ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Monday, including Iran accusing US-Israeli strikes of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump threatening Tehran with "total decimation" if it did not comply with his ultimatum and Cuba plunging into darkness.

TOP STORIES

• Iran says Strait of Hormuz ‘open,’ but ships fear passage

Iran’s foreign minister on Sunday said that the Strait of Hormuz is open, but ships fear passage over a US-Israeli offensive against Tehran.

"Strait of Hormuz is not closed. Ships hesitate because insurers fear the war of choice you initiated -- not Iran,” Abbas Araghchi said on the US social media company X.

"No insurer -- and no Iranian -- will be swayed by more threats. Try respect," he added. “Freedom of Navigation cannot exist without Freedom of Trade. Respect both -- or expect neither.”

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• Trump says result of Hormuz ultimatum will be 'very good,' predicts 'total decimation of Iran'

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the result of an ultimatum he issued to Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz will be "very good," predicting that it would lead to Iran’s "total decimation " if Tehran did not comply.

"You’re gonna find out soon. It’s gonna be very good," Trump told Israel’s Channel 13.

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• 2nd nationwide blackout hit Cuba in week

Cuba has plunged into darkness nationwide for the second time in a week since the country's national power network failed again, following the outage on March 16.

The Cuban Energy and Mines Ministry on Saturday announced on its account on the US social media company X that the National Electric System (SEN) had completely collapsed.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• At least 12 people were killed and 26 others injured in a bus-train collision in the southeastern Comilla district.
  
  
• Japan hinted at the possibility of sending its Self-Defense Forces for minesweeping operations in the Strait of Hormuz if a ceasefire is realized between Iran and the US and Israel.
  
  
• Three Palestinians were wounded after illegal Israeli settlers attacked the village of Jalud.
  
  
• Türkiye’s National Defense Ministry said that seven people, including four Qatari Armed Forces personnel, one Turkish Armed Forces member, and two ASELSAN technicians, were killed in a helicopter crash in Qatar.
  
  
• Russia claimed that its forces took control of the village of Potapivka in the Sumy region in Ukraine.
  
  
• Iran claimed that its air defense systems downed an F-15 fighter jet near Hormuz Island in the country’s south, the US rejected Iran's claims.
  
  
• A British minister rejected Israeli claims that Iran could target London, saying there is "no assessment to substantiate" this suggestion.
  
  
• Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed "steps to end" the war initiated by the US and Israel on Iran over a phone call with his
  counterparts from Egypt and Iran, as well as with US and EU officials.
  
  
• NATO military command led by Admiral Pierre Vandier arrived in Kyiv for the first time since the beginning of the conflict with Russia.
  
  
• The World Health Organization (WHO) chief announced that an attack on a hospital located in Dain, the capital of Sudan's East Darfur state, claimed at least 64 lives, including children, and injured 89 others.
  
  
• Seven Israeli soldiers were injured in separate incidents in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
  
  
• The US State Department issued a worldwide security alert urging American citizens, particularly those in the Middle East, to exercise "increased caution."
  
  
• Ukraine said that its meetings with a delegation in the US centered on three key issues: continuing prisoner swaps, securing guarantees for Ukraine’s safety and addressing humanitarian assistance.

BUSINNESS & ECONOMY

• Iran collects $2M fees from some vessels passing through Hormuz, lawmaker says

Iran collects about $2 million in transit fees from some vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, an Iranian lawmaker said.

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a member of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said Iran has established a “new concept of sovereignty” over the strait after 47 years and now charges certain ships $2 million for passage, he said during a television program cited by Iranian media.

“Collecting $2 million as transit fees from some vessels crossing the strait reflects Iran’s strength,” Boroujerdi said.