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Iran control of Hormuz

Iran's top security official says the reopening of the Hormuz Strait hinges on the US implementing all Iranian conditions, including ending the war on all fronts in West Asia, especially in Lebanon and Gaza. Major General Mohsen Rezaei made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Lebanon’s al-Manar network. He said Iran has prepared a list of conditions to be presented to the American side and has, for the time being, allowed a temporary and limited corridor for ships to pass through the center of the strait. Rezaei stressed that the issue of Hormuz cannot be separated from the broader regional conflicts. He noted that a “deep chasm of mistrust” exists between Tehran and Washington and the US must “prove seriousness” in implementing its commitments before any new trust is built. Rezaei said Iran does not seek war but is prepared for any new confrontation, emphasizing that any future war will be “different” from previous ones. He said the United States’ shift toward economic pressure on Iran reflects the limited effectiveness of military force. The general warned that Iran will respond to any economic escalation with countermeasures targeting US economic interests in the region.

US Iran aggression fallout

The US military is experiencing a “beyond critical” shortage of advanced missile interceptors in Europe as a result of President Donald Trump’s war of aggression against Iran. This, according to a new report by American media citing a US defense official in Europe and a NATO official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The report quoted the US defense official as saying that the most concerning shortfall involves Patriot missile interceptors, which can shoot down high-speed ballistic missiles. The NATO official also confirmed the low inventories of Patriots among American and NATO forces in Europe. The report added that in the event of a ballistic missile attack, NATO could be in a position similar to Patriot-starved Ukraine, and be forced to take punch after punch in the mouth. It added that due to Trump's war on Iran, US missile stocks in Europe have been moved to West Asia to thwart Iran’s drone and missile attacks, which have killed and wounded many American troops. As a result, the American military “definitely” does not have enough Patriots in Europe to stop any possible sustained ballistic missile attack and will have “very limited” capability to defend against a single ballistic missile strike.

US Palestine Action ban

The UN rights office has condemned US President Donald Trump's designation of the UK-based Palestine Action as a 'terrorist' group. The UN human rights office said in its statement that the terrorist designation of Palestine Action is "a disproportionate and unnecessary restriction" on free speech rights. It added that Washington’s move amounts to an expansive use of the term terrorism and will have a chilling effect on civic space. The office noted that the designation also violates the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, as well as the right to participate in public affairs. A UN special rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism, as well as the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, have also expressed concern about Washington's designation. Palestine Action has also been banned in Britain, where it is based. The group says it uses "disruptive tactics" to target "corporate enablers of the Israeli military-industrial complex" amid the regime's genocide in Gaza.

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