President Donald Trump don announce say US and Iran don hold “very good and productive” talks wey fit lead to total end of the war for Middle East. For post wey he write for Truth Social on Monday, Trump say he don order Pentagon make dem postpone any strike wey dey target Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for five days. This announcement come as Trump 48-hour ultimatum wey demand say Iran make dem open Strait of Hormuz dey near to expire.
Iran Defense Council warn on Monday say if US attack Iran power plants, dem go retaliate by targeting power and water infrastructure across Gulf region and even mine sea lanes. This threat come after Saudi Arabia Defense Ministry say dem intercept ballistic missile wey dem launch toward Riyadh, dem capital, and continue to intercept drones overnight. The situation dey very tense as both sides dey flex muscle.
US Central Command commander Admiral Brad Cooper talk for interview with Iran International say Strait of Hormuz dey “physically open” but ships dey avoid the area because Iran dey fire missiles and drones at vessels. Cooper claim say US campaign for Iran dey “ahead or on plan” and Iran military capabilities dey deteriorate. He accuse Iran of targeting civilians across Middle East more than 300 times for last two weeks.
International Energy Agency head Fatih Birol warn say global economy dey face “major, major threat” from war disruption to oil and gas flows. Birol talk for Australia National Press Club for Canberra say no country go escape the effects if crisis continue. He reveal say at least 40 energy facilities across nine countries don suffer severe damage for the conflict.
Birol compare current situation to 1973 and 1979 oil crises wey together lose 10 million barrels per day. He say “today, only as of today, we lost 11 million barrels per day – so more than two major oil shocks put together.” IEA dey consult with governments for Europe, Asia, North America and Middle East about releasing more stockpiles of oil, in addition to 400 million barrels wey dem release earlier this month.
Iran foreign ministry deny say dem get any dialogue with Washington. State-affiliated media report say Trump statement na “part of efforts to reduce energy prices and buy time for the implementation of his military plans.” Iran vow to retaliate by striking energy targets around Middle East if US attack dem power plants.
Oil prices don crash after Trump suggest say talks fit end the war. Brent crude fall more than 7% to trade below $99 per barrel, after climbing to $114 earlier. WTI, US benchmark, slide 8% to $90 per barrel. Market dey react to every news from the region as traders dey fear prolonged conflict.
Multiple nations including Turkey and Egypt don dey pass messages between US and Iran to try reduce tensions. People wey know the discussions say regional officials warn Trump say threat to target Iranian power plants go cause massive retaliation against American allies for Gulf. Trump foreign envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner dey involved for the talks.
Iran Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps say dem go respond in kind to any attacks on country power plants. Dem also threaten to keep Strait of Hormuz closed indefinitely if US attack dem. Iran Defense Council add say if dem attack Iran coasts or islands, dem go mine all access routes for Persian Gulf, effectively blocking the entire area.
For Gulf Arab cities, residents dey try continue normal life despite threats. Malls, hotels and beach clubs for Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha pack full as families celebrate Eid. Some residents remain for pool even as emergency alerts dey sound, with music drowning out distant booms from interceptions. Life dey gradually return to normal for those wey stay, even if many dey work remotely.
Israeli military say dem dey conduct strikes on Iranian regime targets for “heart of Tehran” just moments after Trump announce productive talks. Several locations across Iranian capital suffer strikes, according to Iran semi-official Fars news agency. Iranian Red Crescent Society dey search beneath debris of residential building for Tehran to find child.
Oman Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi say Oman dey “work intensively” toward safe passage of vessels through Strait of Hormuz while highlighting economic turmoil caused by war. He emphasize the need for diplomatic solution to prevent further escalation.
United Arab Emirates top official Anwar Gargash criticize “major” Arab and Islamic nations for failing to support Gulf Arab countries for “times of hardship.” He say “in this absence and incapacity, it is unacceptable later to speak of the decline of the Arab and Islamic role or to criticize the American and Western presence.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Trump discuss Strait of Hormuz crisis for phone call late Sunday. Downing Street statement say dem agree say reopening strait na essential to ensure stability for global energy market. Britain na one of 22 countries wey express willingness to contribute to efforts to ensure safe navigation of Strait of Hormuz.
The next five days go determine if talks go lead to lasting peace or if war go escalate further. Global economy dey watch closely as energy prices dey swing with every development. All eyes dey on Washington and Tehran as deadline dey approach.
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