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Trump orders a renewed blockade of Iran, and Iran threatens to block more important seaways.

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– Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to close “all other export corridors that benefit the US and its allies”, Iranian media reported, after Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz and the US reimposed a naval blockade of Iranian ports.

“Regional energy exports are either shared by all, or denied to all,” the IRGC said in ‌a statement carried by Iran’s IRNA state news agency on Wednesday.

Analysts have said Iran has been signalling it may use its Houthi allies in Yemen to shut the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea, opening a new front against Washington and putting two of the world’s most vital energy arteries at risk.

The narrow gateway links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, through which Saudi oil exports and a substantial share of global shipping pass.

A senior Houthi official warned on Monday that the group was prepared to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait – a move he said could send oil prices soaring to $200 a barrel – if Saudi Arabia continued to attack Yemen, according to a report on Iran’s Press TV website.

Houthi forces fired missiles at Saudi Arabia after accusing ⁠the kingdom of bombing an airport under their control on Monday, breaking a four-year truce in the conflict between the kingdom and the Iran-aligned group.

The Houthis have already shown they can choke global commerce through the Bab el-Mandeb. After the Gaza war erupted in October 2023, the Iran-backed group launched attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, saying it was targeting vessels linked to Israel in support of Palestinians.

The latest threat to global shipping comes a day after the US military said it began a fresh round of strikes “to continue degrading Iranian capabilities used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.”

The United States said Iran had attacked seven commercial ships over the last week, leading to nearly a dozen crew members being killed, missing or injured.

The US military said late on Tuesday that it hit dozens of ​military targets near the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian coastal areas. The wave of strikes lasted seven hours, the US Central Command said in a statement.

‘END OF AMERICA’S EVILS’

The IRGC said on Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until what it described as “the end of America’s evils”. Before the war began in February, about a fifth of global oil and gas shipments passed through Hormuz each ‌day.

The Guards ⁠said they had targeted what they described as command-and-control, logistics, fuel and military equipment facilities belonging to the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, in response to the latest US strikes in the Strait of Hormuz.

They also said they had set fire to and destroyed what they described as a US logistics facility in Kuwait’s Mina Abdullah and that their air force had struck what they described as a US base at Azraq in Jordan, targeting aircraft hangars. They said some of the US attacks had been launched from bases on Jordanian territory.

Earlier on Wednesday, Kuwait’s state news agency reported that a fire was brought under control at a site targeted in Iranian attacks. It ⁠was not immediately clear whether the fire was at the same site referred to in the IRGC statement.

Jordan’s air defence intercepted and shot down three ballistic missiles that entered the country’s airspace from Iranian territory early on Wednesday.

The hostilities between Iran and the US re-ignited last week, fraying an already fragile truce reached in June after several months of fighting that has killed thousands.

TRUMP THREATENS TO HIT ENERGY TARGETS

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to hit Iranian ⁠power plants and bridges next week unless Tehran resumes negotiations.

“I’ll save the energy targets for last, but ultimately we’ll hit energy targets,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News’ Trey Yingst.

US negotiators had been in touch with their Iranian counterparts to tell them “you better make a deal”, Trump added.

As tensions escalated, Trump on Monday floated the idea of a 20% fee on shipping through the strait, which drew sharp criticism ⁠from the UN shipping agency and others. On Tuesday, he scrapped the idea and said, without providing details, that he would instead seek investment deals with Gulf states.

Oil prices rose on Wednesday, after closing up 2% to a one-month high on Tuesday, as the latest attacks deepened a supply disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

For the second straight session, Brent closed at its highest since June 12 and West Texas Intermediate at its highest since June 15. Both contracts rose further in early Wednesday trading.

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Pakistan test-fires upgraded Fatah-4 with enhanced precision and survivability

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Pakistan has successfully conducted a test launch of the extended version of its indigenously developed Fatah-4 Ground-Launched Cruise Missile, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The latest test focused on an extended-range variant of the weapon system and was aimed at validating additional technical parameters incorporated into its various sub-systems. The missile is equipped with advanced avionics and state-of-the-art navigational aids, enabling it to engage targets at extended ranges with high precision and lethality.

The development marks another test of Pakistan’s domestically developed Fatah-4 system, which was previously reported with a range of 750 kilometres.

According to the military’s statement, the extended version successfully demonstrated the performance of its upgraded systems during the launch.

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The test validated additional technical parameters of various sub-systems designed to improve accuracy and enhance the weapon system’s survivability. The latest configuration is also intended to provide the capability to engage targets at greater distances while maintaining precision.

The Fatah-4 is a Ground-Launched Cruise Missile equipped with advanced avionics and modern navigation technology. Pakistan previously conducted a successful training fire of the system in May 2026, with ISPR saying the exercise was intended to enhance operational efficiency and validate technical parameters linked to accuracy and survivability.

The missile had earlier been publicly reported with a range of 750 kilometres. The extended version tested on Tuesday has been described by ISPR as capable of engaging targets at extended ranges, although the military statement did not specify a new maximum range.

The launch was witnessed by senior officers from the Pakistan Army, alongside scientists and engineers from the developing agency.

The Fatah-4 was first publicly confirmed by Pakistan in 2025, when the Army conducted a successful training launch of the newly inducted Ground-Launched Cruise Missile. At that time, ISPR said the system featured advanced avionics and state-of-the-art navigational aids and was capable of engaging targets with high precision.

A further training fire was conducted in May 2026 by the Army Rocket Force Command. ISPR said the exercise validated technical parameters of various sub-systems while focusing on improved accuracy and enhanced survivability.

The President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, along with the Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces and the Services Chiefs, commended the successful test launch of the Fatah-4 extended version.

They also appreciated the technical expertise, dedication and commitment of the scientists, engineers and other personnel involved in achieving the latest milestone.

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Syria, Saudi Arabia discuss reconstruction, investment

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Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Tuesday.They talked about Syria’s rebuilding efforts and ways to bring in Saudi investments.

Al-Sharaa officially invited the crown prince to visit Syria.
The Saudi official news agency, SPA, posted pictures of the meeting on X, but didn’t give more details.

The Syrian presidency said that Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani was also at the meeting.
They discussed the relationship between Syria and Saudi Arabia and how to improve it to benefit both countries.

The Syrian presidency’s media office later said the talks were about improving relations in many areas and boosting political, diplomatic, and economic cooperation in a way that works for both nations.

They also reviewed plans for Syria’s reconstruction, including repairing damaged infrastructure and important facilities from the war, as reported by the Syrian Arab News Agency, SANA.

The discussions also covered bringing in high-quality investments to Syria and increasing the role of Syrian and Saudi businesses in energy, construction, industry, agriculture, and trade.

Al-Sharaa invited Mohammed bin Salman to visit Syria, with the presidency saying the visit would help build closer ties and start a new stage of Arab cooperation on regional and international matters.

They also talked about recent events in the region and shared views on issues that affect both countries, aiming to support security and stability in the area.

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Vance says Iran must cut enrichment to end war

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US Vice President JD Vance told Reuters in an exclusive interview that Iran must make a “meaningful” cut in its nuclear enrichment programs to meet US demands and stop the seven-month war between the two countries.At the same time, Washington is unsure how Tehran makes decisions during negotiations.

Vance, who has long doubted US involvement in foreign conflicts, is leading efforts to reach a peace deal.
In June, he helped broker a temporary agreement, but it collapsed quickly.The war has affected global energy prices and has made President Donald Trump and other Republicans look weak ahead of the November midterm elections.

After a campaign trip in Alaska, Vance said any deal would require Iran to reduce its nuclear enrichment, not just promise to do so later.

“If you don’t want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel?
And if you want to show you’re not going to build a nuclear weapon, don’t build highly enriched fuel.That’s a basic issue,” Vance said.

He added, “If they want to show they’re not going to build a nuclear weapon, they should take meaningful steps on their enrichment programs.”

In recent weeks, Iran and the US have been discussing ways to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial for global energy shipping.
Trump rejected Tehran’s latest offer and warned that military action could get worse after the midterms.

Vance said the US is still open to a deal but wants real nuclear concessions from Iran.
“We won’t trade words for actions,” he said.

UNCERTAIN ABOUT IRAN’S DECISION-MAKING: VANCE

Vance also said Washington isn’t sure who makes decisions in Iran.
He has talked with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, but it’s unclear how much power they have in Iran’s leadership structure.This became even more complicated after joint US-Israeli strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the start of the war.

“One of the things we noticed is it’s not totally clear how decisions are made in Iran,” Vance said.
Trump also said on Tuesday that his biggest problem is not knowing who is in charge of Iran.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that US officials know who the Iranian representatives are and how the decision-making process works.
“The real problem is the contradictory statements and mixed messages from US officials,” Esmaeil Baghaei said at a press conference.

Vance told Reuters he has spoken with field commanders to understand the battlefield.
He said there are no serious shortages of weapons and that while Iranian forces can hit commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, they can’t stop energy shipments through the waterway.

Vance did not say whether he is leading peace talks, even though he is often seen as the White House’s main negotiator.
“We are certainly involved,” he said.”Ultimately, the president of the United States is driving things.”

The war — costing about $3 billion a month — has become a big issue in the campaign.
Rising energy prices have hurt Trump and Republicans in key states that could influence the outcome of Congress.

Vance has tried to downplay criticism of Trump’s handling of the conflict, telling voters not to let this issue stop them from supporting Republicans in the coming election.

In Alaska, Vance supported Senator Dan Sullivan, who is in a close race against Democratic challenger Mary Peltola.
Trump won Alaska by 13 points in 2024, but higher living costs have put the state in question.

Before talking to Reuters, Vance focused much of his speech on affordability, especially energy prices.
In Alaska, remote location makes everyday items more expensive, and energy production is a big part of the economy.

Rallygoers cheered when Sullivan almost introduced Vance as the US president instead of the vice president.
Vance is seen as a top Republican candidate for the presidency in 2028.

Vance told Reuters he hasn’t decided yet whether he will run for president in 2028.

“He said, ‘I’m naturally someone who puts things off.
I haven’t really thought about it much.'”

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