Starmer talks to Trump on importance of reopening of Strait of Hormuz
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump Sunday evening to discuss the situation in the Middle East and the disruption to global shipping caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
During the conversation, Starmer stressed the importance of reopening the strategic waterway to help restore normal shipping routes and ease rising global costs, a statement from 10 Downing Street said.
Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact regarding developments in the region.
White House plans to announce coalition to escort ships through Strait of Hormuz: WSJ
The White House is planning to announce a multinational coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday, citing U.S. officials.
The plan, which remains under discussion, could be unveiled "as soon as this week," the report said.
Publicly, many governments have been noncommittal to such an escort mission until hostilities end, given the risks involved, according to the report.
Iran's supreme leader reiterates demand for compensation from "enemy"
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Sunday night reiterated his country's demand for compensation from its "enemy."
"We will obtain compensation from the enemy, and if he refuses, we will take as much of his property as we determine, and if that is not possible, we will destroy the same amount of his property," read a post on the supreme leader's Telegram account.
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior military commanders, and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets across the Middle East.
Israel says to partially reopen Rafah Crossing on Wednesday
Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) on Sunday said in a statement that it will reopen the Rafah Crossing, a main lifeline for residents in the Gaza Strip, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the land crossing will reopen in both directions, for limited movement of people only.
COGAT said that the reopening decision was made "following a security assessment and an examination of the conditions enabling the resumption of operations at the crossing, while maintaining the necessary security restrictions in light of the security situation and the threats in the area."
Strait of Hormuz not closed but under Iran's control: IRGC commander
The Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route, remains open and under Iranian control, a senior Iranian commander said on Saturday, amid rising tensions with the United States and its allies.
Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, said in a statement that claims by the United States about destroying Iran's navy or providing safe escort for oil tankers were false, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
"The Strait of Hormuz has not been militarily blocked and is merely under control," the statement said.
