Hormuz traffic remains a fraction of normal levels - Reuters

Iran’s parliament speaker said on Wednesday that maintaining unity was the only way to counter what he described as pressure from the United States.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in an audio message released by state media that the US strategy aimed to create economic strain and internal divisions through measures such as the naval blockade.

“The only solution to counter the new enemy plot is one thing: preserving unity,” he said.

He added that cohesion among the public had been key to overcoming previous challenges and remained essential as pressures evolved.

The United States has spent $25 billion on the war with Iran so far, according to Reuters citing a senior Pentagon official.

The figure highlights the rapidly rising cost of a conflict that has stretched military resources and added to economic pressure at home.

The financial toll comes as the Pentagon moves to replenish depleted stocks of missiles and other munitions after weeks of heavy military operations in the region.

Canada’s immigration ministry said on Wednesday that IRGC officials are inadmissible to the country, responding to Iran International regarding Mehdi Taj, the president of Iran’s football federation.

“The government has been clear and consistent: IRGC officials are inadmissible to Canada and have no place in our country,” it said.

The ministry said it could not comment on individual cases because of privacy laws, but added that visa applications for FIFA World Cup-related events are assessed case by case by trained officers.

“We have taken strong action to hold the IRGC to account and will continue to do so, while protecting the safety of Canadians and upholding the integrity of our immigration system,” it added.

A senior Iranian foreign ministry official said on Wednesday that some neighboring countries could not be considered neutral because they had supported US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Kazem Gharibabadi, a deputy foreign minister, said some regional countries had provided territory, facilities and military installations used in the strikes.

He added that Iran had documented that support.

Mehdi Taj, the IRGC-linked president of Iran’s football federation, was not allowed into Canada after arriving for this week’s FIFA Congress and later left the country, Iran International has learned.

Taj and two companions departed Canada at 10:05 p.m. local time on Monday.

Iran International had earlier reported that Canadian authorities had granted Taj a Temporary Resident Permit, allowing him to enter under strict conditions despite being otherwise inadmissible.

It remains unclear whether the permit was revoked upon arrival or whether authorities denied him entry following additional review or objections.