⚓ U.S. resumes maritime blockade of Iran: President Trump announced the reinstatement of a U.S. naval blockade targeting Iran while stating that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to international shipping. Iranian maritime traffic would be blocked while commercial shipping from other nations continues, with the U.S. assuming responsibility for securing the waterway. Trump also proposed a 20% transit fee on cargo passing through Hormuz to fund security operations. CENTCOM confirmed the blockade would begin July 14, while the U.S. Navy announced measures covering all Iranian ports.
🚢 Shipping advisory issued: The UKMTO Joint Maritime Information Center warned that vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, anchorages, or territorial waters may be challenged, intercepted, diverted, or detained by U.S. and coalition naval forces once the blockade takes effect.
🌍 Regional response remains divided: A senior Gulf source told Axios that Washington did not coordinate the proposed cargo fee with Gulf partners. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi argued that countries ensuring safe passage through Hormuz should receive compensation, but called the proposed fee excessive.
⚠️ Iran rejects U.S. authority in Hormuz: Iranian officials insisted only Iran has authority over the Strait of Hormuz and continued to describe the waterway as closed under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Iranian military officials warned they would respond to unauthorized U.S. actions affecting commercial or oil tanker traffic and cautioned neighboring states that supporting U.S. operations would be considered an act against Iranian sovereignty.
🎯 Trump signals continued military operations: President Trump said the United States would continue striking Iran whenever Iranian drones are launched, describing recent attacks as highly damaging. He also criticized previous U.S. policy toward Iran, referenced the Obama administration's $1.7 billion cash transfer, claimed Iran's leadership is slow to make decisions, asserted Iran "has nothing left," and said there is a "90% chance" Iran's new Supreme Leader is no longer alive.
💥 Additional strikes announced: Trump later said U.S. forces would strike Iran "tonight and tomorrow," identifying "Pickaxe Mountain" as a possible target. He declined to discuss potential Israeli participation, praised Prime Minister Netanyahu, commented on protests inside Iran, and announced a national address for Thursday evening.
🛥️ New naval capability employed: CENTCOM announced the first known American combat use of one-way unmanned surface vessels, striking submarine and naval maintenance facilities at Bandar Abbas Naval Base. The military said the operation reduced Iran's ability to threaten international commercial shipping.
🚢 Shipping remains disrupted: CBS, citing Kpler, reported only fourteen vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, the lowest daily total since June 13. Traffic increased modestly on Monday but remained below normal because of regional security concerns.
💣 Additional military developments: Israel Hayom reported Gulf countries carried out strikes against Iran after receiving Qatari approval. The New York Times reported President Trump formally notified Congress that hostilities resumed last Wednesday following U.S. defensive operations. Separate reports described explosions near Bandar Abbas after Iran reportedly struck a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iranian media reported rockets landing near Konarak as a U.S. fighter aircraft operated nearby.
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