The latest developments in the Middle East war:
– Trump’s Hormuz order –
President Donald Trump vowed the United States would destroy any vessel laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, as he ratchets up pressure on Iran to reopen the crucial sea passage.
“I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be… that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump posted.
– Israel accused of war crime –
Lebanon’s leaders accused Israel of committing a war crime after an airstrike killed a Lebanese journalist in the country’s south.
The Israeli army said it was reviewing the incident.
– US forces board tanker –
The US Defense Department said its forces boarded a vessel in the Indian Ocean that was providing material support to Iran, the second time it had done so in three days.
“Overnight, U.S. forces carried out a maritime interdiction and right-of-visit boarding of the sanctioned stateless vessel M/T Majestic X transporting oil from Iran, in the Indian Ocean,” it said on X.
– Iran gets first Hormuz toll –
A senior Iranian parliament official said on Thursday that Tehran has received the first revenue from tolls it imposed on the strategic Strait of Hormuz in its war with the United States and Israel.
“The first revenue received from the Strait of Hormuz tolls was deposited into the Central Bank account,” said deputy speaker of parliament Hamidreza Hajibabaei, according to Tasnim news agency.
– Pentagon denies Hormuz mine clearing report –
The Pentagon blasted as cherry picking and false a news report saying that the department assessed it could take six months to completely clear the Strait of Hormuz of Iranian-laid mines.
The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that the Pentagon shared the six-month estimate during a classified briefing for the members of the House Armed Services Committee, citing three unidentified officials familiar with the discussion.
Iran has all but blocked the vital waterway since the start of a war with the United States and Israel, sharply driving up oil and gas prices and disrupting the global economy.
– Hormuz standoff –
Iran vowed it would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz as long as the United States continues to blockade its ports.
“A complete ceasefire only has meaning if it is not violated through a naval blockade,” said Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who led Tehran’s delegation in the first round of talks in Islamabad.
“Reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not possible amid a blatant violation of the ceasefire.”
– Iran execution –
Iran hanged a man after he was convicted of membership in a banned opposition group and alleged collaboration with Israel.
“Sultan-Ali Shirzadi-Fakhr was hanged early this morning for membership in the terrorist group” of the People’s Mujahedin Organisation (MEK) and “collaboration with the Israeli regime’s spy service,” the judiciary’s Mizan Online website reported.
– Lebanon-Israel meeting –
Israel and Lebanon are to hold a new round of talks in Washington on Thursday, during which Beirut plans to request a one-month extension of a ceasefire due to expire within days.
Israel stated ahead of the talks that it has no “serious disagreements” with Lebanon, calling on it to “work together” against the pro-Iran Hezbollah, which is notably absent from and opposed to the negotiations.
– US turns back 31 vessels –
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said late Wednesday that it had “directed 31 vessels to turn around or return to port” as part of its own “blockade against Iran”.
It said on X “the majority of vessels have complied with US directions” adding that “most vessels turned around have been oil tankers”.
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