Daily Brief: Iran Claims Hormuz Strikes, Putin Agrees Talks

In today's Bilig Daily Brief, Iran said seven oil tankers were hit in the Strait of Hormuz, pushing oil prices higher as Washington pulled diplomats' families out of Saudi Arabia. Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to resume peace talks on Ukraine, hours before a heavy strike on Kyiv, while Meta and Tesla reported quarterly results.

Iran says seven tankers hit in Hormuz

Iranian state television reported on Thursday that seven oil tankers were hit overnight in the Strait of Hormuz, the Associated Press said. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy said four tankers were targeted while "transferring oil" and caught fire, and three were "immobilized" after hitting naval mines. The claims have not been independently verified. If confirmed, it would be the most vessels damaged in a single day since the war began on 28 February. The IRGC threatened to target US bases in the region.

US and Israel plan new Iran strikes, NYT says

The United States and Israel have drawn up plans for "short but intensive" strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections on 3 November, The New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing US officials. Possible targets include nuclear sites, missile and drone stocks and energy infrastructure, the newspaper said. The White House declined to comment on military planning. President Donald Trump said the United States was "not negotiating" with Iran and that something would happen "fairly soon".

Putin agrees to resume Ukraine talks

Putin agreed "in principle" to resume three-way talks with Ukraine and the United States after 10 November, Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday. He spoke after Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff for about three hours in St Petersburg. Ushakov said the talks, possibly in Abu Dhabi, would focus on security arrangements after the war. Russia also freed Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old retired American teacher held since 2022. Witkoff's description of Putin as "a humanitarian" drew criticism from Republican senators.

Russia strikes Kyiv hours after talks offer

Russia attacked Kyiv with ballistic missiles and drones overnight, killing one person and wounding at least 22, Ukrainian authorities said on Thursday. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 210 drones and several types of missiles nationwide, and that 181 drones were shot down, the Kyiv Independent reported. Attacks across Ukraine killed at least nine people over the past day, regional officials said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had backed the push for new talks but said, "We'll see what happens this time."

US orders diplomats' families out of Saudi Arabia

The State Department on Wednesday ordered non-essential staff and family members to leave the US embassy in Riyadh. Spokesman Tommy Pigott said "Iranian-supported Houthis have increasingly engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia," including attacks on civilian airports. Pigott said the order covered only Saudi Arabia. A Houthi attack on Dammam's King Fahd airport killed one person and injured eight, Al Jazeera and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported. A strike on Riyadh's main airport earlier this month killed at least 13 people.

Macron secures Saudi diesel on surprise visit

French President Emmanuel Macron made an unannounced visit to Riyadh on Wednesday and met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, becoming the first Western leader to visit since the Houthis stepped up attacks on the kingdom. Saudi Arabia agreed to supply extra diesel to France "for as many months as necessary", the Élysée Palace said. France also has commitments of about 200,000 tonnes a month from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, AFP reported. High fuel prices have fed days of rioting in France. "There must be no sign of febrility," Macron said.

Meta beats forecasts despite $25 billion penalty

Meta Platforms reported third-quarter revenue of $64.6 billion on Wednesday, up 26% and above analyst forecasts, and forecast fourth-quarter revenue of $73 billion to $76 billion. Its shares rose in extended trading. Operating income fell 37% to $13 billion after a charge of about $9.9 billion linked to a settlement with state attorneys general. Earlier, a New Mexico judge ordered Meta to pay a $25 billion penalty after a jury found it misled users over data privacy. Meta said it would appeal.

Tesla profit falls but tops forecasts

Tesla reported third-quarter adjusted earnings of 48 cents a share on Wednesday, above forecasts of 45 cents, on revenue of $28.05 billion, roughly flat on a year earlier. Net income fell 43% to $787 million. Free cash flow was $1.53 billion. Shares fell about 3% after hours after Chief Executive Elon Musk asked investors to "temper expectations" for the Optimus robot and said robotaxi revenue was unlikely to be meaningful before mid-2027. Musk said there was "no guarantee" of a merger with SpaceX.

Wall Street gains, Asian shares slide

The S&P 500 rose 0.6% to about 7,757 on Wednesday, the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.1% to about 26,702 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.7% to about 52,852, Reuters reported, as SpaceX and Super Micro Computer lifted chip stocks. On Thursday, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 2.7% to 62,907.84, South Korea's Kospi lost 3.5% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 3.2%, the Associated Press reported. Brent crude rose about 2% to above $111 a barrel and US crude to about $99.

First Russian diesel cargo heads to US

Russia's first diesel tanker under a fuel deal with Trump was due to sail for the United States on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said. The cargo is about 40,000 tonnes, and "additional shipments will follow", Novak said. Trump announced the deal on 9 October, saying Russia would supply 300,000 tonnes first and 500,000 tonnes in November. US diesel averaged $6.31 a gallon, according to motoring group AAA. Ukraine and European allies have criticised the arrangement.

Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan, Indonesia sign defence pact

Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia signed a defence industry cooperation agreement, named "Badr", in Doha on Wednesday, the Turkish Defence Ministry said, according to Anadolu Agency. Defence Minister Yasar Guler signed for Turkey and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for Pakistan. The memorandum covers joint military production, technology transfer, research and training, and other countries may join, Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reported. Dawn said the deal does not create a mutual defence commitment.