Iran is successfully bypassing U.S. sanctions, with 4 million barrels already past monitoring zones. Despite the blockade, April exports are averaging 1.71 million bpd, roiling energy markets.
President Trump says Iran sent a vastly improved proposal just 10 minutes after he rejected their first draft. He has now moved to "telephone diplomacy," demanding an end to Iran's nuclear program.
Mojtaba Khamenei is Iran's new Supreme Leader. The Assembly of Experts selected the 56-year-old son of the late Ali Khamenei to lead the nation as Operation Epic Fury continues to pound Tehran.
CENTCOM rejected Iran's claims of captured U.S. troops as "deceptive." While Trump hails victory in Operation Epic Fury, a new poll shows 56% of Americans oppose the escalating Middle East war.
Pakistan faces a massive fuel crisis. Dealers warn 70% of pumps may run dry by Monday after a record Rs55/litre price hike. OGRA claims 28-day reserves, but supply lines from refineries have stalled.
The USGS reports 108 quakes in 24 hours and over 700 this week. While most are minor, a 4.9 magnitude event in Louisiana and a 6.1 in Alaska remain the month's most significant seismic events.
China has urged an immediate end to military strikes in the Middle East to save the Strait of Hormuz. With traffic down 80%, Beijing warns of a "grave impact" on global energy and trade security.
