Tanker explodes in Hormuz as Iran demands ‘full coordination’
Reporting from Tehran, Iran
Iranian officials are confirming that an oil tanker attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz exploded after hitting naval mines.
They said that the reason the explosion occurred was that this ship was not following the designated lanes by Iranian authorities.
Iranian authorities are warning that any ship that attempts to pass through the strait needs to be in full coordination; otherwise, Iran cannot guarantee the safety of that ship.
This is coming after two days of calm. In the last two days, we have seen no attacks on Iran, and no response from Iran.
‘A chance for diplomacy’: US and Iran suspend strikes for second day
By Rosalinda Jordan
Reporting from Washington DC
The US ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, confirmed on Sunday what had been widely reported: that after 13 straight nights of US strikes on Iranian military targets, the Trump administration has decided to take a pause of indeterminate time in order to allow diplomacy to take effect.
This is because, even though the US says that Iran broke the terms of the memorandum of understanding by striking at least two or three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz just three weeks ago, there has been concern from interlocutors, like Pakistan and Qatar and other countries in the Middle East, that there could be the risk of a wider regional war if diplomacy is not reinstated.
These countries have been working to get the US and Iran to back away, speak about their problems, and restore the ceasefire that was the centrepiece of the memorandum of understanding signed in the middle of June.
These interlocutors have been working towards this, and this has now been confirmed by the US president, Donald Trump, as well as by Iranian officials, but it’s not clear yet if these conversations will lead to a resumption of the memorandum of understanding.
WATCH: Palestinians hope international force can rebuild Gaza
Displaced Palestinians in Gaza cautiously welcome Israel’s approval for an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to enter the territory under the US-backed “ceasefire” plan.
Residents hope the ISF can help rebuild Gaza and allow them to return home after months of bombardment and displacement.
A recap of recent developments
- The US president has rejected reports of dwindling military stockpiles in the ongoing war on Iran, telling The Wall Street Journal that the nation’s supply of munitions far exceeds its current needs.
- Hopes for diplomacy have emerged as both the US and Iran suspended military attacks for a second day, breaking a two-week cycle of escalating strikes.
- Global oil prices dropped by more than 5 percent after the US suspended its two-week bombing campaign against Iran, signalling a potential shift towards diplomacy.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that a strike on an Iranian merchant ship in the Caspian Sea “cannot go unanswered,” accusing Ukraine of the attack that killed a crew member.
- Violence mounted across the West Bank today, during a broad Israeli military push, with settlers storming villages, spray-painting property, and attacking Palestinian residents.
- The Lebanese military has accused Israeli forces of violating agreements by demolishing homes and launching strikes in southern Lebanon.
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You can find our updates from Sunday, July 26, here.
