Three commercial ships were struck around the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday as Iran stepped up its efforts to halt traffic through the critical oil conduit. U.S. forces said they had destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels.
The U.S. military has turned down requests to escort tankers or other civilian ships through the strait, with defense officials saying it won’t do so until the threat of Iranian fire has eased. The head of U.S. Central Command said its focus remains on destroying Iran’s missiles and drones and degrading its ability to interrupt shipping.
The International Energy Agency said its member countries would release 400 million barrels of oil, the largest reserves distribution in history.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the Group of Seven countries agreed that the war in Iran didn’t warrant removing sanctions against Russia.
FILE PHOTO: A map showing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran is seen behind a 3D printed oil pipeline in this illustration taken June 22, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
The U.S. told Israel that it was “not happy” with recent attacks on Iranian energy facilities and told Israel not to do it again unless approved by Washington.
Citigroup evacuated several buildings in the U.A.E. on Wednesday, after Iranian authorities said banks linked to the U.S. and Israel in the region were now targets.
One of the seven members of the Iranian women’s soccer delegation who were granted humanitarian visas by Australia has changed her mind.
Trump: Iran Conflict Is ‘Excursion That Will Keep Us Out of a War’
Asked by a reporter whether he considered the operation to be a war or an excursion, Trump replied, “Well, it’s both. It’s an excursion that will keep us out of a war.”
