Iran-US war latest: Trump pledges to reopen Strait of Hormuz on Monday after warning of renewed strikes – UK Times

Iran ⁠has reportedly executed three ⁠men ​involved ⁠in anti-government ⁠protests ​that ⁠took ‌place ‌nationwide ‌in ⁠January.

Earlier this year, hundreds of thousands of people had taken to the streets in Iran in the hope of overthrowing the then-supreme leader Ali Khamenei’s regime.

Oil prices eased this morning after US ‌president Donald Trump said the US would begin an effort to free up ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent ​crude futures fell 64 cents, or 0.59 per cent, to $107.53 a barrel ​after settling down $2.23 on Friday.

US West Texas Intermediate was at $101.10 a ⁠barrel, down 84 cents, or 0.82 per cent, following a $3.13 loss on Friday.

“For the good of ​Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that ​we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” Donald Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social site.

Iran is reviewing the US response to its latest proposal to end the war, Iran’s judiciary Mizan news agency cited foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei as saying.

But “at this stage, we have no nuclear negotiations,” Baghaei said. Iran’s nuclear program and enriched uranium have long been the central issue in tensions with the US, but Tehran would rather address it later.

Iran’s proposal wants other issues resolved within 30 days and aims to end the war rather than extend the ceasefire, according to Iran’s state-linked media. Trump on Saturday said he was reviewing the proposal but expressed doubt it would lead to a deal.

Iran’s 14-point proposal calls for the US lifting sanctions on Iran, ending the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, withdrawing forces from the region and ceasing all hostilities, including Israel’s operations in Lebanon, according to reports.

Pakistan’s prime minister, foreign minister and army chief continue to encourage the US and Iran to speak directly, according to two officials in Pakistan who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Pakistan hosted face-to-face talks last month and has passed messages between the two sides.

The new Hormuz Strait initiative ⁠will not necessarily include US Navy ships ⁠escorting ​commercial ships, ⁠Axios reported.

US ‌Navy ships ‌will be “in the ⁠vicinity” in the event they need to prevent Iran’s military from ‌attacking commercial ​ships moving ‌through ⁠strait, according to the report.

The US will launch an effort to “guide” stranded ships from the Iran-gripped Strait of Hormuz, president Donald Trump said, giving few details about what could be a sweeping attempt to help hundreds of vessels and some 20,000 seafarers.

Iran quickly denounced it as a ceasefire violation.Trump said in a social media post that “neutral and innocent” countries have been affected by the Iran war, and “we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business.”

“Project Freedom” would begin on Monday morning in the Middle East, Trump said, adding that his representatives are having discussions with Iran that could lead to something “very positive for all.”

US Central Command said the initiative would involve guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 aircraft and 15,000 service members.

A cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz said it was attacked by multiple small aircraft, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported.

It was the latest in at least two dozen attacks in and around the strait since the Iran war began, and a reminder of the risks if the new US effort goes forward.

All crew on the unidentified northbound cargo ship were safe after the attack off Sirik, Iran, east of the strait, the British monitor said.

Iranian officials have asserted that they control the strait and that ships not affiliated with the US or Israel can pass if they pay a toll, challenging the freedom of navigation guaranteed by international law.

Iran denied an attack, the semiofficial Iranian outlets Fars and Tabnak reported, and said a passing ship had been stopped for a documents check as part of monitoring.

It was the first reported attack in the area since 22 April.

• Donald Trump has said in a social media post the US will launch an effort on Monday to “guide” stranded ships from the Iran-gripped Strait of Hormuz as “neutral and innocent” countries have been affected by the Iran war

• A cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz said it was attacked by multiple small aircraft, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre reported

• Iran said it is reviewing the US response to its latest proposal to end the war, but at this stage, “there were no nuclear negotiations”

• Oil prices eased on Monday as brent ​crude futures fell 64 cents, or 0.59 per cent, to $107.53 a barrel