US Forces Lift Blockade of Iran Ports

Iranians walk past a billboard at Enqelab square in Tehran, Iran, 18 June 2026. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
Iranians walk past a billboard at Enqelab square in Tehran, Iran, 18 June 2026. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
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US Forces Lift Blockade of Iran Ports

Iranians walk past a billboard at Enqelab square in Tehran, Iran, 18 June 2026. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
Iranians walk past a billboard at Enqelab square in Tehran, Iran, 18 June 2026. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH

American forces on Thursday lifted their naval blockade of Iranian ports after more than two months of preventing ships from sailing from or to Iran, the US military said.

"Today, US forces lifted the blockade on all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports and coastal areas," US Central Command said in a post on X, adding that American warships "will remain in the general area to make sure that all aspects of the agreement are adhered to."

The move came after US President Donald Trump signed a deal to end the conflict.

The signing of the deal by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian set in motion a 60-day period for talks on wider issues between the two foes, including the Iranian nuclear program.

The US military, which had enforced its own blockade after Iran shut the Strait at the start of the war, has allowed at least 12 ships to pass through, Vice President JD Vance said.

Before the war, the strait saw around 120 transits per day, according to the shipping journal Lloyd's List.

Vance said he planned to go to Switzerland for "technical negotiations" with Iran "this weekend" rather than Friday, but emphasized that the plan "could change.”

In Iran, the Tasnim agency said "nothing has been confirmed" about the Iranian delegation's trip to Switzerland.



Rubio Denies Plans to Leave Post for White House Bid

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony with Paraguay's Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano on strategic civil nuclear cooperation, at the State Department in Washington, DC, US, August 4, 2026. (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony with Paraguay's Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano on strategic civil nuclear cooperation, at the State Department in Washington, DC, US, August 4, 2026. (Reuters)
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Rubio Denies Plans to Leave Post for White House Bid

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony with Paraguay's Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano on strategic civil nuclear cooperation, at the State Department in Washington, DC, US, August 4, 2026. (Reuters)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony with Paraguay's Foreign Minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcano on strategic civil nuclear cooperation, at the State Department in Washington, DC, US, August 4, 2026. (Reuters)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed reports Thursday that he was planning to leave the Trump administration as he weighs his next moves after Republicans' losses in midterm elections, according to The New York Times.

It has "always been my plan" to work for President Donald Trump until the end of his term, Rubio told The Times in an interview.

Rubio, who also serves as Trump's national security adviser, is widely considered a potential successor to Trump in the 2028 presidential race.

Just days before Tuesday's midterm elections, he made an unusual appearance alongside the US leader on the campaign trail, briefly stepping up on the podium to address a cheering crowd at a rally.

Rubio declined to answer questions about his political future on Thursday, however, saying: "I literally will not talk about 2028 anymore."

On reports that he was considering an exit from the Trump administration, he told The New York Times: "I don't know where these things come from, to be honest with you."

Earlier Thursday, Bloomberg News reported that Rubio was weighing whether to leave the administration.

The report added that Rubio spoke to White House officials about stepping down, and was asked to stay.

But the State Department has hit back sharply against reports that Rubio might leave.

Dylan Johnson, Assistant Secretary of State for global public affairs, called the Bloomberg article "totally made up."

He also called a report by news outlet The Independent, which said Rubio was planning to launch a bid for the 2028 Republican presidential nomination, "completely baseless fake news."

Rubio has previously said that he would support Vice President JD Vance if he ran for president.

Vance is also widely considered a possible 2028 candidate.


Trump Says to ‘Soon’ Take Decision on Whether to Resume Iran War

A hat reading "VETO" sits on the Resolute Desk as US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, on November 5, 2026. (AFP)
A hat reading "VETO" sits on the Resolute Desk as US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, on November 5, 2026. (AFP)
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Trump Says to ‘Soon’ Take Decision on Whether to Resume Iran War

A hat reading "VETO" sits on the Resolute Desk as US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, on November 5, 2026. (AFP)
A hat reading "VETO" sits on the Resolute Desk as US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, on November 5, 2026. (AFP)

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would decide “soon” on whether to resume the war on Iran following a meeting with his top national security advisers.

"Now we will make a decision," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

"Do we want to go further" with strikes to ensure Iran's nuclear program is over and that "it will never happen again?" he added.

"I would rather not destroy the rest of the country if possible, but maybe I will have to. You'll know soon enough."

Trump held meetings at the White House on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the resumption of military operations, according to senior officials who spoke to US media.

While the US Central Command continues its military preparations, Qatari mediators are advancing a draft agreement aimed at fostering confidence between Washington and Tehran.

The president, at least for now, is considering three options: launch new strikes, continue to strangle Iran's regime economically, or cut a deal that includes significant concessions to the Iranians, reported Axios.

Trump on Thursday said Iran could not do ‌anything regarding ‌its nuclear program ‌without ⁠US approval.

"They're not ⁠doing anything without our approval," ⁠Trump told reporters ‌in ‌the Oval ‌Office ‌in response to a question regarding a ‌set of proposals made ⁠to ⁠Iran by mediators about the future of its nuclear program.


European Air Traffic Targeted by New Threats in at Least 3 Incidents

Police officers work at Copenhagen Airport on November 6, 2026, in connection with new threats directed at air traffic. (AFP)
Police officers work at Copenhagen Airport on November 6, 2026, in connection with new threats directed at air traffic. (AFP)
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European Air Traffic Targeted by New Threats in at Least 3 Incidents

Police officers work at Copenhagen Airport on November 6, 2026, in connection with new threats directed at air traffic. (AFP)
Police officers work at Copenhagen Airport on November 6, 2026, in connection with new threats directed at air traffic. (AFP)

Police in Denmark and the Czech Republic investigated threats to air traffic on Friday, while a Romanian plane received a bomb threat following a string of hoaxes that have targeted flights and disrupted travel across Europe this week.

A flight from Prague to Bucharest operated by Romanian carrier Tarom received a bomb threat. The plane landed at its intended destination, and airport administration officials said the bomb threat proved to be false.

In the Danish capital, Copenhagen, police said Friday they were present at the airport for a second consecutive day “in connection with threats directed at air traffic.”

They said their immediate assessment was that there had been no danger to passengers or to others at the airport. It added that air traffic was proceeding safely and without disruption.

Czech police also said they were again dealing with threats against planes on Friday. They said necessary security measures have been taken in cooperation with Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport that have “a minimal impact on the normal operations at the airport.”

Meanwhile in Ireland, the Dublin headquarters of national broadcaster RTE was evacuated Friday after a bomb threat, and live broadcasts were replaced with pre-recorded programs.

Ireland’s police force, An Garda Síochána, said it was “aware of a threat made against media organizations here and in Europe.” It said that it has been liaising with Irish media organizations and the threat will be investigated.

More than two dozen flights were affected by threats earlier in the week, with some diverted as authorities scrambled to rule out any danger.

Europe has experienced a slew of other disruptions recently, such as attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems, drone incursions and mysterious triggers to alert apps.

Fake bomb threats are relatively common, but it is unusual to see so many in such a short period. They come at a time of increased geopolitical tensions and warnings from authorities that Russia may be ramping up so-called hybrid threats in Europe.