Iran's Wednesday Deadline Expired While Trump Flew to Beijing
The May 13 deadline passed without a counter-text, strike, or extension — the ceasefire continues by inertia, not diplomacy, as Trump lands in Beijing.
World
The EU Put a Frigate and a No-Fly Zone Request Into Its Hormuz Strategy
EU Defence Council formally discussed extending Aspides to the Strait of Hormuz on the day Iran's deadline passed.
Russia Has Not Said a Word About Iran Since the Deadline — That Is the Point
Russia issued no statement on Wang Yi's meeting with Araghchi, Pakistan's mediation, or the Trump-Xi summit — a silence the INSS identifies as strategic design.
Pakistan's Mediation Is Under Pressure From a Detail About Its Own Airspace
Pakistan sheltered Iranian military aircraft during US strikes — a fact that corrodes its neutrality from both sides of the channel.
Hormuz Is Open by Permission — The Permission Has Never Been Put in Writing
Qatar's LNG ships are crossing Hormuz under Iran-granted permission tied to Pakistan's energy crisis, but no formal agreement has been signed.
Trump-Xi Meetings Start Thursday With Iran at the Top of a Five-Item Agenda
Trump arrived in Beijing Wednesday; the five-item agenda puts Iran first, well ahead of tariffs and Taiwan.
Ocean Koi Stays in Custody as Trump Lands in Beijing
Five days after Iran seized the Barbados-flagged Ocean Koi in the Gulf of Oman, the tanker has not moved and no diplomatic claim has been attached to it.
EU Aspides Commander Has a Hormuz Extension Plan Ready — No New Council Vote Needed
The Aspides mission commander has drafted a Hormuz extension requiring only a plan amendment, not a new Council authorization.
Pakistan Gave Shelter to Iranian Aircraft During the US Air Strikes
Pakistan sheltered Iranian military aircraft at Nur Khan Air Base during US strikes, putting its mediator role under sharp credibility scrutiny from both sides.
Hormuz Toll — 26 Ships, 900,000 Barrels a Day
26 ships remain held in Iranian-controlled waters with roughly 900,000 barrels of daily output blocked, unchanged since the deadline passed without agreement.
Russia Has Made No Statement About the Wang Yi-Araghchi Meeting
Moscow has stayed silent on China's May 6 Iran diplomacy, Pakistan's mediation role, and the Trump-Xi summit — all at once.
The EU's Aspides Amendment Needs No New Authorization — Just a Plan Change
Extending Aspides to Hormuz requires only an operational plan amendment under existing mandate — no new Council authorization vote needed.