WASHINGTON – More than 10,000 American troops are helping enforce the blockade on Iranian ports and 13 ships have turned around rather than confront the military action. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gave an update Thursday during a Pentagon press briefing. Caine said that so far, the Navy hasn’t had to board any vessels seeking to run the blockade. He says any ships approaching the blockade are warned to turn back and that any vessels that refuse could be met with warning shots before being stopped and boarded.
PARIS – The head of the International Energy Agency has warned that Europe has about six weeks of jet fuel left. In an interview Thursday, Fatih Birol told The Associated Press of his concerns about possible flight cancellations if oil supplies remain blocked by the Iran war. He described the situation as the largest energy crisis ever, with potential significant global repercussions. The Strait of Hormuz closure affects oil, gas, and other vital supplies. Birol predicts higher gasoline, natural gas, and electricity prices worldwide. Japan, Korea and India are among Asia countries on the front line, with Europe and the Americas affected next.
WASHINGTON – A federal judge who halted construction of President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom has clarified that the administration can proceed with below-ground construction of a bunker and other “national security facilities” at the site. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington issued his latest ruling Thursday in a lawsuit over the ballroom project several days after an appeals court instructed him to reconsider the possible national security implications of stopping construction. The bunker would guard against a range of possible threats, such as drones, ballistic missiles and biohazards.
KYIV, Ukraine – Russia has launched a massive aerial attack on Ukraine, targeting civilian areas with hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. Officials say the assault killed at least 16 people and injured over 100. The attack, which stretched from daytime into the night, is the largest in almost two weeks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been seeking more air defense systems from allies. Ukraine’s air force reports that air defenses shot down or disabled most of the incoming targets.
– The Associated Press
