Day 66 of Iran War: Trump Launches Hormuz Operation, Tehran Warns of Retaliation

On the 66th day of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, tensions escalated as President Donald Trump unveiled the 'Freedom Project' naval operation aimed at assisting stranded vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. However, Brent crude oil prices showed no significant movement on Monday morning.

Reacting to Trump's announcement, senior Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi warned that any U.S. interference in the strait would be considered a ceasefire violation. Iran's military declared that any foreign armed forces, especially the U.S. military, would be attacked if they try to approach and enter the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran

• Iran confirmed receiving the U.S. response to its latest peace proposal, after Trump called the proposal 'unacceptable.'
• Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Washington's regional allies are aware that the U.S. and Israel's war on Iran is illegal and contrary to international law.

Diplomacy

• Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi discussed the regional situation and diplomatic peace efforts by telephone.
• NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said European countries have 'gotten the message' and are ensuring implementation of agreements on the use of military bases, after Trump criticized NATO allies for insufficient support in the Iran war.
• Leaders of Australia and Japan agreed to enhance cooperation on energy and critical minerals as the Iran war disrupts global trade.

United States

• Trump said the U.S. would begin helping free ships stuck in the Gulf due to the war, but offered no details on plans to assist vessels and crews lacking food and supplies after more than two months of conflict.
• Iran's Armed Forces General Staff warned U.S. forces to stay away from the strait, ordering commercial ships and oil tankers not to move without coordination with the Iranian military.
• The U.S. evacuated 22 crew members from an Iranian container ship to Pakistan and will hand them over to Iranian authorities on Monday, a move Pakistan called a 'confidence-building measure.'
• The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the maritime security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz remains severe due to ongoing military activities.

Lebanon

• Israel struck at least eight locations in southern Lebanon, including Debaal, Qana, Srifa, Qalaouiyah, Zawtar al-Sharqiya, Toulin, Shehour, and Braachit, after the Israeli military ordered residents to evacuate their homes.
• According to Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA), Israeli forces also dropped flares over Braachit overnight and shelled the outskirts of Safad El Battikh, Yater, Majdel Selm, and Chaitiyeh.