War in the Middle East: latest developments

Iran slams blockade
Iran's military said a US threat to impose a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian ports from Monday would be illegal and amount to "piracy", warning that no Gulf ports would be safe if its own were threatened.

"The restrictions imposed by criminal America on maritime navigation and transit in international waters are illegal and constitute an example of piracy," said a statement issued by the Iranian military's central command centre that was read on state television.
China urges 'unimpeded' navigation
China called for "unimpeded" navigation through the critical strait, through which a fifth of the global oil supply passes.

In a press conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun also urged diplomacy and called on the United States and Iran to abide by their ceasefire, after the failure of weekend peace talks in Pakistan.

He also called reports that China had supplied or intended to supply weapons to Iran "baseless smears", after Trump threatened Beijing with a "staggering" new tariff of 50 percent if it were to provide military assistance to Tehran.
Russia offers uranium solution
Russia said it would be ready to take in Iran's enriched uranium as part of any US-Iranian peace deal.

"This proposal was voiced by President (Vladimir) Putin in contacts with both the United States and regional states. The offer still stands, but has not been acted upon," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
UK-France Hormuz talks
France and Britain will work on putting together a "peaceful multinational mission" to restore traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, but it would be "separate from the warring parties", said French President Emmanuel Macron.

"In the coming days, together with the United Kingdom, we will organise a conference with those countries prepared to contribute alongside us to a peaceful multinational mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait," Macron said.
Pope not 'debating' Trump
Pope Leo XIV said he had "no intention to debate" with Trump, after the US president criticised him over his comments on the war.

After the pope made a plea for peace, Trump said he was "not a big fan" of the pontiff, calling him "very liberal".
Israel claims Lebanon town surrounded
The Israeli military said its troops had surrounded the key town of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon and begun an assault on it, after killing more than 100 fighters from Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah there over the past week.

The announcement marks a significant advance in Israel's ongoing invasion of southern Lebanon.
'Long-time' effects
Germany, Europe's biggest economy, will feel the effects of the energy shock from the war "for a long time to come, even after it is over", Chancellor Friedrich Merz told a news conference, as his government announced relief measures including a fuel-tax cut.

Elsewhere in Europe, Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said Trump's threatened blockade "makes no sense".
Trump says doesn't care
Trump said he does not care if Iran comes back to negotiations with the United States.

"I don't care if they come back or not. If they don't come back, I'm fine," Trump told reporters.
Countdown to US Gulf blockade
The US military said it will blockade all Iranian Gulf ports on Monday at 1400 GMT.

"The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman," US Central Command said in a post on X, adding the United States would "not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports".

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Iranian security forces had full control over the crucial strait and warned enemies would be trapped in a "deadly vortex" in case of any "wrong move".
Iran defiant
Iran's parliament speaker, who led the weekend talks, said his country would not give in.

"If they fight, we will fight, and if they come forward with logic, we will deal with logic," Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said, cited by several Iranian news agencies.

"We will not bow to any threats, let them test our will once again so that we can teach them a bigger lesson."
Oil rises above $100 again
The US oil benchmark rebounded above $100 a barrel after peace talks failed and Trump ordered the blockade of Iranian ports.

A barrel of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for May delivery rose around seven percent to $103.55, while June delivery of international benchmark Brent rose seven percent to $101.83 in Monday trading.

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