Iran warned that any new US aggression would receive a “stronger response,” as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear negotiations continue to rise. Iranian officials said Washington must choose between diplomacy or facing the power of Iran’s missile capabilities. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump confirmed he paused a planned military strike after urgent appeals from Gulf leaders, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, to allow more time for negotiations. Iran also announced the formation of a new authority to manage the Strait of Hormuz and indicated that fiber-optic cables crossing the waterway could come under a permit system. At the same time, the United Nations stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway as global oil prices continue to surge.
