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On the eve of a new round of U.S.-Iran talks scheduled for the 30th, control of the Strait of Hormuz has once again drawn international attention. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran is determined to take control of traffic through the strategic waterway and called on Oman, which controls the opposite side of the strait, to reach an agreement on jointly regulating maritime transit.

He further warned that if Oman is unwilling to cooperate, Iran will unilaterally designate temporary shipping lanes and implement maritime traffic controls. He also cautioned that "no other country has the right to interfere," signaling that Iran has no intention of restoring the strait to the unrestricted freedom of navigation that existed before the outbreak of hostilities between the United States and Iran.

Although the preliminary peace agreement previously signed by Washington and Tehran stipulates that Iran may not charge transit fees for 60 days, the question of whether tolls will be imposed afterward remains open for negotiation. The United States, Europe, and Gulf states are deeply concerned that any future transit fees could significantly increase global energy costs. However, analysts note that as long as the southern shipping channel controlled by Oman remains open, Iran's ability to restrict maritime traffic would be relatively limited.

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq has publicly opposed the idea of charging transit fees, while the Omani foreign minister reiterated the country's commitment to international law. At the same time, he did not rule out adopting a model similar to that of the Strait of Malacca and Singapore by establishing a voluntary maritime service fee system funded by governments or private companies.

Regarding the U.S.-Iran negotiations, U.S. President Donald Trump stressed on the 29th that Washington's position is straightforward: Iran must be denuclearized. Iran, meanwhile, denied that any direct meeting between the two sides is planned, saying it will continue to monitor implementation of the preliminary agreement through Qatari mediation.

South Korea on June 29 unveiled its largest-ever "Three Major Leap Forward Plan," with total planned investments exceeding ₩1,800 trillion (about US$1.3 trillion) as the government seeks to reinforce the country's position as a global technology powerhouse.

A key pillar of the initiative is an investment of approximately ₩800 trillion (around NT$17 trillion) led by Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to build a new semiconductor manufacturing hub in the country's southwest. The project will include the construction of four memory chip fabrication plants and is expected to accelerate growth across the semiconductor, artificial intelligence (AI), and data center industries.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan said the investment will be concentrated in Gwangju and the Jeolla region, with the goal of establishing South Korea's second major semiconductor cluster while promoting more balanced regional development. Under the plan, Samsung and SK Group will each build two semiconductor fabrication plants, while the government aims to double the nation's DRAM production capacity within the next five years.

The government also plans to invest heavily in AI data center infrastructure through 2035, while expanding support for emerging sectors such as robotics and physical AI to further strengthen the country's industrial competitiveness.

Market analysts noted that the scale of the investment rivals spending by some of the world's largest technology companies on data center infrastructure, underscoring South Korea's determination to maintain its leadership in AI memory chips and enhance national economic security.

Although shares of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix have recently retreated amid intensifying competition and profitability concerns, analysts remain optimistic that the investment plan will stimulate growth across the semiconductor supply chain and equipment industries, providing long-term momentum for South Korea's economy.

Europe has been gripped by an extreme heatwave in recent weeks, with France's public health agency reporting on June 28 that the country's excess death toll linked to the scorching temperatures has reached approximately 1,000 since late June. Officials cautioned that the figure is likely to be revised upward as more data becomes available.

The agency explained that "excess deaths" are calculated by comparing the actual number of deaths with the historical average for the same period. Current data show a steady rise in mortality, highlighting the severe impact of the heatwave on public health.

According to the French Ministry of Health, around 85% of the victims were aged 65 or older, making senior citizens the most affected group. Deaths have increased significantly in hospitals, nursing homes, and private residences, with fatalities occurring at home rising by as much as 40%. Official figures show that nationwide daily deaths exceeded 1,200 on June 24, before climbing above 1,400 on June 25 and 26, compared with the typical 900 to 1,000 deaths per day recorded during the spring. Areas placed under the highest-level red heat alert were among the hardest hit.

The heatwave, which began on June 20, has shattered multiple weather records. June 23 was recorded as the hottest day in French history, surpassing the previous record set in 2003. Scientists have described the event as one of the most severe heatwaves ever recorded in Europe, warning that it underscores the accelerating impact of climate change on the region's weather patterns.

Health authorities have urged the public to strengthen support for elderly people living alone and other vulnerable groups, while warning that the final death toll is likely to exceed current estimates as additional mortality data are compiled.

As Europe's security environment continues to deteriorate and the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) struggle with persistent recruitment shortages, calls to reinstate compulsory military service are gaining momentum in Germany. Thomas Röwekamp, chairman of the German Bundestag's Defense Committee, recently said that if the current voluntary recruitment system fails to meet personnel targets, the government must decide by the end of July 2027 whether to restore mandatory conscription.

According to reports by AFP, Reuters, The Associated Press, and The Daily Telegraph, Germany has significantly overhauled its defense policy in response to the Russia-Ukraine war. Berlin has sharply increased defense spending and aims to expand the active-duty Bundeswehr from its current strength of about 180,000 troops to 260,000, while also building a reserve force of around 200,000 personnel to fulfill its commitments to NATO.

However, voluntary recruitment has fallen well short of expectations. Under a new voluntary military service program introduced in 2026, all 18-year-old men are required to register their military information and complete a questionnaire in an effort to attract more recruits. Initial results, however, have been disappointing. Media reports indicate that although approximately 300,000 young people received recruitment notices between January and May this year, only about 530 ultimately enlisted in voluntary military service—far below the government's target.
Röwekamp said the current policy follows a "voluntary service first, conscription if necessary" approach. If recruitment continues to fall short, the government will have to make a political decision by the end of July next year on whether to reactivate compulsory military service. He stressed that, given the ongoing security threat posed by Russia, Germany cannot afford to risk inadequate military manpower.

Germany officially suspended compulsory military service in 2011, transitioning to an all-volunteer force. However, the country's Basic Law (Constitution) still provides the legal basis for reinstating conscription. If Parliament passes the necessary legislation, compulsory military service could be restored. Under the current framework, conscription would apply primarily to men, while military service for women would remain voluntary. Extending compulsory service to women would require a constitutional amendment.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has previously said that the government prefers to strengthen the armed forces by improving pay and benefits, enhancing training, and increasing incentives for voluntary service. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that if the voluntary recruitment model ultimately proves insufficient to meet Germany's defense needs, reinstating conscription would become an option that could no longer be ruled out.

Analysts say Germany is facing its most significant military transformation since the end of the Cold War as Russia continues to pose a security challenge to Europe and the United States urges its European allies to shoulder a greater share of the continent's defense burden. Whether Germany chooses to restore compulsory military service will not only shape its future defense policy but could also become a key indicator of Europe's evolving security strategy.

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On June 25, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in favor of two immigration policies advanced by the Trump administration. The first allows the government to deny asylum applications at the U.S.–Mexico border, requiring foreign nationals to be fully admitted into the United States before they can apply for asylum. The second permits the administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from 13 countries, including Haiti and Syria. Following the ruling, TPS beneficiaries may lose their legal right to remain and work in the United States and could face deportation.

Because TPS is a temporary humanitarian program designed to provide lawful residence and work authorization to foreign nationals who have fled armed conflict, natural disasters, or other emergencies in their home countries, the policy change is expected to have significant implications for both U.S. immigration policy and the labor market.

Among the communities most directly affected are Springfield, Ohio, which is home to approximately 350,000 Haitian immigrants, and around 6,000 Syrian immigrants. The executive director of a Haitian advocacy organization stated that although the Supreme Court's decision was not unexpected, many Haitian families have lived in the United States for years and have established stable social networks and employment. Many no longer have relatives or support systems in Haiti. If forced to return, they would have nowhere to turn. The loss of legal work authorization for a large number of immigrants could also have a serious impact on the local economy.

Haitian immigrants argued that ending TPS amounted to discrimination, but the Supreme Court rejected that claim. The Trump administration maintained that TPS is a temporary humanitarian protection rather than a pathway to permanent residency, and that the government has the authority to end the program once conditions such as war or natural disasters in recipients' home countries have improved. Meanwhile, faith-based advocacy groups expressed concern that the administration may launch enforcement operations involving arrests and deportations. They said they would provide affected families with legal assistance and emergency support services.

In response to the rapidly shrinking number of members of Japan’s Imperial Family and growing concerns over the line of succession, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet is expected to formally approve a draft amendment to the Imperial House Law on June 26. While the proposed legislation aims to secure the number of imperial family members, it deliberately avoids addressing the possibility of a female emperor. This has reignited debate between public opinion and long-standing tradition, leaving Princess Aiko—the only child of Emperor Naruhito and one of the most popular members of the Imperial Family—legally excluded from the line of succession.

The key provisions of the amendment are intended to increase the number of imperial family members. Female members of the Imperial Family would be allowed to retain their imperial status after marrying commoners, should they choose to do so. The bill would also permit the Imperial Family to adopt male-line descendants aged 15 or older from one of the eleven former collateral branches that lost their imperial status following postwar reforms in 1947, thereby restoring them to imperial membership.

Although Takaichi is Japan’s first female prime minister, she has taken a highly conservative stance on imperial succession. She firmly upholds the tradition of patrilineal succession, arguing that the Japanese Imperial Family’s uninterrupted male-line inheritance across 126 generations is a historically unparalleled legacy and the foundation of the Emperor’s legitimacy and authority.

Notably, the draft legislation makes no provision for allowing a female emperor. As a result, the future of the Imperial succession currently rests solely on 19-year-old Prince Hisahito. However, public opinion sharply contrasts with the government’s position: recent polls show that 93.1% of Japanese support allowing a female emperor, while 88.9% also support the possibility of a matrilineal emperor—one who inherits the throne through the female line. This significant gap between the cabinet’s position and public sentiment reflects broader expectations for gender equality and the modernization of the Imperial Household, and critics warn that it could worsen the succession crisis in the future.

Emperor Naruhito also made a rare public comment on the issue, emphasizing that the fundamental principle of the Imperial Family is to "share the people's joys and sorrows." His remarks have been widely interpreted as a subtle expression of concern that the cabinet’s reform proposal fails to reflect public opinion.

The government aims to pass the legislation before the current Diet session concludes on July 17. However, key questions remain unresolved, including the details of the bill and how the government will strike a balance between preserving the Imperial Family’s centuries-old hereditary tradition and responding to the expectations of modern Japanese society.

It has now been ten years since the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in the 2016 Brexit referendum, which passed by a narrow margin of 51.9% to 48.1%. However, the economic vision painted by Brexit supporters at the time has failed to materialize. Since separating from the EU, the UK economy has continued to struggle.

According to a recent poll released by the think tank European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), a majority of Britons are deeply disappointed with the current situation. As many as two-thirds of voters across the political spectrum believe that Brexit has had a negative impact on the country's economy and has significantly increased the cost of living.

The survey, which questioned more than 2,000 voters, found that 57% of respondents believe Brexit was a "mistake" and that it has reduced opportunities for younger generations. In addition, immigration control—once a central pillar of the Brexit campaign—is now widely viewed as unsuccessful. Some 56% of respondents said the new immigration policies have failed, and many now support restoring freedom of movement with the EU in exchange for closer trade relations.

ECFR Director Mark Leonard noted that, after a decade, Britons have come to realize that the promise of a better life outside the EU has not been fulfilled. Today, as many as three-quarters of those surveyed want the UK to build closer ties with the EU, and they increasingly view Europe rather than the United States as their preferred security partner.

ECFR polling conducted in 15 other EU member states found a similar trend: around two-thirds of European respondents support the idea of the UK rejoining the EU in the future.

A powerful explosion and fire struck Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City on June 21 during the restart of liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, leaving 54 people injured and 18 missing. The incident occurred at a key LNG processing facility. Qatari authorities attributed the blast to a “technical accident” and emphasized that there was no threat to public safety. The fire has since been brought under control, while search and rescue operations remain ongoing.

According to QatarEnergy, the explosion occurred during the startup of the Barzan Gas Project facilities. The complex has a production capacity of 1.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, supplying domestic electricity generation and industrial demand while also producing ethane, condensates, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and sulfur. Ras Laffan Industrial City is Qatar’s main LNG production and export hub, with an annual capacity of 77 million metric tons, making it one of the world’s most important energy centers. The accident has raised concerns over the pace of restoring production capacity.

Analysts say the incident highlights the challenges Qatar faces in restarting energy infrastructure after the conflict. During the earlier U.S.-Iran confrontation, parts of the country’s production facilities were damaged, affecting roughly 17 percent of export capacity. Repairs are expected to take years to complete. Global energy markets are closely monitoring Qatar’s recovery efforts, given the country’s critical role in worldwide natural gas supply and pricing.

Following the signing of a memorandum aimed at ending the Middle East conflict, the United States and Iran are set to hold talks in Switzerland on June 21. U.S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland on June 20 and told reporters before departure that he expected to stay for one or two days. He said Washington hoped to make progress on two key issues: Iran’s nuclear program and a ceasefire in Lebanon.

Under the memorandum signed by Washington and Tehran, the United States agreed to lift its blockade of Iranian ports, while Iran pledged to guarantee freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement also temporarily suspends U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil exports and allows Iran immediate access to previously frozen assets.

The latest round of talks had originally been scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland but was postponed after both sides delayed their departures. The two countries signed a framework agreement last week and are now engaged in an intensive 60-day negotiation process aimed at reaching consensus on technical details that could have significant implications for global economic stability and international security.

However, the two-month negotiation period has only just begun, and the situation has been complicated by escalating clashes in Lebanon between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has emerged as one of the major obstacles to the negotiations. Iran’s military subsequently announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a claim rejected by U.S. Central Command, which said American forces continue to monitor the situation and ensure that the vital shipping route remains open.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on June 20 that the purpose of the delegation’s trip was to assess whether the United States was fulfilling its commitments under the agreement. He stated that formal negotiations would only proceed once Iran was satisfied that Washington was honoring its obligations.

The most sensitive issue—the future of Iran’s nuclear program and its stockpile of enriched uranium—will be addressed during this round of talks. So far, Iran has reiterated its long-standing position that it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons and has pledged to dilute its stockpile of near weapons-grade enriched uranium as part of a final agreement.

The United States and Iran are set to formally sign a ceasefire framework agreement on the 19th, potentially ushering in at least 60 days of an official truce and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The most eye-catching element of the deal is a massive $300 billion Reconstruction and Development Fund. Financed entirely by private-sector capital, the fund aims not only to attract global investment back into Iran but also to serve as a key lever for Middle East peace and global energy market stability.

The $300 billion fund is intended for private investment in Iran, with 100% of the financing coming from the private sector and no government budget funds involved. The investment will cover sectors such as energy, logistics, manufacturing, and transportation. In addition to the United States, companies from Gulf Arab states, Asia, South America, and Africa have already pledged to participate.

The concept behind the Reconstruction and Development Fund is for regional countries to support the rebuilding of war-damaged infrastructure through loan guarantees, lines of credit, or direct investment. However, this initiative is entirely separate from negotiations over U.S. sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian assets, as the two processes have different objectives and timelines. The fund will only be established and become operational after a final agreement is signed. During the 60-day negotiation period, the management team will work with Iran and prospective investors to plan and define eligible projects.

Iran is one of the Middle East's major economies. It possesses the world's second-largest natural gas reserves and fourth-largest oil reserves, along with a population of more than 92 million, many of whom are young and well educated. The country also has a diversified industrial base and significant potential in petrochemicals, mining, tourism, and agriculture. However, due to U.S. and international sanctions over the past four decades, Iran has largely been excluded from global capital markets and has attracted very little large-scale foreign investment.