US General Seeks De-escalation With Iran Amid Strait of Hormuz Attack and Political Turmoil

Tensions in the Gulf have escalated as Iran attacked a tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, even as negotiations between Iran and Oman over control of the strait appear close to conclusion. The United Arab Emirates reported the renewed attack, which occurred amid hopes for an agreement that would reopen regular oil transit through this strategic passage. An American official indicated that a deal enabling the resumption of oil shipments is expected soon.

Meanwhile, General Dan McKenzie, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, has been quietly urging President Donald Trump's advisers to find a way to end the conflict with Iran. He warned that further military escalation could backfire, describing it as a "boomerang." The US has imposed a naval blockade that has nearly halted Iranian oil exports, with satellite data showing no tanker loading at Iran's main export terminal on Kharg Island for over a week.

In Tehran, political instability is mounting. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reportedly threatened to resign to force an urgent meeting with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, signaling an unprecedented leadership crisis. Additionally, Iranian officials have dismissed the new Saudi-led defense alliance with Pakistan and Turkey, with Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif calling Israel a threat to the Muslim world and advocating for a united military front.

In Israel, a recent "Ulpan Shishi" poll revealed a significant drop in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's support, with only 31% favoring him as prime minister, down 6% in less than a month. Former Netanyahu chief of staff Yoav Horowitz disclosed internal tensions within the prime minister's office, describing Netanyahu's leadership style as autocratic.

Separately, Hunter Biden, son of former US President Joe Biden, disclosed that his father's cancer has worsened, with metastases spreading to his bones, causing severe pain.

The weekend also saw violent clashes in Jerusalem over a liberal café under threat from ultra-Orthodox protesters, highlighting ongoing social tensions within the city.