According to the Financial Times, Iran is reportedly demanding that oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz pay tolls using cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin and stablecoins such as Tether’s USDT and the Trump-linked USD1. Vessels are said to be instructed to contact Iranian authorities via email before entering the strait, providing details about their cargo. In response, authorities reportedly issue a fee quote for passage—set at around $1 per barrel of oil—to be paid in digital currency.

Following the meeting at the White House today between NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and U.S. President Donald J. Trump, NATO Spokesperson Allison Hart released a statement, saying that the two decision-makers spoke about a range of issues related to the transatlantic defense alliance and that Secretary General Rutte stressed the importance of member states continuing to contribute to a strong alliance. However, President Trump was extremely critical of the defense alliance following the meeting in a post on his Truth Social app (covered in our previous post).

U.S. President Donald J. Trump met with NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte today. Just earlier, President Trump posted on his Truth Social app, lambasting NATO, saying that “NATO wasn’t there when we needed them, and they won’t be there if we need them again.”

Vice President JD Vance says the U.S. Iran ceasefire doesn't apply to Lebanon.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt states that reports earlier today Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz due to continued Israeli strikes against Lebanon are false, claiming that there has been an “uptick of traffic” in the strait today, despite maritime tracking indicating that only two tankers transited through the Hormuz Strait on Wednesday.

Iran's parliament speaker says that 3 clauses of the ceasefire agreement have already been violated: -Ceasefire in Lebanon -Drones in Iranian airspace -Denial of Iran's right of nuclear enrichment "In such a situation, a bilateral ceasefire or negotiations is unreasonable."

According to Iran’s state-run Press TV, Tehran has warned it will “punish” Israel for strikes against Iran and Hezbollah, calling the attacks a violation of the ceasefire. Iran also urged Pakistan, which mediated the agreement, to pressure Israel into halting further operations. An official stated that by continuing strikes in both Lebanon and Iran, Israel is raising the cost of the agreement for the United States, adding that it is now up to the mediating country to step in and restrain what it described as an aggressive regime.

Hours after the ceasefire, Iran launched a wave of missile and drone strikes across the Gulf, targeting both energy infrastructure and civilian areas. • Kuwait: Drones struck oil facilities and three power and desalination plants, causing significant damage. • Saudi Arabia: The East-West Pipeline operated by Saudi Aramco was hit by drones. • UAE: Debris impacted the Habshan gas complex, sparking fires and injuring three people. • Bahrain: Shrapnel damaged residential homes in Sitra. • Qatar: Missiles and drones were intercepted, though further details remain unclear. The strikes mark a sharp escalation, raising concerns about the stability of the ceasefire and the risk of a broader regional conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump will discuss a potential U.S. withdrawal from NATO with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte today.

Iran has launched 154 projectiles toward the Gulf since the ceasefire was announced, Bloomberg reports.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the “ball is in the U.S. court, and the world is watching,” as Israeli strikes continue to hit targets in Lebanon. The remarks come despite Pakistan—acting as mediator of last night’s ceasefire—stating that Lebanon is included under the agreement. Tehran has warned that Washington must choose between upholding the ceasefire or allowing the conflict to continue through Israel.

President Donald J. Trump has posted to Truth Social stating "Numerous Agreements, Lists, and Letters are being sent out by people that have absolutely nothing to do with the U.S.A. / Iran Negotiation, in many cases, they are total Fraudsters, Charlatans, and WORSE."

CNN: There does not appear to be a formal written document for the ceasefire agreement

IRGC: If the aggressions against Lebanon are not stopped immediately, we will give a regrettable response to the evil aggressors in the region.

Trump says Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will attend Iran peace talks in Pakistan, Vance may not be able to due to security considerations - New York Post

According to the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense, they have intercepted 9 Iranian drones in the past hours since the “ceasefire” went into effect. Iran has now launched drone and missile attacks against all their Gulf neighbors in the hours since the agreement with the U.S. went into effect.

Iranian state media reports air defense activity in Tehran.

During an interview this morning ABC News, President Donald J. Trump appeared to endorse a condition by Iran in last night’s ceasefire that allows them to charge tolls on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that the fees may by a “joint venture” between Iran and the United States. “We’re thinking of doing it as a joint venture. It’s a way of securing it - also securing it from lots of other people. It’s a beautiful thing.”

Israeli officials say that the war in Lebanon is still on, no ceasefire.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt calls tonight’s two-week ceasefire with Iran “a victory for the United States that President Trump and our incredible military made happen,” adding that, “President Trump got the Strait of Hormuz reopened.”