Senator Cruz backs Trump demands on Iran, warns over Hormuz disruption

Ophir Falk, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief foreign policy adviser, said on Thursday Israel and the United States are in “complete agreement” amid ongoing regional tensions.

Speaking to NBC’s Meet the Press NOW, Falk described a recent strike on Beirut as the largest operation against Hezbollah leadership since 2024.

Asked about the objective of Israel’s campaign against Iran, he said it remains to “remove the existential threat” posed by the Iranian leadership, including its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.

Bahrain’s mission to the United Nations on Thursday sent a letter to the UN secretary-general and the Security Council condemning what it described as Iranian missile and drone attacks on the kingdom and the region.

The letter, submitted on behalf of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait, said the attacks since February 28 violate international law, the UN Charter and state sovereignty.

It urged the Security Council to take necessary measures to ensure Iran complies with its obligations and halts what it described as violations, while reaffirming Gulf states’ right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Senator John Fetterman said on Thursday on Fox more Democrats should listen to him and get on “the right side of history,” adding “Epic Fury was necessary” and that he will be the only Democrat in his caucus proud to stand up for it.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is a “fundamental principle” of international maritime law, rejecting any unilateral move to impose charges on shipping.

In an interview with Channel 4 aired on Thursday, she said the Strait is part of international shipping routes linking the high seas and argued that no country can “unilaterally go against the law of the sea” by imposing tolls.

A total of six ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, according to data compiled by the global ship tracking firm MarineTraffic, CBS reported.

They included two oil, chemical or liquefied gas tankers, three cargo ships, and one bunkering vessel supplying fuel to other ships.

The figure compares with five cargo ships on Wednesday, with no oil, chemical or liquefied gas tankers recorded that day. On Tuesday, when a ceasefire was announced, 11 ships transited the strait, including nine tankers.

MarineTraffic data also showed that since February 28, at least 212 oil, chemical or liquefied gas tankers have crossed the strait, accounting for about 58% of all vessels passing through.