Podcast Appearances
Meanwhile, Israel continues its assault of Hezbollah, with Defense Minister Yisrael Katz saying over 200 Hezbollah militants were killed on Wednesday, with 1,400 Hezbollah militants killed since the start of operations.
Bloomberg's Tyler Kendall gives us more details on the ongoing situation with Lebanon.
That's Bloomberg's Tyler Kendall.
You can hear more of the conversation on the Bloomberg Balance of Power podcast.
The White House says the U.S.
will hold direct talks with Iran and Islamabad Pakistan starting on Saturday, with Vice President J.D.
Vance expected to lead the American delegation.
Both sides so far have appeared to have paused strikes across the region after President Trump's announcement of a truce after nearly six weeks of fighting.
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz is little changed, even as a handful of Chinese vessels lined up to exit the Gulf.
Iran said earlier that any ships wanting to pass through will need army approval.
Iran's ports and maritime organization published two safe routes for shipping, but ship owners continue to wait for clarification on the status of the crucial waterway.
Right now, more than 800 freighters are stuck, with just three ships observed leaving the region on Wednesday.
Ship tracking data compiled by Bloomberg shows, in normal times, about 135 vessels cross daily.
Oil continues to drop on the news that Israel and Lebanon will be holding direct talks, with West Texas Intermediate trading at about $96.50 a barrel.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke in Washington today after meeting privately with President Trump Wednesday evening.
Rutte says Europe will have to take more responsibility in the alliance.
Rutte also admitted that some NATO allies may have dragged their feet when the U.S.
asked for some assistance.
That's NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Elevated oil prices from the Iran war are raising fears of stagflation in the market, but White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett says he still sees the economy growing by 4 to 5 percent this year thanks to deregulation and tax cuts.