Iran Threatens to Close Hormuz Again
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, announced Saturday that Iran would close the strategic Strait of Hormuz if the United States continues its blockade of Iranian ports. Ghalibaf stated on X, “With the continuation of the blockade, the Strait of Hormuz will not remain open,” adding that passage through the waterway would require authorization from Iran.
Trump Says US Will Bring Uranium Back from Iran
President Donald Trump declared Friday that under any peace deal, the United States and Iran would jointly remove uranium from Tehran’s nuclear sites using excavators, before transferring the material to US territory. This comment came despite Iran’s foreign ministry previously stating that the Islamic Republic’s enriched uranium stockpile would not be transferred “anywhere.”
Oil Prices Drop, Stocks Soar
Wall Street reached record highs Friday after Iran’s announcement of reopening the Strait of Hormuz caused oil prices to tumble. Brent crude fell from a peak of nearly $120 a barrel to $90.38.
Lebanon-Israel ‘Agreements’
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that his country was entering a “new phase” of “permanent agreements” and would no longer serve as an “arena” for others’ wars, following the implementation of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Aoun emphasized that direct talks with Israel were “not a sign of weakness nor a concession… negotiations do not mean, and will never mean, giving up any right, conceding any principle, or compromising the sovereignty of this nation.”
Kurds Killed
An exiled opposition group reported that drone and rocket strikes in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region killed three Iranian Kurds, including two women fighters, blaming Iran for the attack.
Iran Deal ‘Very Close’
US President Donald Trump informed AFP that there were “no sticking points” remaining for a peace deal with Iran, indicating that an agreement was “very close.” In a brief telephone interview, Trump reiterated, “We’re very close to having a deal,” and when asked about unresolved issues, he responded, “No sticking points.”
Boeing’s War Boost
According to Boeing’s CEO, the Middle East war has so far boosted the company’s defense business and has not impacted deliveries to airline customers facing high jet fuel prices. Kelly Ortberg cited a recent agreement with the US military to triple production of PAC-3 seekers, which identify and strike hostile aircraft and weapons, as an example of increased demand due to the conflict.
One Killed Despite Truce
Lebanese state media reported that an Israeli strike on a motorcycle in the south killed one person, despite the commencement of a 10-day ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war.
Israel Killed 2,300 in Lebanon
Lebanon’s health ministry announced that Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed nearly 2,300 people since March 2, on the first day of the ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war. A preliminary toll from the ministry stated that at least 2,294 individuals had been killed, including 274 women, 177 children, and 100 health workers and rescuers.
France, UK Hormuz Mission
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, after co-chairing a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, declared that France and the UK would lead a multinational mission to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz “as soon as conditions allow.”
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