Armed conflicts and attacks
Middle Eastern crisis
China and Pakistan release a five-point peace plan for the Iran war following a meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers, Wang Yi and Ishaq Dar, respectively. The plan includes a ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. (The Guardian) (Axios) (Chinese Foreign Ministry)
2025–2026 Iran–United States negotiations
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian says that Iran has the "necessary will" to end the war, provided that the "guarantees required to prevent repetition of the aggression" are met. (RFE/RL)
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi confirms that direct contacts, although "not negotiations", with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff are under way. (Al Jazeera)
U.S. president Donald Trump says that U.S. forces plan to end operations in Iran within about two to three weeks while continuing military action, stating that the withdrawal is not contingent on reaching an agreement with Iran. (AFP via RFI)
U.S. defense secretary Pete Hegseth says that the talks between Iran and the United States "are very real" but also states that the U.S. will "negotiate with bombs" until a ceasefire is reached. (Time)
The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation claims that oil tanker Al Salmi has been hit by an Iranian drone at a port in Dubai, causing a fire onboard and damage to the vessel. Dubai authorities say that the fire has been contained hours after the incident. (The Guardian)
The Israeli defense ministry halts sales of defense products to France following president Emmanuel Macron's decision not to allow U.S. aircraft to pass through French airspace en route to Israel. (The Jerusalem Post)
Italy denies the United States Air Force the use of the Sigonella base in Sicily for operations related to the Iran war. (Reuters)
Poland–United States relations
Poland refuses a request by the United States to relocate its Patriot air defense systems to the Middle East for the Iran war. (Politico)
Israeli defense minister Israel Katz announces that Israel will destroy "all houses" near the Blue Line as part of its creation of a new buffer zone. (Reuters)
Four Israeli soldiers are killed in action while fighting Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. (The Jerusalem Post)
American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson is kidnapped by armed men in Baghdad, Iraq. (BBC News)
Mexican drug war
Seven dismembered bodies are found on a road in Cualac, Guerrero, Mexico. (BNO News)
Business and economy
Economic impact of the 2026 Iran war
The Dow Jones Industrial Average surges over 1,000 points and the Nasdaq increases to 3.4% after Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian says that Iran has signaled it is willing to end the conflict if security guarantees and assurances are met. (Moneycheck) (XTB)
Stocks in the U.S. also rise following reports that president Donald Trump has told aides that he is willing to end the war without securing the Strait of Hormuz. (Quartz)
The American Automobile Association reports that the United States national average gas price has reached $4.02 a gallon, the highest since 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (AP)