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US says to begin blockade of Iranian ports

The U.S. military said it would begin a blockade of all Iranian ports Monday, after talks between the warring sides in Pakistan collapsed, and despite the Iranian military warning that it would treat any such action as an act of piracy.

Trump had announced on social media he would blockade the strategic Strait of Hormuz trade route that he has been demanding Tehran fully re-open, after Vice President JD Vance left negotiations with an Iranian delegation in Islamabad.

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Pope Leo lands in Algeria for first visit by a pontiff

Pope Leo XIV on Monday began a landmark visit to Algeria in the first trip to the Muslim-majority country by a pontiff.

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Pope says 'no intention to debate' after Trump criticizes him

Pope Leo XIV on Monday said he had "no intention to debate" with Donald Trump, after the U.S. president criticized him over his comments on the U.S.-Iran war.

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Turkey says Iran, US 'sincere' about ceasefire

Turkey's foreign minister said on Monday he believed Iran and the United States are "sincere" about reaching a ceasefire despite the failure of Pakistan-mediated talks on the weekend.

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World urges respect for Iran-US truce, Putin says willing to mediate

Iran and the United States failed to strike a deal Sunday to end the war in the Middle East, but there was no immediate return to hostilities and world leaders quickly urged both sides to pursue the diplomatic route to peace.

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Pope says there is a 'moral obligation' to protect Lebanese people

Pope Leo XIV expressed his closeness to the people of Lebanon on Sunday, saying there was a "moral obligation" to protect them while calling on warring parties to seek peace.

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Trump says most points agreed but not nuclear, orders Hormuz blockade

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday ordered a U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in response to Iran's "unyielding" refusal to give up its nuclear ambitions during peace talks in Islamabad.

While acknowledging that the marathon negotiations in Pakistan had gone "well" and "most points were agreed to," Trump said Tehran had refused to concede on the issue of its nuclear program.

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Netanyahu says wants Lebanon peace deal 'that will last for generations'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that any peace agreement reached with Lebanon must be one that "lasts for generations."

"Lebanon has approached us. In the past month, it has reached out several times to begin direct peace talks," Netanyahu said in a televised statement.

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Lebanon's death toll from Israeli strikes passes 2,000

Lebanese authorities said on Saturday that Israeli strikes have killed 2,020 people since the start of the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah last month.

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At least 5 killed in extensive Israeli strikes on south Lebanon

Lebanese official media reported extensive Israeli strikes across the country's south on Sunday as the health ministry said at least five people were killed and the war's overall toll rose to 2,055 dead.

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