Iran has demanded compensation from the US as a condition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The head of Iran’s supreme national security council, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, said the Strait will remain shut until the US meet six conditions, including ending the war and aggression against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq forever.
It comes as the US is pushing for defence companies to “dramatically” accelerate weapons production as the Iran war drains through their missile supplies, it is understood.
Deputy defence secretary Steve Feinberg gave companies three weeks to lay out how they would “drive significantly faster, more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production for critical capabilities.”
“Years-long development cycles are not acceptable,” Mr Feinberg added in the memo, which was obtained by The Washington Post.
“We must dramatically accelerate our program schedules and expand our production capacity now.”.
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Key Points
- Tehran demands compensation from Trump to reopen Strait of Hormuz
- Netanyahu rejects Trump's Gaza peace plan
- US military pushes companies to ‘dramatically accelerate’ weapons production
- UAE oil tanker attacked by missile in Strait of Hormuz
- Tehran issues warning to Saudi Arabia amid Nato-style defence pact
Netanyahu says Trump's new Gaza plan is unacceptable
04:45 , Namita SinghIsraeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu restated his rejection of Donald Trump's latest Gaza plan in televised remarks to his right-wing government on Sunday, even as Israel's military has effectively halted attacks in the territory under pressure from the US president.
Netanyahu is struggling in the polls as he seeks re-election at a vote due on 27 October but is caught between far-right ministers angered by concessions in Gaza and his key military backer, Trump, who wants progress toward ending the conflict there with a new 15-point roadmap. Israel has scaled back attacks in Gaza since Monday, when Nikolay Mladenov, the Gaza envoy for Trump's Board of Peace that oversees the ceasefire, met with Netanyahu.
A source familiar with Israel's position said it had agreed that the military would only act against what it perceives as immediate threats in Gaza and no longer carry out targeted assassinations as it had been doing on a near-daily basis. Mladenov said on Sunday that discussions on the new roadmap were ongoing.
Houthis attack Saudi refinery
04:32 , Namita SinghIranian strikes on Strait of Hormuz shipping have been coupled with increased attacks by its Yemen-based allies, the Houthi rebels, who have targeted ships at another oil chokepoint on the other side of the Arabian Peninsula between the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis also declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea last month in response to what they said was a Saudi siege on them in Yemen, an allegation denied by Riyadh, which backs Yemen's internationally recognised government.
The Yemeni rebel group said they had attacked Saudi Aramco's Jazan refinery on Sunday, two days after the kingdom signed a defence pact with Sunni Muslim allies Turkey and Pakistan in response to growing regional instability from the US-Israeli war on Shi'ite Iran.
The Saudi energy ministry said a fire had broken out at the refinery but was later extinguished with no injuries and authorities were dealing with the incident, without giving a cause.
Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan said the new alliance was not directed against Iran or any other country, but rather served as a general pledge to support security.
US ‘low-keying’ talks with Iran
04:15 , Namita SinghUS president Donald Trump said in an interview with Axios that the US was "low-keying" it with Iran.
"We are only semi-negotiating with them. We are just watching Iran with its huge inflation and the fact they have no money."
Washington and Tehran agreed to a ceasefire in June, but the US reimposed a blockade on Iranian shipping in the Gulf in July, a move that Tehran said violated the truce, which by then had already broken down.
"Once the deal is announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments, the United States will lift the blockade of Iranian ports," a US official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
Fallout from war in Iran is leaving millions vulnerable to hunger
04:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainAs the US, Iran and Oman edge towards an interim agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, months of insecurity and disruption are leaving millions more vulnerable to hunger in Yemen.
The economic fallout from the regional conflict has driven up food and fuel prices, while more than four months of conflict with Iran has driven renewed escalation in Yemen, compounding one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
More than half the population were already facing hunger, but slow progress from world leaders to re-open the Strait has caused months of disruption to global food and energy supplies, disrupting humanitarian aid operations.
Fallout from war in Iran is leaving millions vulnerable to hunger
Iran says Oman deal on strait is near but sets US conditions
03:52 , Namita SinghIran said it was nearing a final pact with Oman defining new shipping lanes between them through the Strait of Hormuz but repeated that the US must meet other conditions, including compensation and an end to sanctions and military threats, before the strategic waterway is reopened.
A US official told Reuters on Friday that Iran and Oman were close to a deal that could pave the way for restoring safe passage through the strait, a major conduit for oil and gas shipping before Iran blocked Hormuz in response to US and Israeli attacks on Tehran that began in late February.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday an agreement with Oman on the strait was in its "final stages" but reiterated comments made on Saturday that Tehran would not reopen the channel unless the US met certain demands made by Tehran.
Mr Araqchi said reopening the strait would depend in part on the US paying compensation for damage it caused in widespread attacks on Iran.
The secretary of Iran's top national security body, Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, also listed ending further US threats against Iran; halting aggression toward Iran and its Lebanese, Palestinian, Yemeni and Iraqi allies; removing a US naval blockade in the Gulf; lifting sanctions on Iran; and releasing frozen Iranian assets.
'We're low-keying it on Iran', says Trump
03:00 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump told Axios on Sunday that he’s “low-keying it” on Iran with talks to end the war still on ice.
The US president signalled that he preferred to allow economic pressure on Iran to mount, as opposed to ordering a new military offensive, with both sides still held at an impasse.
Iran, aware of the impact of delaying the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, has indicated it is also willing to maintain the status quo until the US concedes to its demands.
“We're only semi-negotiating with them. We're just watching Iran with its huge inflation & the fact they have no money,” Trump told Axios, adding: “It will work out. It always works out. It's like a chess game.”
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi earlier ruled out a resumption of negotiations with the US until Washington ends its violations of the so-called memorandum of understanding to end the war, according to Iranian media.
Trump foe vows he’s ‘prepared to support a bad deal’ to end war in Iran
02:00 , James ReynoldsConnecticut Sen. Chris Murphy tore into Donald Trump’s ongoing inability to reach an agreement to permanently end the war with Iran on Sunday and said that it was increasingly obvious that Trump would be forced to take a “bad” deal to extract the U.S. from the conflict.
But Murphy, speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, told host Kristen Welker that he’d support any effort to end the war at this point — even a “terrible-bad deal” — as traffic continues to be heavily restricted through the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. has so far been unable to pressure Iran to accept any deal reopening the strait and addressing its nuclear program.
Read the full story:
Trump foe vows he’s ‘prepared to support a bad deal’ to end war in Iran
US military pushes companies to ‘dramatically accelerate’ weapons production as Iran war burns through supply, memo says
01:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe US is pushing for defence companies to “dramatically” accelerate weapons production as the Iran war drains through their missile supplies, it is understood.
Deputy defence secretary Steve Feinberg gave companies three weeks to lay out how they would “drive significantly faster, more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production for critical capabilities.”
“Years-long development cycles are not acceptable,” Mr Feinberg added in the memo, which was obtained by The Washington Post.
“We must dramatically accelerate our program schedules and expand our production capacity now.”
Pentagon pushes to ‘dramatically’ speed production as Iran war burns through weapons
UAE oil tanker attacked by missile in Strait of Hormuz
00:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe United Arab Emirates condemned an Iranian missile attack on its carrier as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz today, accusing Tehran of "acts of piracy".
State news agency WAM initially reported ADNOC as saying one of its vessels had been targeted by a missile early on Saturday and that the situation was under control.
The UAE Foreign Ministry later condemned what it called "the hostile Iranian attack" on an ADNOC vessel.
Neither statement gave details on the tanker, its cargo or possible damage. No injuries were reported.
The ministry said the attack violated a U.N. Security Council resolution on freedom of navigation and accused Iran's Revolutionary Guards of "acts of piracy" by targeting commercial shipping and using the waterway as a tool of economic pressure.
Netanyahu rejects Trump's Gaza peace plan
23:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainBenjamin Netanyahu has rejected Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan, insisting Israel will not withdraw until Hamas fully disarms.
The US president claimed last month that there had been a breakthrough in his plan to end the war, which both Israel and Hamas agreed to last year and which started with the ceasefire.
Israel has continued to carry out strikes on Gaza since agreeing to the ceasefire last October.
The peace deal put forward by the US last year would have seen Hamas relinquish its weapons, Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza as the disarmament progresses, and an international stabilisation force work with a new Palestinian police force until a new Palestinian government takes over in Gaza.
Trump ignores questions on Netanyahu's Gaza snub
22:17 , James ReynoldsPresident Donald Trump ignored shouted questions about Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejecting the Gaza peace agreement at Morristown airport on Sunday, per POLITICO.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel rejected Trump’s Board of Peace 15-point plan for Gaza and will not withdraw until Hamas fully disarms.
Watch: Trump says ‘we may have to’ send oil prices 'up again' as Iran war continues
22:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainYemen's Houthis resume attacks on Mocha port
21:14 , ReutersYemen's Houthis have resumed attacks on the Red Sea port city of Mocha, a Yemeni military spokesperson told Reuters.
Footage shown by Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV showed the launch of several ballistic missiles and drones, which Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a post on Telegram targeted Saudi troop concentrations and weapons depots.
What compensation does Iran want from the US to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
21:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe head of Iran’s supreme national security council, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, has said that the Strait of Hormuz will remain shut until the US meets six conditions.
In comments carried by Iran’s IRNA news agency on Saturday, Zolghadr laid out his terms.
Included in full, in his words, these were:
- Never threaten Iran with any language or insult the sanctities of this nation
- End the war and aggression against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq forever
- Lift the naval blockade and withdraw its military forces (naval and air) from around Iran
- Pay the damages of the two wars of aggression and imposition on Iran without any reduction or reduction
- Lift the cruel and illegal sanctions against the Iranian nation
- Unconditionally release the frozen and stolen assets of the Iranian people
Pentagon urges defence industry to hurry up making weapons
20:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe Pentagon has asked the US defence industry to ramp up production of weapons amid reports of depleted stockpiles due to the war in Iran, according to a memo.
The Washington Post reports that secretary Steve Feinberg told industry leaders on Wednesday that they had 3 weeks to bring together plants to “drive significantly faster, more aggressive delivery schedules and/or increased production for critical capabilities”.
“We must dramatically accelerate our program schedules and expand our production capacity now,” he was reported to have said.
Trump foe vows he’s ‘prepared to support a bad deal’ to end war in Iran
19:12 , James ReynoldsConnecticut Sen. Chris Murphy tore into Donald Trump’s ongoing inability to reach an agreement to permanently end the war with Iran on Sunday and said that it was increasingly obvious that Trump would be forced to take a “bad” deal to extract the U.S. from the conflict.
But Murphy, speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, told host Kristen Welker that he’d support any effort to end the war at this point — even a “terrible-bad deal” — as traffic continues to be heavily restricted through the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. has so far been unable to pressure Iran to accept any deal reopening the strait and addressing its nuclear program.
Read the full story:
Trump foe vows he’s ‘prepared to support a bad deal’ to end war in Iran
Ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz risk creating global biosecurity ‘super-spreader’ event
19:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe economic ramifications of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are much discussed. But so far, the risk of ecological damage following a long blockade of ships has been overlooked.
Our recent research shows that the more than 1,500 commercial vessels that have been laid up in the Persian/Arabian Gulf since February pose a significant environmental threat because they have been accumulating marine biofouling species on their hulls.
As the strait reopens, these ships may spread these organisms to ports they visit, potentially causing an international biosecurity “super-spreader” event.
Ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz risk creating biosecurity ‘super-spreader’ event
'We're low-keying it on Iran', says Trump
18:39 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump tells Axios reporter Barak Ravid that he’s “low-keying it” on Iran with talks to end the war still on ice.
“We're only semi-negotiating with them. We're just watching Iran with its huge inflation & the fact they have no money,” he said.
"It will work out. It always works out. It's like a chess game," Trump added.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi earlier ruled out a resumption of negotiations with the US until Washington ends its violations of the so-called memorandum of understanding to end the war, according to Iranian media.
Iran's demands should be rejected out of hand, says former US defence secretary
18:35 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump’s former defence secretary Mark Esper said Iran’s demands were “ridiculous” and “should be rejected out of hand” on Sunday.
Mr Esper, who served in Trump’s first administration, told ABC’s This Week pointed to compensation for the costs of the war and the withdrawal of all US forces from the region, adding “it’s gone beyond the pale”.
He went on to say that Iran’s latest demands show they believe they have the upper hand with a solid grip on control of the Strait of Hormuz.
“It shows that they believe that they have the upper hand, they believe they are winning, and they are already. So that's what we're up against right now.”
Iran says Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until US meets six demands
Trump has lost his war on geography in the Strait of Hormuz. What now?
18:15 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA desperate scramble to find alternative routes is in overdrive as the world realises there is no ‘back to normal’ – but Trump’s insulted allies are determined to make him pay for the leverage his war has handed to Iran, says Anchal Vohra:
No one is holding their breath for a miracle as he US and Iran enter the final stages of negotiations over the future of the Strait of Hormuz.
Donald Trump says the Strait is "sort of open right now", even as Iran remains firm on charging a toll as high as seven per cent of the cargo price.
Trump has lost his war on geography in the Strait of Hormuz. What now?
