President Gitanas Nausėda on the 6th approved a new cabinet list led by Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius, the presidential office said. The list retains some incumbents, including Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, and reshuffles several portfolios. The Ruginienė government resigned on June 23 and is serving as a caretaker; parliament on June 30 approved Sinkevičius as prime minister and Social Democrats chair. Under Lithuanian law, following formal appointment (the parliamentary vote), Sinke

DOE data show U.S. SPR crude stocks fell about 6.2 mln barrels last week to 319.5 mln barrels, the lowest level since April 1983. The drawdown is part of a previously announced plan to cumulatively release 172 mln barrels from the reserve.

Regional officials, diplomats and analysts say the Israel‑US war has amplified Iran’s leverage over the Strait of Hormuz and enabled Tehran to demand any nuclear accord first acknowledge its de facto control over the oil chokepoint. Alex Vatanka of the U.S.-based Middle East Institute said Iran views the strait as a source of political legitimacy rather than an economic asset — charging transit fees could be lucrative but 'why give up a diamond for a lollipop?' Iranian parliament speaker Qalibaf said the strait is Iran’s strongest weapon and Iran will not relinquish its rights there. Multiple regional sources and diplomats say Tehran is deliberately slowing negotiations to lock in wartime gains before returning to nuclear talks. A former U.S. diplomat who studies Iran said Tehran believes time is on its side because the Trump administration wants to disengage; Aaron David Miller added the 60‑day negotiation deadline was always illusory and Iran will not act on the nuclear track until it is confident the new status quo is irreversible.