The United States has expanded its naval blockade on Iran, allowing forces to stop, search and seize vessels suspected of carrying “contraband”, as Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned U.S. forces are ready to resume combat if no deal is reached.
Speaking at a joint press conference with General Dan Caine, Hegseth said U.S. forces were “postured to restart combat operations,” adding they could act “at a moment’s notice.”
“I hope Iran chooses a deal which is within its grasp,” he said.
A U.S. Navy advisory stated that vessels suspected of transporting contraband to Iran would be subject to the “belligerent right to visit and search,” regardless of location. The list includes weapons, munitions and nuclear-related materials, as well as crude oil, refined products, and metals such as iron, steel and aluminium.
General Caine said the blockade applies to all ships travelling to or from Iran’s ports, with enforcement in both Iranian territorial waters and international waters.
“We will pursue any vessel attempting to provide support to Iran,” he said, including so-called “dark fleet” tankers carrying Iranian oil. He added that no ships had yet been boarded.
Hegseth said Iran’s motivation to maintain a ceasefire was “high”, but warned that the U.S. was closely monitoring its military activity. He also dismissed Iranian claims of control over the Strait of Hormuz, stating that U.S. naval forces effectively oversee traffic through the vital route.
He added that Washington would welcome support from other countries in securing the waterway, and said China had assured the U.S. it would not supply weapons to Iran during the ceasefire.
The expanded blockade marks a further escalation in U.S. strategy, combining military readiness with broader economic pressure targeting Iran’s energy exports.
At least 11 people have been killed and 19 injured in a fire at an orphanage on the outskirts of the Algerian capital, state media reported. The blaze...
The U.S. military announced that it has completed a new wave of strikes against Iranian military targets under U.S. President Donald Trump's orders. T...
Beijing is using Shanghai’s artificial intelligence (AI) forum to promote its governance agenda and showcase domestic alternatives to U.S. technolo...
The U.S. military announced that it has completed a new wave of strikes against Iranian military targets under U.S. President Donald Trump's orders. The operation targeted command centres, air defence systems, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance sites across multiple locations.
On 16 July, AnewZ's Daybreak focused on escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, growing concerns over global energy supplies, and France's landmark assisted-dying legislation.
Toronto experienced the worst air quality of any major city in the world on Wednesday as thick smoke from wildfires burning across north-western Ontario blanketed the city.
The U.S. House of Representatives has rejected an amendment that sought to end U.S. security assistance to Israel. The vote however exposed growing divisions within the Democratic Party over Washington's support for Israel's military campaign in Gaza.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the reimposition of a U.S. naval blockade on all Iranian ports and warned that power plants and bridges could be targeted next week unless Tehran returns to negotiations.
The United States carried out a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, targeting military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz as Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iranian shipping and proposed a 20% fee on cargo passing through the strategic waterway.
The death toll from the fire at a live music pub in Bangkok has climbed to 32 after two more victims died from their injuries, according to Thailand's Police Hospital.
Ukraine and Russia exchanged fresh attacks on Tuesday, with Kyiv targeting shipping and energy infrastructure inside Russia while Moscow launched another large-scale missile and drone assault on Ukrainian cities.
The U.S. military announced that it has completed a new wave of strikes against Iranian military targets under U.S. President Donald Trump's orders. The operation targeted command centres, air defence systems, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance sites across multiple locations.
Azerbaijan and UN-Habitat have signed a cooperation agreement to support sustainable urban development in the East Zangezur Economic Region. The partnership will focus on designing smart, resilient and inclusive settlements in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories.
Azerbaijan is moving to speed up and simplify trade with partner countries along the Middle Corridor by expanding its Single Window information system.
Kyrgyzstan has introduced an indefinite ban on the export of crude oil and petroleum products by road and rail in an effort to prevent fuel shortages and strengthen the country's energy security.
The Iranian Army's Ground Force promised a crushing response to the U.S. after an air raid on its barracks in the southern city of Bampur on Wednesday (15 July) killed seven servicemen and wounded 13 others.
Pakistan's benchmark stock index recorded its steepest one-day fall in months on Tuesday as renewed fighting between the U.S. and Iran unsettled global markets and heightened fears of disruptions to oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. The benchmark KSE-100 Index closed down 3.56%.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment