Iran is unwilling to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz while under
sustained US-Israeli attacks, according to a person involved in high-level
contacts, as strikes on energy infrastructure and officials intensify. The
conflict has stalled shipping through the chokepoint, which handles about a
fifth of global oil and LNG flows, and dampened European efforts to secure
maritime passage. Officials across Europe and the Middle East see no clear exit
strategy and warn of prolonged economic disruption. The European Central Bank
said extended disruption could lift euro-zone inflation to 6.3% and trigger a
recession.
