Main developments
Iran’s navy said it had seized two commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, in an escalation of the naval confrontation in the Gulf.
The announcement from Iran came after UK maritime authorities said two ships were attacked in the strait.
Iranian media has reported that a third ship has been targeted by the country’s military.
Brent crude rose back above $100 per barrel following the incidents, which came hours after Donald Trump on Tuesday evening extended the US ceasefire with Iran.
US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said Washington’s allies in the Gulf and Asia had “requested” swap lines.
Panama ‘energetically’ condemns Iran’s seizure of Panamanian-flagged vessel
Panama “energetically” condemned Iran’s seizure on Wednesday of a Panamanian-flagged vessel, the MSC-Francesca, as it travelled near the Strait of Hormuz.
“This type of action increases the tensions in the Gulf and are contrary to international law,” the foreign ministry said in a statement, adding the seizure of the Italian-owned ship was “an unnecessary escalation” of the situation involving the waterway.
Iranian forces said earlier they had seized two container ships — the MSC-Francesca and the Epaminondas — which were attempting to transit the strait and escorted them into Iranian territorial waters.
Panama said it remained in contact with “friendly governments in the region” and was monitoring developments.
Lebanese journalist killed by Israeli strikes, newspaper Al-Akhbar reports
Lebanese journalist Amal Khalil was killed on Wednesday by Israeli strikes, her newspaper Al-Akhbar reported. She had been trapped under rubble for hours after Israeli strikes hit a building she was sheltering in with a colleague, Lebanese authorities said.
Khalil and a freelance photographer, Zeinab Faraj, were reporting near the town of al-Tiri when an Israeli strike hit a vehicle in front of them.
Israel’s military said it had received reports that two journalists were injured as a result of its strikes and denied it was preventing rescue teams from reaching the area.