(archive entries)
Yearly Archives: 2026
Trump proposes 20% toll on cargo through Strait of Hormuz; restarts Iran blockade
President Donald Trump on Monday said the U.S. will impose fees in the Strait of Hormuz “at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped,” after declaring America the “guardian” of the major oil shipping route.
U.S. military to enforce new Iran blockade starting 4pm Tuesday
President Trump announced on Monday that the U.S. is reinstating the naval blockade on Iran and will prevent any ships from leaving or entering Iranian ports. The blockade will go into effect on July 14 at 4pm ET.
Trump also claimed the U.S. would be „reimbursed“ at a rate of 20% for securing safe passage for cargo ships, though the details and seriousness of the initiative were not immediately clear.
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Pakistan engages Tehran as US-Iran Conflict escalates across Middle East
ISLAMABAD/TEHRAN – Pakistan on Sunday stepped up diplomatic engagement with Iran as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate amid fresh US military strikes and growing security concerns in Strait of Hormuz.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during which both leaders discussed the deteriorating regional situation.
Oman summons Iran‘s ambassador, hands over a protest note
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman has summoned Mousa Farhang, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Sultanate of Oman, to hand him a formal note of protest following the targeting of sites in the Governorates of Musandam and Al Wusta by unmanned aerial vehicles.
The note of protest was handed over by Shaikh Khalid bin Hashil al Musalhi, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Administrative and Financial Affairs, when he received the Iranian Ambassador in Muscat today.
Gaza death toll surges to 73,221, medical sources say
GAZA, July 12, 2026 (WAFA) – The death toll from the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip has risen to 73,223, with 173,654 people injured since October 7, 2023, medical sources in the enclave said Saturday.
Four killed in Israeli drone strike on Gaza City
At least four Palestinians were killed and others wounded on Sunday in an Israeli drone strike targeting Gaza City, according to Wafa news agency.
Wafa reported that an Israeli drone struck a metal workshop on al-Sinaa Street in southwestern Gaza City.
Lindsey Graham‘s death will kick off a breakneck campaign for his Senate seat
Republicans will now race to replace Graham on the November ballot in a special primary election in mid-August, according to state law.
In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday morning, President Donald Trump said he was already considering who he might back in the race.
Sen. Lindsey Graham dead at 71 after ‚brief and sudden‘ illness, office says
The longtime politician had served as a US senator for South Carolina since 2003
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Israeli settlers attack journalists, including CNN, on the anniversary of deadly West Bank beating
This attack on journalists comes just days after US Rep. Ro Khanna was detained by settlers near the village of Turmus Ayya in the West Bank. The village has a population of thousands of Palestinian-Americans who have come under repeated attack by settlers in the area.
Khanna visited the village to show solidarity with American citizens who have told CNN they feel forgotten by their government.
“I saw the arrogance in the eyes of those settlers, 21- and 22-year-olds with guns, laughing that they had detained us, the arrogance of those young IDF soldiers that my tax dollars are funding, having no respect for the fact that they were detaining Americans, no respect that there was an American congressperson in that bus, and laughing when our translator told them that there are Americans there and the American embassy is concerned,” Khanna told Reuters.
US Democrat Ro Khanna says Israeli settlers detained him
Ro Khanna said he was detained by Israeli settlers armed with US-made rifles during a West Bank visit this week that the Democratic lawmaker cast as an unfiltered look at the toll of Israeli occupation as he weighs a 2028 presidential run.
MK Odeh Broke the Israeli Official Boycott and Met with UN Secretary-General Guterres
Following that meeting, MK Odeh stated, “I met with UN Secretary-General Guterres. I thanked him for his principled stances during this difficult time and made it clear that the war of destruction in Gaza must be ended through a comprehensive deal. I emphasized that there is no solution other than ending the occupation and establishing a Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel. It is the duty of the international community to recognize this right, and the UN plays a pivotal role in correcting this historical injustice.” He stressed, “There is no other way but the path of peace and justice.”
Iran says it struck second vessel in strait
„A second vessel accused of violating regulations in the Strait of Hormuz has been struck,“ the Guards said in a statement carried by state television IRIB, adding they had also attacked a US base in Qatar.
U.S. hits approximately 140 targets in third round of strikes on Iran, CENTCOM says
The U.S. military has concluded its latest round of strikes on Iran, U.S. Central Command announced late Saturday night. It marked the third round of strikes this week targeting Tehran‘s regime.
How Many Days a Year Congress Works
(Updated on October 1, 2024)
– Congress works less than half the year, with the House averaging 147 legislative days annually.
– Senate members have slightly more legislative days, averaging 165 days each year since 2001.
Explainer: Congress backed an Iran war powers resolution. Now what?
(June 9, 2026)
However, legal experts said the issue is not settled law. No concurrent resolution under ​the 1973 war powers law had passed since the law was enacted.
„The executive branch will likely ignore it on constitutional grounds, and it’s not clear who might have ​standing to sue to enforce it,“ said Scott Anderson, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and senior editor of the online legal publication Lawfare, although he added that he expected someone ‌would.
Iranian General Ahmad Vahidi reappears after months of concealment before Ali Khamenei’s funeral
(July 3, 2026)
His last public appearance was on February 8, mere weeks before he was reportedly missing after the deaths of Khamenei and other Revolutionary Guards officials during Operation Epic Fury on February 28.
Iran‘s Revolutionary Guard shadow leader resurfaced at a funeral after months
(July 4, 2026)
The fate of General Vahidi, who disappeared before the February 28 operation that killed Ayatollah Khamenei and many senior Revolutionary Guard officials, including former commander Mohammad Pakpour, had long been a subject of debate. Vahidi, attending Khamenei‘s funeral ceremony held ahead of the 40-day national mourning period starting this weekend, was captured by Iranian state media cameras mourning at the side of the coffin.
Iran‘s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Remains Absent as Funeral Draws Global Attention, Fueling Succession Questions
(July 7, 2026)
His absence was particularly notable during the main funeral procession through Tehran on Monday, where three of Ali Khamenei‘s sons-Mostafa, Meysam and Masoud-were shown praying beside the family‘s coffins. Mojtaba did not appear alongside them, nor has he delivered a public speech or recorded message since assuming the country‘s highest office in March.
According to reports, Iranian security officials have discouraged Mojtaba from attending the remaining funeral ceremonies because they believe he could become a target for another Israeli attack.
Officials have reportedly rejected his request to attend the final burial in Mashhad, citing continuing security threats.
Who Is Running Iran? Mojtaba Khamenei’s Public Absence Sparks ‚Command Crisis‘ Rumours
(March 22, 2026)
Despite the expectations of CIA and Mossad for a traditional New Year’s speech, Mojtaba Khamenei remained out of sight, issuing only a text-based statement on Telegram for Nowruz.
Sources cited by The Jerusalem Post indicate that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) may currently hold the reins of the country, with one source suggesting the Guard is controlling Mojtaba rather than following his lead.
Qatar says it intercepted missile attack
Qatar’s defense ministry said on Sunday morning local time its armed forces had intercepted a missile attack targeting the country.
Dozens of explosions heard in Iranian cities
(1 hour ago)
Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB, reported that at least 12 explosions have been heard in different parts of Bushehr, including five in the port city of Bandar-e Deyr, four in Asaluyeh and three in the city of Bushehr.
IRGC Navy: Strait of Hormuz closed until US ends regional intervention
Earlier, the IRGC Navy reported having been forced to fire a warning shot at a vessel after several ships ignored its instructions regarding navigation through the strait.
Describing the incident involving the trespassing vessel, the force said the ship had switched off its onboard systems, therefore, posing a threat to maritime safety.
UKMTO issues warning after report of fire on board container ship
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) says it has received a report of an incident some nine nautical miles (about 17km) east of the Omani coast.
“Military authorities have reported that a container ship has sustained damage to the rear of the vessel, which has caused a fire on board,” it said.
“Vessels are advised to transit with caution,” it added.
The alert came moments after CENTCOM announced the start of a third round of strikes on Iran, citing an Iranian attack on a Cyprus-flagged ship in the strait.