Di US blockade for Iran ports don start as President Donald Trump warn say any Iranian “fast attack ships” wey try come close go dey “eliminated” immediately. Di blockade begin by 10:00 ET (14:00 GMT) as Trump talk for social media. Iran parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf don talk say dem no go surrender under threat, but Iran no reply Trump latest warning yet.
UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) don issue advisory warn ships for di area say dem fit see military presence and right-of-visit procedures. Di advisory talk say ships for Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Arabian Sea east of Strait of Hormuz go face restrictions. UKMTO talk say dem dey develop more specific guidance for routing and verification.
Trump for him post for Truth Social talk say Iran Navy don dey bottom of sea with 158 ships don destroy. Him warn say if any of di small “fast attack ships” come near di blockade, dem go use di same system wey dem dey use kill drug dealers for sea. US don carry out dozens of lethal strikes for alleged drug boats for Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean since September, kill over 130 alleged smugglers.
Satellite imagery from Saturday show USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier dey eastern edge of Gulf of Oman, about 200km south of Iranian coast. Two other warships wey resemble US Navy guided-missile destroyers dey nearby. Dis na di closest di nuclear-powered warship don dey to Gulf since war start.
For Lebanon, fighting dey continue despite ceasefire between US and Iran. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) talk say dem intercept over 10 missiles wey launch from Lebanon at Israel since morning. IDF talk say dem dey expand operations for south Lebanon and close to capture Hezbollah stronghold of Bint Jbeil.
Lebanon health ministry raise death toll to 2,089 people, including 166 children, since 2 March. Additional 6,762 people don injured. Footage show severe damage to building for small southern Lebanese town of Sir el-Gharbiya after Israeli strike. Israel talk say dem hit Lebanon 100 times for just 10 minutes.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer talk for Parliament say US-Iran ceasefire agreement “undeniably welcome” but Lebanon must dey included under terms. Him talk say Strait of Hormuz don become “running sore” wey Iran “shamefully exploited.” Starmer talk say dozens of countries go convene summit later dis week on situation for di vital waterway.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif talk say efforts dey ongoing to resolve conflict between US and Iran after weekend negotiations for Islamabad fail reach deal. Him talk say ceasefire still dey hold and full efforts dey under way to resolve outstanding issues.
Pope Leo respond to criticism from Trump, talk say him get “no intention to debate” di war with US president. Trump don accuse di pontiff of being “terrible for foreign policy” and talk say Pope Leo should focus on being “Great Pope, not Politician.” Pope talk say him “not afraid of Trump administration” and go continue speak out for peace.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen talk say EU bill for fossil fuel imports don rise by over €22bn since war begin 44 days ago. Him talk say freedom of navigation for Strait of Hormuz na “paramount importance” and robust coordination between EU states dey needed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talk say Israel support US naval blockade of Iranian ports. Him talk say him speak with US Vice-President JD Vance on Sunday after talks with Iran. Vance tell Netanyahu say central issue na removal of all enriched nuclear material and ensure no more enrichment.
US Central Command (Centcom) note to seafarers talk say blockade encompass “entirety of Iranian coastline” including ports and oil terminals. Di note warn say vessels entering or departing blockaded area without authorization go face interception, diversion, and capture. Humanitarian shipments like food and medical supplies go dey allowed subject to inspection.
BBC Verify track 392 vessels transiting Strait of Hormuz since war start on 28 February using data from MarineTraffic. Energy industry experts warn say vessels likely dey use spoofing or turn off Automatic Identification System (AIS) to evade restrictions, similar to tactics used during US blockade on Venezuela.
White House reporters dey broadcast from driveway since early morning as deadline approach. Trump official schedule show all events dey closed today, including dinner with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima of Netherlands. Oil prices don surge past $100 per barrel, and prolonged high prices fit upset US electorate wey dey concerned about high prices.
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