If you are just joining us, here is a comprehensive recap of the latest developments in the Middle East to bring you fully up to speed. In a significant escalation, Iran's Revolutionary Guards seized two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz for alleged maritime violations, escorting them to Iranian shores, according to shipping companies and Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency. This move on Wednesday marks the first time Iran has seized ships since the war began in late February, heightening regional tensions.
US Response and Ceasefire Dynamics
Donald Trump announced earlier that the United States would extend the ceasefire with Iran until the country's leaders present a unified proposal to US negotiating positions, citing Tehran's seriously fractured government. He had previously threatened to renew bombing campaigns. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump was satisfied with the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and understands Iran is in a very weak position. She clarified that the US president had not set a deadline for Iran to submit a peace proposal.
However, Iranian officials responded by denying any agreement to extend the truce and criticized Trump's decision to maintain the naval blockade. Lead Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emphasized that a full ceasefire would only be meaningful if the blockade was lifted. The status of a two-week ceasefire, which was due to expire earlier this week, remains unclear, with no signs of peace talks restarting.
Military and Diplomatic Shifts
In a related development, the Pentagon announced that US Secretary of the Navy John Phelan would depart his office effective immediately, without providing an explanation for his sudden exit amid the ongoing naval blockade. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told his German counterpart that the US-Israeli war against Iran is starting to weaken Europe, highlighting broader geopolitical impacts.
Lebanon is reportedly planning to request a month-long extension of the soon-expiring ceasefire with Israel during a fresh round of talks in Washington on Thursday. Additionally, Iran executed a man convicted of links to the exiled opposition group Mujahideen-e-Khalq and Israel's intelligence service, as reported by the judiciary's news outlet Mizan on Thursday.
Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Concerns
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil and wounded a photographer accompanying her, according to a senior Lebanese military official and Khalil's employer. The death of Khalil, 43, brought the death toll to five people on Wednesday, making it the deadliest day since the 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah was announced on April 16. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned Israeli targeting of journalists and obstruction of relief efforts as war crimes, while Israel's military denied preventing rescue teams from reaching the area.
In the occupied West Bank, two Palestinians, including a 14-year-old schoolboy, were killed after Israeli settlers opened fire near a school amid mounting assaults on education in the territory, as reported by witnesses and local officials.
Economic Impacts and Oil Market Reactions
Oil prices surged by 4% on Thursday after Iran vowed not to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid the US naval blockade, despite the truce extension. The benchmark US oil contract West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 4.06% to $96.73 a barrel, while the international oil benchmark Brent North Sea crude climbed 3.62% to $105.63. Both prices eased back minutes after the initial spike, reflecting market volatility in response to the ongoing tensions.
