The US Central Command reported on Saturday that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has forced 48 vessels to turn back over the past 20 days, with three ships needing to be rerouted in the last 20 hours alone. The US maintains that ships are neither allowed to enter nor leave Iranian ports. US President Donald Trump stated that the blockade will remain in effect until an agreement is reached with Iran regarding the end of the war. Iran, conversely, described the blockade as a violation of a ceasefire. Speaking in Florida, Trump asserted that while the US is not “playing games” the Iranian regime has pressured other nations for 47 years and has used the Strait of Hormuz as a weapon by closing it, prompting the US to retaliate in kind.
Separately, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported that 2,659 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israeli attacks began on March 2nd. According to the Ministry, 73 people were killed and 163 injured since April 30th. Despite a negotiated ceasefire, both sides accuse each other of regularly violating the agreement and continuing minor attacks.
