Washington is sending a third US aircraft carrier and roughly 10,000 troops to the Middle East as tensions with Iran sharpen, while Tehran rules out talks until Washington meets seven conditions. Oil futures eased on Tuesday, and Bitcoin bounced back above $82,800. Here is the latest.
US to send third aircraft carrier and 10,000 troops to the Middle East
The United States is dispatching the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the amphibious assault ship Makin Island to the Middle East, adding around 6,000 sailors and 4,200 Marines to the region, according to Fox News reporting carried by Gulf News. The group is expected to arrive toward the end of November and will join the USS George H.W. Bush, deployed since April, and the USS George Washington, which arrived in August. US President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing renewed strikes on Iran.
Iran rejects Pakistan-mediated talks, sets seven conditions
Iran has ruled out talks with Washington until the United States fulfils seven Iranian conditions, the Tehran Times reported, citing Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei. Iran's parliament speaker told Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir during his visit to Tehran that Iran has "no new message" and that no negotiations are planned. The rejection adds diplomatic deadlock to the military build-up around the Strait of Hormuz.
Reuters: Iran dragging out talks to weaken Trump before midterms
Iran is deliberately delaying ceasefire negotiations to undercut President Trump ahead of the November midterm elections, three senior Iranian officials told Reuters. Tehran is expanding its ship attacks in the Strait of Hormuz to push oil prices higher, the officials said, while remaining worried that Trump could resume strikes to break the deadlock.
Trump was "very close" to approving an Iran strike
President Trump came "very close" on at least one recent occasion to approving a strike on Iran, the Jerusalem Post reported, citing multiple sources. Trump has said the US will not bomb Iran before November 3, but Tehran expects bombing to resume sooner or later. The report underscores how quickly the fragile quiet around the Gulf could break.
Oil futures settle lower despite shipping attacks
Oil futures settled lower on Tuesday even as disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continued. The November WTI contract expired at $101.79, down 1.8%, while the more active December WTI contract settled at $97.82, down 0.7%, and December Brent settled at $108.79, down 0.7%, according to WSJ Market Talk. The pullback came as Iranian attacks on vessels in the strait continued; data firm Kpler reports more than 18 ships hit in the fortnight to October 20, and Iran's IRGC said two "non-compliant" tankers were set ablaze on mines.
Slovenia becomes first EU country to ration fuel
Slovenia has become the first European Union country to introduce fuel rationing amid Gulf-war-driven supply disruptions, the BBC reported. Private motorists are limited to 50 litres per day and businesses and farmers to 200 litres. Prime Minister Golob said warehouses are full and there will be no shortages, framing the move as a precaution as energy ripples from the conflict spread into Europe.
Market snapshot
Bitcoin bounced overnight to $82,888, up 1.07%, after testing a low of $81,200 and reaching a high of $83,439, according to live Finnhub data. Ethereum held around $2,385 to $2,437, with no fresh overnight quote. Oil settled as above — December Brent at $108.79 and December WTI at $97.82, both down about 0.7% on the day. No new China-US/UK tariff moves were reported, and there were no new exchange delisting announcements overnight.
