The President of the United States, Donald Trump, once again threatened to annihilate Iran on Sunday, two and a half months after the start of the offensive against Tehran. Negotiations between the two parties remain stalled, and envoys from both countries have not spoken directly since a meeting in Pakistan in mid-April.
After more than a month of truce, the prospect of a solution to the conflict, which began on February 28, remains distant and increasingly fragile.
The war has led to a de facto blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the world's oil exports passed, and has dragged neighbors Israel and Lebanon into a parallel violent conflict.
Germany demands Iran to stop attacks on the United Arab Emirates and reopen the Strait of Hormuz
Germany has condemned the attacks launched by Iran against the United Arab Emirates and other countries, stated German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday, who also demanded Tehran to stop threatening its neighbors and allow free passage through the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions, as reported by Reuters.
"Attacks on nuclear facilities pose a threat to the security of people throughout the region. There must not be a new escalation of violence," Merz wrote in a post on X.
The Chancellor also stated that Iran must engage in serious negotiations with the United States.
Iran has officially announced the creation of a new entity responsible for managing the Strait of Hormuz
According to the country, on Monday, the launch of a specific entity aimed at managing this strategic maritime passage for the global oil trade, under Iranian control since the beginning of the conflict, was formalized, as reported by Afp.
The so-called Gulf of Persia Strait Authority (#PGSA) already has official profiles through which it will disseminate "real-time updates on operations" in the area. The announcement was amplified on social media by both the Supreme National Security Council and the Revolutionary Guards Navy.
At the moment, the competencies of this new structure have not been detailed precisely. However, according to the specialized media Lloyd's List, it would be responsible for authorizing the transit of ships and charging fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Japan points to Brazil as a possible source of crude oil amid the Hormuz blockade
Japanese Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa pointed to Brazil as a possible source of crude oil on Monday amid the blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz due to the US and Israel's war against Iran, which is affecting the supply to the archipelago, as reported by Efe.
Kallas urges China to influence Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz
The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, expressed confidence on Monday that China will use its influence on Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, following the alignment shown by Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump on the matter last week in Beijing, as reported by Efe.
Iran states that negotiations with the US continue and they are still exchanging proposals
The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Bagaei, stated on Monday that peace negotiations with the United States continue with the exchange of proposals through Pakistan, amid renewed military threats from US President Donald Trump, as reported by Afp.
The diplomat explained that after Trump publicly rejected an Iranian 14-point proposal on April 10, "the US side presented its own considerations" to the text, which was transmitted to Tehran in recent days.
US Treasury Secretary urges G7 to strengthen sanctions regime against Iran
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on Monday to strengthen the international sanctions regime against Iran and intensify the fight against illicit financing that, according to him, supports the Iranian military machinery, as reported by Efe.
Upon arriving at the G7 Finance meeting, held today and tomorrow in Paris, Bessent appealed to Washington's allies and the international community to maintain coordination on sanctions to "combat illicit financing" and redirect those resources "to the Iranian people."
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar urge the US and Iran to avoid a war with unforeseen consequences
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar urged the United States and Iran to continue dialogue, which is "the only way" to avoid a confrontation with "unforeseen" consequences for the entire Middle East region, according to official statements collected by Efe.
This was expressed by the Foreign Ministers of the three countries in separate phone calls initiated by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelaty with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Faisal bin Farhan, and Qatar, Mohamed bin Abdulrahman, emphasizing "the need to move forward with the diplomatic path" and take advantage of the truce in effect since early April.
Saudi Arabia denounces a drone attack from Iraq
Saudi Arabia claimed to have intercepted three drones "from Iraqi airspace" flying over the Arab kingdom after the new Baghdad government reaffirmed its intention to improve relations with Iraq's Arab neighbors in the Persian Gulf, as reported by Efe.
The spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, Turki al Maliki, explained in a statement in the last hours that Saudi air defenses "intercepted and destroyed three drones that entered Saudi airspace from Iraqi airspace."
Iran announces 6,500 arrests of alleged spies and opponents since the start of the war
Iranian authorities reported the arrest of 6,500 alleged "spies" and "traitors to the homeland" since the start of the war with the United States and Israel, amid reinforced security measures and intensified persecution against opposition groups and participants in the January protests, as reported by Efe.
Radan stated that among the detainees are individuals accused of espionage, collaboration with armed groups, and involvement in activities considered destabilizing.
Brent rises and surpasses $111 amid renewed tensions in the Middle East
The barrel of Brent crude oil for delivery in July rose more than 1.6% on Monday and exceeded $111 in the London futures market amid new tensions in the Middle East.
At 7:00 a.m. (5:00 GMT) on Monday, Brent, Europe's reference crude, advanced 1.69% to $111.11, although it reached $112 during the early hours of the morning.
Brent crude is trading higher for the fourth consecutive day as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia intercepts three drones
Saudi Arabia intercepted three drones that entered its airspace from Iraq on Sunday, announced the Ministry of Defense spokesperson, Major General Turki al-Maliki.