Former MI6 Spy Alastair Crooke: Iran Takes Its Chances With War

Pakistan Uses Diplomacy To Secure LNG Supply from Hormuz Submitted by Charles Kennedy of OilPrice.com Pakistan has negotiated the passage of vessels laden with Qatari LNG out of the Strait of Hormuz in a diplomatic feat that no other energy buyer has managed so far in the Iran war. Pakistan, which was the mediator of the U.S.-Iran talks and is passing messages from one to the other, appears to have used well its close ties with both Qatar and Iran to negotiate the successful imports of two tankers with Qatari LNG. Pakistan has...

Iran Denies Talks Taking Place As Drone Smashes Into Landmark Baghdad Hotel Hosting EU, Saudi Diplomats Summary: Trump says 'I don't think so' when asked if war will be wrapped up soon, notes 'not this week'. Iconic Baghdad hotel and home to EU, Saudi missions struck by drone, fire ensues. Trump is regularly presented with options to end the war in Iran: NBC. Iran has rejected prior reports of diplomatic contacts with the US, calling them "false": state media Iran FM Araghchi and US envoy Witkoff have been in contact via text messages in recent...

Oil Markets Are Pricing A Supply Surge That Isn't Guaranteed Authored by Irina Slav via OilPrice.com, Oil prices are tumbling as tankers stream out of the Strait of Hormuz, but most of that traffic is stranded vessels finally allowed to leave, not new supply heading in. Iran struck a commercial ship near Oman this week even as the 60-day U.S.-Iran ceasefire holds and markets keep pricing in a supply glut. The U.S. strategic petroleum reserve is at its lowest level in four decades, and China may resume buying once it stops selling off...