Middle East Crisis

Iran Conflict 

Fears of further oil price hikes following new attacks

Reports of new attacks near the Strait of Hormuz—targeting both an oil pipeline and a cargo ship—have led experts to fear even higher fuel prices in the coming week, Reuters reports. Since Saturday, Saudi Arabia has shut down the attacked pipeline, which had been pumping millions of barrels of oil around the blocked strait over the past six months. There are no reports regarding the extent of the damage sustained.

Meanwhile, three sources have told Reuters that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has appealed to US President Donald Trump for help in combating the increasingly aggressive Houthis in Yemen. At a press conference on Saturday, Trump stated that he had also been in contact with the Houthis, who had advised his administration against intervening.

At the same time, no talks are taking place between the US and Iran. On Saturday, Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s national security committee, reiterated demands previously voiced on X.

"As long as the American side does not accept all these conditions, there is no reason for dialogue or negotiations," he wrote.

Source: Hegseth wanted to force pilots to appear on TV

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attempted to force the two pilots whose F-15 jet was shot down over Iran in April to appear for an interview on the CBS program "60 Minutes," CNN reports, citing sources. According to the network, Hegseth met with the two men in person, hoping to persuade them to appear on camera rather than "forcing them."

The result was that one of the pilots—referred to as "Bravo"—agreed to go on camera, while the other refused.

According to CNN, this move illustrates how the Trump administration is attempting to shape the narrative surrounding the war with Iran—a conflict that is facing increasing scrutiny domestically.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Pernell dismisses the reports, calling them "a complete lie." 

Strait of Hormuz

Source: Iran to present Hormuz agreement on Monday

Iran is set to announce an agreement with Oman on Monday regarding a temporary trade route through the Strait of Hormuz, a source told Bloomberg.

The agreement is to be presented to the other Gulf states.

Negotiations regarding details—such as fees for vessels using the route—will continue between Iran and Oman, according to the source.

Iran has previously indicated that an agreement would not mean the strait is fully reopened, and that Tehran would retain control over which vessels pass through it.