Key development: Trump says he views the Strait of Hormuz as American territory while the US urges allies and China to join an economic pressure campaign on Iran amid a stalemate.
US Policy
Trump says he views the Strait of Hormuz as ‘American territory’ and urges allies and China to join Iran economic pressure campaign. The push comes amid a stalemate and as Washington prepares new sanctions it describes as “Economic D-Day.” (aljazeera, france24)
Context: Trump said Iran “would love to make a deal, but they’re not ready to make the right deal in my opinion,” while the US on Thursday urged allies and China to join its campaign to isolate Iran’s economy. Washington is preparing to ramp up economic sanctions described as “Economic D-Day.”
Trump says no Iran talks are planned and insists the Strait of Hormuz remains open, while reports note reduced shipping traffic, a projectile striking a vessel, and UAE reports of Iranian missiles. The UAE suspended trade with Tehran as Oman and Iran neared a deal on the waterway. (france24)
Context: Trump said Tuesday no talks with Iran were planned and insisted the Strait of Hormuz remained open, while shipping traffic has fallen and a projectile struck a vessel. Oman and Iran neared a deal on the waterway, while the UAE said two Iranian ballistic missiles landed in or near its waters.
Sources: france24
Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it “gets in the way” of a Hormuz shipping deal, directed at a US ally mediating US-Iran negotiations. The threat was made twice, with an expletive, as the 60-day ceasefire deadline passed. (france24, france24)
Context: The threat came as the 60-day ceasefire deadline passed. This isn’t the first time Trump has threatened Oman. The threat came after authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan said two Iranian drones targeted the prime minister’s office overnight.
Inside Iran
Iran’s president says it is time to end the war with the US from a “position of power and dignity” and on Iran’s own terms, while the US prepares to ramp up economic sanctions. (aljazeera, euronews)
Context: President Pezeshkian said Iran is in a position of “power and dignity” and should end the war on its own terms. The comments came as Omani and Iranian foreign ministers held a call and Washington prepares to ramp up economic sanctions described as “Economic D-Day.”
Iran executed a “foreign national” over alleged involvement in January protests linked to the deadly 2026 Isfahan unrest. Rights groups warn of forced confessions and death sentences used to stifle dissent. (euronews)
Context: The execution announced Thursday was tied to the deadly 2026 Isfahan unrest. Rights groups warn of forced confessions and that more protesters still face death sentences.
Sources: euronews
Military Operations
Fresh US aircraft carrier strike group USS George Washington arrived in the Middle East to replace the long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln. The swap maintains US air power in the region. (france24)
Context: The US military announced Thursday the USS George Washington had arrived to replace the long-deployed USS Abraham Lincoln, after deteriorating living conditions on board the Lincoln sparked criticism amid President Trump’s war against Iran.
Sources: france24
Iran’s military announced a $30,000 bounty for killing or capturing a US soldier, doubled if done by a woman, while there have been no known US ground troop deployments in Iran during the war except an April rescue mission. (france24)
Context: The bounty was announced Sunday. There have been no known deployments of US ground troops in Iran during the war except for a rescue mission carried out in April.
Sources: france24
What to watch: Whether Washington implements the “Economic D-Day” sanctions package urged on allies and China, and whether Oman continues mediation after Trump’s threats and the approaching Strait of Hormuz shipping talks.