US-Iran talks remain disputed as Iran reopens Hormuz for ‘neutral’ ships

HEADLINES

• Iran notified the International Maritime Organization that vessels it considers "non-hostile" may transit the Strait of Hormuz — with prior Iranian approval. Oil prices fell nearly 5%. READ MORE BELOW

• President Donald Trump said Iran gave the US a "very big present" related to the strait and confirmed negotiations are "under way right now"; Iran's ambassador to Pakistan said no talks, direct or indirect, have taken place. READ MORE BELOW

• Washington sent Tehran a 15-point settlement plan and is seeking a face-to-face meeting in Pakistan; Iran has not confirmed attendance. READ MORE BELOW

• US and Israeli strikes continued across western and central Iran, hitting weapons factories in Isfahan and underground bunkers on Greater Tunb island inside the Strait of Hormuz. READ MORE BELOW

• Gulf Arab states told the UN Human Rights Council that Iranian drone and missile strikes on their infrastructure pose an existential threat.

• The UN rights chief warned that strikes near nuclear sites in both Iran and Israel risk an "unmitigated catastrophe."

• The US is expected to deploy thousands of troops from the elite 82nd Airborne Division to the region, adding to 50,000 already there.

• Pakistan's prime minister offered to host US-Iran peace talks, with a government source saying discussions are at an advanced stage.

• China's foreign minister spoke with his Iranian counterpart and Beijing pledged to continue diplomatic mediation efforts until the conflict ends.

• Lebanon declared Iran's ambassador persona non grata; Hezbollah called the move a "national and strategic sin" and demanded it be reversed.

• China's Cosco resumed cargo bookings to six Gulf countries after halting them at the start of the war.

• British police arrested two men in connection with an antisemitic arson attack on Jewish ambulances in north London. READ MORE BELOW

IN DETAIL

Oil drops as Iran partially reopens Hormuz

Oil fell nearly 5% on Wednesday after Iran notified the International Maritime Organization that vessels it considers "non-hostile" may transit the Strait of Hormuz, provided they coordinate with Iranian authorities and comply with their safety rules. Brent crude dipped to $97.57 a barrel before recovering to around $97.90. West Texas Intermediate fell 5.2% to $87.52.

The strait — through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil and gas normally transits — has been effectively closed since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran four weeks ago. Saudi Arabia has partially offset lost supply by ramping up exports through its Red Sea port of Yanbu to nearly 4 million barrels per day. IEA chief Fatih Birol said he was "ready to move forward" with an additional release of strategic oil reserves "if and when necessary."

US sends 15-point plan; Iran denies talks

Trump told reporters at the White House that the US was "in negotiations right now" and that Iran wanted a deal "very badly," describing Iran's Hormuz signal as "a very big present, worth a tremendous amount of money."

Washington has sent Tehran a 15-point settlement plan that reportedly includes dismantling Iran's nuclear program, ending support for proxy groups, and fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The US is seeking a face-to-face meeting in Pakistan to discuss it. Iran has not confirmed it will attend.

Tehran flatly rejected Trump's framing. Iran's ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said that "contrary to Trump's claims — so far no negotiations, direct or indirect, have taken place." Iran's military spokesman taunted Washington, saying the US was "negotiating with itself." Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, meanwhile, summarized the US posture in four words: "We negotiate with bombs."

Strikes continue across Iran and Iraq

US and Israeli strikes continued at pace. Targets included weapons and explosives facilities in Isfahan, air defense systems, command centers, and coastal positions. US strikes also hit Greater Tunb island in the Strait of Hormuz, destroying underground bunkers, docks, and a runway. The island — disputed between Iran and the UAE — sits at the strategic center of the strait, making control of it effective control of the waterway.

The Israeli military said it separately struck two naval cruise missile production facilities in Tehran.

In Iraq, a strike on a Hashed al-Shaabi paramilitary headquarters in western Iraq killed seven fighters. The day before, a similar strike killed 15 — the deadliest single attack in Iraq since the war began. Baghdad granted former paramilitary groups the right to respond and summoned US and Iranian diplomats.

The US military buildup accelerated. Thousands of troops from the 82nd Airborne Division's advance force are expected to deploy shortly, adding to the 50,000 US forces already in the region. Two Marine expeditionary units are also approaching according to reports.

Gulf states warn at UN; UN raises nuclear alarm

Gulf Arab states told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that Iranian drone and missile strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure pose an "existential threat." Kuwait's ambassador said Iran's "aggressive approach is undermining international law and sovereignty." Council members will vote on a motion condemning the strikes and asking the UN rights chief to monitor the situation.

UN rights chief Volker Turk separately warned that strikes near nuclear sites in both Iran and Israel risk an "unmitigated catastrophe," calling the conflict "extremely dangerous and unpredictable." The UN nuclear watchdog confirmed another projectile struck Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant on Tuesday without causing damage.

Iran defended its conduct, saying more than 1,500 civilians had been killed in US-Israeli strikes.

China pledges to keep mediating

China's Foreign Ministry said Beijing will continue its diplomatic mediation efforts until the conflict ends. Speaking at Wednesday's daily press briefing, spokesman Lin Jian said China "will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace and ending the conflict, and will work together with countries in the region and the international community to contribute to the early restoration of peace and stability in the Gulf region."

The remarks followed a phone call Tuesday between Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. "As long as the conflict persists, our diplomatic mediation efforts will not stop," Lin said. "An immediate ceasefire and an end to the conflict are the common expectation of the people of the region and the shared aspiration of the international community."

Lebanon expels Iranian envoy; Hezbollah protests

Lebanon's foreign ministry declared Iran's ambassador persona non grata and ordered him to leave by Sunday, accusing him of "interfering in Lebanon's internal politics." Hezbollah called the decision a "national and strategic sin" and demanded the government reverse it immediately. Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least nine people, according to Lebanese state media.

Wave of antisemitic attacks reported across Europe

A series of antisemitic incidents has hit Jewish communities across Europe since the start of the conflict, with a group claiming links to Iran taking responsibility for several attacks.

In London, four ambulances belonging to a Jewish volunteer service were set on fire in Golders Green, triggering explosions and damaging a nearby synagogue. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called it a “deeply shocking antisemitic arson attack.” Two men have been arrested.

The same group has claimed incidents in Belgium and the Netherlands, including attacks on synagogues and a Jewish school. No injuries have been reported.

Police say it is too early to confirm any state involvement, but counter-terrorism officers are leading investigations, with extra security deployed around Jewish communities.