BRICS+ Report

CONTEXT: During a Cabinet meeting Q&A at the White House, Trump was asked, “Would you accept a short-term deal that allows Iran and Oman to control the strait [of Hormuz]? And would they have to open it immediately, or would you be open to that happening over a period of time?” “No, the strait’s gotta be open to everybody — it’s international waters. Nobody’s gonna control it, we’re gonna watch over it. We’ll watch over it, but nobody’s gonna control it. That’s part of the negotiation that we have. They would like to control it, nobody’s gonna control it. It’s international waters,” replied the president. “And Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow ’em up. They understand that. They’ll be fine.”

BREAKING: According to Iranian state TV’s reported draft of the unofficial US-Iran MOU: • US Fifth Fleet and American forces would withdraw from the vicinity of Iran • The US naval blockade would be lifted • Iran would restore commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz within one month • Military vessels are excluded from the agreement • Strait traffic would be managed by Iran in coordination with Oman Separately, Israeli outlet N12 reports US aircraft stationed in Israel will be relocated to bases in Europe within 72 hours.

BREAKING: The IRGC released footage of interception of a US MQ-9 drone over the Persian Gulf yesterday.(1) IRGC also published footage of Iranian air defenses tracked and locked onto a stealth US F-35 after it allegedly entered southern Iranian airspace. The aircraft reportedly withdrew from the area after being targeted.(2)

BREAKING: US CENTCOM officially denied the Wall Street Journal report claiming the Navy resumed assisting ships in the Strait of Hormuz. "Project Freedom has not resumed, and U.S. forces are not currently escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz".