
Iran's former economy minister calls for Iranian control over Strait of Hormuz
DUBAI: Former Iranian Economy Minister Ehsan Khandouzi has said that tankers and LNG cargoes should only transit the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian permission and this policy should be carried out 'tomorrow for a hundred days.'
It was not immediately clear whether Khandouzi was echoing the establishment's decision or sharing his personal opinion.
'This policy is decisive if implemented on time. Any delay in carrying it out means prolonging war inside the country,' Khandouzi posted on X on Tuesday.
Iran's Oil Ministry and Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Saudi Gazette
24 minutes ago
- Saudi Gazette
Iran's Khamenei warns of ‘irreparable damage' if US intervenes in Israel conflict
TEHRAN — Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Wednesday rejected U.S. demands for surrender following days of intensified Israeli airstrikes, warning that any American military involvement would inflict 'irreparable damage' on the United States. His message, delivered in an official statement read on state TV, came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric, calling for Iran's 'unconditional surrender' and suggesting he knew Khamenei's whereabouts, but had 'no plans to kill him—at least not for now.' The sharp exchange underscores fears that the conflict between Israel and Iran could spiral further into a regional war, with U.S. forces already repositioned in the Gulf and tensions running high across the region. Khamenei said those familiar with Iran and its history 'never speak to this nation with the language of threats,' asserting that 'the Iranian nation is not one to surrender.' A video of his address is expected to air later, part of a pattern of delayed broadcasts believed to be a security measure. His exact location remains unknown. Earlier Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei warned that any American intervention would risk 'all-out war.' Meanwhile, Iran reiterated its commitment to enriching uranium for what it described as 'peaceful purposes,' resisting Washington's demands to abandon its nuclear ambitions. The Israeli military said its latest airstrikes targeted a centrifuge manufacturing plant and a missile component facility in Tehran, as well as storage sites in western Iran. The U.N. nuclear watchdog confirmed that Israel struck two centrifuge production sites. Israel's attacks over the past five days have reportedly killed several top Iranian generals and nuclear scientists. A U.S.-based Iranian rights group said at least 585 people, including 239 civilians, have been killed and over 1,300 injured since the conflict began. Iran, for its part, has launched nearly 400 missiles and hundreds of drones toward Israel, with 24 reported deaths and hundreds wounded. While the rate of Iranian missile launches has declined, Israel has continued targeting missile launchers and support infrastructure. In Tehran, shops remained shuttered and fuel stations saw long lines as explosions continued to shake the capital. Authorities remained silent on the latest attacks, consistent with recent patterns amid escalating Israeli raids. One strike reportedly targeted Hakimiyeh, an eastern Tehran neighborhood that hosts a Revolutionary Guard academy. Despite Israel's strikes on nuclear sites, Iran's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, insisted the country would continue producing enriched uranium 'as far as we need for peaceful purposes.' He downplayed the impact of the strikes, stating that 'our scientists will continue their work.' Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed state enriching uranium up to 60%, a level just short of weapons-grade. While Tehran claims its nuclear program is peaceful, U.S. intelligence assessments say Iran could develop a nuclear weapon within months if it chooses. Israel's Ben Gurion Airport resumed limited flights Wednesday after a four-day shutdown due to Iranian missile threats. Two repatriation flights from Cyprus landed in Tel Aviv, airport officials confirmed. — Agencies


Argaam
an hour ago
- Argaam
ADF OKs SAR 2.7B in loans
Saudi Arabia's Agricultural Development Fund (ADF) approved over SAR 2.7 billion ($720 million) in financing and credit facilities across the Kingdom, the board announced following its second meeting for 2025, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. Approvals included a mix of development loans for farmers and financing for projects in poultry farming, automated slaughterhouses, greenhouse vegetable production, inland fish farming, cold storage, agricultural marketing centers, red meat production, and agri-industrial initiatives. ADF also gave the go-ahead for some loans under its agricultural import financing program. The latter initiative supports Saudi Arabia's food security strategy by boosting strategic reserves and maintaining supply chain stability. Total loan approvals as of the first half of this year exceeded SAR 4.6 billion.


Asharq Al-Awsat
an hour ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Iran's Khamenei Rejects Trump's Call for Unconditional Surrender
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said in a statement read by a television presenter on Wednesday that his country will not accept US President Donald Trump's call for an unconditional surrender. In his first remarks since Friday, when he delivered a speech broadcast on state media after Israel began bombarding Iran, Khamenei said peace or war could not be imposed on the country. "Intelligent people who know Iran, the Iranian nation, and its history will never speak to this nation in threatening language because the Iranian nation will not surrender," he said. "The Americans should know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage." Thousands of people were fleeing Tehran on Wednesday after Israeli warplanes bombed the city overnight, and a source said Trump was considering options that include joining Israel in attacking Iranian nuclear sites. Israel's military said 50 Israeli jets had struck around 20 targets in Tehran overnight, including sites producing raw materials, components and manufacturing systems for missiles. A source familiar with internal discussions said Trump and his team were considering a number of options, which included joining Israel in strikes against Iranian nuclear sites. Iran had conveyed to Washington that it would retaliate against the United States for any direct participation, its ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, said. He said he already saw the US as "complicit in what Israel is doing".