



As Washington plays down disruption, how safe is the Strait of Hormuz?
We assess the situation in the Strait of Hormuz as the US secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, downplays the disruption. Plus: Joanna Dudley and Rufus Didwiszus look ahead to their arts projects around the world.

Iran vows to keep blocking Strait of Hormuz as three more cargo ships are attacked in the Gulf
Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has reportedly vowed that Iran will continue blocking the Strait of Hormuz. Plus: Tira Shubart sends us a letter from Oaxaca.

The widening global conflict at the US diverts South Korean missile defences to the Middle East
We assess the scale of the global conflict as the US rattles South Korea by redeploying its missiles to the Middle East. Plus: Taiwan issues penalties for pedestrians crossing the road.

With promises of a short war, how likely is a quick collapse or popular uprising in Iran?
We explore whether expectations of a swift popular uprising inside Iran are proving to be unfounded. Plus: why China and North Korea are resuming their train service after a six-year suspension.

As oil prices pass $100 a barrel, the G7 holds off releasing emergency stockpiles
France hosts a G7 finance meeting as the war in the Middle East fuels fears for the global economy. Plus: can rappers make good world leaders?

A week of war in Iran and peace in Venezuela?
Iran’s war with the US and Israel continues to escalate as Venezuela appears to normalise relations with the Trump administration. Plus: Madrid’s week of art and design, and Paris’s week of fashion.

Russia loses allies but gains energy dependents as Iran war continues
Russia and Ukraine are jockeying for position as the US-Israeli war on Iran continues. Russia could benefit from a rise in oil prices while Ukraine is selling its drone-fighting services to Gulf nations. Stephen Dalziel and Elisabeth Braw explore the conflict’s indirect consequences.

US Senate votes on Iran war powers resolution as European opposition remains divided
We hear from Washington as the Senate votes on an Iran war powers resolution, while shades of the Iraq War and fear of upsetting Trump divides Europe. Plus: where will Europe find its energy now?

How will the US-Israeli war with Iran impact Ukraine?
We assess whether the US could lose interest in ending Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine with operations against Iran taking centre stage.

Europe’s response to US and Israeli strikes on Iran
We assess Europe’s reaction to the Middle East conflict. Plus: how tensions between the US and Iran have been affecting global markets.