Where things stand
• Trump on weapons supply: President Donald Trump claimed the US has “massive amounts” of munitions, following reports on the Pentagon’s depleted stockpile during the war with Iran.
• Hormuz deal: Iran and Oman are close to finalizing a proposed framework for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran’s deputy foreign minister said. However, the agreement would not automatically reopen the waterway, he warned. Iran has also denied any talks with the US, saying its talks with Oman are strictly bilateral.
• Attacks on shipping: At least two attacks have been reported near the Red Sea’s Bab al-Mandeb Strait in recent days amid growing concern over the Iran-backed Houthi militant group’s targeting of shipping in the region.
• Israeli strikes in Lebanon: Meanwhile, US-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon ended earlier than expected Wednesday amid renewed Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon.
"Kill your killer:" Tehran's billboards promise revenge against America
Vengeful billboards produced by the Iranian regime’s propaganda machine, attempting to show to both its people and the outside world, that the Islamic Republic remains firmly in control while the United States crumbles, are on display in the capital Tehran.
On one of them the Statue of Liberty is seen falling down, surrounded by people carrying flags reading, “Oh avengers of Hussein,” signaling the avenge of the killing of Imam Hussein bin Ali, a central figure in Shiite Islam.
Another billboard shows what appears to be a fighter, wearing a shirt with Khamenei’s portrait on it. He holds a red flag commemorating Imam Hussein.
Another shows a skeleton on the banks of the Strait of Hormuz, as a vessel carrying the Iranian flag passes by. The words “The Persian Gulf” are written on the ship.
Iran routinely puts up billboards across the city, purporting to demonstrate its might amid the war with Israel and the US. Last month, authorities put up a giant poster showing US President Donald Trump being choked by multiple hands. The words, “Revenge is inevitable” were written in English and Farsi.
Oil prices up slightly as investors exercise caution over Strait of Hormuz deal
Global oil prices rose slightly on Thursday as traders exercised caution over reported deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after a series of “false dawns.”
The price of Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was up 1.2% close to 7 a.m. ET to trade at $80 a barrel. WTI, the US benchmark, rose 1% to $76 a barrel around the same time.
Iran said it is finalizing a deal with Oman for the transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, but officials in Tehran have warned that would not necessarily mean a reopening of the strait, through which 20% of the world’s oil travelled pre-war.
There are also growing concerns over the role of Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the conflict. On Wednesday, the group, based in Yemen, claimed responsibility for an attack on a Saudi oil tanker in the Gulf of Aden, close to the Bab al-Mandeb strait at the base of the Red Sea.
“Markets have seen plenty of false dawns throughout this conflict,” Deutsche Bank analysts wrote in a note on Thursday.
Trump says US has "massive amounts" of munitions following reports of depleted stockpile
President Donald Trump claimed in the early hours of Thursday morning the United States has “massive amounts” of munitions, following reports from various media, including CNN, on the Pentagon’s depleted stockpile.
“Defense companies are building the largest number of plants and factories in our country’s history,” he added.
On Tuesday, CNN reported that the US military had exhausted nearly 80% of its interceptors for its key THAAD missile defense system, and that senior US military commanders had warned that the Pentagon’s munitions stockpile is “dangerously low,” according to multiple sources.
Explosive device killed two Israeli soldiers in southern Lebanon, military says
Two Israeli troops killed in southern Lebanon on Wednesday died after an explosive device detonated as they entered a building in the town of Majdal Zoun, the Israeli military said.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) added that the soldiers were taking part in a clearance operation to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure in the town. Four other soldiers were seriously wounded.
The IDF says it is still trying to determine when the device had been planted and how it was detonated.
The incident was described as a “blatant violation of the ceasefire” in an Israeli military statement, and triggered ramped-up Israeli airstrikes on several locations in southern Lebanon. It also saw Israeli and Lebanese negotiators cut short US-mediated talks in Rome for the day.
CNN’s Kathleen Magramo and Charbel Mallo contributed reporting.
Shipping groups warn Hormuz tolls could drive up costs and threaten free navigation
Leading shipping associations have urged the United Nations to oppose tolls and service fees for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran and Oman are close to finalizing a deal on the vital waterway, according to Iran’s deputy foreign minister.
Eight maritime groups signed a joint open letter to the UN and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Monday, warning that introducing tolls could drive up costs for consumers and undermine the principles of free navigation.
“Once such a precedent is established, it becomes increasingly difficult to resist similar measures elsewhere, creating uncertainty for international shipping and global commerce,” the letter said.
“These consequences extend beyond shipping costs, contributing to higher energy prices, higher inflation, and higher economic uncertainty. Ultimately, these impacts will carry a human cost, affecting livelihoods around the world.”
On Monday, Iran said it intended to collect “fees” for several maritime services offered alongside Oman in the Strait of Hormuz once the waterway is opened, according to state media. That would mark a major change from the pre-war state, when no country controlled shipping through the waterway. Control or supervision over the chokepoint has become just as much a red line for Tehran as the right to nuclear enrichment.
The prospect of such leverage is unacceptable in Washington, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly said any form of state control over international waters is against international law.
Iran had agreed to not imposing fees or tolls on the strait for 60 days, under the Memorandum of Understanding, before it collapsed as both Tehran and Washington failed to commit to the 14-point agreement.
Tim Lister contributed to this report.
Tehran says Oman-Iran deal isn’t enough to reopen Hormuz. Here’s what it wants
Iran is finalizing a deal with Oman for the movement of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, but a deal between the two coastal nations does not mean the waterway will reopen, Tehran says.
Tehran says it requires a number of guarantees from the United States if vessels are to transit the strait freely.
In an interview with the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi spelled out Iran’s demands, saying the US must reverse actions it says violated previous commitments.
These include:
- Ending the naval blockade on Iranian ports.
- Addressing sanctions that were reimposed on Iran when the truce collapsed – especially on the oil sector – and resuming negotiations over Tehran’s frozen assets.
- Addressing the US’ “failure” to ensure stability in Lebanon as envisaged under the memorandum of understanding reached with Washington in June.
Asked if Iran is essentially implementing Article 5 of the June agreement, which committed Iran to using its “best efforts” to ensure safe commercial passage for 60 days, Gharibabadi said “No.”
“Article 5 only established guiding principles, not a final operational plan,” he said, adding that “the new Iran–Oman understanding is presented as an entirely new model reflecting today’s security environment rather than a continuation of the previous 60-year arrangement.”
This means that shipping routes through the strait will change, with a significant portion of commercial traffic transiting through Iranian territorial waters and the remainder through Omani waters, he said.
Gharibabadi said the arrangement reflects a new strategy for exercising “effective sovereignty” over the strait, while stressing that Iran does not intend to routinely close the waterway in peacetime.
Two shipping attacks reported as experts warn of Red Sea escalation
At least two attacks have been reported near the Red Sea’s Bab al-Mandeb Strait in recent days amid growing concern over the Iran-backed Houthi group’s targeting of shipping in the region.
A vessel sank off the coast of the Yemeni city of Al Mukha after being attacked by an uncrewed surface vessel, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center. The attack, which was first reported on Tuesday, sparked a fire onboard.
Indian authorities confirmed Tuesday that an Indian-flagged vessel had been struck and sunk by a “projectile” off the coast of Yemen, with 14 seafarers safely brought to Al Mukha port.
On Wednesday, a loud explosion was heard near a vessel 95 nautical miles (around 109 miles) southeast of Aden, Yemen. “All crew accounted for and safe. There is no environmental impact recorded. Authorities are investigating,” the UKMTO said.
The UK maritime agency, a Royal Navy-affiliated body that monitors shipping in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and northern Indian Ocean, did not name the ships or state which party was responsible, but the Houthis have repeatedly threatened to disrupt shipping through the strait, a key chokepoint at the southern end of the Red Sea.
As some ships divert toward the northern Red Sea to avoid traversing the strait, the Houthis vowed on Wednesday to “continue and escalate” their targeting of Saudi vessels in the northern Red Sea “to close all access points and prevent their passage.”
Shipping intelligence group Marisks said the group’s decision represents “a significant escalation in both geographic scope and strategic intent.”
Despite this risk, commercial traffic continues to “transit steadily” through the southern Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb, according to UKMTO.
CNN’s Eleni Giokos contributed reporting.
What ongoing talks between Iran-Oman about the Strait of Hormuz have covered
Iran and Oman are close to finalizing a proposed framework for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the agreement would not automatically reopen the waterway, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said in an interview with the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
The ongoing talks between Iran and Oman are critically important because they could lead to the full reopening of the world’s most critical energy chokepoint.
Here’s what the talks have covered:
- Gharibabadi said negotiations have continued for more than three weeks and produced broad agreement on proposed inbound and outbound shipping routes.
- The talks also covered technical arrangements, the security and sovereignty of Iran and Oman, and a proposed joint coordination center to manage maritime traffic and collect information from vessels.
- Under the proposed arrangement, temporary routes near Iran’s Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz and through Omani territorial waters would close.
- Parts of the new inbound and outbound corridors would pass through Iranian waters, marking a departure from a decades-old system under which commercial traffic traveled through Omani waters, Gharibabadi said.
- The proposed route would initially operate for two to four months or possibly longer, according to Gharibabadi. Its implementation would require a separate decision by Iran’s senior leadership.
CNN has reached out to the government of Oman for comment on the details shared by the Iranian official.
Gharibabadi said those conditions largely concerned the United States, which he accused of reinstating a naval blockade, resuming hostilities and reimposing sanctions. The US has said it resumed strikes after Iran fired on vessels transiting the strait.
Four wounded, two IDF soldiers killed as southern Lebanon conflict flares up
Israel has launched attacks in parts of the Lebanese city of Tyre, wounding at least four, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA).
Drones struck the nearby town of Al-Burj Al-Shamali, which was subsequently hit by a strike from a fighter jet, NNA said on Thursday, adding that people were seen fleeing toward Tyre.
Israel also launched three airstrikes on the town of Al-Mansouri and surrounding areas, south of Tyre, NNA reported.
US-mediated talks in Rome between Israel and Lebanon ended earlier than expected on Wednesday amid the renewed Israeli strikes.
While Israel has ramped up attacks, the Israel Defense Forces earlier said two soldiers died in operations in southern Lebanon on Wednesday.
Vance says peace negotiations with Iran are "going to be messy"
As Tehran denies talks with Washington, US Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that peace negotiations with Iran would “be messy” and take time.
He added that “the Iranians are extraordinarily difficult people” with “a fractured system.” During his interview with Fox News Wednesday evening, Vance said: “Our job is to navigate through that and get the best outcome for the American people, but for the president of the United States as well.”
“But we’re kind of in the middle of the game, and I think people are trying to prejudge exactly how this is going to go,” Vance said.
Earlier on Wednesday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran has not yet decided whether to proceed toward the implementation of the previously signed US-Iran memorandum of understanding.
Israel-Lebanon talks end early as Israel renews southern Lebanon strikes
US-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon ended earlier than expected on Wednesday amid renewed Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon.
A US State Department official said the discussions in Rome concluded early, at 3:30 p.m. local time, “due to events on the ground.”
They did not elaborate on what the “misleading leaks” were. A Lebanese diplomatic source said the US delegation requested a suspension of negotiations “to conduct its own consultations.”
All of the sources confirmed that the talks are expected to resume Thursday morning.
But the Lebanese diplomatic source noted that “significant developments on the ground” could prevent the resumption of the delicate technical negotiations. This source said that contacts are ongoing to de-escalate the situation.
“The technical teams made progress on determining key details on implementation of the Trilateral Framework,” the official said, referring to an agreement signed in June by Israel, Lebanon and the United States and aimed at ending hostilities between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia.
The Israeli army ordered residents of the southern Lebanese village of Mansouri to leave on Wednesday afternoon. It later said it had begun carrying out “precise strikes” against Hezbollah targets in the area in response to a “complete violation of the ceasefire.”
Kara Fox, Dani Karni, and Ibrahim Dahman contributed reporting.
Over 50 people have been executed by Iran since March, UN human rights chief says
Executions and death sentences in Iran have been on the rise since March, the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights said Wednesday.
At least 56 people have been executed in Iran on national security-related charges since March 19, including 27 whose cases were linked to the widespread anti-regime protests earlier this year, Volker Türk said in a statement.
The UN human rights chief urged Iranian authorities to stop all executions and move towards abolishing the death penalty.
Türk’s comments come as non-governmental organizations — including the Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights (IHR), which operates with members inside and outside Iran — say that they believe the regime has ramped up executions under the cover of conflict.
Human rights organizations and UN experts have condemned the omission of rights protections from the 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the United States and Iran in June, warning that it has allowed Tehran to accelerate internal crackdowns and executions.
Mostafa Tajzadeh, a political prisoner and veteran Iranian reformist politician who became one of the most outspoken critics of Iran’s political system from within the establishment, issued an open letter from Evin Prison on Monday, calling for an immediate halt to the executions of the “young protesters.”
He described the executions as “playing with fire,” warning that they “could once again engulf the country in devastating flames.”
Aida Karimi contributed reporting.
What to know about negotiations to reopen Strait of Hormuz, and other top headlines
Iran and Oman are close to finalizing a proposed framework for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iran’s deputy foreign minister. However, it still wouldn’t automatically reopen the critical waterway.
If you’re just dropping in, here’s where things stand:
- Negotiations between Iran and Oman on reopening the strait have continued for more than three weeks and produced broad agreement on proposed inbound and outbound shipping routes, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told state-run media.
- However, Gharibabadi denied that Iran is currently negotiating with the US over the waterway, even as President Donald Trump said earlier Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened “soon.” Trump also told Fox News that “very good discussions” were underway with Tehran.
- One Gulf official familiar with the talks said there is a “50:50” chance Iran and Oman will reach a deal on Friday.
- Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi about Iran’s negotiations with Oman. Tajani and Araghchi also had talks with American negotiators on the situation in Lebanon, the Italian foreign ministry said.
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Iran continues to face mounting pressure from sanctions and conflict. In an interview with state-run media, he said the external pressure was intended to weaken public support for the government.
- MarineTraffic data on Wednesday shows at least 10 commercial ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the last 25 hours.
- In another important waterway, a vessel sank after it was attacked in the Red Sea’s Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center reported. Iran-backed Houthis have repeatedly threatened to disrupt shipping through the strait.
- Global oil prices rose yesterday, having slid sharply at the start of the week, after signs of disruption to shipping in the Red Sea and conflicting messages about the Strait of Hormuz.
- US-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon ended earlier than expected Wednesday amid renewed Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon.
CNN’s Mohammed Tawfeeq, Aida Karimi, Jennifer Hansler, Christian Edwards, Charbel Mallo, Tim Lister, Sana Noor Haq and Anna Cooban contributed reporting.
