Washington-Tehran: Europe and the Arabs

The Pentagon has given US defense companies 21 days to submit plans to expedite deliveries and increase production of vital weapons. Due to the war with Iran, stockpiles of advanced air defense missiles have dwindled significantly. The number of Patriot missiles is reportedly down by at least 65% since the start of the conflict, and the THAAD missile stockpile by at least 38%. However, President Donald Trump denies any shortages, speaking of "tremendous quantities." Meanwhile, a proposal to increase the Pentagon's budget from approximately $900 trillion to $1.5 trillion is facing opposition in Congress. According to media reports in Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, Belgian media outlets, under the headline "Iran Sets Radical Conditions for Reopening the Strait of Hormuz: 'US Withdrawal and Compensation,'" stated:

Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz unless the United States meets a series of radical conditions. An agreement on this strategic waterway remained elusive on Saturday, after reports emerged of an Iranian missile attack on a UAE vessel. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council is demanding that Washington cease threatening Iran, definitively end the war against it and its armed allies, and withdraw its forces from the region. The Council also demands the lifting of the naval blockade imposed on Iranian ports.

In addition, Tehran is demanding full compensation for war damages, the lifting of sanctions, and the unconditional release of frozen Iranian assets. According to the Council, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States “corrects its behavior.”

Washington did not immediately respond. The United States wants to reach an acceptable agreement on the Strait before lifting the blockade. Under the interim agreement reached in June, lifting sanctions, compensation, and the unfreezing of assets will be part of subsequent negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that an agreement on maritime navigation is imminent, “specifically regarding the establishment of a transit corridor.” However, he indicated that other conditions must be met for the strait to be fully reopened. Oman, which is mediating the negotiations, described the talks as “positive and constructive” and condemned the attacks on the ships. Fire extinguished at Saudi Aramco refinery in Jazan
A fire broke out early Sunday morning at a Saudi Aramco facility in Jazan. Industrial firefighting teams from the Saudi oil company arrived at the scene. The Saudi Ministry of Energy reported on the program "X" that the fire had been extinguished.

UK: Ship hit by projectile in Strait of Hormuz
The UK Maritime Transport Agency (UKMTO) reported that a ship was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, without specifying the source of the projectile. The incident occurred amid Iranian attacks aimed at maintaining control of the strategic waterway. The agency said in a statement: "A reliable source has reported that a vessel was struck by a projectile of unknown origin, causing a fire which is now under control. There are no reports of environmental damage. The crew are safe."