For a
Strait of Hormuz by considering permanent taxes and fees, with parliament moving to formalize fees on vessels passing through, per the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Iran War. . . USA Up 2-0 in the First Period
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Strait of Hormuz by considering permanent taxes and fees, with parliament moving to formalize fees on vessels passing through, per the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Someone or some group bought large amounts of stock index futures and sold off large amounts of oil futures just 15 minutes before President Trump posted online that he was halting planned strikes on Iranian power plants. Whoever made the bet “likely” (?) walked away with a massive profit.
Iran is allowing only "non-hostile" foreign vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, strictly defining them as ships not supporting acts of aggression against Iran and not affiliated with the United States or Israel. Eligible ships must coordinate with Iranian authorities and comply with specific safety and security regulations.
The New York Times +2Key details regarding permitted shipping:
- Restricted Access: Vessels linked to the U.S. and Israel are banned.
- Allowed Vessels: Non-hostile ships from countries like India, China, Thailand, and others (e.g., Greece) have been able to pass after engagement with Tehran.
- Conditions: Iran is enforcing strict monitoring and, in some reports, requiring a "toll" or payment for safe passage, Seatrade Maritime News reports.
- Traffic Status: Total traffic has dropped significantly, by roughly 95%, from pre-conflict levels.
- Compliance: Successful passage generally involves ships following strict instructions from Iranian authorities.
BBC +5
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Really? You sure about that?
Reports have indicated Iran charging a fee of $2 million for safe transit of the Strait. This is from your link in post 425.
President Donald Trump will hit Iran harder if Tehran fails to accept that the country has been "defeated militarily," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday?
www.youtube.com
(YouTube & Karoline Leavitt gives full update on Iran war during latest press briefing?)
"President Trump does not bluff (
) and he is prepared to unleash hell (on the global economy?). Iran should not miscalculate again," Leavitt told reporters in a press briefing.
{Analysts note that Trump's unpredictability is intentional, aimed at forcing opponents to overreact or make concessions out of fear that he might not be bluffing. However, this strategy often erodes his credibility over time, particularly when his threats are ignored or not followed through}
Talks with Iran were still under way, Leavitt said. "Talks continue. They are productive, as the president said on Monday, and they continue to be," she added…& thus the threats delivered through Leavitt today then?
apple.news
As of March 25, 2026, Iran has rejected a
U.S. ceasefire proposal and outlined five conditions to end the conflict:
Karoline Leavitt gives full update on Iran war during latest press briefing
Karoline Leavitt provides an update on the Iran war during her latest White House press briefing after nearly two weeks. _______________Follow KBOI on social...
www.youtube.com
"President Trump does not bluff (
) and he is prepared to unleash hell (on the global economy?). Iran should not miscalculate again," Leavitt told reporters in a press briefing.{Analysts note that Trump's unpredictability is intentional, aimed at forcing opponents to overreact or make concessions out of fear that he might not be bluffing. However, this strategy often erodes his credibility over time, particularly when his threats are ignored or not followed through}
"If Iran fails to accept the reality of the current moment, if they fail to understand that they have been defeated militarily, and will continue to be, President Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before," Leavitt said.
Iran is still reviewing a U.S. proposal to end the war, despite an initial response that was negative, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday, indicating that Tehran had so far stopped short of rejecting it outright?
Talks with Iran were still under way, Leavitt said. "Talks continue. They are productive, as the president said on Monday, and they continue to be," she added…& thus the threats delivered through Leavitt today then? Trump to hit Iran harder if Tehran does not accept defeat, White House says — Reuters
President Donald Trump will hit Iran harder if Tehran fails to accept that the country has been "defeated militarily," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday.
Trumps 15 point Ceasefire plan include:??? "They gave us a present and the present arrived today, and it was a very big present, worth a tremendous amount of money," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office???"It wasn't nuclear, it was oil-and gas-related, and it was a very nice thing they did."
- 30-Day Ceasefire: A temporary halt to hostilities for negotiations.
- Dismantle Nuclear Capabilities
ecommissioning nuclear facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow. - Cease Uranium Enrichment: A complete stop to all uranium enrichment activities within Iran.
- Hand Over Stockpiles: Transfer all enriched uranium to the IAEA.
- Permanent Nuclear Commitment: A binding pledge to never develop or seek nuclear weapons.
- IAEA Access: Grant full, unrestricted access to the Atomic Energy Agency to monitor remaining infrastructure.
- Abandon Proxy Model: End the funding and arming of regional proxies (e.g., Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis).
- Regional Stability: Cease attacks on regional energy infrastructure.
- Strait of Hormuz Security: Ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains an open, free maritime zone.
- Missile Limitations: Restrictions on the total number and range of Iran's missiles.
- Defensive Use Only: Limiting the use of any retained missiles strictly to self-defense.
- Sanctions Relief: Lifting all major U.S. and international sanctions on Iran.
- Assistance with Nuclear Projects: U.S. and Israeli support for developing a civilian nuclear project in Bushehr.
- Removal of "Snapback" Threat:Elimination of the mechanism allowing for the automatic reimposition of UN sanctions.
- Diplomatic Normalization: A potential normalization of relations to prevent future conflict.
As of March 25, 2026, Iran has rejected a
U.S. ceasefire proposal and outlined five conditions to end the conflict:
The gift was reported to be Iran allowing several fuel tankers—not linked to the U.S. or Israel—to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz to help calm global markets.??? "They gave us a present and the present arrived today, and it was a very big present, worth a tremendous amount of money," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office???
Not sure how this was a very big present for “us” being the U.S. yesterday but…it is what it is.
As of late March 2026, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has established a de facto "toll booth" for the Strait of Hormuz, requiring certain vessels to use a specific, Iranian-controlled route between Qeshm and Larak islands for "safe passage." While specific company names are often withheld for commercial security reasons, reports indicate over 20 vessels have used this route, with several payments confirmed.
Based on reporting from Lloyd's List and Iran International as of March 23-25, 2026, the following has been identified:
- Confirmed Payment: At least two vessels have been reported as having paid fees to Iran to secure safe passage through this corridor. One fee was reported to be approximately $2 million.
- Vessels/Flag States: The traffic has included vessels from various nations navigating the tense region. While many ships in the corridor are in transit, the traffic specifically utilizing the "toll" route includes ships linked to:
- China (A Chinese boxship was confirmed to have made a transit).
- India (India-flagged LPG carriers).
- Pakistan
- Syria
- Greece (Several Greek-owned ships have used the route).
- Corridor Operations: The route is being used as a "safe passage" by ships to avoid the broader naval confrontations in the Strait. The IRGC operates a registration and vetting system for this route.
- "Zombie" Tankers: The route has been nicknamed the "Tehran Toll Booth" because it has been used by dozens of vessels, including so-called "zombie" tankers (often older, sanctioned tankers masquerading as other vessels), which have utilized the Iranian route to escape the heightened conflict zone elsewhere in the waterway.
Bob's Trophy Shop. Right next to the "Most Improved Junior-High School Outfielder" trophy.
Iran has hardened its stance since the war began, demanding guarantees against future military action, compensation for losses, and formal control of the Strait, Iranian sources say. It also told intermediaries that Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire deal, regional sources said.
apple.news
Even if they happen, any negotiations would likely prove very difficult, given the maximalist positions laid out by both sides.
The president appears ready to shift to his next big challenge, another person who spoke to him recently said, though Trump didn’t say what that might be. Some allies are hopeful he can pivot to ousting the communist regime in Cuba, while close advisers want him to focus on the most pressing issue facing voters: concerns about the cost of living, which have been exacerbated by the current war.
apple.news
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday that Iran must accept defeat.
apple.news
A 15-point U.S. proposal to end the conflict, sent to Iran via Pakistan, includes demands ranging from dismantling Iran's nuclear programme and curbing its missiles to effectively handing over control of the Strait of Hormuz, according to sources and reports.
Iran says US ceasefire plan under review but there are no negotiations — Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran was desperate for a deal to end nearly four weeks of fighting, contradicting the Iranian foreign minister who said Tehran was reviewing a U.S. proposal but had no intention of holding talks to wind down the war.
The president appears ready to shift to his next big challenge, another person who spoke to him recently said, though Trump didn’t say what that might be. Some allies are hopeful he can pivot to ousting the communist regime in Cuba, while close advisers want him to focus on the most pressing issue facing voters: concerns about the cost of living, which have been exacerbated by the current war.
Trump Tells Aides He Wants Speedy End to Iran War — The Wall Street Journal
President has said he wants to wrap up the conflict in the coming weeks
Tehran issues warning to regional neighbour if Iranian island occupied — Al Jazeera
Iran's parliament speaker issues threat as US administration talks peace while committing more troops to conflict.
Iran has hardened its stance since the war began, demanding guarantees against future military action, compensation for losses, and formal control of the Strait, Iranian sources say. It also told intermediaries that Lebanon must be included in any ceasefire deal, regional sources said.
A 15-point U.S. proposal to end the conflict, sent to Iran via Pakistan, includes demands ranging from dismantling Iran's nuclear programme and curbing its missiles to effectively handing over control of the Strait of Hormuz, according to sources and reports.
Even if they happen, any negotiations would likely prove very difficult, given the maximalist positions laid out by both sides.Iran says US ceasefire plan under review but there are no negotiations — Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran was desperate for a deal to end nearly four weeks of fighting, contradicting the Iranian foreign minister who said Tehran was reviewing a U.S. proposal but had no intention of holding talks to wind down the war.
The president appears ready to shift to his next big challenge, another person who spoke to him recently said, though Trump didn’t say what that might be. Some allies are hopeful he can pivot to ousting the communist regime in Cuba, while close advisers want him to focus on the most pressing issue facing voters: concerns about the cost of living, which have been exacerbated by the current war.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Wednesday that Iran must accept defeat.Trump Tells Aides He Wants Speedy End to Iran War — The Wall Street Journal
President has said he wants to wrap up the conflict in the coming weeks
Tehran issues warning to regional neighbour if Iranian island occupied — Al Jazeera
Iran's parliament speaker issues threat as US administration talks peace while committing more troops to conflict.
Winning!
Iran, Hezbollah fire relentless missile barrages at Israel, killing one
אחת מזירות הפגיעה בנהריה, היום
Israel kills Iran's navy chief as Tehran reportedly responds to U.S. cease-fire proposal
Israel may soon implement a pre-prepared plan to shift the nature of its strikes in Iran to expedite achieving war objectives, amid concerns that President Trump could announce a one-month cease-fire. The move follows PM Netanyahu's order on Tuesday to ramp up strikes on Iran's weapons stockpiles, according to two Israeli sources who spoke with The New York Times.
■ Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Thursday that the IDF had killed Iran's navy chief. Netanyahu described the commander as having "a lot of blood on his hands" and said he "led the closure of the Strait of Hormuz," characterizing the assassination as "an example of the cooperation between us and our friend the United States."
■ At the time of writing, Iran had launched nine missile barrages at Israel since morning, including what the IDF believes were three cluster munitions, sending residents in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the West Bank, and across central and northern Israel into shelters, causing damage and wounding several.
■ Iran formally delivered its official response to a 15-point U.S. proposal via mediators, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, citing an informed source. Iran is reportedly seeking compensation for war damages, control over the Strait of Hormuz, and guarantees the war will not recur.
■ President Trump, meanwhile, told reporters that Iran was "begging to make a deal," adding that the strait could open if he could "make the right deal." Responding later in the day to claims he was "desperate" for an agreement, Trump said he was "the opposite of desperate," adding, "I don't care." He also said that the eight oil tankers making their way through the Strait of Hormuz was a sign that Iran was serious about reaching a deal. At the same time, his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said Iran was "looking for an off-ramp" and that there are "strong signs" the U.S. can convince Tehran to reach a deal.
■ The Pentagon is preparing four key options to deliver a "final blow" to Iran that would give the U.S. leverage in the talks with Tehran or give President Trump an off-ramp, Axios reported, citing U.S. officials and two sources privy to the matter.
■ The war's reverberations are also being felt in Gaza, where the "political fog" prevailing in the region due to the war – particularly concerning Iran's regional proxies – has made it difficult for Hamas to decide on the disarmament proposal from Trump's Board of Peace, according to Hamas sources and Palestinian factions who spoke with Haaretz.
Netanyahu hoped to share in the success of a joint U.S.-Israel war in Iran. But he seems not to have imagined that the world's most powerful military might fail to achieve its objectives – nor that Israel will be forced to reckon with the consequences of this failure, to bear responsibility for it, to pay the price, in a way that the United States will not, and never will, writes Joshua Leifer
טקס הלווייה של סמ"ר אורי גרינברג, היום
Israeli soldier killed in southern Lebanon; Hezbollah strike kills man in northern Israel
Israeli soldier Ori Greenberg was killed in a gunfight with several militants in southern Lebanon overnight into Thursday, becoming the third IDF soldier to have been killed there since the Iran war began.
■ Hezbollah launched dozens of missiles and mortar shells into Israel throughout the day on Thursday, with one strike on the northern Israeli city of Nahariya killing one person and wounding three others, one of them seriously. In Safed, an 11-year-old girl was left in serious condition after suffering cardiac arrest during a missile barrage.
■ A day after PM Netanyahu said that Israel was creating "a larger buffer zone" in southern Lebanon, the IDF ordered all residents residing south of the Zahrani River to immediately evacuate northward, warning that remaining or moving south "may endanger your lives."
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| Under fire. Fully covered | Unlock Haaretz for real-time reporting & analysis
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פותחת
Far-right lawmaker defends killing of Palestinian family as 15 East Jerusalem families evicted
A Palestinian man was killed on Tuesday and three others were wounded – one by live fire – during an Israeli army pursuit of vehicles transporting workers in the West Bank's southern Hebron Hills, according to the Red Crescent. Footage from the scene appears to show vehicles driving away from what seemed to be a military checkpoint and fleeing into an open area.
■ Israeli lawmaker Yitzhak Kroizer of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party told the Knesset on Wednesday that "there are no innocent civilians, no innocent children in Jenin." His remarks came after a Palestinian family with two children was gunned down by Israeli forces in the West Bank earlier this month. Defending the soldiers involved, Kroizer said he stands behind IDF soldiers, "even if the collateral damage includes children or women."
■ Meanwhile in East Jerusalem, 15 Palestinian families were evicted from their homes in Silwan on Tuesday and Wednesday after a prolonged legal struggle. Their apartments were transferred to a right-wing organization dedicated to establishing a Jewish presence in East Jerusalem's Palestinian neighborhoods. Israeli human rights group B'Tselem described the evictions as "ethnic cleansing" that took place "under the cover of the Israeli-American attack in Iran."
Are the rights of the women and children in the occupied territories in better shape than those of the women and children in Tehran? The Iranian security forces fire at citizens who demonstrate against a despotic government. The residents of the West Bank don't dare to go out into the streets. They've learned that even a video on TikTok can lead to arrest – Akiva Eldar
אחת מזירות הפגיעה בנהריה, היום
Israel kills Iran's navy chief as Tehran reportedly responds to U.S. cease-fire proposal
Israel may soon implement a pre-prepared plan to shift the nature of its strikes in Iran to expedite achieving war objectives, amid concerns that President Trump could announce a one-month cease-fire. The move follows PM Netanyahu's order on Tuesday to ramp up strikes on Iran's weapons stockpiles, according to two Israeli sources who spoke with The New York Times.
■ Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Thursday that the IDF had killed Iran's navy chief. Netanyahu described the commander as having "a lot of blood on his hands" and said he "led the closure of the Strait of Hormuz," characterizing the assassination as "an example of the cooperation between us and our friend the United States."
■ At the time of writing, Iran had launched nine missile barrages at Israel since morning, including what the IDF believes were three cluster munitions, sending residents in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the West Bank, and across central and northern Israel into shelters, causing damage and wounding several.
■ Iran formally delivered its official response to a 15-point U.S. proposal via mediators, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, citing an informed source. Iran is reportedly seeking compensation for war damages, control over the Strait of Hormuz, and guarantees the war will not recur.
■ President Trump, meanwhile, told reporters that Iran was "begging to make a deal," adding that the strait could open if he could "make the right deal." Responding later in the day to claims he was "desperate" for an agreement, Trump said he was "the opposite of desperate," adding, "I don't care." He also said that the eight oil tankers making their way through the Strait of Hormuz was a sign that Iran was serious about reaching a deal. At the same time, his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, said Iran was "looking for an off-ramp" and that there are "strong signs" the U.S. can convince Tehran to reach a deal.
■ The Pentagon is preparing four key options to deliver a "final blow" to Iran that would give the U.S. leverage in the talks with Tehran or give President Trump an off-ramp, Axios reported, citing U.S. officials and two sources privy to the matter.
■ The war's reverberations are also being felt in Gaza, where the "political fog" prevailing in the region due to the war – particularly concerning Iran's regional proxies – has made it difficult for Hamas to decide on the disarmament proposal from Trump's Board of Peace, according to Hamas sources and Palestinian factions who spoke with Haaretz.
Netanyahu hoped to share in the success of a joint U.S.-Israel war in Iran. But he seems not to have imagined that the world's most powerful military might fail to achieve its objectives – nor that Israel will be forced to reckon with the consequences of this failure, to bear responsibility for it, to pay the price, in a way that the United States will not, and never will, writes Joshua Leifer
טקס הלווייה של סמ"ר אורי גרינברג, היום
Israeli soldier killed in southern Lebanon; Hezbollah strike kills man in northern Israel
Israeli soldier Ori Greenberg was killed in a gunfight with several militants in southern Lebanon overnight into Thursday, becoming the third IDF soldier to have been killed there since the Iran war began.
■ Hezbollah launched dozens of missiles and mortar shells into Israel throughout the day on Thursday, with one strike on the northern Israeli city of Nahariya killing one person and wounding three others, one of them seriously. In Safed, an 11-year-old girl was left in serious condition after suffering cardiac arrest during a missile barrage.
■ A day after PM Netanyahu said that Israel was creating "a larger buffer zone" in southern Lebanon, the IDF ordered all residents residing south of the Zahrani River to immediately evacuate northward, warning that remaining or moving south "may endanger your lives."
podcast icon
| Under fire. Fully covered | Unlock Haaretz for real-time reporting & analysis
Subscribe Now
פותחת
Far-right lawmaker defends killing of Palestinian family as 15 East Jerusalem families evicted
A Palestinian man was killed on Tuesday and three others were wounded – one by live fire – during an Israeli army pursuit of vehicles transporting workers in the West Bank's southern Hebron Hills, according to the Red Crescent. Footage from the scene appears to show vehicles driving away from what seemed to be a military checkpoint and fleeing into an open area.
■ Israeli lawmaker Yitzhak Kroizer of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party told the Knesset on Wednesday that "there are no innocent civilians, no innocent children in Jenin." His remarks came after a Palestinian family with two children was gunned down by Israeli forces in the West Bank earlier this month. Defending the soldiers involved, Kroizer said he stands behind IDF soldiers, "even if the collateral damage includes children or women."
■ Meanwhile in East Jerusalem, 15 Palestinian families were evicted from their homes in Silwan on Tuesday and Wednesday after a prolonged legal struggle. Their apartments were transferred to a right-wing organization dedicated to establishing a Jewish presence in East Jerusalem's Palestinian neighborhoods. Israeli human rights group B'Tselem described the evictions as "ethnic cleansing" that took place "under the cover of the Israeli-American attack in Iran."
Are the rights of the women and children in the occupied territories in better shape than those of the women and children in Tehran? The Iranian security forces fire at citizens who demonstrate against a despotic government. The residents of the West Bank don't dare to go out into the streets. They've learned that even a video on TikTok can lead to arrest – Akiva Eldar
?????
?????
?????
?????
????"President Trump does not bluff (
President Trump said he was pausing strikes on Iran’s energy sector for 10 more days, to April 6, so peace negotiations can take place. Trump’s previous deadline was Friday (& Monday before that).
Peace talk mediators said Iran didn’t ask for the additional time. Trump said the extension was at Iran’s request.
Iran allowed several Pakistan-flagged oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a gesture Trump called a “present” to the U.S. that shows Iran’s leaders are serious about negotiating? Really? At what tax/fee to Pakistan per ship/transit? That’s just shoring up Irans claim to total control of the Strait of Hormuz…& some further pocket money (folding, not jingling).
Pentagon Weighs Sending 10,000 More Ground Troops to the Middle East — The Wall Street Journal
President Trump earlier said he was pausing strikes on Iran’s energy sector for 10 more days, to April 6, so peace negotiations can take place.
Pakistan shares a 900km border in its south-west with Iran, and also deep historical, cultural and religious links.
Iran was the first country to recognise Pakistan after its independence in 1947. Pakistan returned the favour after the 1979 revolution.
They cooperated against Moscow during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.
Cross-border militant activity in the Balochistan region is a concern for both.
But Pakistan also represents some Iranian diplomatic interests in Washington, where Tehran has no embassy.
It is home to the world’s second-largest Shia Muslim population after Iran.
Worded my question “slightly differently” to Google AI asking if Pakistan was “Exempt” from the Tehran Toll Booth, & got this reply. Garbage in, garbage out.
Based on reports from March 2026, Pakistan is not explicitly exempt from the "Tehran Toll Booth" system, but rather appears to be considered a "friendly" nation allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after direct negotiations with Iran, often bypassing the hefty $2 million fee imposed on other, less friendly nations…so???