Trump, Zelenskyy discuss Patriot deal and reviving talks with Russia

  US President Donald Trump has said American forces are likely to remain in control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise and efforts to revive a temporary peace agreement show little progress. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, Trump claimed that the United States has “total control” over the waterway and suggested that Washington intends to maintain its presence there. He described the ongoing naval blockade as a “wall of steel” and said Iran had no effective means of challenging it. Trump also claimed that Iran’s military strength had been severely weakened, alleging that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had been “decimated.” He further described Iran’s economy as collapsing, pointing to high inflation and accusing Tehran of relying on rhetoric rather than meaningful action. However, an Iranian source said there had been no progress in efforts to restore an interim agreement reached in June. The agreement had called for an immediate halt to military operations and provided a 60-day period, which could be extended by mutual agreement, for both sides to negotiate a longer-term settlement. The arrangement quickly deteriorated. Trump later declared the agreement over, while Iran described it as suspended. Tehran has accused Washington of failing to meet its commitments, including lifting restrictions on Iranian ports and releasing frozen Iranian financial assets. The United States, meanwhile, has accused Iran of failing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian source said mediators were discussing the possibility of Washington returning to the interim agreement and establishing a timetable for fulfilling its commitments, but no progress had been made. Tensions have increased further following fresh attacks on shipping in the region. The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important energy routes and previously carried around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Concerns over disruptions have contributed to a sharp rise in oil prices since the conflict began. Shipping traffic through the strait also dropped significantly. Data showed that only eight vessels were tracked passing through the waterway on Tuesday, the lowest daily figure in about a week. Ship operators have increasingly avoided the route because of security concerns. Additional attacks were reported at other major maritime chokepoints. In the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea, four crew members were reportedly killed when an Iran-backed Houthi attack targeted a small cargo vessel. Two Yemeni rescuers were also reported killed. The US military separately said an American Navy helicopter fired two missiles to disable the steering system of a Panama-flagged cargo ship. US Central Command said the vessel had ignored repeated warnings and violated the naval blockade of Iranian ports. Maritime sources said the ship was struck near Pakistan while travelling toward the Gulf of Oman. The latest attacks have increased concerns about global energy supplies. Brent crude prices continued to rise, while investors reacted to growing uncertainty over the possibility of a quick end to the conflict. Iran has warned that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed unless Washington accepts its conditions for ending the war. At the same time, Trump has continued to alternate between threatening further escalation and suggesting that a peace agreement could be reached soon. With military tensions, attacks on commercial shipping and diplomatic disagreements continuing, prospects for a swift resolution appear increasingly uncertain.

An oil tanker came under attack from an unidentified weapon off the coast of Oman, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident occurred around 11 nautical miles northeast of Lima, UKMTO said. The attack damaged the vessel’s engine room, leaving the tanker unable to maintain control of its movement. Authorities have not yet identified the weapon used in the attack or determined who was responsible. No deaths or injuries have been reported in connection with the incident. Maritime authorities continue to monitor the situation and assess the circumstances surrounding the attack. The incident has raised fresh concerns over maritime security in the region, which is a key route for international oil and commercial shipping. Vessels operating in and around the Gulf of Oman have previously faced security threats, prompting increased vigilance among shipping companies and maritime authorities. The tanker’s crew is understood to be safe, while efforts are underway to assess the extent of the damage and determine whether the vessel can resume its voyage. Further details about the tanker, including its flag and cargo, have not been disclosed. UKMTO and other maritime security agencies are continuing to gather information about the incident. Investigations are expected to focus on identifying the nature of the weapon used and establishing whether the attack was deliberate, as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the latest maritime security incident.