Jonathan Yerushalmy

Donald Trump has announced what he calls the most extensive economic operation ever imposed on a country, threatening severe consequences for governments, businesses and financial institutions that maintain ties with Iran. The move follows a pause in US military strikes after they failed to bring Tehran to negotiations and reportedly strained American munitions stocks. Washington is expanding sanctions and attempting to restrict Iranian oil exports, but Iran has adapted through shadow-tanker networks. Targeting countries that buy Iranian oil could create a direct confrontation with China, Iran’s largest trading partner, while the US also seeks improved relations with Beijing. Iranian adviser Mohammad Mokhber said sanctions and military pressure would not force surrender, and analysts questioned whether US naval efforts around the Strait of Hormuz could be sustained or alter Iran’s negotiating position.

China has launched the first scheduled commercial container service along Russia’s Northern Sea Route, cutting the journey from Ningbo-Zhoushan to Felixstowe to as little as 18 days compared with more than 40 days via the Suez Canal. The route could benefit Chinese exports such as electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar products, while giving Beijing greater Arctic access as Russia becomes more dependent on it. However, high operating costs, a short navigable season, sanctions, reliance on Russian infrastructure and the prevalence of shadow-fleet vessels limit its viability. Environmental risks are especially serious: heavy fuel oil spills would be difficult to contain in remote, icy conditions, while black carbon could accelerate Arctic warming. Experts conclude that the Northern Sea Route is not currently a practical substitute for the Strait of Hormuz or Suez Canal.

Guardian Australia’s weekly US politics podcast examines whether ideological conflict in the Michigan Democratic Senate primary could become the party’s equivalent of a MAGA moment. The discussion focuses on Abdul El-Sayed and the wider divide between left-leaning Democrats and other party factions, as well as the risk of a Republican red-scare campaign affecting the 2026 midterms. The episode also covers the Senate’s unanimous opposition to any presidential pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, the continuing reflecting-pool controversy, and Donald Trump’s criticism of Jeanine Pirro.

The United States has bought billions of dollars of yen in a coordinated intervention with Japan, the first such US action in nearly 30 years, as the currency approaches four-decade lows. Japan’s weak currency is raising the cost of imported food and energy, while low interest rates, high public debt, economic stimulus and Middle East energy disruptions are adding pressure. The Trump administration says the intervention will benefit the global economy, but analysts suggest it may also be intended to limit Japan’s sales of US Treasury bonds and protect American borrowing costs. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s tax cuts, pro-growth spending and expanded defence plans have increased both political pressure and concerns about fiscal sustainability, while her alignment with Trump may have contributed to Washington’s support.

Guardian Australia’s weekly US politics podcast examines Donald Trump’s closed-door White House meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu and considers whether Trump’s position toward the Israeli prime minister may be changing. The episode also covers Trump’s escalating attacks on the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and his performance at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Asian governments are confronting a second major energy disruption after the Houthis blocked or threatened Saudi oil shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand and other importers are competing for dwindling Middle Eastern supplies, while rerouting tankers through the Suez Canal or around Africa would sharply increase costs and transit times. Higher insurance premiums and freight costs are expected to deepen inflation, pressure public budgets and damage vulnerable businesses. Governments are expanding strategic reserves and reconsidering renewable-energy plans, but the crisis is also driving renewed purchases of Russian crude and exposing the region’s long-standing dependence on fragile supply routes.

The United States conducted its 13th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, targeting military command centers, drone facilities, communications networks and coastal surveillance sites, while explosions were reported near the Strait of Hormuz and elsewhere in Iran. UN secretary general António Guterres warned that the Middle East was approaching “the edge of the unimaginable” as confrontation widened. Donald Trump threatened a potentially larger attack on Iran and said the US would hold Iran responsible for Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers. Washington also tied a proposed Saudi civilian nuclear agreement to Saudi normalization with Israel under the Abraham Accords, despite Riyadh’s continued demands for progress on Palestinian statehood. Disruption around Hormuz and the Red Sea pushed Brent crude above $100 a barrel and drove Asian markets lower, intensifying inflation concerns. Iran rejected a reported US ceasefire proposal, while rights groups warned that Tehran could increase executions of political prisoners amid the renewed war.

The Trump administration announced 12.5% tariffs on imports from 85 countries, claiming they had failed to prohibit or enforce bans on goods made with forced labor. Democrats, Brazil and other affected governments rejected the rationale as arbitrary and a way to circumvent the Supreme Court’s ruling against Trump’s earlier tariffs and congressional authority. Canada warned that all responses were under consideration, while Mexico avoided mentioning the tariffs in its account of talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The live coverage also reported discrepancies in the Pentagon’s tally of US troops killed in the Iran war, renewed disputes over congressional authorization for military action, and Trump’s appearance with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House.

The United States and Saudi Arabia have agreed on a 30-year arrangement to develop a civilian nuclear program using American technology, potentially worth tens of billions of dollars. The agreement could eventually allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium domestically, subject to a two-year feasibility study, raising concerns that civilian infrastructure could be diverted toward weapons production. Critics warn that weaker safeguards than those accepted by the United Arab Emirates and limited International Atomic Energy Agency oversight could fuel a nuclear arms race involving Iran and other Middle Eastern states. The Trump administration says monitoring arrangements will prevent proliferation, but congressional opponents are unlikely to muster the two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto and block the deal.

Co-hosts Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy examine Donald Trump’s prime-time address on the US electoral system, including whether it was intended to undermine confidence ahead of the midterm elections and whether it will succeed. They also discuss Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s order for annual testosterone-deficiency screening of military personnel aged 30 and older.

The United States disabled an Iranian-bound oil tanker with Hellfire missiles in the Strait of Hormuz during an escalating series of reciprocal strikes between the US and Iran. Tehran reported attacks on its capital and southern regions, while Iran retaliated with strikes on Bahrain and Kuwait. US Central Command said its actions targeted Iranian military capabilities threatening shipping lanes. Casualty figures from Iran indicate more than 35 killed and over 300 injured in recent days. Tensions rose after Iran attempted to close the strait and the US reinstated its naval blockade. Oil prices climbed amid the instability. Donald Trump signaled willingness to expand military action while also highlighting Iran’s release of a detained American. Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that continued attacks jeopardize a recent memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict.

Renewed US-Iran hostilities continued for a second day after Donald Trump declared the truce over. Iran launched missiles and drones at US-linked targets and allies across the Gulf and Jordan, while the United States carried out further strikes in Iran; officials said the Iranian attacks caused no significant US casualties or major damage, whereas Iran reported 14 deaths and 78 injuries from the latest US strikes. Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz warned that Israel was prepared to attack Iran again with greater force, and Benjamin Netanyahu said the campaign was not over. Iran accused the US of striking near the Bushehr nuclear plant and said attacks and shipping diversions were hindering the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation also coincided with the mass funeral of former Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei, amid threats against Trump and fears that renewed disruption of the waterway could push up oil prices, inflation and interest rates.

US strikes on Iranian sites around the strait of Hormuz prompted Tehran to accuse Washington of breaching a recently signed memorandum of understanding intended to support a ceasefire and negotiate Iran’s nuclear program. The US said its attacks responded to Iranian strikes on three commercial vessels, including a Qatari tanker. Iran condemned the renewed US sanctions on its oil exports as further violations. Conflicting interpretations of the agreement and continued retaliatory actions from both sides jeopardize ongoing diplomatic efforts amid large public mourning events following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy examine reported details of Donald Trump’s intervention with FIFA over Folarin Balogun’s suspension ahead of a World Cup match against Belgium, including whether the episode could affect football. They also discuss growing calls for Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner to leave the race after a sexual assault allegation.

Reged Ahmad and Jonathan Yerushalmy examine the uncertain talks aimed at ending the Iran war and the possibility that Donald Trump is shifting responsibility for the outcome onto Vice-President JD Vance. The episode also considers whether Americans are growing tired of political dynasties, following another Kennedy's entry into public office, and whether Washington, DC's reflecting pool repairs will be completed before Fourth of July celebrations.

UK front pages focus on Keir Starmer’s resignation after less than two years as prime minister, while many papers immediately turn to Andy Burnham’s expected succession. The Guardian and Mirror emphasize Starmer’s achievements alongside his political failures; The Times, i, Financial Times, Telegraph and Sun concentrate on Burnham’s rapid rise and the challenges ahead. The Mail and Telegraph report calls for an early general election, including from Nigel Farage, while the Express uses the resignation to renew its demand for a stronger Brexit settlement. The Daily Record highlights the UK’s succession of prime ministers over the past decade.

Iran has agreed in principle to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to return, while the United States prepares a 60-day waiver lifting sanctions on Iranian oil, petrochemical and derivative exports. The agreement also involves reopening the Strait of Hormuz, releasing Iranian assets frozen in Qatar, and creating mechanisms to pursue a ceasefire in Lebanon. Technical negotiations will continue in Qatar, but disputes over inspection access, Israeli attacks in Lebanon, and implementation of the nuclear and sanctions provisions remain significant obstacles.

US-Iran peace talks planned for Switzerland were abruptly cancelled after Hezbollah killed four Israeli soldiers and Israel retaliated with airstrikes in Lebanon that reportedly killed at least 18 people and wounded 33. The violence exposed the fragility of the ceasefire and prompted concerns that the wider memorandum covering Iran’s nuclear programme, Hormuz shipping and reconstruction could unravel. The White House said it hoped to begin technical talks soon, while Iran demanded evidence that the interim agreement was being implemented. Israel continued operations in southern Lebanon despite US and French pressure, and both Hezbollah and Israel accused the other of violating the ceasefire.

The United States and Iran’s memorandum of understanding has taken effect, beginning a 60-day period for negotiating a final agreement and ending the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump called for a complete ceasefire across the region, including between Israel and Hezbollah, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that Washington would resume military action and restore the blockade if Iran failed to meet its commitments. Despite the agreement, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed three people and Hezbollah reported clashes with Israeli forces. Iran’s leadership endorsed the deal while insisting that national interests and the rights of its regional allies be protected. Relations between Israel and the EU deteriorated after Israel’s foreign minister cut contact with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, as European leaders prepared to express concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank.

A memorandum of understanding signed by Donald Trump and Iran begins 60 days of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and US sanctions waivers on Iranian oil exports and related banking services. G7 leaders and Pakistan’s prime minister welcomed the agreement, while Israeli politicians and commentators largely condemned it as weakening pressure on Iran and leaving Israel more exposed. US reactions were divided: Lindsey Graham expressed cautious support, whereas several Republicans and Democratic figures argued that the deal failed to constrain Iran’s nuclear ambitions and offered excessive concessions. Iran’s leaders portrayed the agreement as evidence of US failure, while Trump called it a major victory.

A preliminary US-Iran memorandum would immediately halt military operations, including in Lebanon, require Iran to dilute enriched uranium under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision, and link broad sanctions relief to a final nuclear settlement. Iran would receive immediate waivers for oil exports and related banking and transport services, while access to frozen assets would depend on implementing the agreement. Tehran would also be required to restore commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days and provide fee-free passage for at least 60 days, although Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said fees could later be imposed. The parties have 60 days to negotiate a final deal, but either side can withdraw, and Israel was not party to the agreement.