IrandeclaresStrait of Hormuz “completely open” for the remainder of ceasefire. War Secretary Pete Hegsethvowsto maintain Iran blockade indefinitely, warns of strikes on energy infrastructure. Three loaded Iranian tankersbypassU.S. blockade. Ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel announced Thursday, Israeli violationsreported. Thousands of displaced Lebanesereturnsouth on the first day of the ceasefire despite warnings. Israeli troops willremainin southern Lebanon, defense minister says. Hezbollahsaysit will respect ceasefire but hands “remain on the trigger.” Israeli assault on Gaza and the occupied West Bankcontinue. Israelreinstatessoldiers charged with raping Palestinian detainee at Sde Teiman. On Palestinian Prisoners Day, rights groupsreporta 83% surge in Palestinian prisoner population since start of Gaza genocide. Analilia MejiawinsNew Jersey special election. ICE agentchargedwith assault after pointing gun at motorists on Minnesota highway. Houserejectsresolution to end U.S. war with Iran by one vote with one Democrat, Rep. Jared Golden, voting against it. House extends FISA over “serious reservations” of Congressional Black Caucus. Senior Treasuryofficialbought oil, nuclear, and cybersecurity funds eight days before U.S. strikes on Iran. UK security vetting officials did notclearPeter Mandelson to be U.S. ambassador. IMF and World Bankresumeties with Venezuela. Myanmar junta leadergrantsamnesty to 4,000 prisoners. 2025 was the deadliest year on record for Rohingya sea crossings, UNsays. Lula and Pedro Sánchezconveneleft leaders in Barcelona.
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Iran declares Strait of Hormuz “completely open” for the remainder of ceasefire:Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared the Strait of Hormuz “in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon” will be “completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire,” in apost on X. Araghchi specified that the Strait will be open on “the coordinated route,” referring to the path that runs near Iran’s coast and Qeshm and Larak Islands. President Donald Trump responded by thanking Iran for opening the “STRAIT OF IRAN,” in a post on Truth Social. Shortly after, Trumpaddedthat “THE NAVAL BLOCKADE WILL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AS IT PERTAINS TO IRAN,” until ongoing negotiations are complete. “THIS PROCESS SHOULD GO VERY QUICKLY IN THAT MOST OF THE POINTS ARE ALREADY NEGOTIATED.” Iran’s state broadcaster reported that the opening of the Strait is conditional on a Lebanon ceasefire and the passage of military vehicles remains prohibited, citing a senior military official.
Trump talks Iran ceasefire:President Donald Trumpclaimedon the White House lawn Thursday that Tehran had “agreed to not have a nuclear weapon” and that Iran would “give us back the nuclear dust that’s way underground because of the attack we made with the B-2 bombers.” He added he would travel to Pakistan “if the deal is signed.” “Pakistan has been great,” hetoldreporters. “I might go.” When asked about his spat with Pope Leo XIV, Trump said he had “nothing against the pope” butmischaracterizedthe pontiff’s position, falsely asserting that the Pope had suggested Iran could possess a nuclear weapon. “The Pope has to understand: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.”
War Secretary Pete Hegseth vows to maintain Iran blockade indefinitely, warns of strikes on energy infrastructure:The U.S. will maintain its naval blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf “as long as it takes,” HegsethsaidThursday, warning Tehran that continued noncompliance would bring “a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power and energy.” Hegseth said the U.S. is using the current pause in fighting—which President Donald Trump announced Monday following the breakdown of talks in Pakistan and which is set to extend through early next week—to rearm and gather intelligence on Iranian military movements. Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine said 13 ships departing Iranian ports had already turned back in response to U.S. military warnings, adding bluntly: “If you do not comply with this blockade, we will use force.” Hegseth also said Washington had received assurances from Beijing that China does not intend to supply weapons to Iran during the pause.
Three loaded Iranian tankers bypass U.S. blockade:Three tankers, Deep Sea, Sonia I, and Diona, left Iran with oil andcrossedthe Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday despite a new U.S. blockade aimed at stopping exports, according to maritime data company Kpler via AFP. Their tracking signals were turned off, but satellite imagery confirmed their passage. Separately, two sanctioned Iranian container ships exited the Gulf earlier in the week but reversed course near the Pakistan border and were last detected near the port of Chabahar, while two sanctioned cargo vessels transited the strait into the Gulf and were last detected near Bandar Abbas.
A 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday went into effect at midnight local time. Israel bombed Lebanon heavily right up until the ceasefire went into effect with some its heaviest strikes of the past six weeks:
Lebanese mediareported60 different towns were struck in hours leading up to the ceasefire.
A series of airstrikes in the southern city of Tyre killed at least 13 people, wounded 35, and destroyed six residential buildings, according to AFP. Around 15 people remain missing under the rubble, authorities said, as emergency crews continue search operations.
Source: Drop Site News: Drop Site Daily
