The latest developments in the Middle East war:
– Iran warns over Hormuz –
Iran’s military said that US forces would be attacked if they entered the Strait of Hormuz, after US President Donald Trump announced Washington would begin escorting ships through the blocked waterway.
“We warn that any foreign armed force — especially the aggressive US military — if they intend to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz, will be targeted and attacked,” said Major General Ali Abdollahi of the Iranian military’s central command, in a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB.
“We have repeatedly stated that the security of the Strait of Hormuz is under the control of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and under all circumstances, any safe passage must be coordinated with these forces,” he added.
– Tanker struck near the UAE –
Unidentified projectiles struck a tanker off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said Monday, adding that all crew members were safe.
The incident occurred 78 nautical miles north of the UAE city of Fujairah, the agency said.
– US to escort ships through Hormuz –
President Donald Trump said Sunday that “very positive discussions” were under way with Iran on resolving the war and that US forces will soon start escorting ships out of the blocked Strait of Hormuz in a mission dubbed “Project Freedom.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump called it a “humanitarian gesture,” saying many of the marooned ships “were running low on food,” but offered few details on how the mission would work.
US Central Command said on X that its forces would begin supporting Project Freedom with guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms and 15,000 service members.
– US ‘interference’ would violate ceasefire –
In response to Trump’s announcement, a senior Iranian official warned on Monday that Tehran would consider any US attempt to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz a breach of the ongoing ceasefire.
“Any American interference in the new maritime regime of the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the ceasefire,” Ebrahim Azizi, head of the national security commission in Iran’s parliament, posted on X.
– Iran weighs US response to plan –
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Sunday the United States faced a choice between an “impossible” military operation or a deal with Tehran, after Trump disparaged Iran’s latest peace proposal.
Iran’s foreign ministry said Tehran had submitted a 14-point plan “focused on ending the war” and that Washington had already responded to it in a message to Pakistani mediators, which Iran was reviewing.
– Germany’s Merz not ‘giving up’ on working with US –
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Sunday he would not give up on working with Trump, despite a spat between the leaders over the Iran war and Trump’s announcement that the number of US troops stationed in the European country would be cut by “a lot further than 5,000.”
“I am not giving up on working on the transatlantic relationship,” Merz told public broadcaster ARD. “Nor am I giving up on working with Donald Trump.”
– US says blockade ‘suffocating’ Iran –
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday that the US was “suffocating” Iran’s leadership through an “economic blockade” launched alongside Washington’s military offensive known as Operation Epic Fury.
“This began with the order last March from President Trump on max pressure, and three weeks ago the president gave the order to Treasury myself to begin Economic Fury,” Bessent told Fox News.
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