Top House Democrat accuses Trump of lying about Iran talks

The head of the US oil and gas industry’s top lobbying group warned that attacks by Yemen’s Houthis on shipping could worsen an already fragile global energy situation as the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted by the war.

Mike Sommers, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, said reopening the strait is critical to stabilizing markets but warned that a second maritime front could push the world toward a broader crisis.

“If the Houthis start attacking ships going through the Red Sea, that could really put us on the cusp of a major energy crisis throughout the world,” Sommers told Fox News.

He said the Hormuz shipping route — a key artery for global oil supplies — “has to be reopened, and fast,” warning that the longer the disruption lasts, the higher energy and consumer prices will climb.

Pakistan has reaffirmed its readiness to help mediate between Iran and the United States following a high-level diplomatic meeting in Islamabad focused on the escalating regional conflict.

In a statement, Shehbaz Sharif said he met with the foreign ministers of Turkey and Egypt to discuss the growing crisis.

Sharif said Pakistan remains committed to playing a constructive diplomatic role.

“While appreciating Turkiye and Egypt’s valuable contributions, I reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment and resolve to play a positive role in bringing both Iran and the US to the negotiating table,” he said.

Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf posted a cryptic message on social media on Sunday using language more commonly associated with stock-trading forums than senior political figures.

“Heads-up: Pre-market so-called ‘news’ or ‘Truth’ is often just a setup for profit-taking. Basically, it’s a reverse indicator,” he wrote. “Do the opposite: If they pump it, short it. If they dump it, go long. See something tomorrow? You know the drill.”

In recent days, several of Ghalibaf’s posts have adopted a similarly terse, slang-heavy style—something observers say has helped them circulate widely on social media.

Iran’s nationwide internet blackout entered its 30th consecutive day on Sunday, leaving millions cut off from global communication since the war with the United States and Israel began.

Internet monitoring group NetBlocks said connectivity to the outside world remains almost entirely severed. “Metrics show that connectivity to the outside world remains at just 1% of ordinary levels,” the group wrote on X.

While Iran’s domestic intranet continues to function, allowing access to local messaging apps, banking platforms and other internal services, access to the global internet has been heavily restricted.

IRGC Aerospace Force commander Majid Moosavi warned on Sunday that retaliation for attacks on Iran’s infrastructure was underway and would target what he described as chemical, oil and metals industries linked to US-Israeli interests in the region.

“Retaliation for attacks on Iran’s infrastructure is being carried out through the destruction of strategic industries linked to the US-Israeli enemy in the region,” he wrote on X.

“So far, a chemical industry in the occupied territories, a refinery, two steel complexes and two major aluminum complexes have been hit, and these painful attacks will continue until we see the pain in your eyes,” he added.