US sanctions pressure Iran as Hormuz tensions persist
US sanctions pressure Iran as Hormuz restrictions and regional tensions intensify further
The Middle East war enters another day with Washington preparing new sanctions against Iran, diplomatic efforts continuing and restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz still affecting regional trade. The US is expected to announce additional sanctions on Monday. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described the planned measures as the “toughest sanctions in history”, while Iran has condemned the move. The US and Iran are currently neither exchanging fire nor holding peace negotiations. Read on for the latest developments.
Deadly airstrikes in Gaza on Wednesday cast more doubt on whether new US efforts can advance a tenuous ceasefire in the Palestinian territory.
Just two days after US negotiators reportedly asked Israel to draw down attacks in the Gaza Strip, at least 10 people were killed Wednesday in two strikes, according to local hospitals and the Palestinian Red Crescent. Israeli troops also crossed the ceasefire line in southern Gaza and detained a Hamas police colonel at dawn Wednesday, two witnesses and a Hamas official said.
Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Mohsen Rezaei, on Saturday (local time) said the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and will not reopen until the United States fulfils its commitments and changes its behaviour amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington.
In an interview with IRIB, Rezaei said, "The Strait of Hormuz is closed, despite American claims, and will not open until America corrects its behaviour."
Iran on Saturday warned countries against participating in the United States' "economic war" against the Islamic republic, saying they would be considered enemies.
Washington has pushed its allies to jump aboard Donald Trump's new campaign to isolate the Iranian economy, as the US President's unpopular war drags toward the six-month mark.
"We declare to all countries... do not join the economic war waged by the United States," said Mohsen Rezai, the head of Iran's supreme national security council, on state television.
"Any country participating in the imposition of economic restrictions against us is considered an enemy," he added.
If the countries concerned refused to "distance themselves" from the United States, Iran would "harm" their interests, he added.
Day 160: Tehran reshuffles military
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