Iran has warned that it will block the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a vital waterway for international trade, if the US launches a ground assault on its Kharg Island. According to a source close to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran will respond to any US military action with measures that will double the cost to the US. Iranian General Shohram Irani warned that any US naval forces entering the island’s missile range will be targeted. The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and through which approximately $1 trillion worth of global trade passes each year, creating a significant impact on the global supply chain and oil deliveries.
Reports suggest that Iran’s ally, the Houthi group in Yemen, has also vowed to support Iran in case of any conflict in the waterway. In the past, Houthi fighters have attacked Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea. The US has increased its military presence in the region, with reports suggesting that it is preparing to deploy approximately 3,000 troops.
The Strait of Hormuz, another critical waterway, has been closed due to tensions between the US, Iran, and Israel, affecting the global oil market. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi met with citizens in Tehran on Friday, urging them to remain calm and expressing his confidence in the country’s military capabilities. The mystery surrounding the death of a police officer’s three-year-old daughter has been solved, with investigations revealing that she was poisoned by her own daughter. Students in Iran have been accused of physical abuse against a professor, with a video showing a student attacking the professor with her shoes.
Iran has accused the US and Israel of waging a “war of aggression” in the region, with the Revolutionary Guard Corps warning that it will not hesitate to take action against any country that threatens its sovereignty. The US has been considering various options to escalate tensions with Iran, including a possible ground invasion. Germany has stated that it will not negotiate a direct agreement with Iran to secure its maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has stated that the Strait of Hormuz is closed to any enemy vessels, while Iranian officials have said that any cooperation with the US would be subject to strict conditions, including technical training in semiconductor technology. India and Vietnam have announced a cut in fuel tax and a moratorium on fuel prices. A former Pakistani cricketer has revealed a fascinating story about how he was given his first chance to play cricket.
Iran has warned social media users about fake accounts spreading false information. An Afghan refugee girl who was kidnapped and raped has had her abductor convicted. A Pakistani cricketer has been banned for violating the central contract.
