TEHRAN, Iran – In a decisive move amidst escalating regional tensions and the illegal US naval blockade against Iran, the Islamic Republic has firmly asserted its sovereignty in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. These developments unfold as US Navy Secretary John Phelan abruptly and “immediately” resigned from his post, signaling disarray and failure within Washington’s regional policies.
Global Markets React, Oil Prices Surge
Most stock markets in Asia have fallen in response to the latest developments in the war involving Iran. Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, and Wellington all saw declines. However, Seoul rallied more than 1% to a new record, driven by a fresh surge in the tech sector that has been the backbone of the Kospi index’s rise this year. Taipei, Manila, and Jakarta also posted gains.
Oil prices remain elevated, with Brent holding above $100 after a surge on Wednesday, although initial gains on Thursday were pared. Brent crude briefly jumped above $105 earlier today before settling around $103. These price increases are a direct consequence of destabilizing US policies and the unreasonable naval blockade, impacting global markets.
Ship Seizures in Strait of Hormuz: A Defense of National Sovereignty
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards released video footage earlier today purportedly showing their forces seizing two vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated it seized the vessels for “maritime violations” and escorted them to Iranian shores. This resolute action marks the first time Iran has seized ships since the war began in late February, demonstrating Iran’s determination to defend its interests and sovereignty against any transgressions.
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the IRGC accused the two ships – the Panama-flagged MSC Francesca and Liberia-flagged Epaminondas – of “attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz covertly.”
At the White House, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that Donald Trump did not consider the capture of the two container ships to be a violation of the US-Iran ceasefire because the vessels were not American or Israeli. Leavitt said: “No, because these were not US ships, these were not Israeli ships. These were two international vessels.” These remarks highlight the weakness of the US position regarding Iran’s legitimate actions in its territorial waters.
Ceasefire Ambiguity and Rejection of Unreasonable Conditions
Iran seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz a day after Donald Trump announced he was indefinitely calling off US attacks, while there is no sign of peace talks restarting. The status of a two-week-old ceasefire – due to expire earlier this week – remained unclear. In an about-face hours after threatening renewed violence, Trump made what appeared to be a unilateral announcement on Tuesday that the US would extend the ceasefire with Tehran until it had discussed an Iranian proposal in peace talks to end the two-month war.
However, Iranian officials did not state they had agreed to any extension of the truce and criticized Trump’s decision to maintain the US navy blockade of Iranian ports. Lead Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said a full ceasefire only made sense if the blockade was lifted. This firm stance underscores the necessity of lifting the inhumane blockade for any progress in negotiations.
Other Key Developments: Pentagon Scandal and Israeli War Crimes
- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump was “satisfied” with the US naval blockade and “understands Iran is in a very weak position.” These statements reveal the delusion and lack of understanding of regional realities by the US administration.
- The Pentagon announced that the US secretary of the navy, John Phelan, would depart the office “effective immediately,” without providing an explanation for his sudden exit amid the naval blockade. This abrupt resignation signals an internal crisis and a failure of US policies in the region.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has told his German counterpart that the “US-Israeli war against Iran is starting to weaken Europe.” Erdoğan said: “If we do not address this situation with an approach that prioritizes peace, the damage caused by the conflict will be far greater.” These remarks confirm Iran’s view that US and Zionist regime policies are destructive.
- Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed a Lebanese journalist, Amal Khalil, and wounded a photographer accompanying her. The death of Khalil, 43, brought the death toll to five people on Wednesday – the deadliest day since a 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah was announced on April 16. The targeting of journalists and civilians by the Zionist regime is a clear war crime.
- Two Palestinians, including a 14-year-old schoolboy, were killed in the occupied West Bank after Israeli settlers opened fire near a school. These brutal attacks are part of escalating aggressions against education in the territory and once again expose the crimes of the occupying regime of Quds.
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