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Strikes and blockade plans
The United States began a third consecutive night of strikes against Iran at 4.45pm ET, with U.S. Central Command saying the attacks would “continue imposing a heavy cost on Iranian forces and degrade their ability to attack innocent civilians and commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.”
“Several people have been killed in a fresh round of US strikes targeting different areas in Iran, Iranian media reported on Monday, citing local officials”
The Guardian reported that the strikes were launched at Donald Trump’s direction, and it said Trump was also “reimbursed” for protecting countries the US is helping in the strait of Hormuz.
CBS News said Trump told Fox News the U.S. was “going to keep the Strait” of Hormuz, and it said he declared the U.S. blockade of Iran back on while imposing a 20% fee on cargo shipments through the strait.
AP News said the U.S. military began another round of strikes against Iran Monday, and it said U.S. Central Command would resume its blockade of Iranian ports on Tuesday at 4 p.m. EDT.
Al Jazeera reported that the U.S. military began a third night of strikes against Iran hours ahead of a planned reinstatement of a naval blockade announced by President Donald Trump.
Competing claims and voices
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi mocked Trump over his vow to impose hefty charges on cargo shipped through the strait, writing, “POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service.”
The Guardian also quoted the International Maritime Organization, which said passage through the strait “should remain free of any tolls and charges, in accordance with international law.”
AP News said the U.S. military insisted Tehran does not control Strait of Hormuz, while it said the exchanges of fire have cast increasing doubt on the interim peace deal reached last month.
Al Jazeera reported that Iranian state media said missiles hit the area around the Iranian city of Konarak, and it said Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that several “violating” vessels in the strait had been targeted.
The Hill said Centcom moved to dispel an allegation that three American service members were killed in Kuwait, stating “FALSE,” and adding “TRUTH: There are zero reports of U.S. service member deaths or injuries in the region.”
What’s at stake next
The Guardian said the U.S. president announced the U.S. would start charging fees on ships transiting through the narrow waterway, claiming the U.S. would levy a 20% fee “for any and all costs necessary” to provide security and safety for vessels.
“Live updates: US strikes Iran again after Trump orders a new blockade in Strait of Hormuz on Iran US military says its latest wave of strikes targeting Iran is over, insisting Tehran does not control Strait of Hormuz”
AP News said the U.S. lifted a blockade from mid-April as part of an interim deal that called for the strait to be fully reopened, and it said the U.S. had until now said the strait should remain open to all without tolls.
NBC News reported that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the strait was closed until further notice and that “No vessel will be permitted to transit the strait,” while it also said CENTCOM declared the strait open and asserted “Traffic is flowing.”
USA Today said Iran declared it had again closed the waterway, while U.S. officials insisted the strait remained open, and it said the renewed fighting cast doubt on an interim U.S.-Iran agreement intended to reopen the strait and provide a framework for ending the war through an additional 60 days of negotiations.
CNN reported that the U.S. renewed strikes at 5 p.m. ET Sunday “to continue degrading their ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial ships freely transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” as it also said oil prices rose with Brent crude up 3.92% to $78.99 a barrel Sunday.
