Qatar's Foreign Ministry has said that reopening the Strait of Hormuz 'unconditionally' is a priority, according to Al Jazeera. The ministry stated that Doha is working towards diplomatic solutions to end the US war on Iran. The comments signal Qatar's intention to play a mediating role in the conflict and to restore passage through the strategically vital waterway, a key route for global oil shipments.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is reportedly prepared to collaborate with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to ensure stable relations between China and North Korea. This development follows Xi's recent visit to North Korea, where both leaders committed to strengthening their ties amid increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and North Korea's growing military cooperation with Russia, according to Channels TV.

Qatar has issued a response to remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he described the Gulf state as a 'hostile state', according to Al Jazeera. The exchange marks a further deterioration in rhetoric between the two countries, which have previously engaged diplomatically, including in mediation efforts. Details of Qatar's specific response were not provided in the available report, but the dispute highlights ongoing tensions in the region involving Israel and Gulf Arab states.

South Africa and Iran have strengthened their diplomatic relations following a meeting that reaffirmed support for the US-Iran peace memorandum. This development indicates a collaborative approach between the two nations in the context of international diplomacy.

TimesLIVE has published an explainer profiling the Houthis, a group described as Iran's allies in Yemen. The piece comes amid renewed conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, which has raised fears that the fighting could contribute to wider instability across the Middle East. The explainer aims to outline who the Houthis are and their relationship with Iran, providing background context for readers following the escalating tensions in the region.

Russia and North Korea have opened a symbolic road bridge linking the two countries, marking a further deepening of bilateral relations, according to Al Jazeera. Ties between Moscow and Pyongyang have expanded significantly since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with growing cooperation across diplomatic, economic, and military spheres. The bridge project serves as a visible sign of the strengthening partnership between the two internationally isolated states, drawing attention from observers concerned about their increasing alignment.