U.S. Shifts Iran Fight to the Sea as Trump Orders Navy to Stop Mine-Laying

Overview

• U.S. forces boarded a vessel carrying Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean as the bombing pause continued, and a third aircraft carrier moved into the region.
• Trump said he ordered the Navy to shoot and kill any boat that tries to lay mines in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that carries much of the world’s oil.
• After Trump said Iran is struggling to settle on a leader and a unified proposal, Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and President Masoud Pezeshkian posted near-identical vows of 'complete obedience to the Supreme Leader.'
• Iranian officials told the New York Times that new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is alive but badly injured, with burns and surgeries that hinder his speech, and that he is leaning on Revolutionary Guard commanders for decisions.
• U.S. officials warned that heavy missile use in the Iran fight has drained stocks, which could weaken near-term defense of Taiwan until replacements arrive.