Hello,

Iran said it is reviewing regional proposals and expects a framework to restart indirect nuclear talks with the United States, as Mexico rejected claims it agreed to halt oil shipments to Cuba and warned the risk of trade retaliation remains unresolved.

Elsewhere, Pakistan reported at least 145 fighters killed in Balochistan after coordinated attacks, Ukraine said it is working with SpaceX to curb alleged Russian misuse of Starlink, and an EU audit warned the bloc is unlikely to meet its critical minerals targets by 2030.

Read more below ⤵️

Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇮🇷🇺🇸 Iran signals possible nuclear talks restart: Iran said it is reviewing regional diplomatic proposals and expects a framework to restart nuclear talks with the United States in the coming days, confirming indirect negotiations mediated by regional countries while reports of possible meetings in Istanbul remain unverified. The comments come amid easing tensions after earlier military threats, conflicting reports on the timing and scope of talks, and uncertainty over whether Iran would accept US conditions reportedly raised by American officials, which Tehran has not confirmed.

2️⃣ 🇲🇽🇨🇺 Mexico rejects US claim over Cuba oil: President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico will send humanitarian aid to Cuba and is exploring diplomatic options to provide fuel, rejecting Donald Trump’s claim that she agreed to halt oil shipments after he signed an order threatening tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island. The position has increased tensions with Washington as the US pressures Cuba amid fuel shortages, drawing support within Mexico, criticism from US lawmakers, and leaving the risk of trade retaliation unresolved.

3️⃣ 🇪🇺 Draghi warns EU risks decline without federation: Former Italian prime minister Mario Draghi said the European Union risks subordination, fragmentation and deindustrialisation if it does not evolve into a genuine federation, arguing that the global order has weakened and exposed Europe to pressure from the US and China. He said pooled sovereignty has allowed the EU to act as a single power in some areas, while fragmentation in defence, industrial policy and foreign affairs leaves member states vulnerable, urging a voluntary, opt-in federal model.

4️⃣ 🇪🇸🇹🇷 NATO launches maritime phase of exercise: NATO said a multinational naval force departed Spain to begin the maritime phase of Exercise STEADFAST DART 26, with six warships led by Spain’s Maritime Forces Headquarters deploying from Rota toward the Baltic Sea to test Allied Reaction Force readiness and command. The task group, centred on Spanish and Turkish vessels and involving around 2,000 personnel, is expected to integrate additional NATO units and conduct joint training to demonstrate rapid multinational maritime deployment.

5️⃣ 🇵🇰 Pakistan says 145 fighters killed in Balochistan: Pakistani authorities said security forces killed at least 145 fighters during operations in Balochistan after coordinated gun and bomb attacks across several districts killed nearly 50 people, including 31 civilians and 17 security personnel, with the assaults claimed by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army. Officials imposed extended security restrictions and alleged foreign backing for the group, which India and Afghanistan denied, while reports described widespread damage, tightened security and conflicting claims over attacker identities.

Major Story

🇺🇸🇮🇳 US and India announce trade deal after leaders’ call

US President Donald Trump said he has agreed to a trade deal with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that would lower US tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 25% and remove an additional penalty linked to India’s purchases of Russian oil.

Trump stated that India would reduce its tariffs and non-tariff barriers to zero, stop buying Russian oil, and commit to purchasing more than $500bn worth of US goods, including energy, technology, agriculture and coal. A White House official confirmed that the Russia-related tariff penalties would be dropped, while Modi said he was pleased an agreement had been reached, following a phone call that also covered the Russia-Ukraine war. 

The announcement comes shortly after India and the European Union unveiled a separate trade agreement, as India seeks to offset the impact of US tariffs that had sharply reduced its exports. The deal drew mixed reactions in the US, with markets edging higher while a coalition of small businesses criticised the new tariff level as significantly higher than rates in place before Trump’s trade measures.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇺🇦🛰️ Ukraine works with SpaceX on Starlink misuse: Ukraine’s defence ministry said it is cooperating with SpaceX to block unauthorised Russian use of Starlink after Kyiv reported Russian forces operating attack drones using the system, with Elon Musk saying initial steps appear to have had an effect. Ukrainian officials announced a verification and “whitelist” process for terminals, while SpaceX reiterated it does not provide services to Russia and assessments of the scale of misuse remain based on Ukrainian and independent reports.

2️⃣ 🇪🇺⛏️ EU unlikely to meet critical minerals targets: An audit by the European Court of Auditors found the EU remains heavily dependent on external suppliers, particularly China and countries in the global south, concluding that 2030 targets linked to renewable energy and strategic autonomy are unlikely to be met. The report cited slow progress in mining, refining and recycling, long lead times for domestic projects, limited diversification results and continued high reliance on imports across key materials.

3️⃣ 🇮🇷🇪🇺 Iran summons EU envoys over IRGC listing: Iran summoned European Union ambassadors to protest the bloc’s decision to designate the Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation, warning of possible reciprocal measures and confirming consultations began over the weekend. Iranian officials said the country now views EU military forces as terrorist groups under existing Iranian law, while parallel signals suggested Tehran and Washington may seek to revive diplomacy.

4️⃣ 🇺🇸🗳️ Democrat wins Texas Senate special election: Democrat Taylor Rehmet won a Texas state Senate special election by 14 points in a district Donald Trump carried decisively in 2024, prompting some Republican leaders to describe the result as a warning ahead of the midterms. Republicans and Trump downplayed broader implications, while Democrats cited the result alongside other special elections as momentum despite low turnout and a still majority-Republican electorate.

5️⃣ 🇷🇺 Kremlin watches Chechnya after Kadyrov son crash: A serious car accident involving Adam Kadyrov, the son of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, in which another driver was killed, has raised concerns in the Kremlin about political stability and succession in Chechnya, a region dominated by the Kadyrov family for nearly two decades. The incident has prompted speculation over potential successors and highlighted analysts’ assessments that power and security in Chechnya rest on clan ties rather than formal institutions, with Russian authorities closely monitoring possible implications for regional control and governance.

6️⃣ 🇮🇱🇵🇸 Rafah crossing reopens for limited movement: Israel reopened the Rafah border crossing with Egypt for limited movement of people after months of closure, allowing small numbers of sick and wounded Palestinians to leave Gaza for treatment and some residents to return under EU supervision and Israeli security checks. The reopening followed delays linked to ceasefire conditions and hostage issues, with strict limits on numbers, no goods permitted and tens of thousands still waiting.

7️⃣ 🇫🇷 France passes budget without parliamentary vote: France passed its annual budget after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu used constitutional powers to bypass a parliamentary vote, with his minority government surviving multiple no-confidence motions after months of deadlock. The budget passed after Socialists agreed not to bring down the government in exchange for concessions including suspending pension reforms, as concerns over deficits and instability persisted.

8️⃣ 🇬🇧 Mandelson resigns from Labour Party: UK media reported that Peter Mandelson resigned from the Labour Party, saying he stepped down to avoid further embarrassment after renewed scrutiny of his past links to Jeffrey Epstein following the release of US justice department files. Mandelson said claims he received payments from Epstein in the early 2000s were unverified and under review, adding that inclusion in the documents does not imply wrongdoing.

Weekly Updates?

Want weekly updates as well as daily?

Subscribe to our sister publication Geopolitics Weekly here ⤵️

Our Shop

Ukraine Phone Wallpaper Pack