Context: Pakistan, which hosted and mediated the talks, is urging both sides to stick to the ceasefire that’s supposed to be holding. The fact that the two sides engaged in face-to-face talks after hours of Pakistani shuttle diplomacy marked a significant breakthrough, even without an agreement. Iran reportedly raised “forward-looking initiatives” during the negotiations.

Context: Right as delegations were landing in Islamabad, Iran said Lebanon needed to be part of any deal. The move seemed aimed at forcing discussion of Israel’s bombing campaign in Lebanon, which has killed over 1,950 people since the US-Iran ceasefire began. Israel has refused to negotiate any halt to fighting with Hezbollah.

Sources: France24

Context: The two countries have no diplomatic relations, so this is a big step just by happening. But Israel is calling Hezbollah “the main obstacle to peace” and has kept up heavy strikes in southern Lebanon. More than 350 people were killed on the first day of the US-Iran ceasefire alone. Netanyahu agreed to the talks under US pressure after being criticized for a “strategic failure” that damaged Israel’s standing in Washington.

Context: Trump made the comment Saturday while negotiations were still underway. Pakistan has been shuttling between the two sides trying to broker a permanent end to the war. Trump also issued an ultimatum earlier in the week, threatening to strike Iran if the talks failed to produce a deal.

Sources: France24

Context: This is a major escalation. The Strait is the world’s most critical oil chokepoint. Trump’s announcement came right after peace talks collapsed. He said the navy will “interdict” vessels in international waters that paid Iran’s toll, which Iran started charging after the war began.

Sources: France24

Context: Shipping data shows the tankers got through, which is a small sign the ceasefire might be holding in some ways. But the global energy crunch isn’t over—Europe’s airport council warned this week that if Hormuz doesn’t fully reopen within three weeks, they’ll face critical jet fuel shortages.

Sources: Al Jazeera

Context: The New York Times reports that Iran may not have accurate records of mine locations, which would make clearing the Strait way more dangerous and time-consuming. Trump said the US has started clearing mines, but if Iran can’t provide a map, that’s a huge problem.

Sources: Euronews

Context: This pipeline is Saudi Arabia’s alternative route to get oil to market when the Strait of Hormuz is blocked or too risky. Getting it back online helps ease some of the global supply crunch, though not nearly enough to solve the energy crisis.

Sources: Al Jazeera

Context: Smoke was seen rising over villages near the border. Iran has said it won’t seriously engage in negotiations until Israel stops bombing Lebanon, but Israel shows no signs of letting up. The attacks undermine the already fragile ceasefire and raise questions about whether any deal can hold.

Sources: France24

Context: More than 300 people died and at least 1,000 were wounded in what locals describe as a “bloody” day that plunged the country into chaos. One resident told France24: “We thought Beirut was going to collapse.” The strikes were unannounced and unexpected, hitting multiple parts of Lebanon simultaneously.

Sources: France24

Context: Trump has been pressuring NATO allies to help restore freedom of navigation through the Strait, but Spain is making it clear the alliance isn’t going to get pulled into this fight. “NATO will not participate in this war,” their foreign minister said flatly.

Sources: Euronews