⚠️ U.S. SAYS STRAIT OF HORMUZ REMAINS OPEN; LEBANON TALKS ADVANCE, AND SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM PASSES AWAY
⚓ CENTCOM: Strait of Hormuz remains open to international shipping: U.S. Central Command said the Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels seeking to lawfully transit the international waterway.
"The Strait of Hormuz is open to all vessels seeking to lawfully transit the international waterway. U.S. forces are positioned and prepared to ensure that freedom of navigation remains available despite unwarranted Iranian aggression, harassment, threats, and arbitrary declarations. Iran does not control the strait. Traffic is flowing."
❗️ Iranian-linked authority claims Hormuz transit suspended: The Persian Gulf Waterways Management Authority stated: "Due to recent illegal movements by U.S. military forces in the region, transit through the Strait of Hormuz is currently not possible. As soon as stability and calm are restored, all requests will be reviewed according to a schedule, and the necessary permits will be issued."
The statement directly contradicts U.S. Central Command's declaration that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, that Iran does not control the waterway, and that commercial traffic continues to flow.
💥 Iran reports widespread U.S.-led strikes across multiple provinces: Iranian media reported multiple kinetic engagements on Sunday following U.S.-led strikes targeting coastal and provincial infrastructure.
According to Iranian officials, Iranian Navy officer Hamed Reza Dehghan was killed in a strike on Jask, while two people were injured in Kerman.
Authorities in Bushehr Province reported that 26 projectiles struck military and telecommunications sites across Bushehr, Dir, Asaluyeh and other sectors, including Choghadak. Additional strikes were reported in Khuzestan, Lorestan, Kohgiluyeh and Kerman, including the destruction of a vehicle in Yasuj and a communications tower in Kerman.
Jask Port reportedly remained a major impact area, with approximately 25 explosions heard.
Reported figures and damage assessments provided by Iranian officials cannot be independently verified.
🔸 Lebanon confirms participation in upcoming Rome talks with Israel: A Lebanese official told Al Jazeera that Lebanon has informed Washington it will participate in the upcoming negotiations with Israel in Rome.
The Lebanese delegation will focus solely on diplomatic matters and will not include military representatives.
The official added that the Lebanese Army has informed the U.S. military delegation it is prepared to deploy to any area from which Israel withdraws.
🇺🇸 Huckabee: Syria intervention proposal rejected: U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said, "The idea of Syria's intervention in Lebanon was not accepted by any party, including Israel."
🛡️ Report: Qatar blocks Volkswagen-Rafael defense partnership: According to BILD, the Qatar Investment Authority, a major Volkswagen shareholder, blocked a proposed agreement between Volkswagen and Israeli defense company Rafael to manufacture Iron Dome components at a factory in Germany.
🇺🇸 Senator Lindsey Graham passes away: The Office of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham announced: "On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness."
Graham was widely regarded as one of Israel's strongest advocates in the U.S. Senate.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said: "Lindsey understood that the security of Israel and America are intertwined. He devoted his life to defending America, strengthening the alliance between us, and standing with the free world."
Netanyahu added that Israel had lost one of its greatest friends and said he had lost "a beloved friend." He is reportedly considering attending Graham's funeral.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Senator Graham "stood with Israel not because it was easy, but because he believed it was right," adding that Israel would always remember his steadfast commitment to the country's security.
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