General Discussion

Day 67 of Middle East conflict - Marco Rubio says Operation Epic Fury in Iran ‘is over’
Status of the war: The US will pause “Project Freedom,” the effort aimed at guiding commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, President Donald Trump said. The announcement came just hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the combat operation against Iran has ended and the US would instead focus on Project Freedom.

• Iranian FM in China: Iran’s top diplomat is in Beijing for talks “on regional and international developments” with his Chinese counterpart. It is the first time the foreign ministers of the two allies have met face-to-face since the war began.

• Economic impact: Demand for oil is falling at the fastest rate seen outside the Covid pandemic, as businesses and consumers cut consumption. Global oil stockpiles have also seen their sharpest decline since the Covid-19 pandemic. US gas prices have increased by 50% since the start of the war.