An Iranian official has told state media that Tehran has a “natural and legal right” to control the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US 15-point peace plan. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s busiest oil shipping channels, and tensions in the region have escalated following Israel’s killing of Iranian navy chief Alireza Tangsiri.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Tangsiri was “directly responsible” for effectively blocking the strait. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the killing “yet another example” of close US-Israel coordination.
Meanwhile, global oil markets are feeling the impact. A policy group reported that the blockade is “raising costs, weighing on demand and adding to inflationary pressures” worldwide.
US President Donald Trump stated that Iran has been “militarily obliterated” and claimed Iranian negotiators are “begging” to reach a deal, although Iran denies that talks are ongoing.
The region continues to face instability, with missile attacks targeting Israel, Iran, and Lebanon. Two people in Abu Dhabi were killed by debris from an intercepted missile, believed to have originated from Iran.
