Chinese VLCCs pass Hormuz as Tehran + Washington exchange threats of renewed attacks

Two loaded Chinese oil tankers reportedly passed through the Strait of Hormuz today, after US Vice President JD Vance told reporters overnight that Washington and Tehran have made “a lot of progress” in their talks to end the war. That sentiment, however, is being dampened by US President Donald Trump’s threats to launch fresh attacks on Iran amid the impasse, with Iran’s army spokesperson saying it is prepared to “open new fronts against [the US], with new equipment and new methods.”

MEANWHILE- The Emirati Defense Ministry identified the source of the drones that hit the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant earlier this week, saying that — along with three others it has intercepted over the past two days — they came from Iraqi territory. It wasn’t just us: Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry also said earlier this week that it intercepted three drones entering the Kingdom from Iraqi airspace, without specifying what the drones were targeting or who launched them.

Six more drones destroyed: Air defenses intercepted six drones that targeted “civilian and vital areas” over the past two days, according to a statement from the Defense Ministry. The statement did not specify the source of the attacks.