Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States meets a set of demands that include lifting a blockade of Iranian ports, paying compensation for war damage, ending economic sanctions and releasing frozen Iranian assets. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei delivered the ultimatum Monday, placing the onus on Washington to "stop and make amends for its illegal and destructive actions."
The strait normally carries roughly one-fifth of the world's traded oil supplies. Its closure has become the most durable consequence of the wider conflict and has kept energy prices at the centre of U.S. domestic politics ahead of November's midterm elections. For Canada, a major oil producer and exporter, prolonged disruption adds volatility to global crude benchmarks that feed directly into domestic pump prices and producer revenues.
Iran is holding separate discussions with Oman on transit arrangements, including a possible temporary shipping corridor. However, Tehran has made clear that any actual reopening remains contingent on a bilateral agreement with Washington.
West Bank town declared closed military zone
Israel's military declared the Christian-majority town of Taybeh in the occupied West Bank a closed military zone Monday, barring Israeli settlers and other non-residents from entering. The order aims to halt months of arson, vandalism and incursions onto private Palestinian property. Palestinian residents and journalists remain exempt unless soldiers determine their presence poses a threat.
The move follows what the army described as persistent difficulty maintaining order across the territory. According to the Ramallah-based Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 87 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli settlers or soldiers in 2026. Parts of Taybeh fall under "Area B," where Israel retains security control, yet residents have long complained of slow responses to attacks by extremist settlers.
Houthi attack kills seven in Yemen
Yemen's internationally recognized government said Houthi rebels attacked the Red Sea port town of Mokha on Sunday, killing four military personnel and three civilians and wounding 30 others. The strike is part of one of the largest waves of Houthi assaults on government-held positions since a 2022 truce.
With the Strait of Hormuz largely off limits to commercial traffic, shipping has increasingly shifted toward the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at its southern tip, raising the stakes of continued Houthi activity in the corridor.
In Gaza, beekeepers are attempting to restart honey production near the Yellow Line that divides the territory, more than two years after the war flattened most agricultural land. Producers say their efforts are hampered by Israel's blockade on materials needed for beekeeping. "The bee sector is an important sector for sustainability, ecological balance and farming," said Ibrahim al-Dabbeh, head of the Cooperative Association of Beekeepers.
Based on reporting by Global News.