Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf declared that Iran will never relinquish control over the Strait of Hormuz, claiming the United States has already acknowledged Iran's jurisdiction over the strategic waterway. Ghalibaf characterized the US naval blockade as an ill-considered and ignorant decision, while a senior Iranian lawmaker warned that Iran's Yemeni allies are prepared to block the Bab el-Mandeb strait in retaliation. The statements come amid ongoing tensions as US Central Command has redirected 39 vessels and seized at least three ships to enforce the blockade of Iran's ports. The confrontation over these critical maritime chokepoints threatens global oil shipping routes, with both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb serving as vital passages for international energy supplies.
UAE's withdrawal from OPEC amid Iran conflict
- ▪The United Arab Emirates will withdraw from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) this week
- ▪Robin Mills, CEO of Qamar Energy, stated that OPEC quotas have capped the UAE's oil output to around 3.2 million barrels per day
Ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon despite ceasefire
- ▪Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the Israeli strikes in Majdal Zoun as part of a series that targeted relief and first aid workers
- ▪Three Lebanese Civil Defense personnel were killed in a second Israeli strike at Majdal Zoun while assisting people wounded from an earlier strike
- ▪Two Lebanese Army soldiers were wounded in the second Israeli strike at Majdal Zoun
- ▪At least 2,521 people have been killed in Lebanon since March 2, according to the Ministry of Health
- ▪Lebanese Civil Defense reported that two civilians were killed in an Israeli strike on a building in Majdal Zoun, a town near Tyre
US-Iran war developments and peace mediation efforts
- ▪President Donald Trump criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, saying Merz does not know what he is talking about
- ▪US Central Command reported that 39 vessels have been redirected to ensure compliance with the US blockade of Iran's ports
- ▪Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to Russia to discuss the details of the war in the Middle East
- ▪The US seized and later released vessel M/V Blue Star III in the Arabian Sea that was suspected to be traveling to Iran
Congressional debate over war authorization and powers
- ▪Senator Mike Rounds stated he would be surprised if President Donald Trump does not ask to extend the deadline for congressional authorization an additional 30 days
- ▪The 60-day deadline for President Trump to seek congressional authorization for the Iran war under the War Powers Act is expected to fall at the end of this week
- ▪Senator Susan Collins stated that after the 60-day War Powers Act deadline, the president has to obtain congressional approval or Congress can block the war
Story comments
Loading comments…