Iran threatens to block all Middle East oil as Trump weighs Russia sanctions relief

Iran's IRGC announced it would extend its Strait of Hormuz closure to block all Middle East oil exports from Gulf states that permitted U.S. military operations, threatening Saudi, Emirati, and Kuwaiti shipments. Simultaneously, Trump administration officials told reporters the president was weighing temporary relief from Russia oil sanctions to increase global supply and relieve price pressure at home. Critics warned that easing Russia sanctions mid-war would hand Putin a geopolitical reward for providing targeting intelligence to Iran.