Iran warns Strait of Hormuz will stay restricted as ceasefire deadline looms Politics Iran has warned it will keep restricting ships in the Strait of Hormuz, raising the risk of renewed disruption to global oil supplies just days before its ceasefire with the US is due to expire. The warning came after Donald Trump said the blockade on Iranian ports would “remain in full force”, until a wider [...]
Ceasefire hangs in balance after Iran shuts Hormuz Markets Hopes of an extended deescalation in the Middle East remain hanging by a thread, after Iran shut the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane in response to a round of Israeli strikes on Lebanon. Oil tankers have been barred from passing through the narrow stretch of water responsible for carrying over a fifth of seaborne [...]
Ukraine and Russia agree to prisoner swap as Putin announces ceasefire Politics Russia and Ukraine said on Saturday they had swapped hundreds of prisoners in the largest exchange since the Russian full-scale invasion started over three years ago. Russia’s ministry of defence said that 246 Russian service members were returned from territory controlled by Kyiv and that, “as a gesture of goodwill”, 31 wounded Ukrainian prisoners of [...]
UK and US spy chiefs ‘working ceaselessly’ for Gaza ceasefire September 7, 2024 British and American spy chiefs have said they are together “working ceaselessly” for a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza, in a rare public statement. MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore and CIA director Bill Burns said the agencies have “exploited our intelligence channels to push hard for restraint and de-escalation” in the Middle East. In [...]