TEHRAN -- More than 350 vessels are waiting for Iran's permission to transit the Strait of Hormuz, 27 days into the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Thursday.
Citing the latest reports and field developments, Fars said the strategic waterway remains closed to the United States, Israel, and their allies, with no vessel allowed to pass without Iran's permission. (Iran-Strait of Hormuz-Vessels awaiting)
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TEHRAN -- Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned hotels in Gulf Arab countries against accepting U.S. military personnel, accusing the soldiers of fleeing their bases and using civilian sites as cover.
"From the outset of this war, U.S. soldiers fled military bases in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) to hide in hotels and offices. They use GCC citizens as human shields," Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi wrote on social media platform X. (Iran-GCC-Warning)
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JERUSALEM -- Israel has struck more than 1,000 Iranian weapons production targets as it intensifies attacks on Tehran's military industries, the Israeli military said on Thursday.
"The IDF is intensifying its strikes on the Iranian terror regime's weapons production industries," the military said in a statement. (Israel-Iran-Weapons production targets)
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BEIRUT -- Lebanese Shia ministers boycotted the cabinet session on Thursday over a previous government decision to declare the Iranian ambassador persona non grata for interfering in internal affairs, al-Jadeed local TV channel reported.
The boycott comes days after Hezbollah called on Lebanese authorities to reverse the decision to declare the appointed Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Shibani, persona non grata and order him to leave. (Lebanon-Iran-Ambassador)
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RIYADH -- Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has launched an international logistics corridor via freight trains linking Gulf ports with Jordan and countries north to the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.
The corridor connects King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail, and Jubail Commercial Port with Al-Haditha Port, enhancing supply chain integration and cargo movement along the route. (Saudi Arabia-Corridor-Ports) ■
