Ceasefire Day 25: Trump Stands By Counter-Blockade
A ceasefire to the Iran War entered its 25th day Saturday, one day after President Donald Trump notified Congress that the U.S. military actions against Iran “that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated.”
Trump’s letter comes as U.S. servicemembers remain stationed in the region and a negotiated settlement to end the war has yet to be signed.
It was reported on Friday that the Trump administration has added Nick Stewart, a lobbying executive at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies affiliate FDD Action, to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s office and negotiating team.
Iran has conditioned its participation in a new round of negotiations on an end to the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and implementation of the Lebanon ceasefire, according to Drop Site News.
At a rally on Friday, Trump said that the U.S. behave “like pirates,” as the U.S. navy carries out its blockade of the strait.
The U.S. Treasury Department, through its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), issued a warning on Friday to shipping firms that if they pay Iran any toll as a fee for passing through the Strait of Hormuz, they could be met with U.S. sanctions. Those “sanctions risks,” the OFAC’s advisory said, “exist regardless of payment method.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked emergency powers Friday under the Arms Export Control Act on Friday to approve $8.6 billion in military sales to Israel, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE, bypassing standard congressional review. BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, RTX and Lockheed Martin are the top beneficiaries of the arms sales.
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A CNN investigation published Friday found that 16 American military sites were damaged by Iranian strikes during the Iran War.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry said that Israeli strikes killed at least 41 people since Friday morning, while the IDF said that Hezbollah fired at Israeli soldiers, with no injuries reported.
Gas prices continued to rise, with AAA reporting the national average price of gas at $4.43.
