Key facts
- India has lodged a strong protest with the US following the deaths of three Indian sailors in a US military strike.
- India's foreign minister conveyed to the US Secretary of State that such lethal actions against commercial shipping are unjustified.
- Qatar and Jordan's foreign ministers expressed support for progress in US-Iran negotiations.
- Hezbollah claimed to have targeted an Israeli tank and soldiers in southern Lebanon.
- An Iranian official stated that nuclear issues and sanctions lifting are contingent on a final agreement.
- An Iranian official indicated that the Strait of Hormuz administration will not revert to its pre-war status.
India has lodged a strong protest with the United States following the deaths of three Indian sailors in a US military strike on a Palau-flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz. India's Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, informed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that "such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified."
In parallel, Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed and Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi held a phone call expressing support for progress in US-Iran negotiations and hoping for a swift agreement. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for drone attacks targeting an Israeli Merkava tank and soldiers in southern Lebanon. A Hezbollah MP stated that Iran has clearly indicated Lebanon is included in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US, which reportedly requires Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territories.
An Iranian official, Araghchi, indicated that decisions on nuclear issues and sanctions lifting are pending a final agreement, and that the Strait of Hormuz administration will not revert to its pre-war status, asserting it is under the sovereignty of Iran and Oman. He also mentioned a mechanism for Iran's frozen funds and reiterated readiness for war if threatened, while accusing Israel of seeking to disrupt the potential agreement. Massive explosions were reported over southern Lebanon following Israeli military operations.
Political analysis from the occupied West Bank suggests Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is in a difficult position, needing to align with US President Trump's approach to Iran while facing accusations of turning Israel into a US vassal state. Sources close to negotiations indicate cautious optimism in Pakistan for a deal that could provide immediate relief for the Strait of Hormuz.