US-Iran war LIVE: As mystery continues around Mojtaba Khamenei's health, Iranian media releases another undated video
US-Iran war LIVE: As mystery continues to shroud the appearance of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Al Arabiya reported that Iran's Fars News released archival footage of the Iranian Supreme Leader. According to Al Arabiya, the footage was reportedly filmed before Khamenei became the Supreme Leader.
US-Iran war LIVE: The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Tuesday (local time) said that an oil tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile and disabled about 9 nautical miles northeast of Oman's Ash Shishah, with no injuries reported. The UKMTO, in an advisory note, said the strike damaged the tanker's engine room, adding that the environmental impact of the incident was not immediately known.Oil prices steady as US offers little clarity on Hormuz impasseOil held its decline as the US ramped up economic pressure on Iran and its trading partners in a bid to force the resumption of energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
West Texas Intermediate traded near $85 a barrel after falling more than two per cent in the previous session, while Brent closed at around $92. Countries will face a specific timeline to shut down links with Iran or face unilateral punishment, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday as part of what he called an “economic D-Day” campaign.US expands Iran sanctions but holds back tougher measuresThe United States on Monday (local time) announced a series of economic sanctions that it said would cut Tehran's economic lifeline, but stopped short of the most punishing measures.
Instead, it put the world on notice to cease doing business with the Islamic Republic. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, while unveiling the sanctions, said other countries would be required to cut business ties with Iran or risk being forced out of the dollar-based financial system. However, he declined to identify the countries that would be targeted or reveal when those penalties would take effect, saying he would instead give them time to comply with the new directive.Iran warns of a harsh response as US announces sanctionsThe Islamic Republic warned that Washington's new sanctions on Tehran, announced Monday, will not bring peace to the region.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson warned that Tehran would respond harshly to the expanded US sanctions, including measures against countries it sees as cooperating with Washington. Esmail Baghaei said, "Any escalation of this situation will undoubtedly bring about consequences," and added, "Our hands are not tied." The latest sanctions come after weeks of impasse. The US has not dislodged Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's traded oil passed before the war started nearly six months ago.Separately, Tehran's demands for reopening Hormuz include ending the US naval blockade, withdrawing US forces from the region, and providing reparations for damages sustained in the war.
It has held separate talks with Oman, on the other side of the strait, on jointly managing the waterway, regardless of whether a new deal is brokered with the US.Stay tuned to this LIVE blog for all the latest news on the Iran-US war.