Iran War. . . USA Up 2-0 in the First Period

[Ron in Regina]

Since when do Iranians eat corn and soy?

Aren’t corn & soy (& wheat) Halal? Especially American corn & soy? Doesn’t Trump realize America’s pork producers are also gonna vote in the midterms?Maybe Iran can take the excess bourbon that Canada isn’t buying?

Trump ⁠on Tuesday said the funds that the U.S. Treasury is releasing will go into escrow under U.S. control and will be used to buy food ⁠and medical supplies exclusively from the United States, including corn, wheat, and soybeans.

Can you imagine being Vance at these meetings over in Switzerland? With the timezone difference, JD can be at the negotiating table while Trump is doing his 3am tweets on Truth Social while punching out that days Micky-D’s lunch from earlier.

 

[petros]

At 60% concentration? Don’t they use 3-5% for their nuclear reactors? Anyway, the U.S. Senate voted to limit President Trump’s ability to conduct military operations against Iran without congressional authorization after four Republicans joined with Democrats in a stinging rebuke to Trump a week after he signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran.

Good.

In the spirit of closing the barn door after…the resolution passed by the Senate Tuesday afternoon, in a 50-48 vote, directs the president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress, other than to defend America, an ally or partner from “imminent attack.”

Senate Passes Resolution Directing Trump to End Hostilities With Iran — The Wall Street Journal

Rebuke comes a week after the president signed framework with Tehran

apple.news

You have noticed that I’m not exactly a Trump fanboy? If not….well, I’m not. I know it’s subtle but…

I've noticed. I'm in the same boat.

I concur with your assessment of the situation.

It's been ongoing for a a decade or two.

Can I safely assume the above didn’t happen? Anyway, the House passed the same resolution on June 3, in a 215-208 vote, with four Republicans joining Democrats in support. The agreement announced by Trump earlier this month involves lifting the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and setting the stage for extended talks on Iran’s nuclear program, administration officials have said, and it’s going swimmingly.

It wasn't necessary when I've know this for forty some odd years.
Context and Purpose
During the late 1940s and early Cold War, the US sought to secure strategic access in the Middle East to counter potential Soviet expansion, particularly amid concerns over oil resources, regional influence, and long-range bombing capabilities. The US built and operated Dhahran Airfield (in eastern Saudi Arabia, near the Persian Gulf) starting in the mid-1940s.322a3f

WWII origins with Cold War pivot: Originally planned as a staging point for Lend-Lease aid to the Soviet Union and operations against Japan, the base was completed too late for major WWII use. Post-1945, it gained importance for containing Soviet influence. By 1949, it was one of the few airfields in the region capable of supporting US B-29 bombers, serving as a forward position roughly 1,000 miles from the Soviet border.76d2da

Strategic role: It supported US containment strategy by providing a foothold for potential operations, intelligence, and deterrence against Soviet moves into the Gulf or toward key oil fields. This aligned with broader US efforts (e.g., Truman Doctrine, alliances) to prevent Soviet footholds in the region.0c5bce

Agreement details: The US operated it under agreements with Saudi Arabia (initially post-WWII leases), paying rent while Saudi ownership was retained. It was a key early US military presence in the Arabian Peninsula. The pact ended in 1962 under King Saud.254b15

Other Relevant US Facilities
The US had limited permanent major bases in the Middle East proper during most of the Cold War (unlike in Europe or Asia), focusing instead on access, partnerships, and limited facilities to avoid overcommitment while countering Soviet influence:69107c

Incirlik Air Base (Turkey): Established in the early 1950s as part of NATO; primarily oriented northward against the Soviet Union/Warsaw Pact but later supported Middle East operations.

Bahrain (Juffair/Naval Support Activity): Longstanding US naval presence (from the 1940s onward), used for Gulf operations.

Other sites included listening posts in Iran or temporary access elsewhere, but nothing as directly matching a "preempt the Soviets" base narrative as Dhahran in the core Arab Gulf region.b9320c

Broader US policy emphasized alliances (e.g., Baghdad Pact/CENTO), aid, and denial strategies (like oil facility sabotage plans if Soviets invaded) over large permanent bases until later decades.5c1771

This fits the "curtail Soviets from doing so first" motive: securing a strategic airfield in a vital oil-rich area before Soviet influence could expand there.

US concerns were heightened by events like the 1946 Iran crisis (Soviet troops in northern Iran) and general containment doctrine.

“The measure that passed both the Senate and House this month is a “concurrent resolution,” which isn’t sent to the president for his veto or signature.
View attachment 34870The view of most legal scholars is that the resolution wouldn’t be binding as a result of a Supreme Court ruling in the 1980s, which found that such “concurrent resolutions” are unconstitutional legislative vetoes, said Brian Finucane, a senior adviser with the U.S. Program at the International Crisis Group.” I wonder what Trump’s Blanche will have to say about this?

Everyone is pissed off over being roped into this mess on behalf off Israel.

Don't shocked if someone steps in to get Israel out of Lebanon. Enough is enough. Greater Israel isn't going to happen.

 

[petros]

Aren’t corn & soy (& wheat) Halal? Especially American corn & soy? Doesn’t Trump realize America’s pork producers are also gonna vote in the midterms?Maybe Iran can take the excess bourbon that Canada isn’t buying?

What does Halal have to do with it? Is the throat of corn cut gently after a blessing?

Halal is mainly meats.Halal isnt like the Kosher scam we all pay for at the check out on anything and everything.

And again Trump is full of shit.

Iran imports virtually all of its domestic livestock feed corn, making it one of the top 15 corn importers globally. The country relies heavily on Brazil for the vast majority of its supply, with secondary volumes imported from Romania, Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Georgia.

Iran’s wheat sector is heavily regulated, with production typically meeting the majority of the nation's domestic demand.

Iran imports over $1B of soybeans annually, relying primarily on Brazil and Canada(canola sunflower semolina flax) to meet domestic demand for edible vegetable oil and poultry feed. While Iran produces some soy locally—mostly in the Golestan and Mazandaran provinces—it is heavily dependent on international suppliers

International Supply Trends: In the first half of 2026, Iran emerged as one of the largest buyers of Brazilian soybean meal. However, its imports of raw soybeans from Brazil have trended at a five-year low as the country pivots towards processed soy

Can you imagine being Vance at these meetings over in Switzerland? With the timezone difference, JD can be at the negotiating table while Trump is doing his 3am tweets on Truth Social while punching out that days Micky-D’s lunch from earlier.

Imagine being Kushner who is hated by Persian and Arabs. He shouldn't be there same goes for Witkoff, he's a retard to so yeah I wouldn't want be Vance

 

[spaminator]

American pilot rescued from Iran crash saw 'jellyfish' drone swarm: 'Real alien s***'
The pilot told officials he saw 'multiple drones interconnected and moving as one'

Author of the article:Eddie Chau
Published Jun 23, 2026 • Last updated 14 hours ago • 2 minute read

This handout photo provided by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official website Sepah News on April 5, 2026 reportedly shows the wreckage and remains of a crashed aircraft in central Iran. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said a U.S. aircraft that had been searching for the crew member of a missing U.S. fighter jet had been destroyed, Iranian media reported on April 5.
This photo provided by Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official website Sepah News on April 5, 2026 shows the wreckage of a crashed aircraft in central Iran. Iran's Revolutionary Guards said a U.S. aircraft that had been searching for the crew member of a missing U.S. fighter jet had been destroyed. Photo by SEPAH NEWS /AFP via Getty Images

An American F-15 pilot who was rescued after being shot down in Iran in April said the Iranian drones that swarmed his plane looked like a “jellyfish” formation before he ejected.


On April 3, Iranian military attacked an F-15E Strike Eagle carrying the pilot and a weapons-system officer. The pilot was rescued hours after ejecting while the other crew member evaded capture for more than a day before being recovered by U.S. forces.

In a report published by CNN, the pilot claimed during a debriefing with U.S. intelligence officials that he saw a drone formation that looked like a jellyfish.

‘Interconnected and moving as one’
The pilot told officials he saw “multiple drones interconnected and moving as one with smaller drones below the bigger drones like legs.”

“Real alien s***,” he said, per CNN.

The jellyfish-like manoeuvre suggested a development in Iran’s ability to use drones in large quantities while in battle.

The exact cause of the American F-15 jet to go down is still being investigated, CNN reported. The news outlet’s sources stated it’s possible the jellyfish formation enabled Iran to take down the jet.


CNN said it was not clear if the weapons systems officer also saw the drone formation.

Intelligence officials who debriefed the pilot disagreed on whether he could recall the incident clearly after getting a concussion in the crash, according to CNN.

Iran claims new air defence system
The Khatam al-Anbiya joint military command from Iran said the day of the shoot-down that it had created a new air defence system that was used to target the U.S. fighter jet with three drones and two cruise missiles.

“The enemy should know that we rely on new air-defence systems built by the young, knowledgeable, and proud people of this country, unveiling them one after another in the field,” a military spokesperson said at the time.

After being shot down, American military launched a multi-sourced rescue mission to recover the missing officer, whom officials said only had a handgun to defend himself while in Iran. He was rescued by two military helicopters the same day, CBS News reported.

The outlet reported the CIA had launched a campaign to spread fake information that the airman had already been found and recovered.

Two days later, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the second airman had been recovered and deemed “safe and sound” and was “just fine” despite sustaining injuries.

Missing U.S. crew member from downed fighter jet rescued in Iran, Trump says

A U.S. crew member who went missing when an F-15E fighter jet was shot down over a remote area of Iran has been rescued by U.S. forces.

cbsnews.com

http://cnn.com/2026/06/23/politics/iran-drones-f-15-pilot-intelligence

American pilot rescued from Iran crash saw 'jellyfish' drone swarm: 'Real alien s***'

The pilot described to U.S. intelligence officials during a debriefing that he saw a drone formation that looked like a jellyfish. Read on.

torontosun.com

 

[Ron in Regina]

Donald Trump has claimed that Americans are “demanding” $80bn to keep funding the war in Iran. Asked by a journalist if Americans support this when “so many are financially struggling”, Mr Trump denied this. “Not only do they support it, they demand it because they won’t allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”

Trump claims Americans are ‘demanding’ $80bn more for his war with Iran — The Independent

Donald Trump has claimed that Americans are “demanding” $80bn to keep funding the war in Iran.

apple.news

Trump says Iran has told US no tolls being sought at Strait of Hormuz — Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran has told the United States ‌that no tolls were being sought from ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.

apple.news

Trump claims Iran has assured U.S. there won't be tolls on the Strait of Hormuz — CNBC

There will be no tolls, insurance costs, or charges of any kind for ships looking to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said.

apple.news

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran had informed him there would be no tolls, insurance costs, or charges of any kind for ships looking to pass through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz…for the first 60 days??? Under the MOU, both sides agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz toll-free for at least 60 days.

 

[petros]

View attachment 34871
Donald Trump has claimed that Americans are “demanding” $80bn to keep funding the war in Iran. Asked by a journalist if Americans support this when “so many are financially struggling”, Mr Trump denied this. “Not only do they support it, they demand it because they won’t allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”

Trump claims Americans are ‘demanding’ $80bn more for his war with Iran — The Independent

Donald Trump has claimed that Americans are “demanding” $80bn to keep funding the war in Iran.

apple.news

Trump says Iran has told US no tolls being sought at Strait of Hormuz — Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran has told the United States ‌that no tolls were being sought from ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.

apple.news

Trump claims Iran has assured U.S. there won't be tolls on the Strait of Hormuz — CNBC

There will be no tolls, insurance costs, or charges of any kind for ships looking to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said.

apple.news

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran had informed him there would be no tolls, insurance costs, or charges of any kind for ships looking to pass through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz…for the first 60 days??? Under the MOU, both sides agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz toll-free for at least 60 days.

Sounding more and more like Netanyahu everyday.

 

[Ron in Regina]

Sounding more and more like Netanyahu everyday.

US-Iran deal may leave Netanyahu as biggest casualty — Reuters

The biggest casualty of the U.S.-Iran deal may not be Israel's Iran strategy, but the political brand Benjamin Netanyahu spent decades constructing as the Israeli leader who could uniquely bend Washington to his will on Iran, analysts, former U.S. officials and diplomats say.

apple.news

“The proposed peace deal has been met with scepticism in the Middle East, where many states came under attack from Iran during the war and view the accord ‌as too generous ⁠to Tehran, including a $300 billion fund and the waiver of some sanctions.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on a tour of the region to try to allay concerns, held a working lunch on Wednesday with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other senior figures.

Rubio is also visiting Kuwait and Bahrain. Both nations host strategic U.S. military bases, and both were hit by an onslaught of Iranian missiles, resulting in civilian deaths and a heavy economic toll.

Trump said on Tuesday that unfrozen funds would be used to buy medical supplies and food from the U.S., supporting American farmers. Iran disputed this.

Israel insists on troops in southern Lebanon as Rubio defends Iran deal in Middle East — Reuters

Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.

apple.news

Trump, who is under political pressure from some hardliners in the Republican Party who also see the deal as soft on Iran, said on Wednesday the U.S. had been told by Iran there would be no tolls.

Gulf states are expected to push ⁠for no transit fees, but Iran could propose environmental, navigation and security fees, etc…

 

[petros]

US-Iran deal may leave Netanyahu as biggest casualty — Reuters

The biggest casualty of the U.S.-Iran deal may not be Israel's Iran strategy, but the political brand Benjamin Netanyahu spent decades constructing as the Israeli leader who could uniquely bend Washington to his will on Iran, analysts, former U.S. officials and diplomats say.

apple.news

“The proposed peace deal has been met with scepticism in the Middle East, where many states came under attack from Iran during the war and view the accord ‌as too generous ⁠to Tehran, including a $300 billion fund and the waiver of some sanctions.
View attachment 34872
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on a tour of the region to try to allay concerns, held a working lunch on Wednesday with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and other senior figures.

Rubio is also visiting Kuwait and Bahrain. Both nations host strategic U.S. military bases, and both were hit by an onslaught of Iranian missiles, resulting in civilian deaths and a heavy economic toll.

Trump said on Tuesday that unfrozen funds would be used to buy medical supplies and food from the U.S., supporting American farmers. Iran disputed this.

Israel insists on troops in southern Lebanon as Rubio defends Iran deal in Middle East — Reuters

Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.

apple.news

Trump, who is under political pressure from some hardliners in the Republican Party who also see the deal as soft on Iran, said on Wednesday the U.S. had been told by Iran there would be no tolls.

Gulf states are expected to push ⁠for no transit fees, but Iran could propose environmental, navigation and security fees, etc…

As I've been saying Israel doesn't want peace and they want Lebanon for Greater Israel.

The Nazis said "we need Liebensraum or Germany will wither and die". Zionists use "we need this land to defend ourselves or Israel will die".

Or do they need the offshore gas field like the one off the shores of Gaza? $80B. wouldn't that come in handy to rebuild what was lost to Iranian missiles? The last volley cost them an airbase.

 

[Ron in Regina]

I know I could use $80 billion dollars if I could find it down the couch cushions or something. The head of the global nuclear watchdog has said it will carry out inspections in Iran under the country's preliminary peace agreement with the US.

However, Iran's deputy foreign minister said access to its damaged nuclear facilities and nuclear material would only be addressed within the framework of a final deal with the US. These folks can’t even agree upon what they agree upon or don’t agree upon. In recent days (since 2018), there has been a dispute between the US and Iran over the issue of UN nuclear inspectors visiting sites in the country.

“Before the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran on 28 February, the IAEA reported that Iran had 440kg (970 lbs) of uranium that was enriched up to 60% purity, which is near weapons grade. That would theoretically be enough, if enriched to 90%, for as many as 10 bombs.

Most commercial nuclear reactors require uranium enriched to 3% to 5% of the fissile isotope U-235. However, next-generation advanced reactors and small modular reactors are being designed to use High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU), which is enriched between 5% and 19.75%. Iran insists its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful and that it would never seek to develop or acquire nuclear weapons.

UN nuclear chief says inspectors will visit Iran sites as part of war deal — BBC News

Rafael Grossi says the IAEA is "working on modalities" but an Iranian minister says such access would only be part of a final deal with the US.

apple.news

Don’t they use 3-5% for their nuclear reactors?

 

[Ron in Regina]

“U.S. and Iranian officials are publicly disputing the future of international nuclear inspections, and technical experts from both countries are trying to hammer out what will happen to Iran’s enriched uranium and its chokehold over oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil tankers pass the Strait of Hormuz despite Iran threats as traffic slowly picks up and oil prices fall — NBC News

The U.S. and Iran have been engaged in public disputes over the terms of their interim deal, fueling continued uncertainty about the future of the crucial waterway even as oil prices fall.

apple.news

Most Americans do not expect the ceasefire to last and said the war has not been worth the cost, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos survey. The president’s popularity dropped to a second-term low in the poll as voters soured on his handling of the economy and the war worsened inflation.”

Trump drew cheers Wednesday for promising that gasoline prices would soon return to $2.50 a gallon or less.

“The event was originally planned as a concert but musicians dropped out, citing security concerns and divisiveness. Onstage, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy called them “those libtards who canceled on us.”

In their place, Trump said he would turn the celebration into a “rally to end all rallies” (though he’s holding another one next week). Bands from the Marine Corps and the Army performed Trump rally playlist standards such as “Real American” and “Gloria.””

“An announcer introduced House Speaker Mike Johnson, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and other Cabinet members to the electric riff of “Pinball Wizard.” FBI Director Kash Patel’s girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, performed the national anthem. The Marine musicians sat stone-faced behind the president as he spoke about his tax cuts and renovations around Washington.”

As Trump kicks off state fair festival, he once again says Iran war is ‘done’ — The Washington Post

The president made his declaration before a mix of locals and tourists at a scaled-down version of the event after some performers canceled.

apple.news

The White House has asked lawmakers to approve $87.6bn (£66.5bn), mostly for "urgent needs" connected with the US war on Iran, a day after Congress passed a resolution rebuking the military action. The bulk of the funding - $67bn - is for the US Department of Defence, the White House said.

“But the proposal faces an uphill battle in Congress. The Iran conflict is unpopular with voters ahead of the US midterm elections (that Trump doesn’t care about) in November, though a ceasefire is currently in effect. US President Donald Trump has also found himself at odds with some members of his Republican Party over the issue of Iran, and is alleged to have ended up in an angry exchange with one senator on Wednesday. ”

“"Most of this request will address urgent needs related to Operation Epic Fury (OEF)," says the letter, referring to the Iran war. The request includes $21bn for munitions, $17.3bn for operational costs and $12.1bn for classified programmes. It also asks for about $300m to bolster security at US embassies and diplomatic outposts in the Middle East and South Asia after some of them came under attack earlier in the war.

(YouTube & Senate flips on Iran war after Trump shouting match)

(The other requested money would be for unrelated measures, including $11bn for US farmers and $1.4bn to tackle the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.”)

Trump asks Congress for billions for Iran war, after tension with Republicans — BBC News

But the budget faces an uphill battle as the president spars with some members of his own party over the issue.

apple.news

“The president has been getting largely dragged for the terms laid out in Memorandum of Understanding with Iran to finally end the war after months. In the meantime, Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth has made the rounds on Capitol Hill requesting another boost to the funding for Trump’s war. ”

Trump Attacks Female Reporter for Questioning Cost of Iran War vs. 'Financially Struggling' Americans | Video — TheWrap

"Not a very good group! Not doing very well," the president says of Hannah Brandt's outlet, NewsNation

apple.news

The White House has also requested a staggering $1.5 trillion from the Pentagon.

 

[Ron in Regina]

“Iran attacked a cargo ship Thursday as it tried to pass through the Strait of Hormuz along a new route promoted by a United Nations maritime agency, dashing hopes that shipping traffic might have found a narrow passage through the ongoing blockade.

Two U.S. officials said the Singaporean-flagged ship was attacked by Iran, with one of the officials saying the vessel was hit by an Iranian drone. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details that had not yet been publicly announced.

The ship suffered damage to its bridge but no one was injured, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center, a security information hub.

Iran on Thursday had issued a warning about using the new shipping lane.”

“U.S. and Iranian officials are publicly disputing the future of international nuclear inspections, and technical experts from both countries are trying to hammer out what will happen to Iran’s enriched uranium and its chokehold over oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

Well, something got hammered out there.

Most Americans do not expect the ceasefire to last and said the war has not been worth the cost, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos survey. The president’s popularity dropped to a second-term low in the poll as voters soured on his handling of the economy and the war worsened inflation.”

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said in a statement that safe passage through the strait was limited to routes designated by Tehran and that other routes were “unacceptable and completely dangerous,” according to Iranian state-run media.

I ass/u/me’d they implied mines not swept for, and not drones or missiles. Whoopsies…Ceasefire MOU-MOU…

Gulf states are expected to push ⁠for no transit fees, but Iran could propose environmental, navigation and security fees, etc…

…Anti-Drone fees, not getting fired upon with a missile fees, etc…the Wall Street Journal was the first to report that Iran was behind the cargo ship attack, and the attack comes as shipping traffic was picking up along this new route, which passes close to Oman.

It was not immediately known if shipping traffic had been halted by Thursday’s attack, but the U.N.’s maritime agency said the attack had led it to temporarily pause its evacuation plan for more than 11,000 seafarers still stranded aboard ships in the region.

The United Nations-backed route is a temporary corridor established by Oman and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that runs along the southern side of the strait, hugging the Omani coast. This aligns with the United States' strategy to defend commercial traffic passing through these southern waters. Because of its close proximity to Oman's Musandam Peninsula, this path has become a flashpoint; Iran has heavily objected to it, claiming it is an unauthorized by Iran corridor so a no-go corridor.

Anywho, back to the MOU towards something or another towards something else that might eventually lead to something that leads to peace, etc…President Donald Trump threatened Iran with fresh attacks if it did not stick to a deal to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, even as JD Vance struck an optimistic tone during talks with Iranian officials in Switzerland aimed at reaching a broader peace agreement.

Round & round & round it goes…

YouTube & Iran attacks cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz)

(YouTube & Iran issues NEW RED LINE on Strait of Hormuz)

 

[Ron in Regina]

The Trump administration announced Iran has assured that the strait will remain toll-free. However, Iranian officials have simultaneously asserted they intend to dictate passage and maintain control over maritime traffic.
The U.S. and Iran are clashing over the financial terms of the deal. The Trump administration stated that unblocked Iranian funds will be strictly used to purchase U.S. agricultural products for Iranian citizens, a framework Iran’s parliament has publicly criticized.

Just days after the deal was signed, a drone strike hit a Singapore-flagged cargo vessel off the coast of Oman. This attack prompted the UN's International Maritime Organization to “temporarily pause” vessel evacuation plans.

 

[Ron in Regina]

Schrödinger’s Strait? Currently both open & closed.

“Two U.S. officials told Reuters that Iran fired on the cargo ship as it attempted to pass through the strait. Iranian authorities said the security of vessels passing outside designated Hormuz routes is not guaranteed.

Data on Thursday showed that crude shipments through the Strait of Hormuz ⁠rose this week to their highest since the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran began in February, buoyed by a ceasefire deal that reopened the waterway, though overall traffic remains a fraction of the pre-war daily average.”

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran had informed him there would be no tolls, insurance costs, or charges of any kind for ships looking to pass through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz…for the first 60 days??? Under the MOU, both sides agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz toll-free for at least 60 days.

Tehran was responding to what it called an "interventionist, irresponsible and provocative" joint statement by the U.S. and six Gulf states that rejected Iran's insistence that it could charge tolls on vessels transiting the strait.

…Anti-Drone fees, not getting fired upon with a missile fees, etc…the Wall Street Journal was the first to report that Iran was behind the cargo ship attack, and the attack comes as shipping traffic was picking up along this new route, which passes close to Oman.

"Safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz cannot be guaranteed under ambiguous arrangements, parallel routes or decision-making that does not take Iran's role as a coastal state into account," Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on X.

Iran reasserts its right to control shipping in Strait of Hormuz after ship hit near Oman — Reuters

Tehran reasserted its right on Friday to control shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and warned Gulf states against siding with the U.S., a day after an attack on a ship near Oman highlighted the fragility ‌of a preliminary deal to end the Iran war.

apple.news

Oil prices fall 3% as more tankers exit Strait of Hormuz — CNBC

Oil extended declines on Friday, with markets focused any further breakthroughs in the Middle East conflict, while digesting a flurry of news from the region.

apple.news

Oil set for hefty weekly losses as tankers exit Strait of Hormuz — Reuters

Crude prices plunged by more than 3% on Friday, on course for steep weekly losses, on ‌easing supply concerns as more stranded oil tankers exited the Strait of Hormuz, even though a cargo vessel was hit near Oman on Thursday.

apple.news

(YouTube and Iran determined to exercise ‘ongoing control’ over the Strait of Hormuz)

President Donald Trump has been stating that Iran is desperate for a deal and that the Strait of Hormuz will be fully open.

About an hour after the latest attack was reported, Trump told a gathering of farmers that Iran is negotiating from a position of weakness. He did not mention the strike.

Iran wants to make a deal with us very badly,” the president insisted. “And we probably will, I think we will. But the strait is open.” Elsewhere in his remarks on Thursday, the president told the farmers that they will soon be able to sell their products to “the lovely country of Iran.”

Earlier, ABC News had reached out to the White House for comment on the Iran strike and for clarification on whether the strait remains open in light of such an attack.

"We are aware of these reports and looking into them.”

President Trump has been clear that Iran cannot subvert the free flow of traffic in the Strait," a U.S. official said. Last weekend, Trump threatened to impose American tolls on the waterway if a peace deal isn't reached in 60 days, saying the money would be for "services rendered as the Guardian Angel to the countries of the Middle East."

Rubio Announces New Iran Technical Talks, Seeks To Reassure Gulf Allies On Security — Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that a new round of US-Iran technical negotiations will resume in Switzerland at the end of June, as he wrapped the second day of a high-stakes Persian Gulf tour aimed at calming regional concerns over Washington’s tentative accord with Tehran.

apple.news

Iran and Oman have discussed establishing future management fees for the waterway. The U.S. and Gulf states strongly oppose this, arguing that international law prohibits any fees on international waterways and that such charges could set a dangerous precedent for global trade.

Trump vows Iran will not charge Strait of Hormuz tolls, but says US might

The US-Iran memorandum of understanding does not rule out future tolls in the strait after an initial 60-day period.

www.aljazeera.com

 

[Ron in Regina]

Iran slams the GCC and the US for 'interventionist' statement: What we know — Al Jazeera

Tehran rejects US-GCC pressure over missiles, the Strait of Hormuz and regional armed groups.

apple.news

Well, thank some God that there was a memorandum of understanding to avoid this misunderstanding. Phew!!

In a statement on Friday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry rejected the communique issued after a GCC-US ministerial meeting in Bahrain on June 25, saying it distorted regional realities and repeated US and Israeli positions on Iran’s nuclear programme, missile capabilities, regional allies and the Strait of Hormuz.

So aside from the whole failed regime change thing…I think that was the whole purpose of this war that Trump won so Bigly, right?

 

[Ron in Regina]

“In the great realignment, peripheral minor players have no seat at the table,” he added. “They are eliminated, and their strategic survival is at the mercy of Tehran’s tolerance.”

This statement was made by Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior foreign policy adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader.

He delivered this warning in June 2026, targeting the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) following their joint security statement with the United States regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
The context of the quote:

• Direct Warning: Velayati's remarks were a direct threat to Gulf Arab states, dismissing them as "political minors of the periphery".
• Tehran's Dominance: He emphasized that regional stability depends on Iran, declaring that neighboring states' strategic survival is entirely at "the mercy of Tehran's tolerance".
• Geopolitical Realignment: He used these words to reject any regional security pact that excludes Iran.

It wasn’t said in English but a loose translation comes across pretty much as “Suck It Losers!” and that would include most of Iran’s gulf neighbours, & perhaps that was lost in translation.

Weirdly that almost coincides with the twelve day war, which primarily erupted over Iran's advancing nuclear program and the breakdown of nuclear diplomacy between Tehran and Washington, but that could just be a coincidence.

During the 12-day intense conflict, Israel struck over 100 military and nuclear facilities in Iran, assassinating prominent military and political leaders. Iran retaliated with hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles directed at Israeli military and civilian targets. The conflict de-escalated when the U.S. intervened with targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, forcing a ceasefire on June 24, 2025.

Twelve-Day War - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

So, has the stock market closed for the weekend yet?

(YouTube & US launches strikes after alleged Iran attack on commercial ship in Strait of Hormuz)

 

[Ron in Regina]

Well, here we are again on a Friday after the market’s close. The US military has conducted strikes on Iranian targets after President Donald Trump accused Iran of a "foolish violation" of its truce following an attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

In response, US Central Command said on Friday it had struck missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar positions. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) blamed the US and Israel. "The unwarranted aggression against commercial shipping by Iranian forces clearly violated the ceasefire," it said in a statement.

“The IRGC said in a statement later on Friday: "The treaty-breaking US regime as always violated its commitments and launched an airstrike on the coast of the Islamic Republic of Iran under various pretexts of a ship violating an unauthorised route in the Strait of Hormuz." It added: "If the aggression is repeated our response will be more extensive than this."

The IRGC also accused the "Zionist regime" - a reference to Israel – of violating a ceasefire in Lebanon, which in theory is a sovereign nation of its own with the exception of Hezbollah that Iran is using as a dangerous finger puppet to exert influence over the region.

“In a post on X following the US retaliatory strikes, Vice-President JD Vance said that if Iran "has disagreements about how the MOU is being applied, they can pick up the phone".

"But violence will be met with violence," he added.

Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament's national security commission, though, said on social media that the US had "attacked Iran in the middle of negotiations once again". He continued in his social media post: "This reckless violation of the ceasefire will, as always, lead to retreat and regret on their part. The blame game does not work anymore."

“In recent days, Trump and other US officials insisted negotiations with Iran were progressing well, saying Iran had given up any suggestion of tolling vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.

In a Truth Social post on Wednesday, Trump said Iran had informed the US that there would be "no tolls, no insurance costs and no other charges of any kind being sought or received".

US conducts strikes on Iran after attack on cargo ship — BBC News

US Central Command says it has struck missile and drone storage facilities and coastal radar positions.

apple.news