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...
U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in U.S. policy as Washington announced plans to lift all sanctions on Syria and explore the possibility of normalizing relations with Damascus.
U.S. President Donald Trump held a meeting with Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, where he confirmed that the U.S. would lift all sanctions on Syria, marking a notable shift in U.S. foreign policy. During the meeting, Trump also expressed that Washington was considering normalizing relations with Damascus.
This meeting took place prior to a summit between the U.S. and Gulf Arab countries. Trump confirmed his decision on Tuesday in Riyadh, stating that the lifting of sanctions represented a major policy change.
In addition to Trump, Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan joined the discussions, while Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman participated virtually. According to Anadolu News Agency, Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed Saudi Arabia’s support for Trump’s decision.
The move is seen as a significant boost for Sharaa, who has faced challenges in consolidating power after overthrowing former President Bashar al-Assad in December.
Trump’s visit to the Gulf region, the first of a four-day trip, also saw discussions on significant business deals, including a $600 billion investment commitment from Saudi Arabia to the U.S. and a $142 billion arms sale to the kingdom. Later, Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Qatar to meet with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and officials to discuss further investments.
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.
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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.
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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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