U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington is “semi-negotiating” with Iran as uncertainty surrounds efforts to ease regional tensions.
U.S. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy says U.S. President Donald Trump has “lost” the war with Iran, arguing that each day of continued fighting weakens the United States while strengthening Tehran and driving up prices for Americans.
Speaking to NBC News, Murphy said he would support even a “bad deal” if it ended the conflict and reopened the Strait of Hormuz. He also said he would oppose further funding for the war but would back replenishing U.S. munitions once the fighting ends.
His comments come as diplomatic efforts remain uncertain, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying on Sunday that there are no direct talks with Washington and that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Tehran’s demands, including an end to the U.S. naval blockade, are met.
Oil prices rose Monday as Iran's demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz raised concerns over prolonged disruptions to global energy markets.
International benchmark Brent crude futures for October delivery climbed 1.09% to $84.46 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate futures for September rose 0.84% to $78.84.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that the strategic waterway would not reopen until Washington meets conditions including easing sanctions and paying war reparations.
He also said Tehran is not currently in direct talks with the U.S., despite Washington's claim that a deal is near.
"The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed," Westpac said, adding that uncertainty remains high as the Iran war enters its sixth month.
Despite the energy market volatility, Asian stocks rose, with Japan's Nikkei 225 gaining 2.1%, South Korea's Kospi up 0.7% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index 0.6% higher.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei is holding a press briefing on Monday as questions continue over the status of diplomacy with Washington and efforts to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The briefing comes after U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington was “semi-negotiating” with Iran. Tehran has previously denied holding direct talks with the United States, saying discussions were instead taking place with Oman, which has been working with Iran on a proposed shipping route through the strategic waterway.
The U.S. reaffirmed its support for Yemen in confronting Houthi attacks, with Washington highlighting maritime security and counterterrorism among its priorities in the country.
U.S. Mission to Yemen Chargé d’Affaires Neil Hop made the remarks Sunday during his first meeting with Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
In a statement on X, the embassy said Hop outlined U.S. President Donald Trump’s policy priorities and affirmed support for partnerships with Yemen on maritime security and counterterrorism.
It quoted Hop as also backing efforts to combat what the U.S. mission called “Iran-backed Houthi aggression” that threatens Yemen and Washington’s regional partners.
A Houthi attack on the Yemeni port city of Mocha has killed at least seven people and wounded 30 others, according to the military. Air defences also intercepted 11 Houthi drones, it said.
After months of U.S. military strikes on Iran, sanctions and a blockade, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that his administration is watching economic pressure mount on Iran, according to an interview with Axios.
"We are low keying it," Trump was quoted as saying during a brief phone call. "We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money."
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of August, covering the latest developments....
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington is “semi-negotiating” with Iran as uncertainty surrounds efforts to ease regional tensions....
Greenland has issued a “strong warning” to a U.S. oil company linked to President Donald Trump after drilling equipment was brought ashore without...
An agreement between Iran and the U.S. to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is expected "soon," a U.S. official has said. The deal would result in the resumption of commercial shipping through the sea passage and the lifting of an American naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 8th of August, covering the latest developments.
A deal on a new route for vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is "very close," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said, while warning that the reopening of the waterway depends on the U.S. meeting other conditions, including paying compensation to Iran.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 9th of August, covering the latest developments.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is increasingly penetrating Russia's air-defence network, as both sides stepped up overnight strikes on energy, logistics and port infrastructure.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of August, covering the latest developments.
Greenland has issued a “strong warning” to a U.S. oil company linked to President Donald Trump after drilling equipment was brought ashore without the required government approvals, according to British media.
Bulgaria’s defence chief said on Sunday (9 August) there was no evidence that a drone, which entered the country’s airspace, was deliberately targeting Bulgaria.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has raised the possibility of establishing a future joint defence framework involving countries in the South Caucasus, as Azerbaijan and Armenia move towards a final peace agreement.
Typhoon Dolphin, the most powerful tropical cyclone to hit China this year, made landfall in eastern Zhejiang province on Sunday, bringing torrential rain and powerful winds as more than one million people were evacuated.
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