Iran Attacks Ships in Strait of Hormuz Amid U.S. Ceasefire Extension

"...The standoff in the critical shipping chokepoint has put the possibility of U.S.-Iran peace talks in jeopardy...."

"...The attacks come after President Trump extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran just hours before it was set to expire...."

"...Trump said he was doing so at the request of mediating country Pakistan and it would give Tehran time to present a "unified proposal."..."

"...President Trump says Iran is in a dire economic crisis as the U.S. imposes its naval blockade on Iranian ports...."

"...Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wrote on social media that under Trump's orders, the U.S. Navy will continue the blockade of Iran's ports...."

"...He also said his office would continue to "systematically degrade Tehran's ability to generate, move, and repatriate funds."..."

"...The United Kingdom and France are hosting a two-day conference starting Wednesday aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz...."

"...One of the challenges is to remove undersea mines Iran is believed to have planted there...."

"...Military planners from more than 30 countries are meeting at a Royal Air Force base north of London to put together a multinational mission to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz amid global concerns over oil and energy prices...."

"...A poll in the U.K. shows 1 in 10 people are already stockpiling fuel...."

"...British defense officials have previously floated the idea of deploying autonomous mine-hunting systems from motherships sent to the Gulf...."

"...But they caution that whatever plan they come up with at this two-day conference will only take effect after what they call a sustained ceasefire between Iran and the U.S...."

"...U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres cautiously welcomed Trump's announcement of a ceasefire extension...."

"..."This is an important step toward de-escalation and creating critical space for diplomacy and confidence-building between Iran and the United States," he said in a statement shared by his spokesperson...."

"..."We encourage all parties to build on this momentum, refrain from actions that could undermine the cease-fire, and engage constructively in negotiations to reach a sustainable and lasting resolution."..."

"...China warned that the Middle East is at a "critical stage."..."

"..."The paramount priority remains to make every effort to prevent a resumption of hostilities," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news briefing Wednesday...."

"...Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign policy chief, said in an online statement: "Daily U-turns, whether the Strait of Hormuz is open or closed, are reckless. Transit through the Strait must remain free of charge."..."

"...She said the EU was widening sanctions on Tehran, adding "none of us want to see a nuclear-armed Iran."..."

"...Meanwhile, the war and strait blockade are continuing to rattle global markets and push up costs, with the airline industry particularly hard hit...."

"...On Tuesday, German airline Lufthansa said that because the price of jet-fuel had doubled since the start of the war, it was cutting 20,000 flights through October in an attempt to save fuel...."

"...United Airlines has also been impacted, with Reuters news agency reporting the Chicago-based carrier had forecast second-quarter and full-year profits below Wall Street estimates...."

"...Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation says it is taking "a look" at Spirit Airlines at the request of Trump...."

"...Spirit filed for bankruptcy protection in August for the second time in less than a year...."

"...Now soaring fuel costs tied to the Iran war are adding more uncertainty about the carrier's ability to keep operating...."

"...It's not the only one:last week a trade association for low-cost carriers sent a letter to Congress asking for temporary tax relief...."

"...For officials in Washington, the main points of contention remain control over the Strait of Hormuz and the future of Iran's nuclear program...."

"...The Trump administration has said it wants commercial shipping through the strategic waterway to be fully restored...."

"...Around 20% of the world's crude oil and natural gas typically passes through the strait...."

"...After the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, Iran began to exert control over the Strait of Hormuz...."

"...It has prevented most commercial ships from transiting and has collected steep tolls from some of the few that did...."

"...Vice President Vance said the first round of ceasefire talks held over a week ago broke down because Iran would not commit to forgoing a nuclear weapon...."

"..."The simple fact is that we need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will not seek the tools that would enable them to quickly achieve a nuclear weapon," Vance said...."

"...For Tehran, the key demands for extending the ceasefire include an end to the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and guarantees that the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah will not resume...."

"...Israel and Lebanon agreed on a 10-day ceasefire last week, pausing fighting between Israel's military and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah...."

"...Israel and Lebanon are due to hold fresh talks in Washington on Thursday...."

"...Israel's and Lebanon's ambassadors to the U.S. are set to hold their second round of talks in Washington on Thursday...."

"...That's amid a shaky, 10-day ceasefire to pause the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group...."

"...Looking south from a hill atop the village of Majdal Zoun, you can see an Israeli flag waving in the wind over the neighboring Lebanese village...."

"...Israel is still occupying a large area of southern Lebanon — including dozens of towns and villages...."

"...Hezbollah spokesperson Salman Harb tells NPR that the Iran-backed group does not agree with direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon...."

"...But if the result of the negotiations is that Israel will withdraw from Lebanese lands, Harb says, then Hezbollah accepts that...."

"...But on the other hand, he says, if the land remains occupied, the group retains the right to resist that occupation...."