Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Fully Open

Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is now “completely open” to commercial shipping, marking a significant de-escalation in regional tensions and easing fears of global energy supply disruption.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, confirmed that the vital waterway would remain accessible to all vessels for the duration of the ongoing ceasefire linked to the conflict involving Lebanon.

The development follows weeks of heightened tensions and partial restrictions on maritime traffic through the strait, which had raised concerns about a potential global oil supply shock.

Global oil markets reacted swiftly to the announcement, with Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) prices dropping by as much as 10 percent as investor confidence improved. The reopening is expected to ease pressure on supply chains, reduce shipping risks, and lower insurance costs for oil tankers navigating the region. Analysts say the move could provide short-term relief to energy-importing and oil-dependent economies, including Nigeria, which has been affected by price volatility in recent weeks.

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The reopening is tied to a fragile 10-day ceasefire following intense hostilities between Israel and Lebanon, which reportedly resulted in over 2,000 deaths and more than 7,000 injuries, according to official figures from Lebanese authorities. While the truce has created room for de-escalation, Iran has indicated that the long-term status of the Strait may depend on broader progress toward a comprehensive regional peace agreement.

Tehran has consistently linked maritime access to geopolitical developments, reinforcing the strategic importance of the waterway in ongoing diplomatic negotiations.

U.S. President Donald Trump reacted to the announcement, describing it as a positive development and suggesting that a wider agreement with Iran could be imminent. Trump has recently indicated that negotiations between Washington and Tehran are advancing, particularly on issues related to nuclear activities and regional stability.

Despite the positive signals, analysts warn that the situation remains uncertain. Shipping operators are expected to proceed cautiously until security conditions are fully stabilised. The key concern remains whether commercial traffic can resume smoothly and whether the ceasefire will hold beyond its initial timeframe.

For now, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is seen as a critical but tentative step toward regional stability, with global markets closely monitoring further developments.

Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Fully Open

Eight Killed as Helicopter Crashes in Remote Indonesian Forest

At least eight people have been confirmed dead after a helicopter operated by Matthew Air Nusantara crashed in a remote forested area of West Kalimantan, Indonesian authorities have said.

The ill-fated aircraft, identified as an Airbus H130, lost contact shortly after takeoff on Thursday morning, triggering an intensive search and rescue operation in one of the country’s most difficult terrains.

According to Indonesia’s national search and rescue agency, the helicopter departed from a plantation site in Melawi but disappeared from radar approximately five minutes into the flight. Officials said all six passengers and two crew members on board perished in the crash.

Head of the rescue agency, Mohammad Syafii, confirmed that the aircraft went down in a densely forested region marked by steep, hilly terrain, significantly hampering rescue efforts.

“The location of the crash is in a densely forested area with steep hills, making access extremely challenging,” Syafii said.

Search teams comprising military personnel, police, and emergency responders had to rely on overland routes to reach the site, slowing down recovery operations. Early findings revealed debris believed to be part of the helicopter’s tail located about three kilometres from the aircraft’s last known position.

Authorities have yet to release the identities of the victims, pending formal identification and notification of next of kin.

The helicopter had reportedly taken off from a plantation owned by Citra Mahkota, though officials have not disclosed the purpose of the flight.

Investigators are expected to begin a full probe into the cause of the crash once the wreckage is fully accessed. No immediate indication has been given as to whether weather, technical failure, or human error may have played a role.

The tragedy adds to growing concerns over aviation safety in Indonesia, where air transport remains vital for connecting remote and isolated regions spread across thousands of islands.

In recent years, the country has recorded several fatal aviation incidents. In January, a turboprop aircraft chartered by the fisheries ministry crashed into a mountain in Sulawesi, killing all 10 people onboard. Similarly, a helicopter crash in South Kalimantan last September claimed eight lives, while another crash in Ilaga shortly afterward left four people dead.

Authorities say efforts are ongoing to recover all bodies and secure the crash site, as the nation once again grapples with the human toll of air travel accidents in its challenging geography.

Eight Killed as Helicopter Crashes in Remote Indonesian Forest

Trump Says Iran Agrees to Hand Over Enriched Uranium in Nuclear Deal Talks

United States President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran has agreed to surrender its remaining stockpile of enriched uranium and abandon any ambition of developing nuclear weapons, saying negotiations between both countries are “very close” to a breakthrough.

Speaking to reporters at the White House before departing for Las Vegas, Trump said ongoing diplomatic talks had reached an advanced stage, insisting Iran had agreed “to almost everything” in the proposed framework.

“We’re very close to making a deal with Iran. They’ve totally agreed that they will not have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said.

He further claimed that Iran had agreed to return what he repeatedly referred to as “nuclear dust,” a term he used to describe enriched uranium stockpiles believed to be stored in heavily fortified underground facilities.

“They’ve agreed to give us back the nuclear dust,” he added.

Trump also suggested that a fresh round of negotiations could take place over the weekend, while acknowledging uncertainty over the durability of the current ceasefire arrangement linked to wider tensions in the Middle East.

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The comments come amid heightened diplomatic and military tensions in the region, following weeks of conflict that have disrupted global energy markets and raised concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route.

However, Iranian authorities have not confirmed Trump’s claims. Officials in Tehran have previously rejected similar statements, insisting that no final agreement has been reached on key issues, including uranium enrichment levels and sanctions relief.

Recent diplomatic engagements involving intermediaries have reportedly focused on narrowing differences over Iran’s nuclear programme, but major sticking points remain unresolved. These include verification mechanisms for uranium stockpiles and the scope of any restrictions on enrichment activities.

Analysts say any potential agreement would require strict international monitoring to ensure compliance, particularly given the complexity of tracking enriched material stored in secure facilities.

The situation also carries broader geopolitical implications, with energy markets reacting sharply to tensions in the region. A sustained de-escalation could ease pressure on global oil prices and improve stability across major supply routes.

While the White House has signalled optimism about progress, no formal agreement has been announced, and diplomatic channels remain active as both sides continue discussions.

Trump Says Iran Agrees to Hand Over Enriched Uranium in Nuclear Deal Talks