US Iran War News Live: Iran demands frozen US funds release; Hyderabad consulate mocks Trump online
The U.S. imposed new sanctions on Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority while tensions escalate in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran denying involvement in a missile strike on a South Korean vessel and demanding the release of frozen U.S.-held funds. Meanwhile, oil prices surged after reports of an Iranian missile attack on a U.S. base in Kuwait, and nearly 20,000 seafarers remain stranded due to shipping disruptions in the Gulf region.
The United States has intensified pressure on Iran by imposing fresh sanctions on its newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority, amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The move comes as global shipping and energy trade face disruptions, with Iran denying responsibility for a missile strike on the South Korean-operated vessel HMM Namu. Iranian Ambassador to South Korea Saeed Koozechi rejected involvement, warning of potential false flag operations by hostile countries. Iran has also demanded the unconditional release of assets frozen by the U.S., calling them the legal right of the Iranian people. Deputy Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Bagheri Kani stated that Tehran would not accept conditions for their return, further straining negotiations. Oil prices jumped nearly 4% after reports that Iran fired a missile at a U.S. military base in Kuwait, raising fears of a broader Gulf conflict. Shipping monitors LSEG and Kpler reported three dark tankers—two supertankers and one LNG carrier—crossing the Strait of Hormuz with transponders off, bound for India and China. Meanwhile, nearly 20,000 seafarers remain stranded aboard vessels anchored in Gulf waters due to reduced traffic through the critical shipping route. U.S. President Donald Trump linked potential progress on an Iran deal to Gulf nations’ participation in the Abraham Accords, suggesting Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar must join or risk delays. The consulate of Iran in Hyderabad mocked Trump on social media over a remark about the difference between a sea and an ocean, contrasting him with former President Barack Obama. The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global crude oil and LNG exports, remains a flashpoint as Washington and Tehran engage in negotiations. Disruptions threaten energy supplies and supply chains, with Al Jazeera reporting a significant drop in maritime traffic in recent weeks.
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