Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed economic threats made against his country, stating that such "failed policies" would increase hostility among Iranians and lead to further failures. These comments followed a few hours after President Donald Trump threatened "crushing economic measures" against Iran, promising "Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale," though offering little detail.
In a social media post, Araghchi asserted that the threats are intended to distract the U.S. public from domestic financial issues, adding that the U.S. "economic terrorism threatens the global economy and the national sovereignty of countries around the world."
### Planned West Bank settlement project draws rebuke from UK and others
Several nations condemned a recent development in a disputed Israeli settlement project near Jerusalem that would effectively divide the occupied West Bank. Israel’s Ministry of Construction and Housing released a tender for constructing over 1,200 homes across several compounds on an open tract of land east of Jerusalem. This is the latest phase of a project under consideration for more than two decades, which critics argue would prevent the establishment of a contiguous Palestinian state in the territory.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband labeled the tender's publication "an unacceptable and destructive act" and denounced "settler violence and terrorism." In a statement issued Wednesday, he stated that the British government "demanded an immediate reversal" and had summoned the Israeli Chargé d’Affaires. Egypt and Jordan also condemned Israel's action, with Cairo stating it would isolate east Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar responded on Thursday by defending "the historic right of the Jewish people to reestablish their national home in the Land of Israel — including in the area in question." Saar criticized the British government for "blaming only Israel while ignoring Palestinian extremism."
### Turkey denies delegation visited air base in Syria that was hit by Israel
Turkey denied that a Turkish military delegation had visited an air base in northern Syria targeted by Israeli airstrikes, and pledged to continue supporting Syria's military rebuilding efforts. The Israeli strikes occurred early Tuesday at the Abu Duhur base, causing damage but no casualties. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the attack was due to Syria being "on the verge of breaching" an agreed-upon "status quo in security matters" by permitting Turkish troops deployment there.
Syrian officials reported that a Turkish delegation visited the base prior to the Israeli strike to review ongoing rehabilitation work. Turkey's defense ministry issued a statement saying, "We state that no Turkish military delegation was present at the base before or during Israel’s strike on the Abu al‑Zuhur air base." The ministry also affirmed Turkey would continue supporting Syria’s infrastructure and military capacity-building efforts.
The attack drew condemnation from Turkey, Syria, and several Arab nations.
### Syria’s top diplomat discusses Middle East in Pakistan
Syria’s Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani arrived in Islamabad for discussions expected to focus on regional matters, according to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This visit follows Israeli airstrikes targeting a northern Syrian air base that caused damage but no casualties.
Pakistani officials indicated that the nation's political and military leadership maintains contact with both Iran and the United States regarding efforts to de-escalate tensions and resume talks after a 60-day deadline under a June memorandum of understanding expired. This agreement was brokered by Pakistan with assistance from regional countries.
### Pakistani crew members killed in Houthi attack are repatriated
The bodies of two Pakistanis who died in last week’s Houthi attack on a Tanzanian-flagged commercial vessel in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have been returned to Pakistan. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced via an X post that six Pakistani sailors injured in the attack have also safely returned to the country.
Dar thanked Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry for its cooperation, including medical aid. He stated, "Pakistan condemns the attack in the strongest terms and reiterates that the safety and security of seafarers must be ensured at all times."
### Oman reaffirms commitment to maritime security
An Omani official asserted that ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is "inseparable from the security and prosperity of the wider region." Speaking at a press briefing with his Japanese counterpart, Omani Foreign Minister Badr al‑Busaidi noted that lasting security in the strait requires "lasting peace in the region," achievable only through sustained diplomacy and restraint.
Earlier this week, Iran announced an understanding with Oman on a framework for ship transit through the strait shared by both countries, and both sides are working to finalize details for a joint statement. Shipping has been disrupted and the strait has been virtually closed since the start of the Iran war on February 28. Prior to the war, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, approximately one-fifth of global traded oil and natural gas passed through the waterway at the mouth of the Persian Gulf.