Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson warned on Monday that Tehran will respond harshly to the United States’ anticipated sanctions package, which is set to be announced later in the day. The spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, said any escalation will bring consequences and emphasized that Iran’s hands are not tied. The head of Iran’s top security body also described support for the sanctions by any country as an “act of war.”
Sanctions and the Strait of Hormuz
The expanded sanctions come after weeks of diplomatic impasse. The United States has not yet removed Iran’s restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which roughly one‑fifth of the world’s oil trade passed before the war began six months ago. Iran’s demands for reopening the strait include lifting the U.S. naval blockade, withdrawing U.S. forces from the region, and receiving reparations for war‑related damages. Tehran has held separate talks with Oman on joint management of the waterway, regardless of any future U.S. agreement.
Historically, sanctions have driven up the price of basic goods in Iran, but the country’s economy has adapted by finding new trading partners and expanding domestic production. Ahead of the expected U.S. announcement, Iran’s currency fell to a record low on Monday.
Israeli‑Syrian diplomatic talks after airstrike
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al‑Shibani met with a high‑level Israeli delegation in Jordan over the weekend in an effort to defuse tensions after Israel struck an air base in northern Syria last week. The U.S. mediated the discussions, which focused on restarting negotiations for a future security agreement.
Israel said the strike targeted the Abu Duhur air base in Idlib province to prevent Turkey, which supports the Syrian government’s rebuilding of its armed forces, from establishing a presence there. Syrian officials asserted their right to develop an army and forge alliances with any country, and called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from a buffer zone in southern Syria that has been occupied since December 2024. They also reiterated that the Golan Heights remains Syrian territory.
Israel reports killing of Hamas militant
Israel’s military announced that an overnight airstrike killed a member of Hamas’ special forces unit. The strike is the latest targeted killing since U.S. officials met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week to push forward a ceasefire agreement. Israel says it continues to target militants it believes participated in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack that sparked the war.
Since the ceasefire took effect last October, Gaza’s health ministry, part of the Hamas‑run government, reports at least 1,288 Palestinian deaths. International observers generally consider the ministry’s figures reliable.
Palestinian American under siege in West Bank
Loui Ridi, a Palestinian American who traveled from Ohio to join relatives defending their home in the West Bank village of Qusra, says he remains unable to leave the area. Israeli forces declared Qusra a closed zone to restore order, but settlers have continued to surround Ridi’s house for more than two weeks, preventing occupants from exiting.
Israeli soldiers have encouraged the settlers to leave, yet Israeli police have not announced any arrests. The situation has drawn condemnation from Israeli rights groups and U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who labeled the violence terrorism. The West Bank, home to roughly 3 million Palestinians and 560,000 Israeli settlers, remains a flashpoint in any future peace settlement.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
