Iran's IRGC reports progress in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with traffic at 50% of pre-war levels, but claims US interference is seriously disrupting the process.
The Strait of Hormuz remains closed with no ships permitted to pass, according to Fars news agency citing sources. The IRGC naval forces are not issuing permits "until further notice." This follows Iran's announcement on June 20 that it was closing the strait in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
Following a bilateral meeting, Trump stated that the US and India are working together on maritime security issues, following a US missile strike that killed three Indian nationals aboard a commercial vessel.
Following a bilateral meeting, Donald Trump addressed the recent US missile strike that killed three Indian nationals. He stated that Washington and New Delhi are working together on the issue, calling commercial vessel operations "a rough profession" and expressing confidence that seafarer safety will be prioritized.
US naval forces rescued 14 Indian seafarers from the sinking vessel Virat-1 off the Oman coast on Sunday after it suffered mechanical failure. All crew members are safe and en route to Mumbai.
Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels, including oil tankers and merchant ships, citing a lack of security following renewed US strikes. The IRGC reported hitting two vessels attempting to pass through.
Explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, including Kangan, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, and Minab, with air defense systems reportedly active. Clashes between US and Iranian naval forces were also reported.
Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) now issues permits for passage through the Strait of Hormuz 24/7. Shipowners or captains can apply anytime, with immediate permit issuance upon approval. This follows reports of 24 ships crossing the strait with permission in the past day.
China's PLA used verbal warnings and unspecified electronic countermeasures to drive away an aircraft, described as a serious but not the most severe warning type.
Roscosmos confirmed it will return US astronaut Mark Vande Hei to Earth on March 30 as planned, despite media doubts amid sanctions over Ukraine. Russia's Bank of Russia suggested Mastercard and Visa leave the market, while Finland's president offered to mediate dialogue with Russia.
For decades, the Strait of Hormuz has been a narrow passage with a big footprint. Whenever it comes under tension, the world is reminded that energy security is less a policy construct than an everyday reality for Asia’s economies, factories and prices. For China, Japan, South Korea, India and Southeast Asia, it has always been more than just a Middle Eastern problem. It is an Asian economic issue. This is why we should not interpret the latest Gulf tensions solely in terms of naval forces,...
When a South Korean cargo ship exploded and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz late on Monday, Donald Trump wasted no time declaring what he thought it meant. “Perhaps it’s time for South Korea to come and join the mission!” the US president wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, invoking the incident as fresh justification for Seoul to send naval forces to the embattled waterway. Seoul’s answer, for now, has been a polite but firm no – or at least, not yet. The explosion occurred...
Britain and nine other north European nations have signed a statement of intent to create a new multinational maritime force outside NATO, to be commanded from London and operational by 2029. The UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force includes the Netherlands, all five Nordic nations and the three Baltic states. The announcement comes as the British naval chief claimed Russian incursions into European waters have jumped by almost a third in two years, with Moscow deploying frigates to escort oil tankers after Prime Minister Keir Starmer threatened to seize them.
South Korea will command the combined maritime component forces of the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) for the first time, scheduled for June 24 to July 31 in Hawaii. A South Korean Navy admiral will lead the multinational naval forces, marking a significant milestone. In 2024, South Korea held the deputy commander position. The exercise will involve over 25,000 personnel, 40 ships, 5 submarines and 140 aircraft.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Iran has used about half of its missile capability and lost its production capacity and naval forces following the US-Israeli military operation launched on February 28. Trump declared a two-week ceasefire on April 7, with Iran reporting 3,375 deaths over 40 days of attacks. Talks in Islamabad on April 11 failed to reach agreement, and Trump announced intention to extend the ceasefire on April 21, though Tehran does not recognize the unilateral extension.
US naval forces intercepted the Iranian-flagged container ship Touska in the Gulf of Oman near Iran's Chabahar port on Sunday. The vessel, linked to sanctioned Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), was boarded after failing to respond to warnings over a six-hour period. Initial assessments indicate the cargo likely includes dual-use items such as metals, pipes and electronic components that could support military applications. Iran condemned the operation as armed piracy, while China expressed concern urging de-escalation.
