IRGC media denies talks with Trump after extension of Hormuz ultimatum

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday expressed concern about the Iran war spreading to the Caspian Sea in a call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi.

“Mutual concern was expressed about the dangerous spread of the conflict… to the Caspian Sea area,” Russia’s foreign ministry said.

Lavrov also warned that attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites, including Bushehr, pose “unacceptable risks” to Russian personnel and could have “catastrophic environmental consequences.”

Oil prices fell sharply on Monday after US President Donald Trump said he had held productive talks with Iran on resolving the conflict, raising hopes of de-escalation in the Middle East.

Brent crude dropped more than 11% before paring losses to trade about 7-8% lower later in the day, while earlier gains driven by fears of escalation reversed.

Trump said the two sides had held “very good and productive conversations” over the past two days and that further talks would continue through the week.

He added that he had instructed officials to postpone planned US strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure for five days, depending on the outcome of the discussions.

The shift in sentiment lifted global markets. The FTSE 100 rebounded from earlier losses to trade higher, while US futures and Asian markets also moved into positive territory as investors bet on a potential easing of tensions.

Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan warned on Monday that the war involving Iran has “taken the entire global economy hostage.”

“Right now the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is, in a sense, an Asian crisis,” he said, adding the conflict has put energy supplies and economies at risk.

He also said the war was “not necessary” and raised concerns about its broader impact.

The United Arab Emirates said its air defenses were responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran, according to a statement from the defense ministry.

The ministry said sounds heard in the country were the result of interception by air defense systems.

The strikes hit locations in multiple parts of the capital, including Aghdasieh, Majidiyeh and Chizar. It was not immediately clear who had been staying at the sites at the time of the attacks.

The strikes came as eyewitness accounts described a growing security presence nationwide from late Sunday into early Monday, with Basij patrols and checkpoints reported in several cities.

In Tehran, security forces were seen stationed in Park-e Shahed, while witnesses reported the movement of vehicles marked as “Basij Patrol,” contributing to a heavy security atmosphere.

Checkpoints were also reported at the entrances to the industrial town of Arak and across the northern city of Rudsar, while in Sari, witnesses said IRGC forces and equipment had been repositioned within the city.