Iran’s president says the Strait of Hormuz would be open within the framework of international law if the United States stops its acts of aggression against the Islamic Republic. Masoud Pezeshkian was speaking in an interview with India Today network. He added that Iran and Oman have reached an understanding on a specific framework for the strait, and informed the International Maritime Organization of that understanding. Pezeshkian reiterated that it was not Iran that started the war, but the enemy attacked the country with no justification and martyred the leader, top commanders, nuclear scientists, and ordinary people, including many children. He stressed that Iran has only defended itself, adding that there is no justification on an international level for the enemy’s actions. Elsewhere in his remarks, Pezeshkian said Iran has no problem with regional countries, but has a problem with US bases in those countries, which are used for aggression against Iran. The Iranian president noted that neighboring and friendly countries should not allow enemies to use their territories to attack Iran.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy says a supertanker trying to cross the Hormuz Strait along a route not authorized by Iran has exploded after colliding with naval mines. The IRGC said in its statement that the supertanker "El Gaia" was trying to cross the strategic waterway through a prohibited route in the southern part of the Strait when it collided with naval mines. The statement added that a fire broke out on the ship following the explosion, and efforts made to contain it have been futile, causing the entire tanker to be engulfed in flames. The IRGC emphasized that a warning had previously been issued regarding the dangerous nature of such illegal transit routes. The statement concluded by reaffirming that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and remains under the IRGC’s control.

The Yemeni army says it has foiled a planned airstrike by Saudi Arabia on the country by confronting and repelling two combat formations coming from the kingdom. Yemen’s army spokesman, Yahya Saree, said the Saudi combat formation included Typhoon and F-15 fighter jets, which were intercepted in the Sa’ada Governorate. He added that the warplanes had taken off from Saudi air bases in Khamis Mushait and Taif. Saree said the fighter jets were confronted with a number of domestically made air defense missiles, which forced them to retreat and return to their bases. His remarks came after, earlier the same day, Saree said Saudi F-15 and Typhoon warplanes had carried out 54 airstrikes on several Yemeni governorates within a period of 24 hours. Those airstrikes also originated from Saudi air bases in Khamis Mushait and Taif. He vowed the Saudi regime’s brutal aggression against Yemen will not go unpunished.

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