Day 60 of Iran War: Trump Team Reviews Iran Proposal; UAE Quits OPEC

US President Donald Trump’s national security team is reviewing an Iranian peace proposal as negotiations with Tehran remain deadlocked.

Iran has suggested deferring nuclear talks until the war ends and disputes over Gulf shipping are resolved, an approach opposed by Trump.

Oil prices extended gains on Tuesday as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained sharply constrained, with only a small number of vessels transiting and some tankers turned back.

Dozens of countries have called for the “urgent and unimpeded reopening” of the vital waterway, which carries roughly one-fifth of global oil supply...

Day 59 of Iran War: Trump Floats Phone-Based Negotiations; Hormuz Traffic Stays Low

Iran has intensified diplomatic efforts to end the war with the United States, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveling to Russia today.

Araghchi is expected to meet President Vladimir Putin, with talks set to focus on bilateral relations and broader regional developments, including the US-Israel war on Iran.

US President Donald Trump said Iran could begin negotiations by phone if it wants to end the two-month war. Key sticking points remain Iran’s nuclear program and access to the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran effectively...

Day 54 of Iran War: Ceasefire Extended as US Maintains Naval Blockade

US President Donald Trump extended the Iran ceasefire to allow more time for Tehran to submit a proposal and for negotiations to continue, while keeping a US naval blockade on Iranian ports in place. Iran called the blockade a violation of the truce and said it would not negotiate under pressure.

Tensions remain high across the region, with continued violence in the West Bank and southern Lebanon despite ceasefires.  Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely constrained, heightening concerns over global oil supplies, as both sides blame...

Day 49 of Iran War: Oil Slumps as Iran Opens Hormuz; Lebanon Ceasefire Fuels Hopes of Wider Deal

With a 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon taking effect, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz is open to all commercial vessels for the duration of the truce, Reuters reported.

US President Donald Trump said a broader deal to end the war involving Iran is “very close,” with another round of negotiations potentially taking place this weekend in Islamabad. 

Despite signs of progress, significant hurdles remain as key differences persist, leaving both sides preparing for either a diplomatic breakthrough...

Day 48 of Iran War: Pakistan Steps Up Mediation as US-Iran Talks Gain Momentum

Efforts to revive negotiations between the United States and Iran are gaining momentum, with Pakistan acting again as an intermediary. 

The renewed diplomatic push comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions. Iran has warned it may broaden its response to a US naval blockade beyond its territorial waters.

Meanwhile, divisions persist in Washington, where the US Senate has rejected a measure that sought to curb the war without congressional approval.

The economic fallout from the war could deepen global food insecurity, with millions more at...

Day 47 of Iran War: Strait of Hormuz Disruption Persists as Diplomacy Inches Forward

The US said it has fully halted maritime trade in and out of Iran while signaling possible renewed peace talks this week.

Despite reported progress in negotiations, the blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt global shipping, with sanctions pressure and nuclear disputes major sticking points in reaching a lasting deal.

Speaking to Fox News, US President Donald Trump said the Iran war is “very close to over." His comments came as Israeli and Lebanese officials held direct talks...

Day 46 of Iran War: Trump Says Iran Deal Still Possible Amid Escalating Gulf Tensions 

US and Iranian negotiating teams may return to Islamabad later this week to resume talks aimed at ending the war, following failed weekend negotiations and the US blockade on Iranian ports. 

Iran’s military denounced the blockade as unlawful and warned it could threaten shipping throughout the Gulf. Even with rising tensions, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was still “holding."

Instability in the Strait of Hormuz is increasing pressure on the global energy markets, with roughly 20,000 ships reportedly stuck and major supply chains being disrupted...

Nationwide Survey: Most Farmers Can’t Afford Fertilizer

An overwhelming majority of America’s farmers who responded to a nationwide survey say they cannot afford to purchase enough fertilizer to get them through the year. The percentage who pre-purchased fertilizer varies significantly by region.

Conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation April 3-11, the survey shows 70% of respondents say fertilizer is so expensive that they will not be able to buy all the fertilizer they need.

More than 5,700 farmers, both Farm Bureau members and non-members, from every state and Puerto Rico took the survey. Farm Bureau economists...

Day 45 of Iran War: Oil Prices Surge Above $100 as US Tightens Control Over Iranian Gulf 

The United States said it will begin blockading all Iranian Gulf ports at 10 a.m. ET on Monday, tightening control over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after talks with Iran over the weekend ended without agreement.

US President Trump indicated that US forces would intercept vessels in international waters that had paid what he described as illegal tolls to Iran.

Iran condemned the move as “piracy” and warned it could retaliate against Gulf ports, signaling escalating tensions with no quick reopening of the...

Day 42 of Iran War: Pakistan to Host US-Iran Talks as Fragile Ceasefire Stirs Regional Tensions

A ceasefire between the United States and Iran, brokered by Pakistan, is underway, though uncertainty over its scope is fueling tensions across the region.

Pakistan is set to host talks between US and Iranian officials this weekend as both sides seek to stabilize the agreement.

Gulf states are working to contain the fallout from the war. Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and reaffirmed support for regional allies.

US President Donald Trump said American...

Day 41 of Iran War: Lebanon Mourns After Deadly Israeli Strikes; Iran, US Clash Over Ceasefire Terms

Lebanon declared a national day of mourning after Israeli air strikes killed over 250 people and injured more than 1,000, marking the deadliest bombardment of the current war. 

Iran said a cessation of Israeli strikes in Lebanon was a key condition of its proposed 10-point plan to end the broader Middle East war. Iran's Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said ceasefire talks were “unreasonable” given what he described as repeated violations, including continued attacks in Lebanon.

Confusion persists within the...

Day 39 of Iran War: Trump Says “Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight” if Deal Missed

US President Donald Trump reiterated his threat to Iran to make a deal by his Tuesday deadline, saying a "whole civilization will die tonight" if an agreement is not reached to end the war.

"A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World."

Day 38 of Iran War: Trump Deadline Looms as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate

Tensions are escalating as the 8 p.m. ET deadline on Tuesday, April 7, set by US President Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, approaches, with the looming possibility of US strikes on key infrastructure intensifying the standoff.

In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump threatened to target Iran’s civilian infrastructure if the strait is not reopened.

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open...

Day 35 of Iran War: US, Israel Expand Strikes on Iran as Washington Ramps Up Pressure

The United States and Israel have expanded their attacks on Iran as Washington intensifies pressure on the Iranian government.

US President Donald Trump has stepped up his rhetoric, warning that the US military “hasn’t even started” targeting key infrastructure and threatening to intensify its bombing of Iran if it does not agree to Washington’s terms.

Pakistan said it would continue efforts to push Washington and Tehran towards ending the war, though it acknowledged “obstacles” to peace...

Day 33 of Iran War: US, Israel Intensify Strikes on Iran Amid Diplomatic Deadlock

US and Israeli airstrikes have continued across Iran, targeting industrial and civilian infrastructure, including steel plants and pharmaceutical factories, according to Iranian state media and officials.

US President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to deliver a White House address this evening, said the war could be wrapped up within two to three weeks even without a formal agreement. He warned he might reconsider America’s commitments to NATO if European allies do not play a larger role in countering Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz...

Day 32 of Iran War: US–Israel Strikes Continue Across Iran, Trump Issues New Threats

US and Israeli forces carried out fresh air strikes across Iran on Tuesday as the war entered its 32nd day.

US President Donald Trump warned that Washington might strike Iran’s key energy infrastructure, including its main oil export hub at Kharg Island, oil wells, and power plants, if no deal is reached and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Following Trump's comments, Iran set ablaze a Kuwait‑flagged crude oil tanker off Dubai. The fire was extinguished with no reported oil spill or crew injuries...

Day 28 of Iran War: Trump Delays Attacks on Iranian Energy Infrastructure

US President Donald Trump has delayed planned strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure by 10 days until April 6, saying talks with Tehran are “going very well,” despite Iranian officials rejecting the US proposal as unfair.

US and Israeli forces continued strikes on Iranian cities, while Iran fired retaliatory missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf states.

Pakistan said it was relaying messages between Washington and Tehran, with Türkiye and Egypt also supporting mediation efforts as diplomatic activity intensifies to prevent a broader regional conflict.

Officials said mediators were...

Day 25 of Iran War: Trump Claims Iran Talks; Tehran Denies as Attacks Escalate

The US–Israeli war on Iran entered its 25th day on Tuesday amid conflicting signals on diplomacy.

US President Donald Trump said Washington is in talks with Tehran and hinted at a broader deal, but Iranian officials denied this, accusing the US of stalling while reinforcing its military presence.

Trump delayed planned strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure by five days. Meanwhile, fighting continues to escalate. Iran launched new missile attacks on Israel, Gulf states intercepted drones and missiles, and clashes intensified in Lebanon and Iraq.

Iran...

Day 21 of Iran War: Iran Intensifies Campaign Against Gulf Arab States

The Iranian campaign against Gulf Arab states is expanding, carried out in response to an Israeli strike earlier this week on the South Pars gas field.

On Friday, Tehran launched an attack on an oil refinery in Kuwait, while Israel continued its bombing of the capital. Kuwait’s national oil company reported that multiple units were taken offline. 

Iranian strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facility cut about 17% of output, potentially for up to five years, according to QatarEnergy...

Economic Storm Worsens for America’s Farmers

Severe weather, high expenses and global uncertainty are hitting farmers from all sides, squeezing them to the breaking point. Fifty-four agriculture groups laid out the challenges facing rural America in a letter to President Trump today.

The letter recognizes progress made last year in enhancing farm risk management tools and securing much-needed tax relief for farmers, but says additional resources are needed during these turbulent times, “As the administration considers a defense supplemental package in the coming weeks, we urge you to include much-needed market relief for America’s farmers...

Farmers Applaud Action to Increase Fertilizer Supplies

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on President Trump’s decision to waive Jones Act regulations for fuel and fertilizer imports coming through America’s ports, as Farm Bureau requested.

“Farmers applaud President Trump for temporarily waiving Jones Act regulations to allow more ships to bring critical fuel and fertilizer materials to America’s ports. Spring planting season is already underway and the jump in fertilizer and fuel costs, as well as the threat of shortages, sent shockwaves across rural America at a time when farmers are already grappling with low commodity prices...

Day 18 of Iran War: Israel Claims Iran's Security Chief Killed; Oil Regains Some Ground

The US–Israeli war on Iran has entered its 18th day, with escalating strikes across multiple cities causing civilian casualties and widening regional instability.

Iran has retaliated against US assets, while Israel has expanded operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Gulf states report intercepting missiles and drones as airspace disruptions spread.

On Tuesday, Israel said it had killed Iran’s national security chief, while a senior Iranian official stated that the new supreme leader had turned down de-escalation proposals relayed through intermediaries...

Day 14 of Iran War: US Temporarily Eases Russian Oil Sanctions; Shipping Risks Mount 

Israeli airstrikes have hit Tehran on the 14^th day of the Iran war as Iran and its allies launch retaliatory attacks across Gulf states, sharply escalating tensions across the region and disrupting global energy markets.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route linking the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, remains severely disrupted.

On Friday, the US issued a 30-day license for countries to buy Russian oil and petroleum products currently stranded at sea. Oil prices eased following the announcement, though prices are...

Day 13 of Iran War: Strait of Hormuz Tensions Continue, Brent Crude Tops $100 Again

US and Israeli strikes on Iran continued Thursday as the war entered its 13th day, while Tehran intensified retaliatory attacks that have unsettled global energy markets.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran could consider ending the war if its “legitimate rights” are acknowledged, reparations are paid, and binding international guarantees are put in place to prevent future attacks.

Maritime tensions are increasing around the Strait of Hormuz, with reports of tanker attacks off Iraq and drone strikes targeting energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf...

Farm Bureau President Offers Solutions to Increase Demand of Homegrown Food, Fiber & Renewable Fuel

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall yesterday offered a variety of solutions for increasing demand of U.S.-grown agricultural goods during testimony before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry. He joined several other agriculture leaders to share priorities to address a structural imbalance that threatens both farmers’ livelihoods and food security in the U.S.

“We must strengthen domestic demand for American agricultural products. We must reinforce our production capacity of critical ag supplies and restore domestic processing capacity. We must ensure our safety nets are strong and expand fair and enforceable market access abroad,” Duvall noted in his opening comments...

Day 11: Trump Says Iran War Could End “Very Soon,” But Not This Week

On the 11th day of the US–Israel war on Iran, Tehran endured what officials described as some of the heaviest overnight bombardments so far.

Speaking on Monday, US President Donald Trump commented that the war could end “very soon,” but noted that it would not be over this week. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded that Iran would continue fighting for as long as necessary, casting doubt on Trump’s claim that the war may cease in the near future.

Crude oil prices fell more than 10% Tuesday...

US-Israel War on Iran Enters Seventh Day Amid Ongoing Strikes and Regional Fallout

The US-Israel war on Iran has entered its seventh day, with strikes continuing across the Middle East. 

Regional impacts are mounting. In Kuwait and Bahrain, missile attacks from Iran were intercepted, with a fire contained at a Bahraini oil refinery. The UAE and Qatar faced multiple missile and drone strikes, while Tel Aviv was targeted in Iran’s attacks.

Israel intensified its bombardment in Lebanon, and Azerbaijan suspended cross-border traffic following drone attacks...

US–Israel War on Iran Escalates With New Strikes, Senate Backs Trump’s War Powers

On the sixth day of the US-Israeli war on Iran, new strikes hit Iran and the wider region, with explosions reported again in Tehran. Israel has launched attacks on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, and multiple waves of Iranian missiles were fired toward Israel overnight.

The US Senate rejected a measure to limit US President Donald Trump’s war powers as Washington signaled deeper strikes in Iran, following a US torpedo attack that sank an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka. The war appears likely to persist, with US officials signaling operations could last weeks...

Farmers Impacted by Fuel and Fertilizer Volatility

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on potential fuel and fertilizer supply issues following military action in Iran.

"We are hearing a groundswell of concern from farmers facing increased volatility in fertilizer and fuel prices, as well as some reports of companies freezing fertilizer sales, at a critical time with planting season coming into full swing. History teaches us that energy market shocks quickly reach the farm gate and countries in and around the Persian Gulf account for a large share of fertilizer supplies our farmers rely on, so it’s a serious issue. We’ve alert...

Iran War Enters Fourth Day, Driving Higher Crude Prices and Broad Commodity Swings

The US-Israeli war on Iran intensified into its fourth day, with Tehran reporting a death toll of 787 as strikes continue to target leadership and infrastructure. Israel’s campaign, initially described as a two-week operation, is reportedly advancing faster than expected, with no firm end date signaled. US President Donald Trump said the war could last four to five weeks.

Global markets remain on edge. Crude oil surged nearly 4% in overnight trade, while European equities fell sharply. US stock futures also pointed lower, with the three major indices last shedding about 2%...

Expana's Weekly Top 10: Markets Rally After SCOTUS Tariff Ruling, Section 122 Takes Center Stage

Welcome to Expana's Weekly Top 10 Stories, where we highlight the week's most significant events and trends across various sectors.

This edition features a crucial Supreme Court tariff ruling that leads to strategic pivots by the administration, a major sustainability-focused investment in China's industrial sector, and pivotal European Commission proposals affecting the fertilizer market.

We also cover notable shifts in the foodservice industry, dramatic agricultural incidents, and key economic indicators suggesting potential inflationary pressures. Explore these stories for a concise overview of impactful...

Trump Admin Roundtable Discussion: Bridge Payments to Farmers, Soybean Purchases, Fair Trade, EUDR

On December 8, US President Trump held a roundtable meeting with members of the US farming community, Agriculture Secretary Rollins, Treasury Secretary Bessent, and others at the White House to announce monetary support to farmers impacted by the US trade policy. 

The administration announced plans to provide $12 billion in tariff income-fueled support for farmers, to address the high costs of farm equipment, and to examine anti-competitive behavior in the food supply chain...

Secretary Rollins Speaks on State of Farm Economy; Announces Suite of Actions to Support Farmers

Today, in Kansas City at the Agriculture Outlook Forum, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins spoke on the current state of the farm economy in the United States and addressed the ways President Trump is supporting American agriculture. U.S. farm production inputs are significantly more costly than four years ago, putting pressure on farmers’ bottom line. Between 2020 and now, seed expenses have increased 18%, fuel and oil expenses increased 32%, fertilizer expenses increased 37%, and interest expenses increased by a whopping...

US Implements Japanese Trade Deal; 15% Tariffs, Billions in Investments, Ag Purchases

Later on September 4, the US implemented a previously announced trade deal with Japan–setting a 15% baseline tariff on almost all Japanese goods imported to the US, according to a White House statement about a presidential order. This comes almost a week after tariffs were again disputed in the US judicial system.

The now-implemented deal also created sector-specific carve-outs and outlined commitments on both sides that will affect demand for US agricultural commodities and beyond (namely, for US rice).

Plus, the order carves...