U.S. and Iran Near 60-Day Ceasefire Extension Deal

U.S. and Iranian officials are close to a 60-day memorandum of understanding that would extend the current ceasefire and open formal talks on Iran's nuclear program, Al Jazeera reported. The proposed agreement would keep commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz unrestricted, require Iran to clear sea mines within 30 days, and lift the U.S. naval blockade once traffic resumes.

Diplomatic activity Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to travel to Washington on Friday for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio focused on the conflict. Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani held a phone call with U.S. officials to discuss regional tensions and efforts to strengthen the ceasefire that has been in place since April 8.

Emirates condemned a ballistic missile incident after an interception over Kuwaiti territory. Kuwait described the launch as Iranian aggression. Israeli forces carried out strikes in southern Lebanon and near Beirut, killing at least 17 people according to Lebanese authorities.

The strikes occurred ahead of planned U.S.-mediated military talks between Lebanon and Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the military to expand control over up to 70 percent of Gaza, where forces already hold about 64 percent of the territory.

Sanctions and shipping The United States imposed new sanctions on companies, individuals, and vessels accused of supporting Iran's military and the IRGC, targeting oil transport networks and Hong Kong-based entities linked to Iranian oil sales. Maritime data show an increase in non-Iranian vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, including ships flagged by Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, and Norway.