International relations, geopolitics, wars, major global shifts
Mikel Merino scored a late winner as Spain beat Belgium 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final. Spain now face France in the semi-final after Fabian Ruiz opened the scoring and Charles De Ketelaere had equalised for Belgium.
President Trump is expected to announce at this week's NATO summit in Ankara that he is ready to restore Turkey's access to F-35 fighter jets, reversing a ban he imposed over fears Russia could exploit Turkey's involvement to gather stealth technology data.
President Trump is meeting NATO allies in Ankara, Turkey, for a two-day summit focused on Ukraine, Iran, and burden-sharing. The gathering comes amid persistent doubts among European governments about long-term U.S. commitment to the alliance.
Oil prices rose Thursday after the U.S. launched new strikes against Iran, dimming hopes for a Strait of Hormuz reopening. Shipowners are growing more cautious on transit and insurers are reviewing vessel coverage, adding upward pressure on crude prices.
President Trump publicly criticised NATO allies for refusing to support the US during its conflict with Iran, exposing a visible split within the Western alliance. The rift could weaken collective Western leverage over Iran and add pressure to already volatile oil markets.
US Centcom struck over 80 targets in Iran and revoked Tehran's oil export licence after drone and projectile attacks hit three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices rose more than 3 percent, and Iran warned of a crushing military response, putting the fragile ceasefire near collapse.
Brent crude surged to $78 per barrel after the US launched fresh military strikes on Iran and President Trump declared the ceasefire "over." The move raises fears of supply disruption through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for nearly 20 percent of globally traded oil.
A ship was struck in the Strait of Hormuz on July 10, 2026, as millions attended mass funeral gatherings in Iran following US-Israeli strikes. Iran has blocked talks with the US unless Washington halts what Tehran calls threats, deepening the diplomatic deadlock.
NATO leaders including President Trump are meeting in Ankara for a summit focused on defence spending targets and military support for Ukraine. The outcome, especially on Ukraine's security path and burden-sharing commitments, will signal how unified the alliance is heading into the second half of 2026.
Trump is traveling to Turkey for a NATO summit strained by Russian attacks on Ukraine and U.S. anger over allies' refusal to help clear the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran campaign. The meeting could reshape burden-sharing expectations and affect energy market risk premiums tied to Gulf security.
President Trump declared the US-Iran ceasefire "over" at a NATO summit after Iran attacked bases hosting American forces in Kuwait and Bahrain. The announcement sharply raises the risk of direct US military retaliation and could move global oil and risk markets fast.
President Trump said at a NATO summit the US will "probably" strike Iran again, calling any future action "over quickly," while Tehran vowed a "fearless" response. The standoff raises immediate risk for oil markets and Gulf shipping lanes.
President Trump declared the US-Iran ceasefire "over" at a NATO summit in Turkey after both countries exchanged dozens of new strikes across the Middle East. The collapse of the interim deal removes the main brake on further escalation, raising energy supply risks and pressing US allies to respond.
Iran's ambassador to China confirmed new transit fees for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, with preferential rates promised to countries Tehran considers friendly. The move directly challenges international transit passage rights and could push up shipping insurance premiums and oil prices globally.
Opec+ agreed to raise output targets by 188,000 bpd from August, continuing a phased rollback of its 2023 supply cuts. Brent crude, already near $72 per barrel, faces further pressure as Strait of Hormuz traffic recovers and Chinese demand stays weak.
Islamabad is the frontrunner to host US-Iran technical talks on July 11, diplomatic sources told Dawn, with Switzerland's Burgenstock as the backup option. The talks aim to advance the 60-day framework set by the Islamabad MOU, covering Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and Strait of Hormuz security.
Funeral ceremonies for assassinated Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began Saturday in Tehran, with authorities expecting up to 20 million attendees over six days.
An Iran-linked hacker group claims to have breached FBI drone systems and has threatened to target the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a cybersecurity monitoring group reports. The monitor disputes parts of the group's claims, leaving the true scope of any intrusion unverified.
American and Iranian negotiators are reportedly close to a nuclear deal, but Iran's post-war leadership is more risk-tolerant and believes it has already absorbed the worst U.S. and Israeli pressure. That confidence reduces Tehran's incentive to concede, complicating the path to a durable agreement.
President Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran and confirmed the Strait of Hormuz will reopen for shipping. The deal removes a major supply-risk premium from energy markets and restores a route that carries roughly 20 percent of global daily oil supply.