The Observer Lens

BREAKING: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran and Washington have now reached what he described as a “two-day plan” for de-escalation. “On the first day, the U.S. implements a set of measures, and on the second day, the Strait of Hormuz reopens and transit returns to its previous state.” Araghchi said Iran is demanding the cancellation of new sanctions imposed after the memorandum, a reduction of U.S. military forces to previous levels, the lifting of the blockade, and implementation of previously expected oil-sanctions exemptions.

BREAKING: Ansarallah military spokesman Yahya Saree says Saudi aircraft carried out 104 air and missile strikes over the past 24 hours against sites in Sana’a, Al-Jawf, Al-Bayda, Saada, Amran, Marib, Taiz and Lahij. Saree said F-15 and Typhoon aircraft operating from Khamis Mushait and Taif were involved, alongside missile launches from Najran and Jizan, and claimed the strikes caused dozens of casualties, most of them women and children. He said the total number of Saudi air and missile strikes since the latest escalation has reached 4,136.

WATCH: President Trump Q: You said that the Iran war would end immediately after the midterm elections. President Trump: I didn't say that.

Iranian newspaper "Tehran Times" features the headline: "The Midterm Election Hammer," accompanied by a cartoon depicting Trump being hit with a hammer, alluding to the impact of a war with Iran on American elections.

🇮🇷 Iranians gathered in Revolution Square tonight for a special event under the slogan "We Will Kill Trump," setting fire to portraits of the killers of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei: Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu and JD Vance.

BREAKING: Pennsylvania confirms its sixth measles-associated death as the outbreak reaches 1,467 cases across 45 counties.

BREAKING: 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan’s state uranium producer, Kazatomprom, has launched geological exploration across six areas covering more than 1,000 square kilometres to support the strategic uranium reserve. Exploration is also planned at the promising 124-square-kilometre Kyzyltu site.

BREAKING: 🇨🇴 Colombia plans to reopen its oil sector to new exploration contracts in Q1 2027, following more than four years of restrictions on expanding exploration. The National Hydrocarbons Agency has set aside 19.9 million hectares for potential oil and gas projects.

BREAKING: 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan plans to secure at least 150,000 tonnes of uranium in a strategic state reserve by 2050 to fuel its expanding nuclear energy sector — Atomic Energy Agency chief Almasadam Satkaliev. The planned stockpile would cover the nuclear fuel supply chain, from uranium reserves in the ground to processed uranium and finished nuclear fuel.

BREAKING: 🇪🇺 The EU says Ukraine, Germany, France, the UK, and the U.S. held talks with NATO and the World Bank on Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and economic development. The discussions focus on refining future economic scenarios and identifying tools to support Ukraine’s development.

BREAKING: 🇩🇪 German police seized 300 kg of cocaine worth €20 million hidden in banana crates at a Nuremberg wholesale market. The shipment arrived from Ecuador via the Dutch port of Vlissingen.

BREAKING: 🇾🇪 The ICRC says it has delivered four trucks of "vital medical supplies" to a number of health facilites in the city of Taiz in southwestern Yemen.

BREAKING: 🇨🇳🇮🇳 India's commerce and industry minister says India will begin to develop tunnel-boring machines domestically if China keeps restricting their exports. — Reuters

BREAKING: President Trump rules out replacing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, saying he is “doing a very good job” as his future at the Pentagon hangs in the balance.

BREAKING: Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc falls short of a parliamentary majority as Israel's opposition unites behind Gadi Eisenkot to try to form the next government.

BREAKING: Mike Johnson will not run for House Minority Leader following Republicans' midterm losses, triggering a major shake-up in GOP leadership.

BREAKING: Abdul El-Sayed delivers a direct attack on AIPAC following his Senate victory, after the pro-Israel group's political arm spent tens of millions trying to defeat him.

BREAKING: President Trump has no public appearances scheduled today, one day after Republicans suffered major losses in the midterms.

BREAKING: Brent crude has fallen sharply following the U.S. elections, dropping to around $94.87 per barrel, down more than 8% on the day. The move marks a steep reversal from recent highs above $110, as markets react to shifting expectations over U.S. policy, regional tensions and the prospect of further diplomatic movement involving Iran.

BREAKING: 🇲🇽🇺🇸 Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum states that US midterm results reflect public sentiment and highlights historic wins by Mexican-American Democrats in Texas and California. She congratulates Xavier Becerra and Gina Hinojosa, praising their heritage and representation.

BREAKING: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham says the US midterm results show the importance of ending the US-Israel war on Iran. “The world has an opportunity now to unite around the issue that is affecting us all, and that’s the cost of living.”