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US President Donald Trump has instructed his advisors to prepare for a prolonged blockade against Iran, according to a report by an American newspaper. Trump reportedly stated that the US should continue to apply pressure on Iran’s economy and oil exports. He also instructed his advisors to prevent shipping from entering and exiting Iranian ports, with bombing or withdrawing from the conflict being a more dangerous option than a blockade. Trump claimed that Iran has demanded the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz.
It is worth noting that CNN reported earlier that Trump had hinted that he would not accept the latest proposals made by Iran to bring an end to the conflict. According to the report, Iran has proposed a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and put the country’s nuclear program on the backburner. This comes after a report that the first LNG shipment to leave the Strait of Hormuz in two months had successfully passed through the waterway.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has arrested 13 individuals accused of being part of an international smuggling network. The report also states that the UAE has made a significant decision to withdraw from OPEC, citing both economic and strategic reasons. The primary reason for this decision is the large-scale supply of oil to Japan.
The Global Confrontation Fleet, also known as the “Flotilla of Resolve,” has arrived off the coast of Greece to help break the blockade in the Gaza Strip. An American female journalist shared a video on social media of her encounter with protesters during the visit of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to the US Congress.
The European Parliament has defined the concept of a consensual relationship between men and women, stating that any relationship without consent is considered a form of violence or rape. The committee is also discussing the US government’s proposed defense budget of $1.5 trillion for the next fiscal year.
The US Department of State has announced that it will make the new Global Entry program available this summer, with no additional fees for citizens. The program was suspended after an attack on an American refinery in April, which resulted in damage to three units.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has reassured the public that Germany’s relations with the US are good, and that the conflict in the Middle East is far from over. The value of the Iranian rial has hit an all-time low against the US dollar, according to currency tracking websites.
The Pentagon has admitted that the US is vulnerable to new missile threats, stating that the country lacks effective defensive capabilities. A White House spokesperson stated that President Trump will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.
In a separate incident, a man was arrested in London on suspicion of stabbing two Jewish men. The incident has sparked a controversy, with the Iranian embassy in London being accused of making inflammatory remarks. The British government has summoned the Iranian ambassador to discuss the matter.
The IMF’s report on Pakistan has been dismissed as baseless by the Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau, stating that the IMF would never clear Pakistan. The chairman also claimed that the 3-month long legal battle against the IMF was a record in Pakistan’s history.
