US and Saudi Forces Strike Iraq Militants as Oil Prices Spike

The military escalation coincides with high-stakes diplomacy in Washington, where President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for closed-door talks. While the administration characterized the meeting as productive, the regional landscape remains volatile. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it struck and seized three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, asserting absolute control over the vital maritime chokepoint. Tehran maintains these vessels ignored warnings and were navigating illegal routes, further endangering global energy supplies.

Netanyahu described the dialogue with Trump as one of the best he has held, emphasizing a shared commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Despite the alignment on Tehran, the leaders face complex challenges, including the stalled reconstruction of Gaza and the uneven implementation of a recent US-sponsored framework deal between Israel and Lebanon. As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza persists, Israel continues its targeted military campaign against militants. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz face fresh friction, as Iran rejects international opposition to its proposed service fees for vessels transiting the waterway, signaling a deepening standoff over regional maritime security.