Saudi Aramco resumes oil loading at Ras Tanura; Israel-Lebanon talks extended
Eight more South Korean vessels exit Strait of Hormuz, ministry says
Eight more South Korean vessels have exited the Strait of Hormuz, South Korea’s Oceans Ministry said on Friday.
A total of five South Korean-operated ships remained in the area, with 47 crew members on board as of 9 a.m. Seoul time on Friday, the ministry said.
The ministry declined to disclose details on the vessels, citing requests from shippers and crew members.
Trump says US to buy farm goods with unfrozen Iranian assets
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States would soon buy wheat, soybeans and corn from American farmers using Iranian assets that have been frozen under US sanctions.
Recap of latest developments in the Iran war
On Thursday, June 25, the UN International Maritime Organisation paused its programme to shepherd ships and seafarers through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship reported a suspected attack, reigniting fears over a preliminary deal to end the Iran war.
The ship said it was hit close to Oman by a projectile, British navy agency UKMTO said, hours after Tehran warned vessels against taking routes that it had not approved.
Two US officials told Reuters that it was Iran who fired on the cargo ship as it attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, wrapping up a tour of the Gulf to reassure states about the interim pact, told reporters that if Iran threatens or blocks ships in the strait, “then we’re going to have a problem.”
The Israeli army said it had killed several suspected Hezbollah operatives on Thursday in two separate incidents around the so-called “security zone” its forces have established in southern Lebanon.
Israel said that it had set no timetable for withdrawing its forces from Lebanon, Gaza and Syria, as Israeli and Lebanese officials engaged in US-brokered talks in Washington.
Saudi Aramco resumes oil loading at Ras Tanura after 4-month halt
Saudi Aramco resumed oil loading at its Ras Tanura terminal on Friday after a near four-month halt, shipping data showed.
Two Very Large Crude Carriers were seen loading crude at the Gulf terminal, while another waitws nearby, the data showed.
Israel-Lebanon talks extended by another day
US-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon that were slated to end Thursday will go on for another day, the State Department said.
It said this fifth round discussions that began this week will resume Friday morning. “Israel and Lebanon talks remain ongoing as we continue to facilitate,” the department said in a statement.
These talks come amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, an offshoot of the Mideast war that the United States and Iran are negotiating to bring to a definitive end.
