Donald Trump has again claimed that the United States has "total control over the Strait of Hormuz," adding that Iran's leadership is so weakened by internal infighting that it is unclear who is in charge. However, the president's assertion appears questionable following the seizure of two container ships by Iranian commandos and a US report warning that clearing the strait of mines could take up to six months.
Competing Blockades Keep Oil Prices High
Trump's comments on Thursday came after US special forces boarded a stateless oil tanker in the Indian Ocean, which the Pentagon said was carrying Iranian crude oil. The military operation took place hours after Iran seized the two container ships, with both sides continuing to impose competing blockades on the strait. This has kept global oil prices at around $100 per barrel. While US forces have proven capable of stopping ships leaving Iranian ports, they have not yet demonstrated the ability to open the strait to vessels from allied Gulf states.
Pentagon Warns of Mine Threat
The impact of the dual blockades has been compounded by the presence of sea mines in the strait. In a briefing to Congress, the Pentagon warned that it could take up to six months to clear all suspected mines from the sea routes, according to a report in the Washington Post.
Other Key US Politics Stories
EU Risks Fallout Over Balkans Pipeline
The European Union risks a confrontation with Donald Trump after seeking to stall the awarding of a lucrative Balkans pipeline contract to a company fronted by his personal lawyer, documents seen by the Guardian show. Brussels has clashed with Trump over trade, Ukraine, and military spending, but this intervention appears to be the first time it has challenged a commercial venture by those close to the president.
Senate Republicans Advance Immigration Crackdown Funding
Senate Republicans on Thursday approved a plan to fund Trump's crackdown on undocumented immigrants for the remainder of his term and pave the way for an end to the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
Marijuana Reclassification Move
The Trump administration has moved to reclassify marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act, more than four months after Trump signed an executive order directing the attorney general to do so. Schedule I classification placed marijuana alongside heroin and LSD, while Schedule III puts it in the same category as ketamine and anabolic steroids.
Transgender Care Ban Overturned
A federal judge overturned the Trump administration's ban on gender-affirming care for children on Saturday, criticizing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "wanton disregard" for the law that "causes very real harm to very real people." Trans advocates hailed the decision as a "huge step forward."
Trump to Host Crypto Bash
Donald Trump is slated to host a cryptocurrency event on April 25 at his Mar-a-Lago club for purchasers of his memecoin $Trump, which has enriched him while in office. The move has fueled criticism from Democrats and ethics watchdogs that he is using the presidency for financial gain.
NYT Alleges FBI Investigation Over Reporter
The New York Times reported that the FBI began investigating one of its reporters after the newspaper published a story raising security concerns about the girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel.
Other Notable Events
- The US Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General announced an audit of the department's compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
- At least one person was killed and five injured in a shooting at the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge.
- Cuts to the Social Security Administration have caused "customer service chaos" for millions of older Americans and those with disabilities, according to a report from Democratic senators.
- Lockheed Martin's CEO called the Trump administration a "golden opportunity" for the defense company amid expanded federal contracting.
- Meta and Microsoft are trimming workforces by thousands as they invest heavily in AI.
- More than two dozen members of the Mexican Mafia were arrested in a crackdown in southern California.
