live Iran, U.S. make competing claims over control of Strait of Hormuz
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over t...
US President Donald Trump is willing to attend the upcoming Russia–Ukraine peace negotiations in Istanbul, but only if Russian President Vladimir Putin confirms his participation, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine said.
US President Donald Trump will attend the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, but only if Russian President Vladimir Putin confirms his participation, said Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg.
“We’re hoping President Putin shows up as well, and then President Trump will be there,” Kellogg told Fox Business. “This could be an absolute incredible meeting with him.”
The peace talks, scheduled for Thursday, will be facilitated by Türkiye and will be the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine since early 2022.
Kellogg expressed optimism about the potential for breakthroughs if both leaders attend, stating, “President Trump, he has the art of the deal. He really knows how to make it work. And if he shows up… Zelenskyy will be there, and if Putin shows up, I think we’re a lot closer to a deal than many people think.”
Kellogg revealed that the negotiators have prepared a "term sheet" outlining the areas of discussion, with a ceasefire being the primary focus. He added, “We’ll be there and we’ll see what happens.”
In addition to Kellogg, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff also intends to participate in the talks, according to an unnamed White House official.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed his participation, while President Putin has indicated he is open to talks without preconditions, though he has not yet confirmed his attendance.
Trump had earlier described the upcoming talks as “a potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine” and expressed interest in attending, although his current Gulf tour schedule may prevent him from participating.
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.
Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Friday as ash from Mount Etna continues to disrupt air travel, following hundreds of cancellations and diversions over the past week.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
Russia has accused Ukraine of threatening global grain supplies after recent strikes on Black Sea agricultural infrastructure, while Moscow carried out a new overnight attack on Ukraine’s major Danube port of Izmail.
One person has been killed and six others injured after an explosion at a petroleum storage facility at the Port of Rotterdam, prompting an investigation into the cause.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday for talks focused on Gaza, Palestinian statehood and regional security.
Taiwan staged military defence drills on Wednesday as China concluded joint naval exercises with Indonesia in waters east of the island.
Washington’s counter-narcotics push is expanding as Colombia’s new conservative government backs deeper security cooperation.
Meta said it had removed more than 750,000 Facebook and Instagram accounts suspected of belonging to Australians under 16, as the country’s internet regulator weighs enforcement action over its teen social media ban.
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