Politics News
US reimposes its blockade on Iran's ports and drops a 20% Hormuz toll plan within hours
The US military reimposed its blockade of Iranian ports early on Wednesday, July 15, after Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Arab News Japan, citing AP, said the blockade had first been imposed in mid-April and lifted in mid-June, a day after an interim deal set a 60-day negotiating window. A day earlier, The Jakarta Post, carrying AFP, reported a third straight night of US strikes hitting targets including Bushehr and Bandar Abbas.
On Monday, Donald Trump had announced that the US was “taking over” the strait and would charge 20% on all cargo. Arab News Japan said he dropped the fee plan hours before the blockade resumed, citing requests from Gulf allies. AFP reported that Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi mocked the plan, saying Tehran would charge less.
“The US is the aggressor, not the victim.” — Amir Saeid Iravani, Iran's UN ambassador, via Arab News Japan
How each outlet framed it
- The Jakarta Post (AFP) — the escalation: strikes, Iranian missiles and drones at Bahrain, and Iran's warning that Gulf help to the US would be “an act of war.”
- Arab News Japan (AP) — the Gulf angle: Trump saying “kings and emirs” offered US investment instead of tolls, Kuwaiti sailors wounded, and Brent crude falling to $78 after the U-turn.
- Business Standard — Indian business coverage of the blockade's return.
What we don't know yet: Iran's foreign ministry said the June memorandum was “in crisis,” but AFP reported that talks were continuing through mediators from Qatar, Pakistan and Oman.