Trump unilaterally announced a two-week extension of the ceasefire in Iran as the second round of negotiations fail to materialise as Tehran sits them out over untenable US demands, reversing his threats of an immediate resumption of airstrikes hours before the original deadline, the prospect particularly disturbing after unsubstantiated yet plausible rumours that the president was restrained after lunging for the nuclear football during a meeting in the White House situation room. 
General Majid Mousavi, head of the aerospace division of the Revolutionary Guard, promised to end oil production in the Middle East, again issuing warnings to gulf states that cooperate with America if the blockade on Iranian ports is not lifted as exports virtual stop with tankers unable to be refilled and Kharg Island ground based storage at capacity, exerting pressure on the country to return to the table by eliminating its remaining revenue streams. 
Meanwhile, the traffic snarl in the Persian Gulf has caused ships to be diverted to arrive in the East by going West through the Panama Canal, resulting in significant queuing there. France and the UK hold separate meetings on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to maritime navigation, the Americans disinvited. US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee will chair direct talks with Lebanon in Washington regarding their own fragile truce and extricating themselves from Hezbollah influence.
synchronoptica
one year ago: emerald glasses (with synchronopticรฆ) plus the return of Home Star Runner
fourteen years ago: keeping the internet open and free plus open borders
fifteen years ago: Big Brother and the Snitch Mob plus Earth Day
