Key facts
- US Central Command redirected 142 ships and disabled nine vessels enforcing a sea blockade on Iran.
- The blockade, in effect since April 13, aims to halt maritime trade in and out of Iran.
- Iran's military commander stated forces are prepared to strike the enemy and have upgraded capabilities.
- The Israeli military reported killing senior Hezbollah commander Ali Musa Daqduq.
- US officials indicated that a strike on Beirut by Israel is unlikely to disrupt a potential preliminary agreement with Iran.
US Central Command announced that its forces have redirected 142 commercial ships and disabled nine vessels that failed to comply with the sea blockade imposed on Iran since April 13. This action is part of an effort to exert economic pressure on Iran by halting its maritime trade.
Amidst these developments, Iran's joint military commander, Major General Ali Abdollahi, stated that the country's armed forces are prepared to strike "the heart of the enemy" and have enhanced their military capabilities. He indicated that Iran is awaiting any "smallest mistake" from adversaries to retaliate.
Separately, the Israeli military reported the killing of Ali Musa Daqduq, a senior Hezbollah commander accused of orchestrating attacks and the kidnapping and killing of five American soldiers in 2007. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth suggested that Israel's recent strike on Beirut would not disrupt plans for a preliminary memorandum of understanding with Iran, emphasizing that Iran needs to ensure Hezbollah ceases rocket fire into northern Israel.
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz affirmed that President Donald Trump remains committed to signing a preliminary peace deal framework with Iran, despite acknowledging the complexities of negotiations with Iranian leadership. Former Israeli ambassador Alon Pinkas commented that Trump's public criticism of Israel reflects a significant rift between Washington and Jerusalem, unprecedented in decades, stemming from Trump's anger over what he perceives as Netanyahu's misrepresentation of the situation in Iran prior to the conflict.