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This is the World and brief from The Economist.

Our top stories.

America launched new air strikes on Iran.

US Central Command said it had struck missile sites in the south of the country and boats laying mines in what it called a self-defensive

action to, quote, protect our troops. A spokesman said the ceasefire was ongoing and that America

continued to act with restraint. Earlier, Iran's foreign minister said that progress had been made in peace talks, although a deal was, quote, not imminent.

Donald Trump demanded that a number of Gulf countries made peace with Israel after the Iran war ends.

America's president said it should be mandatory for Saudi Arabia and Qatar to

join the Abraham Accords, which recognize Israel, followed by others, including Pakistan, Turkey,

Egypt and Jordan. Refusal would be seen as, quote, bad intentions, he said.

Oil prices dropped to their lowest level in more than two weeks, amid hope that the

Strait of Hormuz would soon be fully reopened. Meanwhile, a handful of ships made their way

through the waterway. They included a supertanker that crossed the American

blockade line with around 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude and sailed for China after being trapped

for nearly three months. Russia warned foreigners in Kiev to leave the Ukrainian capital ahead of

quote systemic strikes targeting defense

facilities. The Russian Defense Ministry said these were a response to a deadly Ukrainian

...