Iran Hormuz control
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps warns that US military bases across the region could be targeted if Washington continues to urge ships to cross the mined route in the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC Navy, in a statement, said the US attempts to direct vessels through the unauthorized passage have led to a growing number of maritime incidents. It said the strategic waterway remains under its full control. The IRGC Navy said its forces tracked four vessels that had previously violated regulations by using unauthorized routes and discovered them transferring oil cargo between ships in the northern Persian Gulf. According to the statement, all four vessels were struck simultaneously and caught fire. It also said three other vessels were involved in separate incidents west of the Strait of Hormuz after striking sea mines and catching fire.
Oil price hike
Global oil prices have climbed to their highest levels in five months, driven by growing uncertainty over energy supplies and escalating tensions in West Asia. Brent crude rose 1.8 percent to above 110 dollars a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate climbed past 104 dollars. The surge comes amid tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and Yemeni attacks on Saudi Arabia, raising concerns over regional oil supplies. As tensions between Riyadh and Sana’a intensify, Washington has ordered some US diplomats and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia.
Omar accuses Trump of intimidation
US congresswoman Ilhan Omar says the investigation into her citizenship is part of a campaign by President Donald Trump to use the immigration system against his political opponents. Omar said federal agents searched her home and seized 17 items, including old phones, notebooks and family keepsakes. She alleged that the agents failed to comply with certain conditions of the search warrant, including a requirement to notify the House general counsel. She also said she was not allowed to contact her attorney until about an hour after the search began. The investigation reportedly centers on allegations that Omar or her late father provided false information to immigration authorities when she became a US citizen in 2000. Despite the investigation and reported death threats, Omar said she would not back down or leave Congress, expressing confidence that she had done nothing wrong.
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