Mark Filipino hosts this Financial Times news briefing covering geopolitical developments across the Middle East, U.S.-EU trade negotiations, and Israeli domestic politics. The episode features Henry Foy, FT's Brussels Bureau Chief, and James Shotter, Jerusalem correspondent.

The briefing examines Pakistan's unexpected role as mediator between the U.S. and Iran, America's leverage over EU energy supplies during wartime disruptions, and the unanimous support for Iran operations among Israel's opposition parties ahead of October elections.

Pakistan Emerges as Unlikely U.S.-Iran Mediator

Pakistan pitched Islamabad as a venue for U.S.-Iran talks involving senior Trump administration figures, with initial discussions occurring Sunday according to two officials familiar with the negotiations.

Trump posted he was delaying threats to 'obliterate Iran's power plants' after 'very good and productive conversations with Tehran,' though Iran's foreign ministry denied direct negotiations.

Markets rallied on the diplomatic news with Brent crude falling over 10% to around $100/barrel and the S&P 500 closing up more than 1% Monday.

U.S. Leverages Energy Crisis in EU Trade Talks

Ambassador Andrew Puzder warned the European Parliament that amendments to Thursday's trade deal vote would risk losing favorable access to the $750 billion U.S. energy package including LNG, oil, and nuclear technologies.

European gas prices roughly doubled this year due to Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz and targeting of Qatari infrastructure, making EU desperate for American supplies.

'We'd be back to square one if the Turnbury deal isn't implemented' - Puzder, emphasizing that favorable energy terms would disappear without exact deal approval.

Henry Foy notes the irony that Europeans initially called Trump's energy demands 'outrageous blackmail' but now 'desperately need this American gas' due to the crisis.

Aluminum Shortage Triggers Automotive Panic Buying

Car manufacturers are stockpiling aluminum amid fears supplies could run out in months as Gulf producers cut production due to power disruptions and shipping route closures.

Europe imports 14% of its aluminum from the Gulf region while Japan gets 25%, making both markets vulnerable to Middle East supply disruptions.

Japanese automakers are even considering purchasing Russian aluminum supplies despite boycotting the country since its Ukraine invasion.

Israeli Opposition Backs Hawkish Iran Strategy

Israel Democracy Institute polling shows 82% overall support for the Iran war, with 93% among Jewish Israelis but only 26% among Palestinian citizens supporting the conflict.

Opposition parties like left-wing Democrats led by Yae Golan support the war but criticize Netanyahu for lacking a plan to convert military achievements into diplomatic gains.

Centrist Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid has adopted positions 'more hawkish than what the government has done so far' despite normally being left of Netanyahu's coalition.

Netanyahu faces October parliamentary elections while trying to rehabilitate his security reputation after the October 7th Hamas attack, though polls haven't shifted decisively in his favor.