Trump and Iran in a vicious cycle

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he has reinstated the naval blockade of Iran’s ports and has simultaneously launched a U.S. operation to “protect the Strait of Hormuz.” The move comes as the U.S. military reported thwarting an “Iranian attack” in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, reports have emerged about Israeli efforts to “recruit” former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Tehran’s response to those efforts.

• U.S. President Donald Trump said he has reinstated the naval blockade of Iran’s ports and imposed tolls on passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
• The U.S. military reported thwarting an “Iranian attack” in the Strait of Hormuz.
• The New York Times published a report on Israeli efforts to “recruit” former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and on Tehran’s actions, including imposing house arrest on him after his links to Mossad were exposed.
• The European Union has imposed new sanctions on Sudan, targeting the country’s gold trade.
• A Turkish official said the country has formally notified Canada that it will join the Defense, Security and Resilience Bank as a founding member.
• Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) posted a 36% increase in quarterly revenue.
• Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council announced the recovery of 375 kilograms of gold in the corruption case involving Adnan al-Jumaili, the deputy oil minister.
• The city of Sirte in Libya hosted a meeting between the chiefs of staff of eastern and western Libya’s armies, aimed at reviewing the unification of the military institution.
• The Russian and Chinese navies concluded the joint “Maritime Interaction-2026” exercise in the Yellow Sea.
• Russia’s Ministry of Defense said the country’s military struck two cargo ships carrying Ukrainian forces at the port of Yuzhny in Odesa province.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russian troops are advancing on all fronts of the special military operation zone and that Russia will definitely prevail.
• Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador in Moscow.
• An in-person training course on “Generative Artificial Intelligence in Audiovisual Production” has begun in Tunisia.. Coverage difference: Arab media outlets such as Sky News Arabia and Sputnik Persian focused on regional and international developments, including U.S. actions against Iran, EU sanctions, and military exercises. Sky News Arabia specifically addressed Iran and Trump, as well as Israeli efforts to recruit Ahmadinejad. Sputnik Persian placed greater emphasis on Russia’s stance on the war in Ukraine and military cooperation with China. Deutsche Welle Persian limited its coverage to a general headline about “Trump and