EXPLAINER
Trump orders new Hormuz mission after Iran says it receives US response to its peace proposal.
United States President Donald Trump has announced a naval operation called Project Freedom to help move ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively blocked by Iran. The operation, Trump said, will begin on Monday.
Iran seized control of the Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint for about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas — days after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28.
Despite Trump’s announcement, oil markets were unmoved on Monday, with the international benchmark Brent crude essentially flat.
Iran warned that any US interference in the strait would breach the ceasefire, a top Iranian lawmaker said.
Here is what is known as the conflict enters day 66:
In Iran
– Iran’s military said any foreign armed force, especially the US, would be attacked if it attempted to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz.
– Tehran said on Sunday it had received a US response to its latest peace-talks proposal after Trump had labelled the offer “unacceptable.”
– Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said US allies in the region understand that the US-Israeli action against Iran is not legal and amounts to a unilateral violation of international law.
Diplomacy
– Pakistan’s foreign minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Iran’s Abbas Araghchi discussed the regional situation and Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for peace and stability in a phone call, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said.
– After Trump criticised NATO allies for insufficient support, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said European nations had “gotten the message” and were enforcing agreements on the use of military bases.
– Australia and Japan agreed to increase cooperation on energy and critical minerals as the conflict disrupts global trade.
In the US
– Trump said the US will start helping to free ships stranded in the Gulf, though he provided few operational details about assisting vessels and crews low on food and supplies after more than two months of confinement.
– Iran’s unified command warned US forces to stay out of the strait and said it would respond harshly to any threat, advising commercial ships and tankers not to move without coordination with Iran’s military.
– Pakistan said the US evacuated 22 crew members from an Iranian container ship to Pakistan and would hand them over to Iranian authorities on Monday as a “confidence-building measure.”
– The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) says the maritime security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz remains critical because of ongoing military operations.
In Lebanon
– Israel has struck at least eight locations in southern Lebanon, including Debaal, Qana, Srifa, Qalaouiyah, Zawtar al-Sharqiya, Toulin, Shehour and Braachit, after ordering residents to evacuate.
– Lebanon’s National News Agency reported Israeli forces dropped flares over Braachit overnight and shelled outskirts of Safad El Battikh, Yater, Majdel Selm and Chaitiyeh.