Iran won’t reopen Strait of Hormuz without US concessions and other Mideast developments

Iran is refusing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without the United States meeting its demands in ongoing negotiations. The Defense Ministry of Yemen reported a new death toll from a Houthi rebel attack on the Red Sea town of Mokha. Israel declared the Christian-majority town of Taybeh in the West Bank a closed military zone due to repeated settler attacks.

Iran has insisted that the U.S. lift its blockade, pay compensation for war damage, release frozen assets, and lift economic sanctions before the Strait of Hormuz can reopen. This closure, which carries a fifth of the world's traded oil, has become a significant consequence of the conflict and a major focus of U.S. politics ahead of November's midterm elections.

Additionally, Israel has declared Taybeh a closed military zone to keep out settlers and non-residents. In Yemen, a Houthi attack on a Red Sea port town resulted in seven deaths and 30 injuries.