The World in Brief from The Economist

Iran threatened to strike Gulf ports after America began a blockade of ships using Iranian ports and coastal areas. Also, Hizbullah’s leader, Naim Qassem, said that Lebanon should cancel talks with Israel scheduled for Tuesday in Washington.

Donald Trump said that Iran had made contact and wanted a deal “very badly” after America began a blockade of ships using Iranian ports and coastal areas.

Donald Trump said that Iran had made contact and wanted a deal “very badly” after America began a blockade of ships using Iranian ports and coastal areas; Hizbullah’s leader, Naim Qassem, said that Lebanon should cancel talks with Israel scheduled for Tuesday in Washington.

Viktor Orban, Hungary’s prime minister since 2010, conceded defeat in parliamentary elections. Also, the Pentagon said a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would begin at 10am Eastern Time on Monday.

Viktor Orban, Hungary’s prime minister since 2010, conceded defeat in the country’s parliamentary elections.

Donald Trump said America would begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after peace talks with Iran broke down. Commenting on the negotiations, Mr Trump said they “went well” and that “most points were agreed to”, except the “only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR”

J.D. Vance said that after 21 hours of peace talks in Pakistan America and Iran had failed to agree a deal; Two American destroyers passed through the Strait of Hormuz to begin clearing Iranian-laid mines, the Pentagon said.

Israel’s armed forces say they struck more than 200 targets in Lebanon affiliated with Hizbullah, the armed group backed by Iran

Three supertankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz, a tentative sign that Iran may be easing its blockade of the waterway