Following the establishment of the "Persian Gulf Strait Authority" by the Islamic Republic of Iran yesterday, which requires advanced coordination with Iran for any ships to transit the strait, along with paying a toll, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Navy has thanked shipping captains and owners for their "cooperation in transiting the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with Iranian regulations."
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Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi met with Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi in Beijing, amidst the ongoing tensions between Iran and the U.S. in the Middle East and the current deadlock in the Strait of Hormuz. Per a Chinese MOFA release, Foreign Minister Araghchi briefed his Chinese counterpart on the ongoing U.S.-Iran talks process, reiterated Iranian support of China’s One China policy, and discussed continued bilateral cooperation. In turn, China has reiterated its support for Iran’s actions, saying “China supports Iran's safeguarding of national sovereignty and security,” and that China “believes that Iran has a legitimate right to use nuclear energy peacefully.”
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The Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier has transited southbound through the Suez Canal to deploy to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in preparation for the previously announced UK-France Strait of Hormuz mission, per the French Defense Ministry.
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According to Iranian state-backed media outlets, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attended a meeting where Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei was in attendance. Per the report, the update was a “medical account” of the supreme leader, but notably, no medical information was given.
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Two former Chinese defense ministers, Wei Fenghe & Li Shangfu, were both sentenced to death with a 2-year reprieve, following their arrest for bribery and giving bribes. After the 2-year reprieve, their sentences are set to be dropped down to life imprisonment with no possibility for parole. This development is the latest in a string of purges, directed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, within the China’s top military and civilian command structure.
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U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that U.S. forces disabled an Iranian-flagged crude oil tanker, the motor tanker Hasna, as it attempted to breach the blockade and proceed to an Iranian port. Following repeated warnings issued to the Hasna by U.S. forces, a U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F "Super Hornet" launched from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and utilized its 20mm gun to disable the ship's rudder.
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived at the Vatican today to meet with Pope Leo XIV, amidst the tense rhetoric exchanged by both sides, primarily over the conflict in the Middle East. According to Secretary Rubio, the meeting doesn’t have to do with the aforementioned dynamic, noting that increased cooperation, like past U.S. aid to Cuba, via the Church, are such dynamics they would like to further.
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Reports and maritime experts are now reporting that the United Arab Emirates has moved several tankers through the Strait of Hormuz with their transponders off during both the U.S. and Iranian blockades of the strait. Maritime trade firms assess that such movements may undercut previously reported export volumes.
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According to Reuters, citing a report by the Chinese media outlet Ciaxin, a Chinese large refined-products tanker was struck by an Iranian projectile off the United Arab Emirates Al Jeer port this past Monday. Per a source from the owner of the vessel, this is the first time a Chinese vessel was struck by Iranian fires since the conflict began. The vessel was reportedly marked “Chinese owner and crew” and was still targeted.
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Iranian state-backed media has released footage of the MSC Francesca, which was interdicted and taken back to Iran by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy (IRGC-N) two weeks ago.
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U.S. President Donald J. Trump received Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the White House today. The two leaders are set to discuss the current U.S. tariffs regime, cooperation on rare earth metals, and cooperation on combating organized crime.
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The press conference that was scheduled for 11:15 ET before the bilateral meeting between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and was subsequently postponed until after the two leaders spoke has now been cancelled altogether. This video from @KellieMeyerNews shows Brazilian press departing the White House following the announcement.
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