IRNA reported Lebanon's Shia Supreme Islamic Council deputy chairman Ali Hatib met with Iranian foreign minister Araghchi.

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) said it will explore the potential for offshore space launch and recovery operations.

Kiuchi said reports that Prime Minister Takaichi's government is attempting to steer interest rates lower are incorrect and the government has no intention of pressuring the Bank of Japan to ease policy. He spoke in Tokyo as markets watch how Takaichi plans large-scale investment without increasing Japan's already heavy debt burden. Kiuchi said he attended last month's BOJ policy meeting as a government representative, where policymakers raised the benchmark rate to 1% — the highest in 31 years.