LIVE | Washington does not rule out the idea of a coalition to strengthen the security of Hormuz

The Israeli defense minister indicated that they might have to "act again" soon against Iran so that it "does not become a threat to Israel again."

Oil prices soared above $126, before falling to $113, volatility driven by the stalemate in the Middle East war and fears of a prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

At least 15 people were killed in Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Health Ministry announced, despite a cease-fire that came into effect on April 17.

Among the dead are "two children and five women," according to the ministry's provisional balance sheet, which also gives an account of 23 wounded.

Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian assured that the naval blockade imposed by the United States on its ports will provoke disturbances in the Gulf but will fail in its objective.

The U.S. government asked its embassies to try to convince allies to join an international coalition tasked with ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz, the Wall Street Journal said.

According to Axios, U.S. President Donald Trump will be informed Thursday of possible new military operations against Iran.

These would include a wave of bombings against infrastructure and the possibility of taking control of the Strait of Hormuz.

The situation in the Middle East, with no peace deal in sight, again sent oil prices soaring during the Asian market day. The North Sea Brent barrel, the global benchmark, rose 7.1% to $126.41, while theWest Texas Intermediate (WTI), the U.S. market benchmark, advanced 3.4%to $110.31.


This is its highest level since mid-2022, when the Russian army's invasion of Ukraine triggered a soaring oil and gas prices.

"The geopolitical backdrop shows no signs of calming (...) Storage capacities are saturated (in the Gulf), exports are limited and the risk is no longer limited to simple loss of supply, but now encompasses the lasting fall in production," warned Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management.

Iran's President,Masud Pezeshkian, assured that the naval blockade imposed by the United States on its ports will cause disruptions in the Gulf but will fail in its objective.

"Any attempt to impose a maritime blockade or restrictions is contrary to international law (...) and is doomed to fail," Pezeshkian said in a statement.

A senior White House official reported that Trump warned, in a meeting with oil sector businessmen, of the possibility that the naval blockade of Iranian ports could last "for months if necessary."
The president was very satisfied with the impact of this measure on Iran. Thus, Trump told the Axios websitethat his naval strategy is causing the Iranians "to be suffocating like a stuffed pig. And it will be worse for them.".

TheU.S. Central Command in the Region (CENTCOM) claimed Wednesday in X that it had reached a "significant milestone" by preventing the passage of the 42nd ship that tried to break the blockade.

It indicated that there are "41 oil tankers with 69 million barrels of oilthat the Iranian regime cannot sell." A cargo valued at $6 billion.

On the Lebanese front, the Israeli army continues to fight the pro-Iranian terrorist group Hezbollah, despite the recent extension of the ceasefire. Last Wednesday, two people, including a serviceman, were killed in a new Israeli attack in the south of the country in retaliation for repeated violations of Hezbollah's truce, according to the Lebanese army.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, has urged Israel to "fully implement" the cease-fire that went into effect on April 17 before engaging in direct negotiations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin alerted Trump by phone of the"harmful consequences" of an eventual resumption of war against Iran by the United States and Israel.