Sharp, essential news and analysis from Malaysia.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has urged the restoration of unobstructed maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz during a conversation with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran remain deadlocked.
US stock markets reached record highs in early August following signals of de-escalating US-Iran tensions, which sent crude oil prices and Treasury yields tumbling. The optimism offset ongoing concerns about interest rate policy.
The United States Central Command confirmed that Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks on July 17 in Jordan resulted in two US service members killed and one reported missing, marking an escalation in regional tensions.
President Donald Trump will deliver a televised national address Thursday at 9 pm local time. The speech's subject remains undisclosed, though it comes amid escalating Iran tensions, fuel price pressures, and Republican polling challenges ahead of midterm elections.
Kuwait's military activated air defence systems early Wednesday to counter what it described as hostile drone attacks, with authorities confirming a fire at an unspecified targeted site. Bahrain also activated air raid sirens.
Britain and France announced plans to deploy a multinational military force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, citing the waterway's critical importance to global trade. The move comes despite repeated Iranian warnings against foreign military presence in the region.