🇮🇷 Iran: According to The Wall Street Journal, the United States offered to release part of Iran's frozen assets if Tehran agreed to waive transit fees for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but Iran reportedly rejected the proposal.
Iran's General Staff accused continued U.S. military aircraft operations over the Strait of Hormuz of creating insecurity and warned it "will not hesitate to take any action" against what it described as violations of Iranian sovereignty.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf denied reports that International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors had been authorized to visit bombed nuclear facilities, saying inspections remain limited to Bushehr and the Tehran research reactor. He also said his upcoming visit to China aims to elevate bilateral relations into a strategic partnership.
President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected claims that his government had acted against Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei's position on negotiations, stating that any prohibition on talks would have been fully observed.
Iran will begin a week of funeral commemorations for former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, concluding with burial in Mashhad next week. Authorities expect around 10 million participants, and Tehran's airspace will be closed during the funeral procession.
⚓ Strait of Hormuz: According to Bloomberg, several European governments increasingly view service fees for commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz as an unavoidable outcome of the post-war environment, marking a departure from the previous system of free navigation.
European governments insist any fees must apply equally regardless of nationality and continue promoting an international mine-clearing coalition if permanent peace negotiations advance. Bloomberg also reports that some Gulf Arab officials privately consider the arrangement a pragmatic way to reduce regional tensions.
The Trump administration continues to oppose any mandatory payments, arguing they violate international maritime law regardless of how they are described. Washington maintains that accepting the fees would undermine freedom of navigation, effectively recognize long-term Iranian authority over the strategic waterway, strengthen Iran financially, and increase its leverage over global shipping. The United States has also sanctioned the Iranian body established to administer the proposed fee system.
Bloomberg says the dispute reflects a widening policy divide between Washington and several European governments, with the United States emphasizing legal precedent and strategic consequences while Europe increasingly prioritizes commercial stability, energy security, and conflict reduction.
🇸🇾 Syria: Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani met Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Beirut, saying Syria has no intention of entering Lebanon or confronting Hezbollah on Lebanese territory while remaining open to dialogue with the group if necessary.
Separately, an explosive device detonated inside a café in Damascus's Al-Hijaz district near the Palace of Justice, killing at least five people and wounding 16 others. Syrian authorities said the blast was caused by a planted explosive device, and no group has claimed responsibility.
The Israeli defense establishment also assesses that two suspects recently eliminated after approaching the Israeli border from southern Syria were likely sent by Iran. According to Israeli assessments, they originated from an area associated with Iranian-backed Shiite militias and were likely acting on behalf of Iran or the IRGC Quds Force.
🚀 Yemen: According to two Western intelligence sources cited by i24NEWS, the Houthis are using the current lull in fighting to improve their missile capabilities. Intelligence assessments indicate the group has recently conducted missile tests aimed at extending both the range and accuracy of its arsenal.
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