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23:08
New US Measures Target Iran’s Sanctions Evading Network
The US Treasury has announced a series of moves to increase pressure on Iran’s sanctions evading network, especially targeting Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, which it says remains a “major force” behind Tehrans oil exports while expanding into global containerized shipping and commodities trading.
The Iranian regime survives on deception, and the Shamkhani network is one of its most profitable engines, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in thestatementannouncing the sanctions on July 14. Treasury is shutting down the financial infrastructure that allows the regime to continue its threats to U.S. national security and global shipping.
In all, the action includes more than 50 individuals, entities, and vessels that Washington says enable Shamkhani and the Iranian regime “to continue profiting while the Iranian people remain burdened under the economic yoke imposed by their government.”
“This action is part of Treasurys ongoing efforts to ramp up economic pressure on the Iranian regime after it resumed destabilizing attacks in the Strait of Hormuz,” the Treasury said in the statement.
By threatening and attacking international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has brought maritime traffic to a virtual standstill, giving it significant leverage over its neighbors in the Persian Gulf and the global economy, making it one of the main battlegrounds of the conflict.
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20:23
Saudi Arabia Denounces Iranian Attacks On Gulf Countries, Warns Of Consequences
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry has expressed “strong condemnation” of Iran’s attacks on several Arab countries, holding Tehran “responsible for the consequences of continuing these cruel attacks.”
In astatementon July 14, Riyadh specifically mentioned strikes against of a number of Kuwaiti border posts, an offshore drilling platform belonging to the Kuwaiti Oil Company, and attacks on the Kuwaiti Consulate General in the Iraqi city of Basra.
Citing Iran’s attacks on Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, and two Emirati oil tankers while they were passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the Saudi government criticized “Iran’s continued threat to regional security and stability.”
“The Kingdom holds Iran responsible for the consequences of these ongoing hostilities” and demands an immediate halt to the violations, the statement went on to say, emphasizing Riyadh’s full solidarity with the targeted countries.
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19:27
Iranian Media Report Explosions On Qeshm Island And In Andimeshk
Iranian media has reported that explosions were heard on Qeshm Island and in the southwestern city of Andimeshk, without providing further details.
Citing the Hormozgan provincial governor’s office, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting said that at 7 p.m. local time on July 14, a “location” on Qeshm Island was targeted in a US attack.
The state broadcaster also reported that an explosion was heard in Andimeshk, although it later reported that these were “controlled explosions” and not an enemy attack.
Also in the evening of July 14, Kuwait’s General Staff issued a warning saying that “hostile aerial targets” had been intercepted over the country.
In a statement, the Kuwaiti military urged citizens to follow security instructions, saying that any explosion sounds they might hear were the result of air defense operations “intercepting hostile attacks.”
With reporting by RFE/RL’s Radio Farda, Reuters, and AFPShare
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17:58
Trump Drops Threat Of Hormuz Transit Fee, Turns To Gulf Investment Deals
US President Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump has walked back his plan to charge a 20 percent fee on cargo shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, replacing it with proposed trade and investment agreements with Persian Gulf states.
The reversal came a day after Trump said the United States would act as THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT and seek reimbursement for protecting shipping through the key oil and gas route.
Based on highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership, I have decided to replace the 20% United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States, Trump wrote on Truth Social on July 14.
He provided no details of commitments by Persian Gulf governments but said the investments would be MASSIVE.
Iran’s military command had earlier said it would not allow the United States to interfere in the strait and warned Gulf neighbors against cooperating with Washington.
Trump said the strait would remain open to commercial traffic except vessels linked to Iran.
Washington would maintain a FULL Blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports, or carrying Iranian cargo, he said.
The UN shipping agency had opposed imposing fees on vessels using international waterways.
With reporting by AFP and ReutersShare
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15:37
US Employs Sea Drones As Strikes Escalate In Strait Of Hormuz
In addition to a night of renewed US strikes on Iran, the American military’s Central Command reports that its forces targeted a submarine and ship maintenance facility in the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas using sea drones, which marks a first in American combat weapons technology. Three Corsair drones reportedly hit the port naval base. Iran has also claimed hits on at least two commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.(Video by RFE/RL’s Radio Farda and Will Tizard)
