The talks, set for Tuesday in Washington, were not expected to produce an immediate breakthrough in the war between Hezbollah and Israel.
Oil markets shrugged it off, but the effort to hurt Iran could provoke retaliation that inflicts more damage on energy assets and the global economy.
The body of a man accused of spying for Iran, Mohammed al-Mousawi, showed signs of torture, witnesses said. The U.N. has called for an investigation.
Migrant workers in the United Arab Emirates, whose hospitality industry has been hit hard by the war with Iran, are facing furloughs, pay cuts and even repatriation.
The United States proposed a 20-year “suspension” of all nuclear activity, even as President Trump demands assurances that Iran can never build a nuclear weapon.
House lawmakers had been scheduled to hear testimony next week from the head of military operations in the Middle East, but the Republican majority postponed the hearing until late May.
The U.S. military has provided few details on how it might carry out President Trump’s orders as he seeks to pressure Tehran on a peace deal. But history and established practices offer some clues.
European countries declined to take part in the action, which is designed to pressure Iran into making concessions by cutting off its oil income.
Iranians enduring the latest communications shutdown warn that it’s crippling businesses. Critics say officials flagrantly use the internet they block citizens from.
The vessels exited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, hours before a U.S. naval blockade took effect.