Trump thinks again: suspension of Project Freedom in Hormuz. French ship hit in the Strait, China: "Stop hostilities"

Trump suspends Project Freedom. “At the request of Pakistan and other countries, in view of the formidable military success achieved during the campaign against Iran and, furthermore, the fact that great progress has been made towards a complete and final agreement with Iranian representatives, we have mutually agreed that, while the blockade remains fully in force and effective, Project Freedom (the transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be suspended for a short period, in order to verify whether the agreement can be finalized and signed.” The US president writes it on Truth.

Rubio: ‘Project Freedom is defensive, if they shoot first we will respond’

“It’s clear and everyone understands that this is not an offensive operation. This is a defensive operation. And the meaning of that is very simple: you don’t shoot unless they shoot first.” This is what the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said when speaking about the Project Freedom mission in Iran. “We’re not attacking them. We’re not doing that, but if they were to attack a ship, you would have to respond: You don’t shoot unless they shoot first. And so far we’ve been successful in that regard,” Rubio added, speaking at a White House briefing.

French ship hit in Strait of Hormuz, crew injured

A CMA CGM container ship was “the target of an attack” in the Strait of Hormuz, as confirmed by the French shipping company. The international media reported it. According to Al-Jazeera and other media it would be the ship ‘San Antonio’. The company added that the attack resulted in injuries among crew members and damage to the vessel. The injured crew members have been evacuated and are receiving medical assistance: according to the Turkish Anadolu agency, they are Filipino citizens.

Beijing, ‘immediate cessation of hostilities in Iran is of extreme urgency’

China has said that a complete cessation of hostilities is of “extreme urgency” and that the continuation of negotiations remains “of paramount importance”, following the meeting in Beijing between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and China’s top diplomat Wang Yi, international media reported. China’s Foreign Ministry said Wang told Araghchi that China is “a reliable strategic partner of Iran” and expressed hope that the parties involved would respond to international calls to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Araghchi to Wang: ‘We will only accept a fair and complete agreement’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said “Iran will only accept a fair and comprehensive agreement” with the United States during talks in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. “The war waged against us is a clear act of aggression and a clear violation of international law. We will do our best to protect our legitimate rights and interests in the negotiations,” added the head of Tehran’s diplomacy. According to the Iranian ISNA agency, Wang Yi defined the war by the United States and Israel as “illegitimate”, adding that “direct meetings between the two sides are necessary”. China is ready to continue working “to reduce the intensity of tensions,” Wang Yi said, stressing that “establishing a comprehensive ceasefire is necessary and inevitable.”

The IDF orders the evacuation of 12 villages in southern Lebanon

The Israeli military has ordered residents to evacuate their homes in 12 villages and towns in southern Lebanon. Residents have been ordered to move at least one kilometer from their homes. Al-Jazeera writes it. The IDF also says it struck Hezbollah-linked sites in southern Lebanon, killing several fighters and targeting what it called military infrastructure. He added that Israeli jets hit “several buildings” while Hezbollah fighters “operated inside them.” According to the army, around “25 targets of the terrorist organization Hezbollah” were hit in the last 24 hours, including a weapons depot and “additional terrorist infrastructure”. The army also reported intercepting a “suspicious air target” and said Hezbollah fired rockets, explosive drones and mortars, with “no casualties among our forces”.

Israel must immediately release Flotilla activists Abukeshek and Avila

“Israel must immediately and unconditionally release Saif Abukeshek and Thiago de Avila, members of the Global Sumud Flotilla”: asks the spokesperson for the United Nations Office for Human Rights, Thameen Al-Kheetan. “It is not a crime to show solidarity and attempt to bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population of Gaza, who desperately needs it”, underlines the spokesperson in a comment made public in Geneva. The two activists “continue to be held without charge”. The spokesperson cites “disturbing” reports of serious mistreatment suffered by Abukeshek and de Avila, abuse that “must be investigated.”