The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that any Arab or European nation that expels the ambassadors of Israel and the United States (US) from its territory will be granted "full authority and freedom" to navigate the Strait of Hormuz.

 

The statement, reported by Iranian state media, comes as the IRGC maintains a blockade on the strategic waterway, where at least 10 vessels have been attacked since the conflict began. IRGC spokespeople stated that they, rather than American forces, will "determine the end of the war," adding that the future status of the region is now in the hands of Iranian armed forces.

 

US President Donald Trump claimed the military campaign has achieved its objectives and "is going to be ended soon." Despite this, Trump warned that the US could "go further" and threatened to hit Iran "much, much harder" if it continues to block global oil supplies.

 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the possibility of negotiations, telling an international media outlet that talking to the US is "no longer on the agenda." Araghchi stated that Iran is prepared to continue missile attacks for as long as necessary. He also addressed the deployment of US HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems) in neighboring countries, stating, "Nobody should complain if our powerful missiles destroy these systems wherever they are in retribution."

 

On the ground, violence continues to spread. Rescuers in Tehran reached the site of a missile strike in a residential area, while smoke was seen rising over the western part of the capital following Israeli airstrikes. In Iraq, the IRGC claimed a missile strike on the US Al-Harir Air Base in the Kurdistan region.

 

Neighboring states are increasingly caught in the crossfire. Turkiye announced the deployment of a Patriot missile defense system in Malatya after NATO intercepted a second Iranian ballistic missile in Turkish airspace. Meanwhile, Iraq’s Prime Minister (PM) Mohammed Shia al-Sudani told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Iraqi airspace and territory must not be used for military actions targeting neighboring countries.

 

The regional instability has prompted a mass exodus of foreign nationals. China’s foreign ministry confirmed that over 10,000 of its citizens have been evacuated from the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. In South Korea, President Lee Jae Myung admitted he could not stop the US from redeploying Patriot batteries from the peninsula to the Middle East, despite domestic opposition.

 

Economic pressures are mounting globally. Egypt raised domestic fuel prices by 30 percent, citing pressures from the war. However, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropped over 6 percent to approximately $88 per barrel.

 

Since the transition, Iran has launched multiple waves of missiles targeting Tel Aviv and US bases, while US Central Command claims to have struck over 5,000 targets, including 50 Iranian vessels.

 

The human toll has surpassed 1,300 civilian deaths in Iran. In Bahrain, 32 civilians were wounded in a drone attack on Sitra.