ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Wednesday, including Israeli media revealing details of a 15-point plan submitted by the US to Iran aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump saying that Washington is in contact with the "right" Iranian interlocutors, and Iran allowing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz to vessels not involved in “aggression.”

TOP STORIES​​​​​​​

• Israeli media reveals details of 15-point plan between US, Iran

A media report revealed the details of a plan submitted by the US to Iran aimed at ending the war in the Middle East after President Donald Trump said Washington and Tehran had reached 15 “major points of agreements.”

It includes the dismantling of all existing Iranian nuclear capabilities and a commitment that Iran will never pursue a nuclear weapon, Israel's Channel 12 reported.

There would be no production of weapons-grade nuclear material on Iranian soil and all enriched material would be handed over to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) within an agreed timeline, it said.

Iran’s Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow nuclear sites would be decommissioned and destroyed and the IAEA would get full access to all information in regards to Iran’s nuclear program, the report said, adding that Iran would cease the funding, directing and arming of its proxies in the region.

In addition, the Strait of Hormuz will remain open and a free maritime zone and "no one will block it."

• Trump says US talking to 'right people' in Iran

US President Donald Trump said that Washington is in contact with the "right" Iranian interlocutors and that Tehran is eager to reach a deal to end the war.

"Nobody knows who to talk to, but we're actually talking to the right people," Trump said at the swearing-in ceremony for the US Secretary of Homeland Security.

"They want to make a deal so badly. You have no idea how badly they want to make a deal," he added.

The remarks follow a CNN report saying that Washington had reached out to Tehran through various intermediaries in recent days to explore whether an agreement was possible, though nothing had yet risen to the level of formal negotiations.

• Iran permits safe passage through Strait of Hormuz to vessels not involved in 'aggression'

Iran's permanent mission to the UN said that "non-hostile vessels" may use the Strait of Hormuz, provided that they are not involved in acts of "aggression" against Tehran.

"Non-hostile vessels, including those belonging to or associated with other States, may — provided that they neither participate in nor support acts of aggression against Iran and fully comply with the declared safety and security regulations — benefit from safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the competent Iranian authorities," the mission wrote on the US social media company X’s platform.

​​​​NEWS IN BRIEF

• A drone attack targeted a fuel tank at Kuwait International Airport, causing a fire to break out at the site, said the country's civil aviation authority.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani exchanged condolences over a helicopter crash during a phone call, said Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.
• Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen’s Moderates party is poised to play a decisive kingmaker role after exit polls showed no political bloc securing a majority in Tuesday’s parliamentary election.
• Iran appointed Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, succeeding Ali Larijani, who was killed in an Israeli-US attack, said the presidential office.
• Saudi Arabia said it intercepted six drones and a ballistic missile targeting the country’s Eastern Region.
• Canada strongly condemned Israel’s plan to occupy territory in southern Lebanon, calling for respect for the country’s sovereignty and an end to escalating hostilities.
• A senior Board of Peace official warned that the situation in the Gaza Strip "remains very, very difficult" despite improvements brought by the first phase of a ceasefire agreement.
• Approximately 290 US service members have been wounded since the start of Operation Epic Fury against Iran, said a spokesman for the US Central Command.
• The Pentagon is planning to deploy a brigade combat team from the US Army’s elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East to support operations against Iran, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.
• Türkiye is navigating the current Mideast conflict cautiously and prudently while upholding brotherhood and neighborly relations, said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
• Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the death toll from ongoing Israeli strikes on the country has risen to 1,072, with 2,966 people wounded since March 2.
• China’s top diplomat appealed to the US, Israel and Iran to engage in talks and seize every opportunity for peace, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency.
• Iran said that 230 students and teachers have been killed since the start of US-Israeli attacks.
• Three Palestinians were injured in an attack by Israeli occupiers near the village of Beit Imerin, northwest of Nablus in the northern West Bank, local sources said.
• Germany should strengthen its ties with emerging and middle powers such as Türkiye, Brazil and South Africa as the global order faces profound shifts, said President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
• The Philippines became the first country to declare a national energy emergency in response to escalating global supply disruptions linked to the current Mideast conflict, local media reported.
• Iran’s Red Crescent Society said that 94 ambulances and 17 of its bases were directly targeted in US-Israeli airstrikes since late last month.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Oil prices fall on hopes for diplomatic efforts in Middle East

Global oil prices dropped as Brent crude saw $97 per barrel amid renewed hopes for diplomatic efforts to ease tensions in the Middle East.

International benchmark Brent crude futures traded at $98.20 per barrel as of 0030GMT Wednesday.

Prices declined after reports surfaced regarding new negotiations to stabilize the region and prevent supply disruptions.

• QatarEnergy declares ‘force majeure’ on liquefied natural gas contracts with 4 countries

QatarEnergy said it has declared “force majeure” on some liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply contracts with four countries following Iranian missile attacks that damaged key facilities.

The measure applies to contracts with China, Italy, Belgium and South Korea, it said in a statement cited by Qatari media, including Al Jazeera and Al Sharq.

“Force majeure” is a legal clause in contracts, particularly long-term oil and gas supply agreements, that allows suppliers to suspend obligations such as delivery schedules without penalties due to events beyond their control, such as attacks on key infrastructure.