve been “quite effective” in terms of imposing a cost on Iran, Parsi told Al Jazeera. “We’ve seen clear evidence of how they’ve moved millions of Iranians from the middle class into poverty,” he said.

The problem for the US, though, is that it has been unable to translate that pain into a desired change in Iranian key national security policies, Parsi explained.

What has worked, however, is giving the Iranians incentives. For example, pre-JCPOA negotiations in Moscow in 2013 reached a breakthrough when the US gave in to Iranian demands for a degree of nuclear enrichment on Iranian soil.

“Only then did the Iranians show flexibility,” Parsi said.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known as the Iran nuclear deal, was a 2015 international agreement that limited Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018.

Greece moves missile battery to Crete after Iranian threats to US bases in Europe, Greek media outlet reports

Greece is moving a Patriot missile battery from the island of Karpathos to the Souda naval base on Crete to bolster air defenses, the Greek daily Kathimerini reports.

The move comes about 24 hours after senior Iranian officials threatened possible strikes on US bases on European soil, the paper said. Greece’s Defence Ministry and armed forces general staff have been on alert since last week, assessing the threat level and reviewing measures to protect critical infrastructure, according to the report.

The battery, along with its equipment and personnel, departed Karpathos at dawn and was expected to be operational in the wider Souda area within hours, Kathimerini said. The system had been deployed to Karpathos in March as part of a broader plan to shield all sectors of Athens’s flight information region from potential ballistic missile attacks.

The relocation reflects concerns in Athens over Iran’s remaining arsenal, which allies have assessed still includes a significant number of ballistic missiles capable of ranges beyond 2,000km (1,240 miles), potentially putting infrastructure in southeastern Europe within reach, the report said.

US cancels joint marine drills with South Korea over Iran war-related force constraints

The ‌United States has cancelled a joint amphibious landing drill ⁠scheduled for ⁠next month with South Korea, Seoul’s Marine Corps said on Monday, after Washington cited constraints on ⁠the availability of US forces due to the war on Iran.

The US Marine Corps formally notified its ⁠South Korean counterpart in June that force availability would be constrained for the division-level exercise, known as Ssangyong, a South Korean Marine Corps spokesperson told a news briefing.

The allies remain ‌in close consultations on resuming the drills, the spokesperson said. He did not specify what measures might be taken to prevent future cancellations or to make up for lost training opportunities.

The cancellation ⁠follows Trump’s surprise order ⁠to scale back a separate annual joint military exercise that ended last Friday, citing the cost and Seoul’s refusal to take part in ⁠the war on Iran.

Fewer than 20 ships transited Strait of Hormuz over weekend

Fewer than 20 vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz this weekend, according to the latest data from the ship tracker Kpler.

Thirteen vessels crossed the strait on Saturday and just four on Sunday, the data shows.

However, the actual number of ships transiting the waterway could be higher as some vessels may have switched off their notification transponders.

Separate blockades by the US and Iran continue to restrict traffic through the vital chokepoint for energy shipments.

Iran warns vessels violating Hormuz transit rules of fines, detention

Iran has ⁠issued a warning that vessels violating its arrangements for transiting the ⁠Strait of Hormuz could face restrictions, including fines, detention or confiscation.

The ⁠Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a new body Iran has established with the aim of managing the strait, wrote in a post on X that cargo owners should ⁠refer to an updated list of vessels deemed non-compliant for voyages relating to the Gulf.

IEA chief says not discussing second release of strategic oil reserves

Global energy watchdog International Energy Agency is ⁠not discussing a second ⁠release of strategic oil reserves at this time, ‌IEA chief Fatih Birol has told Reuters.

Birol said the IEA is ⁠following the markets ⁠closely, and 80 percent of ⁠strategic reserves ⁠remain after ⁠a 400-million-barrel release in March.

The IEA announced in March the largest release of government oil reserves in its history, two weeks after the US-Israel war on Iran started.

Iran blacklists 45 tankers in Hormuz escalation

Iran says it has blacklisted 45 tankers for violating its rules to cross the Strait of Hormuz, adding that it would take action against future transits and any vessels transferring loads with them.

The announcement was posted as the US threatens Iran with “the toughest sanctions in history”.

Oil stocks fall by 3.7 million barrels in US Strategic Petroleum Reserve

Stocks of crude oil fell by about 3.7 million barrels to 289.7 million barrels in the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve last week.

The drawdown follows a United States agreement in March authorizing the release of 172 million barrels. The measures were taken to offset months of supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz amid the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The decrease brings inventories to their lowest level since November 1982, according to data from the US Department of Energy.

US says it is prepared to use military force against Iran in Hormuz Strait, elsewhere

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth says the US has not ruled out employing military force against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz or anywhere else.

“By no means are we ⁠foreclosing using kinetic ⁠strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz ⁠or around Iran,” the defence secretary told reporters.

Hegseth said Iran knew the US controlled the strategic waterway and the US naval blockade on its ports could not be breached.

The defence secretary asserted that Iran could not withstand the pressure exerted by US forces and its economy was suffering significantly.

Omani foreign minister to visit Tehran for talks on Strait of Hormuz

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi will travel to Tehran on Tuesday for meetings with Iranian officials, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement via IRNA.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, said Albusaidi is set to hold talks with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on bilateral relations and regional matters. The visit, he added, is part of an ongoing political dialogue between the two countries, which share responsibility for the Strait of Hormuz.

“This trip is in line with strengthening Iran-Oman bilateral cooperation and continuing sustained political consultations between the two sides as littoral states of the Strait of Hormuz, to help bolster peace and stability in the region,” Baghaei said.

Can Pakistan’s army chief break peace talks deadlock?

Analysts remain divided on what Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit to Iran can realistically achieve, given Islamabad’s limited ability to enforce any understanding it may help broker.

“Both sides see Pakistan as a country that has helped facilitate dialogue without any personal stake in the outcome, nothing to gain for itself,” said Qamar Cheema, a political analyst and head of the Islamabad-based Sanober Institute. “That gives it a certain clarity, and the ability to offer an off-ramp to everyone involved.”

Javad Heiran-Nia, director of the Persian Gulf Studies Group in Tehran, said Pakistan’s persistence was driven partly by self-interest.

“Pakistan is concerned about escalating tensions and the outbreak of another all-out war between Iran and the United States, which would further destabilize the region,” he said, pointing to Islamabad’s reliance on energy imports from the Gulf and the risk of disruption to remittances from Pakistani workers there if instability spreads.

Relations between Tehran and Islamabad ‘passing through one of their best stages’

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says the scheduled visit of Pakistan’s army chief will focus on bilateral relations between Tehran and Islamabad.

“Currently, bilateral relations between the two countries are passing through one of their best stages,” Esmail Baghaei told reporters.

Iran-Pakistan dialogue could reshape Strait of Hormuz security, experts say

Iranian journalist Reza Afzal Samir says Pakistan had a significant role in Iran’s calculus because of what it could do.

“Why should Iran listen to Pakistan? Because Pakistan still retains the leverage to actually do something and create a real opening for peace, rather than remaining silent and doing nothing,” he said.

Samir also predicted Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir’s visit could be followed quickly by movement on Hormuz negotiations.

“I think the timeline for a final agreement between Iran and Oman on the Strait of Hormuz is also drawing near. If [Munir] succeeds in bringing Iran back to the table, I anticipate a new announcement from Oman and Iran on the strait shortly after.”

Andreas Krieg, an associate professor of defence studies at King’s College London, was more cautious about what Munir’s visit could deliver.

The most meaningful outcome, he said, would be “confirmation that Iran’s security establishment would abide by a specific Hormuz deconfliction arrangement and restrain escalation through Yemen or Iraq if Qatar can secure reciprocal American movement”.

Without that, according to Krieg, “the communication bridge remains open, but the two sides continue moving towards another coercive cycle”.

Iran-US disagreements remain over Hormuz, sanctions and nuclear dossier

There is a long list of points of contention when it comes to the prospect of talks between Iran and the US.

In addition to the Strait of Hormuz, talks with the Omani side were supposed to pave the way for the revival of talks between Tehran and Washington and the revival of the Islamabad MoU.

There are also other issues, such as the naval blockade imposed by the Americans. On that, the Iranians are saying this is a precondition for the situation in the Strait of Hormuz to be settled diplomatically.

When it comes to the country’s nuclear dossier, there is also controversy between Tehran and Washington. The MoU was supposed to provide a phase-by-phase process through which the two sides could sit down and talk about the remaining issues. However, it was never translated into real acts and fulfillment of its provisions.

When it comes to frozen assets, sanctions, Iran’s regional relations and, most importantly, the security assurances Iran is looking for, there are still points of disagreement between Tehran and Washington, while there is a potential for another round of confrontation on the horizon, given the rhetoric we hear from both sides.

Pakistan army chief Munir arrives in Tehran

Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has arrived in Tehran for talks with Iranian officials, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

‘Security architecture’ in the Middle East altered following war on Iran

With negotiations appearing to be at a deadlock, regional countries could instead seek workarounds to accommodate the competing demands of Washington and Tehran, military and diplomatic analyst Alexandru Hudisteanu says.

“After so many months of war, it starts to look like it might be a new status quo, at least for the shorter period of time,” Hudisteanu said.

He said governments in the region and around the world may already be preparing for such a scenario.

Hudisteanu also said the conflict had fundamentally altered the region’s security architecture, meaning the Middle East was unlikely to return to the situation that existed before the war.

“The main thing that changed it is the security architecture because that was blown out the moment the war on Iran started.”

In the absence of a lasting solution, the region’s security arrangements would need to be reassessed, including Iran’s position and the roles of the US and other regional actors, he added.

Hudisteanu pointed to recent engagements involving Turkiye, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia as evidence that regional powers were already discussing how a new security architecture could take shape.

‘New impetus’ in mediation efforts as Pakistan’s army chief visits Tehran

The last six weeks have seen mediation efforts take something of a step back.

But now it seems that there is new impetus. There’s been a phone call reported between the Pakistani army chief and Trump in the last week or so.

There’s a lot of preparation ahead of this, and you’re seeing that it’s happening on the day when the US is saying D-Day starts, and these new sanctions are going to come in and cripple them.

So it appears that whenever you see a ratcheting up of rhetoric, it indicates that there might be the possibility of coming to the table, because you only ratchet things up so you can go to the table.

Pakistan can ‘lower the price of returning to diplomacy’

Mediation becomes more important when “rhetoric deteriorates” among the opposing sides, says Rabia Akhtar, the dean of social sciences at the University of Lahore in Pakistan.

“Pakistan cannot manufacture that political will in Washington nor Tehran,” she said. “But what it can do is lower the price of returning to diplomacy.”

The academic said that neither side wanted to be seen as coming back to the negotiation table because military or economic pressure forced it.

“So, Pakistan has to help construct a pathway through which both sides can exercise restraint without being publicly described as retreating.”

US must adhere to MoU, Iran’s top negotiator tells Pakistani mediator

Pakistan’s military chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has held discussions with Iran’s chief negotiator and speaker of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, in Tehran, according to Iran’s Mehr News Agency.

The agency reported Ghalibaf discussed US violations of its commitments to implement the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Iran in June, with Qatari and Pakistani mediation.

“The US, by breaching its commitments, prevented the establishment of stability in the region and created another reason for distrust,” Ghalibaf told Munir, according to Mehr.

Munir said he will continue his efforts to restore stability in the region.

An informed source told our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic that the US president had a phone conversation with Munir last week. Trump asked him to use his influence to resume negotiations with Iran, according to the source.

Highly unlikely either US or Iran wants to return to diplomatic path

For the time being, it seems neither the US nor Iran wants to resume diplomatic negotiations, says Rashid al-Mohannad, vice president of the Center for International Policy Research.

While the visit by Oman’s foreign minister to Tehran “shows that there is a willingness from the mediating parties to try to pull both the US and Iran back to a diplomatic track, it’s obvious that both parties are not willing to come back to that track for the time being”, al-Mohannad said.

This is because they are no longer engaged in “a hot conflict” but rather “a war of attrition, especially with the US declaration of an economic D-Day, which will include potentially more secondary sanctions on actors and countries dealing with Iran economically”.

“I think for the mediating states and most regional actors, the push towards going back and activating the diplomatic track is coming out of this necessity and requirement of sustaining regional security” as the only other options are maintaining the current status quo or a resumption of hostilities, al-Mohannad said.

Iran to target ‘US energy chokepoints’ if attacked: IRGC

Hossein Mohebbi, spokesman of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC), has warned of “heavy attacks on US energy chokepoints and vital interests” if Iran’s infrastructure is attacked, according to Iran’s IRIB state broadcaster.

“Any attack on Iran’s infrastructure will bring heavy strikes on US energy chokepoints and vital interests,” Mohebbi was quoted as saying.

He said US goals, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz have been thwarted as Iran’s weapons production continues.

“Contrary to the enemy’s perception that Iran’s military had limited reserves, the production of our smart and guided missiles continues,” he said.

US military says it allows more than 40 ships carrying aid to pass during naval blockade on Iran

The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) says it has allowed more than 40 vessels transporting humanitarian aid to pass through the US blockade on Iranian ports.

In a statement posted on X, CENTCOM said its forces have redirected “71 commercial vessels, disabled 3 and boarded 2 to ensure compliance” since mid-July when the blockade was reimposed.

Recently, Hegseth said the US naval blockade could remain in place “indefinitely”.

‘Iran did not initiate war, only defended its sovereignty’: Baghaei

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Baghaei says Tehran will not allow its enemies to impose conditions on the country, emphasizing “the country’s determination in defending national sovereignty”.

“Iran will never allow the end of the war to be determined based on the aggressor’s conditions,” he said.

The diplomat added: “Iran did not initiate any war and has only defended its sovereignty and territorial integrity; therefore, the aggressor must be held accountable for its actions.”

Baghaei stressed that the country’s institutions are “steadfast in protecting the country’s sovereignty and will not surrender to the aggressors.”

The first three days of the war on Iran confirms that Iran didn't start the war.

Iran’s ‘missile capability is ongoing and its production continues’: IRGC

Iran’s “missile capability is ongoing and its production continues” says Revolutionary Guard spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi.

Tasnim news agency quoted him as saying that, “today, America has changed the front and gone to economic warfare, because in the military arena, what Iran has at its disposal is clearly visible”.

France, Saudi Arabia call on Iran to resume ‘full cooperation’ with nuclear watchdog

French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) have emphasized the need to reach a negotiated solution regarding Iran to avoid further escalation and ensure regional security, they said in a joint statement following their meeting in Paris.

The two leaders reiterated their commitment to a diplomatic solution that “guarantees the peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program”.

As such, they called on Iran to resume its full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The statement also condemned attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and called for restoring navigation in the waterway to its normal state as it was before the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.

Trump says ‘We’re winning against EVERYONE, including Iran’

In his latest Truth Social post, the US President repeated the claim that the US is “winning” against Iran, criticizing Democrats for publishing “fake polls” to “demoralize Republicans”.

“The Radical Left Democrats are going CRAZY with Fake Polls. They’re putting them out at levels never seen before. They’re called, ‘Demoralization Operations,’ where they try to demoralize Republicans so that they don’t go out and vote — But the actual Polls are tremendous, and the Spirit in our Country has never been higher. We’re winning against EVERYONE, including Iran, whose Country is in Economic and Military Death Spiral,” Trump wrote.

UN offers to facilitate fertilizer transit through Strait of Hormuz

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has offered to facilitate the transport of fertilizer that has been hampered by the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Israel war on Iran.

“The purpose is simple: to reduce immediate risks, support more orderly and predictable transit and help rebuild the confidence necessary for diplomacy and de-escalation,” he said at a news conference.

Guterres said the UN “would not authorize passage” through the strait or “alter the rights or obligations” of states under international law.

The world body would rather serve as a “neutral facilitator”, registering and verifying ships carrying fertilizer and related products. “Of course, it can only be done if the countries that are involved in this conflict all agree to accept the mechanism,” Guterres said.

Guterres, who launched discussions on the issue in March, said the coordination mechanism would be managed from Oman, which lies on the southern side of the strait opposite Iran.

Tanker struck, disabled in Strait of Hormuz near Oman

An oil tanker has reported being struck and disabled by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency.

The report said the incident occurred about 9 nautical miles (16km) northeast of Ash Shishah, Oman.

“The Master of an oil tanker reports the vessel has been struck by an unknown projectile causing damage to the engine room and disabling the vehicle. Crew are reported safe,” UKMTO said in a statement.

US public support for Iran war falls as Trump approval at record low: Poll

Support in the United States for the war on Iran has fallen as President Donald Trump’s approval remains at a record low, a Reuters/Ipsos poll suggests.

Public backing for the war has dropped to its lowest level since the early stages of the conflict, with declining Republican support contributing to the shift, according to the poll released on Monday.

Just 31 percent of Americans surveyed said they support US military action against Iran, down from 37 percent in March and 34 percent earlier this month. Support among Republican respondents fell to 69 percent, compared with 77 percent in March.

The war is also continuing to weigh on Trump’s standing with the public, the poll suggests. For the second consecutive Reuters/Ipsos survey, 33 percent of respondents said they approved of Trump’s performance as president, matching the lowest approval rating recorded in the polling series across his first and second terms.