Donald Trump has once again threatened to take control of the Strait of Hormuz, announcing the reimposition of a naval blockade on Iran and demanding a 20% tariff on all cargoes shipped through the strategic waterway. The move, posted on his Truth Social platform, suggested the US should be known as the 'Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz.'
Oil Prices Spike Amid Escalating Tensions
The announcement caused an immediate spike in oil prices as the regime also denied passage of ships through the strait. According to reports, Israel attempted to recruit Iran's former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to lead a post-Islamic regime in Tehran, further complicating geopolitical dynamics.
Global Reactions and Security Concerns
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, with about 20% of the world's petroleum passing through it. Trump's blockade threat has raised concerns about supply disruptions and potential military confrontation. The UK counter-terrorism police are now leading an investigation into the death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, found dead at her home on Dartmoor last week.
Other World News: France Battles Unprecedented Blaze
French firefighters are tackling a blaze of unprecedented scale sweeping through Fontainebleau forest, south-east of Paris. In the US, a person was shot dead by immigration agents in Maine days after another fatal shooting during a traffic stop in Texas. Meanwhile, record numbers of Chinese graduates—equivalent to the population of a small European country—are entering a job market that cannot absorb them.
