[55293] Escalation in the Gulf: US and Iran at a stalemate over an agreement to end the war

Peak tension in the Middle East: Crisis in US-Iran talks and its economic consequences

Diplomatic attempts to end the war between the US and Iran have encountered significant difficulties after Tehran rejected the American proposals and set counter-demands. According to a report by Украина.ру (associated with pro-Russian positions), Iran is demanding the lifting of sanctions on oil exports, control over the Strait of Hormuz, and guarantees for a cessation of hostilities. Donald Trump defined the Iranian response as "completely unacceptable."

At the same time, The Wall Street Journal notes that Iran refuses to dismantle its nuclear facilities and offers only a limited moratorium on uranium enrichment. As a result of the stalemate in the talks, Brent crude oil prices jumped by more than 3.5% to the level of 104 dollars per barrel, as reported by Lomovka.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the situation in an interview for the "60 Minutes" program (as reported by ИнтеллиНьюз), noting that the regime in Iran is at its weakest point since 1979. Netanyahu emphasized that if the regime in Tehran collapses, it will lead to the end of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, adding that Israel is working to eliminate Hezbollah's capabilities in Lebanon.

On the global economic level, the situation is leading to severe consequences. Геоэнергетика ИНФО warns of a severe shortage in global oil stocks following the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, with a forecast for a deep crisis by September 2026. In India, Prime Minister Modi called on his citizens to save fuel and switch to remote work due to the price hikes, according to War Zone ✙ ➔ △.

Additionally, RusPanorama reports on a new Iranian threat to impose levies on the use of underwater internet cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which could affect global communications. The ballooning costs of the American operation, estimated at one billion dollars a day, pose a significant financial challenge for Washington, as revealed by data from Lomovka.