Key facts
- Iran's health minister reported 60 people killed and 670 injured in recent US attacks.
- The US and Iran have observed a temporary pause in hostilities.
- President Trump described current talks with Iran as 'good'.
- Iran's military warned against any US maritime blockade.
- Saudi Arabia intercepted drones targeting oil facilities, blaming Iran-backed groups.
- Oil prices fell as markets reacted positively to the de-escalation.
Iran's health minister has stated that 60 people were killed and approximately 670 others injured in recent US attacks in the country's south over the past 10 to 12 days, according to Al Jazeera citing Iranian news agency reports.
This development occurs as the United States has refrained from launching fresh attacks on Iran, and Tehran has halted its retaliatory strikes across the Middle East following nearly two weeks of intense exchanges. US President Donald Trump indicated that Washington is engaged in "good talks" with Iran, though he cautioned that the US would resume "very strong military action" if diplomacy does not yield swift results. He also denied that the US is low on munitions.
Iran's top joint military command stated that any attempt by the US to implement an "illegal" maritime blockade would be viewed as an escalation of the regional conflict. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia reported that its air defenses intercepted drones targeting oil facilities in the kingdom's Eastern Province, blaming Iran-backed militias operating from Iraq.
Global oil prices saw a significant drop, with Brent crude falling around 8 percent to approximately $86 per barrel, as markets responded positively to the temporary pause in direct US-Iran military action, despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to Washington for discussions with President Trump, with Iran expected to be a primary topic.