- Oil prices surged after reports indicated Donald Trump was considering military action against Iran to resolve the deadlock in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Donald Trump urged Tehran to “get smart soon” and sign a deal, and claimed “Iran can’t get their act together” in a social media post.
- The US is forming an international coalition, the Maritime Freedom Construct, to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical initiative for Middle East security.
- The USS Ford aircraft carrier is departing the Middle East after a record-breaking deployment, having been involved in the conflict with Iran.
- Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth faced parliamentary scrutiny over the Iran war's estimated $25bn cost so far, amidst rising tensions with Iran.
