Iranian port city; capital of Hormozgan Province, strategic gateway to the Persian Gulf
The Office for National Statistics has reported UK CPI inflation at 2.6% in June, down from 2.8% in May and the weakest rate since March 2025. Falls in motor fuel, food and clothing prices pulled the index lower, but renewed Middle East tensions and a higher Ofgem price cap mean inflation will rise again later this year.
The US has carried out repeated air and naval strikes across Iran to degrade Tehran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on US bases and Gulf allies, and the IRGC has warned civilians near US forces to stay away; the exchanges have closed much of the strait and pushed oil prices higher.
Tensions in the Gulf and Red Sea have intensified as US strikes target Iranian military sites and Iran-backed groups retaliate. Iran threatens to close key export corridors, while the US warns of further steps to degrade Iran’s ability to threaten shipping. Oil prices rise on supply fears amid a volatile regional dynamic.
The U.S. Central Command has intercepted Iranian missiles, drones and small boats during three U.S. Navy ships’ transit of the Strait of Hormuz. Washington says it has targeted Iranian facilities and eliminated inbound threats in what it calls self-defense. Iran confirms strikes on targets at Qeshm island and other sites; Tehran reports explosions and air defenses activation.
U.S. prosecutors have unsealed a complaint charging Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al‑Saadi with organising or supporting nearly 18–20 attacks across Europe, Canada and the United States tied to Iran‑backed Kataib Hezbollah and the IRGC. He has been transferred into U.S. custody, has appeared in Manhattan federal court and is being detained pending trial.
The war surrounding Iran continues with US-Iran talks in Qatar and Pakistani mediation intensifying efforts to end the conflict. Iran’s negotiators have met with Gulf allies while Washington has carried out self-defence strikes in southern Iran. A potential memorandum of understanding aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and freeze certain sanctions while negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program proceed.
Britain has been preparing ships, autonomous mine-hunting drones and crews in Gibraltar to clear the Strait of Hormuz once a peace deal is finalised. The US has been positioning naval forces in the region and conducted self‑defence strikes in southern Iran while pressing allies for support; the strait remains effectively closed and shipping is constrained.
U.S. forces have carried out self‑defense strikes in southern Iran after detecting Iranian drones, missile activity and boats attempting to emplace mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes have reportedly destroyed missile launch sites, sank two Revolutionary Guard speedboats and targeted a drone control station near Bandar Abbas.
The U.S. has characterized Monday’s strikes in southern Iran as defensive, targeting missile launch sites and minelaying boats, while Iran’s leadership says it will not tolerate aggression. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard reports downing drones and deterring aircraft, as talks on the ceasefire and Hormuz reopenings continue amid regional tensions.
The United States and Iran are in a renewed cycle of strikes and counterstrikes, with CENTCOM reporting strikes on Iranian radar and drone sites and Iran retaliating against a US base. Diplomacy aims to end the conflict and restore Strait of Hormuz traffic, but fighting persists amid ongoing ceasefire tensions.
The US has carried out new strikes inside Iran and shot down Iranian drones near the Hormuz Strait. Iran has reported ground attacks and Israel has broadened strikes in Lebanon as war tensions escalate. Trump has warned Iran to accept a deal or face further action, while talks to end the ceasefire remain fragile.
The war between the US and Iran has seen renewed strikes around Hormuz and in Iran, with the US saying it has hit drone and radar sites in Goruk and Qeshm Island, and Iran retaliating with threats against bases in Kuwait. Global oil prices rebound amid stalled ceasefire talks and mounting diplomatic pressure.
The Gambia-flagged bulk carrier Lian Star has ignored more than 20 warnings from U.S. forces while attempting to enter an Iranian port. The vessel remains adrift in the Gulf of Oman with U.S. forces not boarding, as Washington says six ships have been stopped from breaching the blockade, with one allowed to proceed. Talks on extending the ceasefire and addressing Iran’s nuclear program are ongoing.
The United States has carried out strikes on Iranian targets after a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache has gone down near the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump has said Iran shot the helicopter; U.S. officials and CENTCOM are investigating. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases across the Gulf and has reported civilian infrastructure damage.
The United States has launched a second round of airstrikes after warnings from Donald Trump that Tehran would pay the price for stalled negotiations. Iran has responded with strikes on Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. The cross-border attacks follow a two-month ceasefire that has failed to produce a lasting deal, while oil prices rise as the conflict intensifies.
Commercial traffic has resumed through the Strait of Hormuz since a US–Iran memorandum, but volumes have stayed far below prewar levels. Ship trackers report partial recoveries, 'dark' sailings with transponders off, continued use of routes close to Iran and Oman, and large backlogs as insurers and shippers wait for demining and clear rules.
The United States has launched strikes on Iran, targeting surveillance, communications and air-defence sites, in response to Iran’s downing of a US Apache helicopter. Iran has retaliated with attacks on US bases and threats to close the Strait of Hormuz. The crisis has drawn in regional partners and heightened energy-market volatility as leaders promise further action.
The US has launched a second round of airstrikes in Iran, targeting military surveillance, communications, and air defenses. Iran has responded with strikes on Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. The fighting has intensified amid stalled ceasefire negotiations and ongoing regional tensions.
President Donald Trump has warned the US will be "hitting Iran VERY HARD TONIGHT" and has said the United States will take Kharg Island and other oil infrastructure. The threats follow two nights of US strikes and Iranian retaliatory missile and drone fire while negotiators are exchanging messages on a possible interim deal.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point as multiple sources indicate shifting dynamics in Gulf oil flows. Analysts say international pressure, sanctions, and ongoing fighting shape when and how Gulf oil will move, with some shipments reappearing while overall volumes stay depressed. The pace of mine clearance, lane re-opening, and fleet re-mobilization will determine when prewar flows resume.
A tentative deal has reopened the Strait of Hormuz and allowed some vessels to leave the Persian Gulf, but global oil flows have not returned to normal. Producers and shipowners have cut output and delayed shipments; tankers stranded in the Gulf and shut-in fields will take weeks to months to restart full exports, keeping pressure on prices and inventories through summer.
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused its evacuation of around 600 stranded ships and 11,000 seafarers after a vessel was struck off Oman's coast on Thursday. The attack, which multiple maritime sources say likely involved a drone or unknown projectile, has prompted fresh warnings from Iran and halted the IMO operation while safety guarantees are rechecked.
The Iran war has continued with the regime maintaining control despite international pressure. Diaspora protests on American soil and crackdowns on religious minorities signal a protracted crisis. Analysts say Tehran’s leadership remains intact while Western actors reassess their strategy and sanctions relief is debated amid reconstruction plans.
Trump has canceled a signing ceremony for a bipartisan housing bill, saying he will not sign until Senate passes the SAVE America Act. The move follows a tense exchange at a Capitol Hill luncheon where Cassidy challenged the administration’s Iran war approach. The episode highlights deep GOP rifts as lawmakers balance housing affordability with stricter voting measures ahead of midterms.
Oil prices have extended declines as tanker exits from the Strait of Hormuz ease supply fears, even as a vessel is attacked in the Gulf of Oman. Brent trades near $72.76 a barrel and WTI around $69.84, with markets watchful of US-Iran tensions and ongoing evacuation plans by the IMO.
Vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz have risen this week amid shifting navigation guidance and ongoing tensions between Iran, the U.S., and Oman. Observers report mixed routes with a northern Iranian corridor and a southern Omani corridor, while the broader risk to shipping remains elevated.
The House has canceled votes and sent lawmakers home amid a standoff over the defense bill and the SAVE America Act, with Trump insisting on voting-rights provisions. The Senate has moved independently on Iran and war powers, while Republicans face internal divisions as they navigate leadership and policy pressure.
Oman is exploring a tolling approach for the Strait of Hormuz while navigating international law, amid US opposition and regional pressure. Reports show ongoing transits and ongoing diplomacy as the crisis evolves.
The US and Iran have exchanged fresh strikes this weekend and on Monday, reversing a recent interim ceasefire and re‑opening doubt over control of the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump has declared the ceasefire "over," ordered further strikes and revoked a temporary oil waiver. Oil has jumped into the high $70s–$80s and global markets have fallen.
The United States has intensified strikes on Iranian targets to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has responded with missile and drone actions. Attacks target coastal bases, railways, and port facilities across Iran and nearby states, signaling a rapid intensification of a wider confrontation.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as US strikes and Iranian responses escalate. Iran has closed the strait, while the US reimposes a blockade and hits multiple targets. Attacks on commercial vessels have continued, driving up global energy costs and threatening negotiations under the ongoing ceasefire.
The United States has escalated strikes against Iran, while Iran and its IRGC retaliate with missiles and drones targeting Gulf bases and shipping. The renewed hostilities threaten global energy flows as both sides threaten further action and diplomatic talks remain fragile. The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the crisis.
The United States has launched a wave of strikes on Iran after attacks on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliates by targeting US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. Oil prices have risen amid renewed fighting, and talks toward a ceasefire appear fragile as both sides accuse the other of violations.
The IMF has revised its 2026 growth outlook to 3.0%, citing energy shocks from the Middle East but noting an AI investment boom that is offsetting some pain. The US is forecast to grow around 2.3%, Europe remains subdued, and oil markets show volatility as tensions persist in Hormuz. Inflation is expected to ease only slowly.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at 74, Qatar's Amiri Diwan has announced. He has been credited with transforming Qatar into an energy and diplomatic power by expanding LNG production, founding Al Jazeera, building sovereign investment vehicles and stepping down voluntarily in 2013 to hand power to his son.
Iraq’s prime minister travels to Washington to deepen economic ties as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and fighting between the US and Iran intensifies. Oil output, IMF talks, and potential US investment are on the table while Iran-backed groups push back against disarmament. Diplomatic prospects hinge on stabilizing energy flows and expanding state control over weapons.
Mitch McConnell has publicly confirmed that a fall led to his hospitalization and outlines ongoing tests as doctors assess the cause; he is in rehabilitation and will not yet return to the Senate.
The United States has intensified strikes against Iran to degrade its ability to threaten civilian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has responded with missiles and drones against Gulf states and threats to close the strait. The interim US-Iran truce appears increasingly fragile as both sides escalate.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point as attacks and war-risk costs push ships to avoid the usual traffic lanes, with U.S.-led efforts continuing yet shippers report growing concerns and elevated insurance premiums.
Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed to multi-week lows as renewed U.S.–Iran strikes escalate the crisis. Oil shipments and prices are affected, with both sides targeting shipping routes and infrastructure. Analysts warn announcements of ceasefires have not stabilized the Strait. The situation is evolving this week.
Oil prices remain near multi-week highs as tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz escalate. The US has reimposed a naval blockade on Iran, Iran warns it will respond, and analysts expect intermittent supply disruptions to keep prices elevated in coming quarters.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as the United States reinstates a de facto blockade and Iran asserts control measures. Trump has declared the U.S. will guard safe passage, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says Tehran controls the strait amid ongoing strikes and maritime disruptions affecting global oil flows.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as the United States reimposes a blockade on Iran and Iran asserts control over the waterway. Experts say escalating actions threaten global oil shipping, with discussions of large-scale military deployments and potential ground forces to secure the strait. Cross-border tensions are fueling price volatility and drawing international attention.
The United Arab Emirates is pursuing a new port and container terminal on Fujairah’s east coast to reduce dependence on Jebel Ali and avoid the Strait of Hormuz. DP World is in talks to develop the site, with plans for a new multipurpose port and a terminal at the existing harbour, amid ongoing clashes linked to Iran’s attacks and U.S. and Israeli actions. Experts say the move signals a push for regional resilience as shipping routes face disruption.
CENTCOM says three Corsair unmanned surface vessels have hit Bandar Abbas naval base, marking the first combat use of sea drones by U.S. forces. The operation degraded Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping, with drones capable of 1,000-lb payloads and 1,000-nautical-mile range. The incidents follow escalating drone warfare in the region.
The United States has stated it will charge a 20% toll on all cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz to fund security. Analysts say the plan faces legal, diplomatic, and practical hurdles and could reduce traffic through the waterway. Shipping groups condemn tolls on international waters. The proposal remains unproven and contentious.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint as US and Iranian forces resume strikes after a fragile ceasefire. Tehran is asserting control over shipping routes, while Washington threatens broader action to safeguard navigation and energy supplies.
Israel and its allies are under renewed pressure as mediation efforts on southern Lebanon and southern Syria are tested by ongoing clashes, shifting security zones, and new calls for withdrawal. The broader Middle East crisis is escalating with US-led diplomacy pushing for a staged redeployment while maintaining security arrangements.
The conflict between the United States and Iran has intensified, with U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian infrastructure and Iran responding with strikes and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices rise as shipping through Hormuz tightens, while regional actors report ongoing fighting and injuries.
The latest wave of US strikes targets Iran and nearby targets after Tehran closes the Strait of Hormuz; both sides accuse each other of targeting energy infrastructure while global oil prices rise. The fight over Hormuz continues to threaten a broader conflict, with ships moving at reduced capacity through the strait.