The Economist

Hello, you're listening to the free edition of the world in brief from The Economist.

As a reminder, if you subscribe to The Economist or our new podcast subscription, Economist Podcast Plus,

you'll get access to a deeper look at the day ahead,

updated three times a day. You'll also get access to the rest of our award-winning podcasts.

If you're already a subscriber, visit economist.com slash the world in brief, or visit the

economist app to start listening.

Here's today's free edition.

This is the World In Brief from The Economist.

Our top stories.

Donald Trump said that starting Monday, America would guide the ships of neutral countries out of the Strait of Hormuz.

He said that any interference in the humanitarian gesture, which he dubbed Project

Freedom, would be met with force.

He added that discussions with Iran continued and could lead to something positive for all.

Seven countries in OPEC plus, a group made up of the oil exporting cartel and its allies,

said they will raise their oil production target by 188,000 barrels a day in June.

The increase is unlikely to be achieved, however, if the Strait of Hormuz remained

shut. The announcement is a show of unity following the United Arab Emirates' sudden departure

from OPEC a few days ago. The Trump administration fast-tracked $8.8 billion in arms sales

to America's allies in the Middle East, including the UAE,

Israel, Kuwait and Qatar, invoking an emergency authorization, the State Department bypassed

Congress, which typically approve such sales. Countries in the Middle East have faced repeated

...