Shortly after indefinitely extending the ceasefire in the Middle East, Donald Trump stated that he will keep the naval blockade imposed on Iran as a pressure tactic to secure an agreement.
The President of the United States wrote on his official Truth Social account that "Iran does not want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open to make 500 million dollars a day (...) they only say they want it closed because I have it completely blocked (closed)." Additionally, Trump issued a new threat to destroy the Islamic Republic "including its leaders" if an agreement is not reached.
This morning, a boat from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard fired shots at a container ship near the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by the British agency UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
This faction also threatened early this morning to inflict "devastating blows to the enemy's remaining assets" if hostilities resume.
China calls for consolidating the ceasefire in Iran
China urged on Wednesday to consolidate the ceasefire in Iran and prevent the resumption of hostilities, warning that the regional situation is in a "critical" phase of transition between war and peace.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated in a press conference that "the urgent priority remains to make every possible effort to prevent a resumption of hostilities" and emphasized that Beijing supports the parties involved to "continue resorting to political and diplomatic means to resolve disputes," as reported by Efe.
A cargo ship leaving Iran is hit by gunfire, according to UKMTO
A cargo ship leaving Iran was hit by gunfire on Wednesday, as reported by the British maritime security agency UKMTO, in a context where the United States maintains a blockade of Iranian ports.
The ship, located 8 nautical miles west of Iran, "reported being shot at and is currently immobilized at sea," stated UKMTO, adding that the crew is "safe and sound" and no damage to the vessel has been reported, as reported by Afp.
The agency had previously reported Iranian shots fired at a container ship off the coast of Oman.
Israeli army says it has no knowledge of the attack in the Bekaa Valley
The Israeli army stated that it has no knowledge of any attack in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon on Wednesday, after the Lebanese state news agency reported that an Israeli drone had killed one person and injured two others in the area, according to Reuters.
The state-run National News Agency reported that the incident took place on the outskirts of al-Jbour, in the western Bekaa Valley in Lebanon.
Oil trades around $97 after ceasefire extension
The price of Brent crude oil, a European benchmark, dropped by about 0.7% around 8:05 am on Wednesday and was trading above $97 per barrel before the opening of European stock exchanges, according to Europa Press.
Meanwhile, the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil barrel, a U.S. benchmark, decreased by 1%, to $88.7 per barrel.
The moderation in oil prices comes after the decision by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, to extend the temporary ceasefire.
Iran executes a man convicted of links to Mossad
Iran hanged a man on Wednesday who was convicted of having links with the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, reported the judiciary, in the latest of a wave of executions amid the war against Israel and the United States.
"Mehdi Farid (...) was hanged this morning for his extensive cooperation with the terrorist espionage service Mossad, after the case was reviewed and the final verdict approved," stated the Mizan website of the judiciary.
It was not immediately clear when Farid was arrested or when he was tried, but the court found him guilty of "intelligence cooperation and espionage for the Zionist regime." Reports Afp
Revolutionary Guard threatens to deliver "devastating blows" if hostilities resume
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has stated that it is prepared to confront any new aggression and will "inflict devastating blows on the enemy's remaining assets" if hostilities resume, according to statements made to the Mehr agency reported by Reuters.
It also emphasized the need to maintain vigilance in the "silent battlefield" and to monitor the enemy's actions during the "so-called ceasefire."
Trump: "Iran is economically collapsing!"
In another message on Truth Social, Donald Trump reiterated the economic damage caused to Iran by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. "Iran is economically collapsing! They demand the immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz. They are desperate for money! They are losing 500 million dollars a day. Military and police complain that they are not paid. SOS!"
One dead after Israeli attack in the Lebanese region of Bekaa
An Israeli attack in the Bekaa region of Lebanon on Wednesday left one person dead and injured two others, as reported by the Lebanese state news agency, despite the ongoing truce between Israel and the pro-Iranian group Hezbollah.
"One person died and two others were injured as a result of an attack carried out by an enemy drone at dawn, on the outskirts of Al Jabur, in western Bekaa," reported Lebanon's National News Agency, as reported by Afp.
Hizbullah stated on Tuesday that it had launched rockets and attack drones against a site in northern Israel in response to "flagrant" ceasefire violations by Israel, which, it said, included "attacks against civilians and the destruction of their homes and villages."
Revolutionary Guard fires at a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard opened fire on a container ship on Wednesday in the Strait of Hormuz, causing damage to the vessel and further escalating tensions, after the planned ceasefire talks in Pakistan did not materialize, according to AP
The UK Maritime Trade Operations Center (UKMTO) of the British army indicated that the attack occurred early in the strait and targeted a container ship.
UKMTO stated that an Iranian gunboat did not hail the ship before firing. It added that no one was injured, and the attack had no environmental impact. Iran did not immediately acknowledge the aggression.
Trump maintains naval blockade on Iran despite ceasefire
Shortly after indefinitely extending the ceasefire in the Middle East, Donald Trump stated that he will keep the naval blockade imposed on Iran as a pressure tactic to secure an agreement.
"Iran does not want the Strait of Hormuz closed, they want it open to make 500 million dollars a day (...) they only say they want it closed because I have it completely BLOCKED (CLOSED!)," the President added.
Trump mentioned on his official Truth Social account that several people have told him "Iran wants to open the strait immediately," but he responded, "if we do that, there can never be an agreement."
Finally, Trump once again threatened to destroy the Islamic Republic "including its leaders" if an agreement is not reached.