TotalEnergies profits surge to $11.2 billion as France rejects windfall tax
TotalEnergies' record $11.2 billion H1 profits spark controversy as France declines windfall tax.
Event / Politics
Saudi Arabia-Houthi Conflict
Escalating military conflict between Saudi Arabia and Houthi forces, including coordinated attacks on airports and energy infrastructure, with regional ceasefire violations and international responses.
10 reported locations
Daily activity
57 articles0 articles
2026-07-29 to 2026-10-26 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 11 Apr, 00:07 UTC
Follow the documented timeline or explore the related reporting.
What happened
Trump's unpopularity rising due to high cost of living and fuel prices before midterm elections
As the November 3 midterm elections approach, crucial for his Republican party, President Trump faces declining popularity due to high cost of living in the United States and soaring fuel prices. These price increases are attributed in part to the war Trump initiated in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump considering resumption of airstrikes on Iran after November midterm elections
According to the Wall Street Journal, President Trump is considering a resumption of military strikes on Iran following the November 2026 midterm legislative elections.
Iran proposes seven-day timeline to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Iran submitted a proposal to the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated from the UN headquarters in New York that the seven-day timeline would begin once the United States accepted the plan. Iran characterized the choice to accept or reject the proposal as belonging to Washington.
Trump and Pezeshkian signed June protocol agreement to end Middle East war and reopen Strait of Hormuz
In June 2026, US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian signed a protocol agreement aimed at ending the war in the Middle East, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and conducting negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. However, the text was subject to divergent interpretations by both parties and negotiations subsequently failed.
US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran in late February 2026
The United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran in late February 2026, triggering the current conflict between Tehran and Washington centered on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
One-fifth of global hydrocarbons transited Strait of Hormuz before current closure
Prior to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, approximately one-fifth of global hydrocarbon supplies transited through this strategic maritime route.
Iran demands end to military hostilities on all fronts including Lebanon
Iran's June protocol conditions included an immediate and permanent end to all military operations and warfare on all fronts. This included cessation of hostilities in Lebanon where the Israeli military is engaged in combat with the pro-Iranian Hezbollah group.
Donald Trump rejects Iranian proposal to reopen Strait of Hormuz within seven days
On September 25, 2026, US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, according to the Wall Street Journal. Trump was skeptical of Iran's capacity to meet his requirements. Later that evening, Trump posted a map of the Strait of Hormuz on his Truth Social network with the label "Trump Strait."
Iranian frozen assets have been held since 1979 Islamic Revolution
Iran's assets held abroad have been frozen since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The country has faced decades of US economic sanctions that penalize its economy and international transactions.
Iran demands end to hostilities in Yemen as condition for agreement
According to Iranian Revolutionary Guards spokesperson Hossein Mohebi in statements to AFP, Iran includes cessation of hostilities in Yemen among its conditions for resolving the dispute with the United States. Iranian President Pezeshkian stated that it is America's decision whether to end this conflict.
Iran demands release of frozen assets and removal of US economic sanctions
Iran's conditions for agreement include the unfreezing and transfer of Iranian assets held abroad and the elimination of US economic sanctions. Iranian media estimated these frozen assets at between 100 and 123 billion dollars as of spring 2026. Iran's economy has collapsed and sharp price increases triggered major popular protests in early January that were suppressed.
Iraq suspends all Iranian airline flights to comply with U.S. sanctions
Najaf airport in Iraq suspended all flights between Iran and the airport following a directive from Iraq's prime minister's office to the governor of Najaf. The airport director Hussein Muhanna confirmed the suspension on Friday. Najaf airport is a major hub for Iranian flights carrying Iraqi Shiite pilgrims to Iran's holy cities, Iranian visitors to Iraqi sacred sites, Iraqi students studying in Iran, and patients seeking medical treatment.
Iran's hard-line leaders express divisions over diplomatic engagement
Iran's leadership displayed internal divisions over diplomatic negotiations. Hard-line factions, including members of the Revolutionary Guard and some lawmakers, criticized President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi's diplomatic steps, with some arguing that engagement with the U.S. demonstrated weakness. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf acknowledged the internal divide between those advocating continued military resistance and those warning against underestimating national capabilities.
Saudi Arabia expresses skepticism of Iran diplomatic initiative
Saudi Arabia expressed skepticism regarding Iran's latest proposal for a deal with the United States. This shift in Saudi position was influenced by recent developments including Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure and the capture of Yemen's strategic Red Sea coast by Houthi forces, which increased pressure on global markets and Saudi regional interests.
Iran proposes seven-day plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz with U.S. conditions
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, conditional on the United States lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waiving sanctions on Iranian oil sales, and observing a ceasefire that includes Lebanon. The proposal also includes restarting stalled nuclear program talks with the U.S., with the timeline beginning upon U.S. acceptance. Initial steps would take four to five days, the strait would open on day six, and nuclear negotiations would begin on day seven.
U.S. Treasury Secretary threatens expulsion from dollar system for non-compliance with Iranian airline ban
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Iranian airlines would 'shut down' and threatened countries that did not comply with the ban on Iranian airlines with expulsion from the U.S. dollar system. This threat prompted multiple countries in the region, including the United Arab Emirates and Iraq, to enforce the sanctions against Iranian airlines.
Previous Iran-U.S. deal from June quickly collapsed following renewed attacks
A Memorandum of Understanding reached in June between Iran and the United States, which called for a 60-day interim period, quickly collapsed as Iran resumed attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The current proposal resembles the earlier agreement but with an accelerated seven-day timetable.
Iran's Strait of Hormuz blockade disrupts approximately one-fifth of world oil and gas trade
Iran's disruption of the Strait of Hormuz has blocked approximately one-fifth of the world's traded oil and gas that previously transited through the waterway. This blockade has emerged as Iran's main point of leverage and has had effects felt far beyond the Middle East, contributing to high oil prices and global economic concerns.
France suspends truck circulation restrictions for fuel deliveries until October 12
The French government lifted usual prohibitions on heavy truck circulation (vehicles over 7.5 tonnes) for fuel delivery vehicles through October 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM. The measure allows fuel transport trucks to circulate on Sundays and roads where heavy vehicle traffic is normally restricted. The government justified this as necessary to ensure continuous fuel supply to service stations amid tensions in Middle Eastern strategic straits affecting hydrocarbon supplies.
France concerned about fuel supply disruptions linked to Middle East conflict
The French government cited the armed conflict in the Middle East and extreme tensions in strategic straits (Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb) as reasons for measures to secure fuel supplies. The concern reflects potential disruptions to hydrocarbon supply chains through these critical maritime chokepoints.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
US-Iran peace agreement signals end to Middle East hostilities escalation
US-Iran ceasefire agreement restores Strait of Hormuz navigation, ending hostilities escalation.
French fuel prices surge as Russia halts diesel exports
Russian diesel export ban drives French fuel prices above €2 per liter amid global supply crisis.
US and Iran agree to ceasefire, reopen Strait of Hormuz
US-Iran ceasefire agreement restores Strait of Hormuz access, easing global energy crisis.
Global oil demand forecast cut as deliveries plunge and reserves shrink
IEA cuts 2026 oil demand forecast by 1.1M barrels/day as deliveries plunge and reserves shrink.
Israel-Iran ceasefire begins as underlying tensions threaten fragile peace
Israel-Iran ceasefire begins April 8 amid ongoing military strikes and Iranian payment difficulties.
TotalEnergies threatens fuel cap exit over windfall tax proposal
TotalEnergies threatens fuel cap exit if France imposes windfall tax on record crisis profits.
US and Iran escalate Strait of Hormuz standoff with military posturing
US and Iran escalate military posturing around Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing diplomatic proposals.
EU rules grant flight passengers compensation and expense coverage rights
EU regulations guarantee flight passengers compensation, alternative travel options, and expense reimbursement for cancellations.
TotalEnergies warns of energy shortage risk as Strait blockade persists
Energy executives warn of potential shortages from prolonged blockade; French government sees no immediate fuel crisis.
Iran, US launch Hormuz talks as Macron demands strait navigation freedom
Iran and US launch Islamabad negotiations as Trump extends truce and Macron demands open Hormuz access.
Macron demands free navigation through Strait of Hormuz amid energy tensions
Macron demands open Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes while asserting France's short-term energy resilience.