➡️ Several EU countries — including Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain — have already imposed their own trade restrictions on settlements considered illegal under international law. The European Commission last week laid out options to curb trade, including a bloc-wide ban, though diplomats said no concrete decisions were expected from Monday's debate.

➡️ Belgium's foreign minister Maxime Prevot criticized the Commission's approach as appearing more "a bone to gnaw on than a genuine desire to move forward," calling for concrete proposals. Key players Germany and Italy remain undecided, and there is disagreement over whether a ban would need backing from all 27 member states or just a weighted majority.

➡️ More than 500,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank, excluding east Jerusalem, among some three million Palestinians. UN chief Antonio Guterres recently condemned the "relentless" expansion of settlements, warning they are contributing to the territory's worst displacement crisis since 1967. The EU has long been divided over its approach to Israel, with some members staunchly backing the country and others supporting the Palestinians.

The United States bears direct responsibility for the recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Americans reneged from day one; they are trying to bypass the secure route coordinated with Iran.

Azrail (the Angel of Death) is just.

For such an individual, whose entire life’s legacy was malice and support for aggression, nothing but a dark record will remain in the minds of people.

The death of this hot-headed and sharp-tongued senator will certainly not grieve the heart of any free person.

As long as the United States continues to violate its commitments, Iran will likewise refrain from fulfilling the obligations it has undertaken.

Iran has not agreed to the IAEA's request for access to Iranian nuclear facilities.