Iran seizes two cargo ships in Hormuz after Trump extends ceasefire The IRGC Navy’s seizure of two cargo vessels follows US Navy interdictions of two Iran-linked crude oil tankers in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean earlier this week. Iran
US Navy turns back 3 more vessels on second day of Iran blockade Cargo vessels altering their identification signals have created a cat-and-mouse game for the US Navy east of the Strait of Hormuz, while most of Iran’s “ghost fleet” appears to remain in a holding pattern. Iran
As US blockades Hormuz, China urges restraint, rejects call to ditch Iran oil Beijing and Ankara called for calm as the US began its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as regional diplomacy over the fragile ceasefire intensifies. Iran
From France to India: Who is Iran allowing through the Strait of Hormuz? Ships from Qatar turned around on Monday after sailing toward the Strait of Hormuz, while a growing number of countries have received permission to traverse the waterway. Iran
Analysis Hostage to Hormuz, can Gulf rewire future energy flows to bypass Iran’s chokepoint? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Iranian state TV claims boats chased US Navy ship The US' Fifth Fleet said it was unaware of any such incident. Iran
Israel willing to give maritime talks with Lebanon another try Energy Minister Karin Elharar says that while Israel welcomes the new American mediator, 'we will not give up on Israel’s security nor on any of Israel’s territory.' Israel
Territorial spats reheat ahead of Turkey-Greece talks Citing disputed territorial claims, the Turkish navy twice blocked research missions by a Greek Cypriot-contracted vessel as Turkey and Greece prepare for bilateral talks in Ankara on Oct. 6. Turkey
Ship that blocked the Suez Canal to try again Ever Given will enter Egypt’s Port Said and then traverse the Suez Canal for the first time since getting stuck and then unstuck there in March. News Brief
Blinken urges UN to hold Iran accountable for Mercer Street attack US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the drone strike was the latest in a pattern of Iranian attacks and provocative behavior. Iran
Iran calls Gulf of Oman accusations 'psychological warfare' Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned of a "destructive" response to any attack. Iran
Pentagon doesn't rule out response for Gulf shipping attack Iran's conflicts with its neighbors once again loom over Biden's ambitions to return to the Iran deal. Iran
Erdogan: Turkey will continue oil exploration in disputed eastern Mediterranean Turkey's president may be upping the ante against Greece, Cyprus and the European Union. Turkey
French foreign minister: Turkey and France have a ‘verbal cease-fire’ Jean-Yves Le Drian told a French TV station there is still a long way to go to improve Turkey-France relations, mentioning Syria, Libya and the eastern Mediterranean. The French and Turkish presidents had a cordial meeting earlier this week. News Brief
Turkey’s muddled approach to Palestine Ankara sees a recently ratified security cooperation deal between Turkey and the Palestinian Authority as groundwork for a possible maritime boundary agreement between Turkey and Palestine. Experts see such prospects as far-fetched. Turkey
Egypt sets conditions for full normalization with Turkey Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry laid down several conditions that would serve as a basis for normalizing ties with Turkey, in light of the recent attempts at rapprochement between the two countries. Egypt
Egypt to deepen, widen Suez Canal after blockage Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has approved a project to widen and deepen the southern stretch of the Suez Canal, where a giant vessel blocked the strategic maritime artery for nearly a week in March. Egypt
