Historic river lows threaten European energy as Middle East talks and Black Sea tensions persist

Unprecedented drought conditions have driven water levels along the Danube and Rhine rivers to historic lows. At the Bezdan measuring point, water levels dropped to -163 centimeters, breaking a record established in 1909 and raising concerns over regional energy disruptions.

In the Middle East, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that talks with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz are in their final stage, following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to pause military strikes to allow for diplomacy. Despite the talks, U.S. embassies across the region warned citizens to prepare for potential "unforeseen escalation."

In Ukraine, regional officials confirmed that Russian strikes on Kherson left 18 people injured and one dead. Concurrently, the head of Russia's Rosatom stated that Ukrainian naval drones sank the commercial cargo vessel Janjina in international Black Sea waters, though all 17 crew members were rescued.

Sources: Danas, N1, Tanjug