Overview
- The Treasury authorized sales through April 19 of roughly 140 million Iranian barrels already loaded before March 20, with officials saying Tehran will struggle to access the proceeds.
- U.S. officials say a large amphibious ship carrying the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit is deploying on USS Boxer toward the Strait, joining the 31st MEU on USS Tripoli to provide maritime security and evacuation options.
- Israel reported fresh strikes on targets in Tehran and on Hezbollah positions near Beirut, while U.S. officials told media that two Iranian ballistic missiles fired toward the Diego Garcia base failed to hit.
- Iran keeps restricting transit in the Strait of Hormuz, with daily tanker crossings plunging from about 50 to fewer than five and Brent crude trading around $110–$114 after a rise of more than 50% since mid‑February.
- President Trump said the U.S. is close to its objectives and may scale back operations, pressed allies to help secure Hormuz, and the Pentagon is preparing an estimated $200 billion request as analysts warn of interceptor and missile stockpile strain.