Iran's newly-created strait authority discloses 'controlled maritime zone' at Hormuz
Iran's newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority said in a post on X on Wednesday there will be
a "controlled maritime zone" at the Strait of Hormuz.
The authority, which was set to manage the strait, set the zone as the "line connecting Kuh-e Mobarak in Iran and southern Fujairah in the UAE at the eastern side of the strait, to the line connecting the end of Qeshm Island in Iran and Umm Al Quwain in the UAE at the western side of the strait."
It said transit through the area to pass through the strait would require coordination and authorisation from the authority.
Iran examining US proposal, as Trump says in 'final stages' of talks
Iran said on Wednesday it was examining the latest US proposal received from mediator Pakistan in talks to end the Middle East war, despite the two sides trading threats over resuming attacks.
It came after US President Donald Trump told reporters that Washington was in the "final stages" of negotiations with Iran.
"We'll either have a deal or we're going to do some things that are a little bit nasty. But hopefully that won't happen," Trump said.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the Islamic republic had "received the points of view of the American side and we are currently examining them".
He reiterated Iran's demands, including the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad and an end to the US blockade on Iranian ports.
Oil prices slide after Trump says US-Iran negotiations in 'final stages'
Oil prices fell about 6 percent on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump said that negotiations with Iran were in the final stages, although investors remained wary about the outcome of peace talks as disruption to Middle Eastern supply continued.
Brent crude futures settled $6.26, or 5.63 percent, lower at $105.02 a barrel and US West Texas Intermediate futures were down $5.89, or 5.66 percent, at $98.26.
Trump says he is willing to wait a few days to get the 'right answer' from Iran
Turkey's Erdogan tells Trump issues with Iran can be resolved, Ankara says
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told US President Donald Trump in a call on Wednesday
he welcomed the extension of a ceasefire between the US and Iran, adding he believed contested issues between the sides could be resolved, according to the Turkish Presidency.
"During the meeting, our President stated that he viewed the decision to extend the ceasefire in the conflict zone in our region as a positive development (and) that he believed a reasonable solution to the disputed issues was possible," the presidency said in a statement.
The US ambassador to Israel sharply criticised far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Wednesday, after he posted a video showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla kneeling with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground.
"Universal outrage & condemnation from every high-ranking Israeli official... for despicable actions by Ben Gvir. Flotilla was stupid stunt, but Ben Gvir betrayed dignity of his nation," Mike Huckabee wrote on X.
US military boards Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker suspected of trying to breach blockade
The US military said Wednesday that it boarded an Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that was suspected of trying to violate the American blockade.
US Central Command said on social media that the M/T Celestial Sea was searched and redirected after being suspected of trying to head to an Iranian port.
It’s at least the fifth vessel to be boarded since the Trump administration began the blockade of Iranian shipping.
The military boarded the tanker after President Donald Trump said he had called off renewed military strikes on Iran in an effort to make progress in negotiations to end the war.
He said he had planned “a very major attack” for Tuesday but put it off, saying America’s allies in the Gulf asked him to wait for two to three days because they feel they are close to a deal with Iran. Trump has repeatedly set deadlines for Tehran and then backed off.
US envoy to Israel slams minister's 'despicable actions' in video of flotilla activists
The US ambassador to Israel sharply criticised far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Wednesday, after he posted a video showing detained activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla kneeling with their hands tied and foreheads on the ground.
"Universal outrage & condemnation from every high-ranking Israeli official... for despicable actions by Ben Gvir. Flotilla was stupid stunt, but Ben Gvir betrayed dignity of his nation," Mike Huckabee wrote on X.
EU condemns Israeli detention of flotilla activists: 'No one should be punished for defending humanity'
European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib on Wednesday sharply criticised the treatment of activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla, saying that "no one should be punished for defending humanity".
"Watch this video. These are not convicted criminals. These are activists trying to get bread to the hungry," Lahbib, whose brief is equality, preparedness and crisis management, wrote on X.
Iran seeking mechanism with Oman over Hormuz, foreign ministry says
Iran is seeking to establish a mechanism with Oman to ensure sustainable security in the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told state TV on Wednesday.
He said Iran was ready to develop protocols for safe shipping traffic in cooperation with other coastal states,
without providing further details.
Iran has largely shut the Strait of Hormuz to all ships apart from its own since the war with the U.S. and Israel began
in late February, causing the biggest disruption to global energy supplies in history. The United States responded last
month with its own blockade of Iran's ports.
US military boards, releases Iran-flagged oil tanker in Gulf of Oman
The US military boarded Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker M/T Celestial Sea in the
Gulf of Oman on Wednesday after suspecting it had violated a US blockade, US Central Command said in a statement.
US forces released the ship, which was headed toward an Iranian port, after searching it and directing its crew to alter course, the statement said.
Iran says exchange of messages with US continues with Pakistani mediation
The exchange of messages between Iran and the United States has continued based on Tehran's 14-point proposal, with Pakistan's interior minister in Iran to help facilitate it, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Focus: As Palestinians mark Nakba, Israelis celebrate conquest of East Jerusalem
On May 15, Palestinians commemorated the Nakba ("catastrophe" in Arabic), referring to the forced exodus of Palestinians during the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. Around the same time, Israelis celebrated what they call the "reunification of Jerusalem" in 1967, meaning the occupation and then annexation of the Palestinian part of the city. One land, two historical narratives. Is it still possible to reconcile them? FRANCE 24's Claire Duhamel and Amira Souilem report.
Israeli lawmakers advance bill to dissolve parliament
Israeli lawmakers voted on Wednesday to advance a bill submitted by the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu which would dissolve parliament and pave the way for early elections.
In a preliminary reading, 110 out of 120 lawmakers voted in favour and none against, while the rest did not cast their vote.
The bill will now pass to a committee before three more parliamentary readings.
If the bill is ultimately approved it would automatically trigger elections to be held after 90 days. Polls are currently scheduled to take place by the end of the legislative term on October 27.
Netanyahu is under mounting pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties, while his fractious right-wing coalition appears to be facing possible collapse.
Ultra-Orthodox parties accuse Netanyahu of failing to deliver on his promise to pass legislation that would permanently exempt young men of their community from compulsory military service if they are studying in yeshivas, or religious seminaries.
Greece condemns Israel's treatment of Gaza flotilla activists
Greece's foreign ministry on Wednesday condemned Israel's far-right national security minister for apparently mocking activists from a Gaza-bound flotilla detained by Israeli forces.
"The conduct of the Israeli Minister of National Security, which targeted citizens participating in the "Global Sumud Flotilla," is unacceptable and absolutely condemnable," the ministry said in a statement.
UK 'truly appalled' by Israeli minister video of Gaza flotilla activists
British foreign minister Yvette Cooper on Wednesday said she was "truly appalled" by a
video posted by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir taunting activists detained after a Gaza-bound flotilla was intercepted.
In a statement on X, Cooper said Britain was in contact with the families of several British nationals involved and was providing consular support.
"We have demanded an explanation from the Israeli authorities and made clear their obligations to protect the rights of our citizens and all those involved," Cooper said.
Israel intercepted the flotilla in international waters on Tuesday before transferring those on board to an Israeli port. Canada said on Wednesday it would summon Israel's ambassador in protest over the video, calling the treatment of civilians unacceptable.
Mideast war drives up bond yields, budget risk
The Middle East war is driving up the cost of public debt in rich countries which could jam state budgets and push governments to unfold austerity policies, economists warn.
The yields demanded by investors to lend to governments by buying their bonds have peaked in recent days, indicating weakening confidence in their economies and inflation fears.
The yield on the 30-year US Treasury bond touched on Tuesday its highest level since 2007 at 5.18 percent. Japanese and British 30-year bonds have hit records going back to 1999 and 1998 respectively, while benchmark 10-year yields have also surged.
The war has driven up energy prices and inflation, and put central banks in a tricky position -- all this is "blowing a perfect storm through the public debt market", Vincent Juvyns, an analyst at ING bank, told AFP.
Iran warns of war ‘beyond the region’ if US resumes attacks
Iran has warned the United States against resuming attacks, threatening to open new fronts if the current ceasefire ends following remarks from President Donald Trump that the US may have to deliver another “big hit” against Tehran. Meanwhile, Iranian civilians are preparing for a new flare-up, as negotiations have yet to lead to any concrete decisions.
Israel army chief says military 'on highest alert' as threats over Iran war escalate
Israel's army chief Lieutenant Colonel Eyal Zamir on Wednesday said the military was at its highest alert level, as Tehran and Washington traded threats of war.
"At this moment, the IDF (military) is on the highest level of alert and prepared for any development," Zamir said at a meeting of all division commanders, according to a statement issued by the military.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards had earlier warned that the war would expand beyond the region if the US and Israel resumed attacks, after President Donald Trump said he would strike again unless Tehran agreed a peace deal.
Yesterday's key developments:
- An Israeli strike on south Lebanon Tuesday killed at least 10 people including three women and three children , the health ministry said, despite a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war.
- US Vice President JD Vance said that Iran talks are making good progress but Washington was "locked and loaded" to restart military operations if there is no deal.
- Israeli forces opened fire on at least two vessels in an aid flotilla sailing towards Gaza on Tuesday, according to video footage and flotilla organisers. Israel said no live ammunition was used and there were no casualties.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AP and AFP)
