Foreign policy
China calls U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz ‘dangerous and irresponsible’
China has called the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz a “dangerous and irresponsible act” that will further enflame tensions in the region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday that the targeted blockade of the vital shipping channel, which began at 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, coupled with an increase […]
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CNBC Daily Open: Markets bet on a U.S.-Iran deal amid Hormuz blockade
Hello, this is Anniek Bao writing to you from Singapore. Welcome to another edition of CNBC’s Daily Open. The dominant story is still the Strait of Hormuz, and it’s getting more complicated by the hour. Oil has dropped below $100 per barrel on signs that diplomatic efforts for resolving the Mideast conflict are ongoing, even […]
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Vance says ‘the ball is in Iran’s court’ to move peace talks further, as U.S. blockade takes effect
US Vice President JD Vance (R) speaks during a news conference after meeting with representatives from Pakistan and Iran, as US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner (L) and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff (C) watch, in Islamabad on April 12, 2026. Jacquelyn Martin | Afp | Getty Images Vice President […]
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Trump is blockading Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf. What does that mean?
A navy vessel is seen sailing in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which much of the world’s oil and gas passes on March 1, 2026. Sahar Al Attar | Afp | Getty Images President Donald Trump on Monday rolled out a “blockade” of access to Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf to […]
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U.S. blockade of Strait of Hormuz set to begin
A smartphone displays the MarineTraffic app showing numerous ship beacons near the Strait of Hormuz with a satellite view in the background, in Creteil, France, on April 8, 2026. Samuel Boivin | Nurphoto | Getty Images The U.S. on Monday morning is set to start blocking ships from entering or exiting the Strait of Hormuz, […]
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Europe cheers Orbán defeat as a bloody nose for the Kremlin – but Hungary’s future remains contested
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. Contributor | Getty Images News | Getty Images The ousting of Hungary’s conservative nationalist leader Viktor Orbán is being hailed as a victory for liberal democracy and the European Union. The leaders of Poland, France […]
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UK ‘not supporting’ U.S. Iran blockade as France’s Macron confirms ‘multinational’ talks on the Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hold a press conference following their meeting at Chequers, near Aylesbury, Britain, Sept. 18, 2025. Kevin Lamarque | Reuters The U.K. is “not supporting” the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday, insisting that the country would not get “dragged […]
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Trump threatens 50% tariffs on China as report suggests plans for arms shipment to Iran
US President Donald Trump attends UFC 327: Jiri Prochazka vs Carlos Ulberg at Kaseya Center in Miami, on April 11, 2026. (Photo by Julia Demaree Nikhinson / POOL / AFP via Getty Images) Julia Demaree Nikhinson | Afp | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to impose a 50% tariff on China, […]
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European markets open the week lower and travel stocks plunge as Iran peace hopes fade
A view of the vessels passing through Strait of Hormuz following the two-week temporary ceasefire reached between the United States and Iran on the condition that the strait be reopened, seen in Oman on April 8, 2026. Shadi J. H. Alassar | Anadolu | Getty Images LONDON — European stocks started the new trading week […]
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Hormuz blockade could deepen world’s worst energy crisis — and risk a dangerous misstep
Lightning occurs when META 4, an Oil Products Tanker, sails into Muscat Anchorage on March 21, 2026 at Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman. Elke Scholiers | Getty Images President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, dimming hopes for a quick end to the conflict in the Middle […]
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