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☆ US stocks slip, Treasuries rise on Middle East violence
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"The risk is higher oil prices, a slump in equities, and a surge in volatility that supports the dollar and yen, and undermine 'risk' currencies," said analysts at CBA in a note. In currency markets, the yen was the main gainer though moves were modest overall. The news from the Middle East could also sour the start of corporate earnings season with 12 S&P 500 companies reporting this week including JP Morgan, Citi, and Wells Fargo. Early Monday, markets seemed to think developments in the Middle East would lean against further Fed hikes, and perhaps hasten a policy easing next year. China also returns from holiday this week with a deluge of data including consumer and producer inflation, trade, credit and lending growth.

Persons: Androniki, Israel, Brent, JP Morgan, Wayne Cole, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Nikkei, REUTERS, CBA, Nasdaq, Citi, Reserve, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, SYDNEY, Asia, Iran, Straits, Hormuz, Gaza, Wells Fargo, China

☆ U.S. stocks slip, oil surges on Middle East violence
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-08 | by ( Wayne Cole | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"The risk is higher oil prices, a slump in equities, and a surge in volatility that supports the dollar and yen, and undermine 'risk' currencies," said analysts at CBA in a note. "A response by Iran in the Straits of Hormuz is the wild-card for oil supply and currency reaction." Any sustained rally in oil prices would act as a tax on consumers and add to inflationary pressures, which weighed on equities as S&P 500 futures shed 0.8% and Nasdaq futures lost 0.7%. The news from the Middle East could also sour the start of corporate earnings season with 12 S&P 500 companies reporting this week including JP Morgan, Citi, and Wells Fargo. Early Monday, markets seemed to think developments in the Middle East would lean against further Fed hikes, and perhaps hasten a policy easing next year.

☆ The US Navy turned the tables on Iran, sending drones that look like speedboats to spy on its warships and troublesome gunboats
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. US Navy photoAn undated still image released on Oct. 6 from video taken by an Arabian Fox MAST-13 unmanned surface vessel of an Iranian Navy AB-212 helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz. AdvertisementAdvertisementOther images from the September operation that were released by the US Navy on Friday showed an IRGCN warship and an Iranian Navy frigate. An L3Harris Arabian Fox MAST-13 unmanned surface vessel sails in the Arabian Gulf, Jan. 22, during exercise Neon Defender 23. US Navy photoA MARTAC T-38 Devil Ray unmanned surface vessel operates in the Gulf of Aqaba, Mar.

Persons: —, NAVCENT, Joe Baggett, Ray USV, Brad Cooper, Cooper, Arleigh Burke, Alexus, Grynkewich, they'll Organizations: US Navy, Navy, Service, Washington, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, US Naval Forces Central Command, Iranian, Fleet, Iranian Navy, Arabian Fox, US Marines, Coast Guard, Pentagon, Bataan, Ready, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, US Air Forces Central Command, Defense Writers Locations: Tehran, Hormuz, Persian, Gulf of Oman, Iran, Arabian, Panama, Strait, Iranian Navy, Iranian, NAVCENT, Gulf, Aqaba, Mar

Loved ones, some holding small American flags, enveloped them in hugs and exchanged greetings in English and Farsi, the main language of Iran. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said two of the Iranian prisoners will stay in the U.S. Meanwhile, Nour News, a website believed to be close to Iran’s security apparatus, said two of the Iranian prisoners were in Doha for the swap. In his statement, Biden demanded more information on what happened to Bob Levinson, an American who went missing years ago. The Biden administration also announced fresh sanctions on former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence.

Persons: Joe Biden, Siamak Namazi, ”, Babak, Baquer, “, Biden, Iran’s, Ebrahim Raisi, ” Raisi, — Siamak, Emad, Tahbaz —, Timmy Davis, Namazi, Effie Namazi, Vida Tahbaz, Nasser Kanaani, Nour, Mehrdad Ansari, Reza Sarhangpour Kafrani, Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, ” Biden, Bob Levinson, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Neda, ___ Gambrell, Jo, Nasser Karimi, Amir Vahdat, Matthew Lee, Paul Haven, Aamer Madhani, Michelle Phillips, Eric Tucker, Farnoush Amiri Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican, Democratic, United Nations General Assembly, U.S, South, Iranian Foreign Ministry, Nour News, Mideast, Social, Iranian Ministry of Intelligence, Embassy, Associated Press Locations: Iran, Fort Belvoir , Virginia, Tehran, Doha, Qatar, New York, America, Persian, U.S, Strait, Hormuz, United States, South Korea, Iranian, Korea, Islamic Republic, American, British, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Washington

However, Iran faces a new challenge from within as the one-year anniversary of the nationwide protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody approaches this Saturday. Today, Iran faces Western sanctions after the collapse of its 2015 nuclear deal. These are Iranian money.”From the Iranian side, claiming victory has been as important as freeing the cash. “This money belongs to the Islamic Republic of Iran," Raisi said through a government translator about the swap. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian suggested resuming negotiations over a roadmap that could see Tehran return to aspects of the nuclear deal, which the Islamic Republic walked away from last year.

Persons: Carter, ”, Walter Mondale, Matthew Miller, Behzad Nabavi, Ebrahim Raisi, Raisi, —, Ronald Reagan, Hossein Amirabdollahian, “, Matthew Lee, Jon Gambrell Organizations: United Arab Emirates, Embassy, . State Department, ”, NBC News, United Nations, U.S, Pentagon, Iranian, Islamic, Associated Press, The Associated Press, Gulf Cooperation, AP Locations: DUBAI, United Arab, Washington, Tehran, Iran, United States, Islamic Republic, South Korea, Qatar, U.S, Algier Accords, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Today, U.S ., Strait, Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Russia, Ukraine, Gulf

☆ Opinion | A Saudi-Israel Deal Would Bring Big Benefits — to the U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Hussein Ibish | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Yet neither Saudi Arabia nor Israel appears to be showing much urgency in getting the deal done, while the Biden administration has made it a clear priority. The main advantage the triangular deal offers the United States is a tightened grip over three vitally important waterways around the Arabian Peninsula: the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Suez Canal, which links the Red and Mediterranean Seas and connects Asia, Africa and Europe, is just as significant. At the other end of the Red Sea, a third key passageway, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, controls the entrance into the Red Sea leading to the Suez Canal and is similarly significant to global trade. It’s no accident that the only overseas Chinese military base is in Djibouti, just 68 miles from Bab el-Mandeb, or that Beijing invested billions of dollars in that country.

Persons: Biden, Bab Organizations: Beijing Locations: Saudi Arabia, Israel, Washington, United States, Hormuz, Suez, Mandeb, China, Asia, Africa, Europe, Djibouti, Bab el

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A Greek shipper has pleaded guilty to a charge over it smuggling sanctioned Iranian crude oil and agreed to pay a $2.4 million fine, U.S. federal court papers seen Thursday by The Associated Press show. In July, the top commander of the Revolutionary Guard’s naval arm threatened further action against anyone offloading the Suez Rajan, with state media linking the recent seizures to the cargo’s fate. In its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran regained the ability to sell oil openly on the international market. It also began a cat-and-mouse hunt for Iranian oil cargo — as well as series of escalating attacks attributed to Iran since 2019. China is believed to be a major buyer of Iranian oil, likely at a significant discount.

Persons: shipper, Tourkantonis, Mark Wallace, George W, Bush, “, ” Wallace, Biden, Suez Rajan, Donald Trump Organizations: United Arab Emirates, Associated Press, Navigation, U.S, Nuclear, Empire, United Nations, Nuclear Iran, AP, Suez, Chevron Corp, Revolutionary, Embassy, U.S . Navy, Iranian, “ Locations: DUBAI, United Arab, Suez, Islamic Republic, Tehran, Washington, South Korea, Iran, U.S, Nuclear Iran, Persian, South, Singapore, Mexico, Houston , Texas, Athens, Greece, Gulf of Mexico, America, Hormuz, Swiss, Switzerland, Bataan, Strait, Gulf of Oman, China

The United States government has seized nearly one million barrels of Iranian crude oil that it says was being smuggled to China in violation of U.S. sanctions against Iran, after it raised the threat of prosecution to get the tanker brought to American waters, newly unsealed court papers show. The seizure of the oil from the vessel, the M/T Suez Rajan, is part of a larger and shadowy conflict with Iran. After the tanker began to steam toward the United States last spring, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps seized two oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the U.S. military to increase patrols and deploy additional assets to protect shipping lanes. In July, Iranian state news media said the Guards’ navy commander had warned that Tehran would hold Washington responsible if the tanker’s oil was unloaded, without giving further details. On Wednesday, a high-ranking Israeli defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the seizure raised new fears that Iran could hijack more tankers in an effort to deter the United States from repeating the move.

Persons: Suez Rajan Organizations: United, Iran, Revolutionary Guards Corps, U.S, Guards Locations: United States, China, Iran, Strait, Hormuz, Tehran, Washington

☆ Japan, Iran leaders to meet in Sept in New York - Kyodo
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TOKYO, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will meet in New York in September to discuss Iran's nuclear programme among other issues, Kyodo news agency said on Sunday, quoting unnamed Iranian diplomatic sources. Iran aims to promote relations with Japan, traditionally a friendly nation, to avoid international isolation as Iran's talks with the United States and Europe over their nuclear deal have stalled, Kyodo said. Kishida and Raisi also met last September when they visited New York for the U.N. General Assembly. Raisi will ask Kishida to visit Iran and seek to unfreeze Iranian assets in Japan, estimated to be worth around $3 billion, that were frozen in line with U.S. sanctions, Kyodo said. The Japanese side is also expected to emphasise safety in the Strait of Hormuz, the main artery for crude oil transportation and the route for most of the crude oil coming to Japan, Kyodo said.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Ebrahim Raisi, Raisi, Antony Blinken, Kishida, Kyodo, Yuka Obayashi, Edmund Klamann Organizations: Kyodo, General Assembly, Reuters, U.S, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, New York, Iran, Japan, United States, Europe, Washington, Tehran, Russia, Ukraine, South Korea, Strait, Hormuz

☆ A fierce naval battle 35 years ago shows how destructive another US showdown with Iran could get
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

More than 50 IRGCN and Iranian Navy personnel were killed, while the US lost one SeaCobra helicopter and its two crew members. After all, Iran has made significant changes to its naval forces and tactics over the past 35 years, becoming "much more asymmetric," according to Bryan Clark, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and expert on naval operations. Iran's naval force now consists of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, known as the IRGCN, and the regular Iranian Navy, Clark told Insider. The Iranian Navy still primarily consists of frigates and corvettes, which operate outside the Gulf, and is much more like other conventional navies. Iranian Navy warship Sahand in Persian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz in April 2019.

Persons: Biden, Earnest Will, Chance, Samuel B, Roberts, Bryan Clark, Clark, Nadimi, Abu Musa Island, IRGC, Morteza, Kyle Jia Iran's, weren't, Paul Iddon Organizations: Service, US Navy, US, Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, US Naval Forces Central Command, Fleet, SS, Iranian Navy, Hudson Institute, Washington Institute for Near East, Iran's Navy, REUTERS, Getty, US Marines, US Marine Corps Locations: Persian, Iran, Wall, Silicon, China, Marshall, Iranian, Gulf, Strait, Hormuz, Tehran, Iraq, SS Bridgeton, Abu Musa, Handout, Persian Gulf, Soviet Union, Lebanon, Bataan

☆ U.S.-led naval group warns ships to avoid Iranian waters to avoid seizure
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Attendees hold flags from Iran and the United States as Iranian Americans from across California converge in Los Angeles, California, U.S., January 11, 2020. REUTERS/ Patrick T. Fallon/ File PhotoDUBAI, Aug 13 (Reuters) - A U.S.-led naval coalition in the Gulf has warned ships in the region to stay away from Iranian waters to avoid possible seizure, the U.S. Navy said. "The International Maritime Security Construct is notifying regional mariners of appropriate precautions to minimise the risk of seizure based on current regional tensions, which we seek to de-escalate," Commander Timothy Hawkins, spokesman for the Bahrain-based U.S. Fifth Fleet, said late on Saturday. "Vessels are being advised to transit as far away from Iranian territorial waters as possible." The United States would release some Iranians from U.S. prisons as part of the deal, Iran's mission to the United Nations has said.

Persons: Patrick T, Timothy Hawkins, Yousef Saba, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . Navy, Fifth Fleet, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Iran, United States, California, Los Angeles , California, U.S, DUBAI, Hormuz, Washington, Tehran, South Korea, Bahrain, Oman, United

☆ Militants attack Pakistani military convoy escorting Chinese nationals
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Gul Yousafzai | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

QUETTA, Pakistan, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Militants attacked a Pakistani military convoy near the strategic southwestern port of Gwadar on Sunday as it was escorting a delegation of Chinese nationals to a construction project, the military and China's consulate in Karachi said. China's consulate in the southern city of Karachi condemned the attack, adding in a statement that there were no casualties among its citizens on the convoy. The attack targeted Chinese passengers travelling from Gwadar airport towards a construction site in the port area, the source said. The BLA and other militant groups say Pakistan exploits the province's natural resources and have targeted Chinese interests in recent years for supporting that. Gwadar is located near the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial oil shipping route in the Arabian Sea, and is being developed under Chinese management.

Persons: Ethan Wang, Gibran Peshimam, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Initiative, Terrorists, Separatist, Balochistan Liberation, Thomson Locations: QUETTA, Pakistan, Gwadar, Karachi, China, Balochistan, China's, Hormuz, Beijing

☆ Commercial ships told to stay far away from Iran due to a heightened possibility of attack or seizure
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The US Navy is warning commercial ships to avoid traveling near Iranian territory. Iranian forces have already seized two oil tankers this year. Attacks on ships in the region have increased ever since Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal. Timothy Hawkins said ships "are being advised to transit as far away from Iranian territorial waters as possible," noting a warning issued by the US-based International Maritime Security Construct. Since 2021, Iran has "harassed, attacked, or interfered with" the navigation rights of 15 internationally flagged merchant ships, according to the US Navy.

Persons: Timothy Hawkins, Biden, Trump, —, Michelle Grisé, Grisé Organizations: US Navy, Trump, Service, Associated Press, US, AP, International Atomic Energy Agency, RAND Corporation Locations: Iran, Wall, Silicon, Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Chevron, Islamic Republic, Europe, Iranian, United States, Washington, Tehran

☆ Iran boosts navy with missiles, drones as US offers guards for Gulf ships
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Naval... Read moreDUBAI, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Iran has equipped its Revolutionary Guards' navy with drones and 1,000-km (600-mile) range missiles, Iranian news agencies reported on Saturday, as the U.S. offers to put guards on commercial ships going through the Gulf's Strait of Hormuz. "Various types of drones ... and several hundred cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 300 to 1,000 km are among the systems and equipment that were added to the capabilities of the Guards' navy today," state news agency IRNA said. About a fifth of the world's crude oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and Oman. Revolutionary Guards' Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri told state TV that the new missiles had better precision as well as longer range. "The cruise missiles can attack several targets simultaneously and the commands can be altered after take-off."

Persons: IRNA, Washington, Alireza Tangsiri, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, United Arab, U.S . Navy, Naval, Read, Guards, Revolutionary Guards, Navy, Dubai Newsroom, Thomson Locations: Panama, Hormuz, Dubai, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, Arabian Gulf, DUBAI, Iran, Gulf's, Oman, Tehran

☆ Russia and Iran's 'unprecedented' military ties worried the US, but it's starting to look like Russia can't hold up its end of the deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Iran has supported Russia by providing it with arms to use in Ukraine. Kirby said "support is flowing both ways," with Moscow providing Tehran "an unprecedented level of military and technical support." As part of this burgeoning partnership, Iran expected to receive an unspecified number of Russian Su-35 jets, along with helicopters and even advanced S-400 air-defense systems. REUTERS/FARS NEWS/Ali ShayeganWhile Iran has never armed Russia to the extent it has in recent months, Moscow has sold Tehran considerable military hardware in the past. Paul Iddon is a freelance journalist and columnist who writes about Middle East developments, military affairs, politics, and history.

Persons: John Kirby, Kirby, Russian Su, Saeed Azimi, Hassan Rouhani, Azimi, Putin, Alexei Nikolsky, Abu, Russia's, Richard Moore, Ali Shayegan, haven't, Tehran weren't, Iranian Su, ATTA KENARE, Moore, William Burns, Burns, Paul Iddon Organizations: Service, National Security, Iranian MiG, Army Day, REUTERS, Sputnik, Gulf Cooperation Council, United Arab, GCC, Intelligence Service, Tehran, Soviet Union, Getty, UN, CIA Locations: Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Russian, Moscow, Tehran, Wall, Silicon, Iranian, Egypt, Aktau, Kazakhstan, Kremlin, United Arab Emirates, Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, Persian, Hormuz, British, UAE, FARS, Iraq, Soviet, Islamic Republic, AFP

☆ Russia and Ukraine just turned much of the Black Sea into a dangerous no man's land
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged threats this week to ships sailing through the Black Sea. The Kremlin then went much further, warning it may attack any vessels it believes are bound for Ukraine, effectively turning the Black Sea into a no man's land. They added that Moscow even published a video claiming to have detected and detonated an alleged Ukrainian sea mine. "Our information indicates that Russia laid additional sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports. Turkish-flagged bulker TQ Samsun, carrying grain under UN's Black Sea Grain Initiative, transits Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey July 18, 2023.

Persons: Biden, Adam Hodge, António Guterres, —, Matthew Miller, Lasalle, Mark Duncan, Washington didn't Organizations: Service, United Nations, AP, White, Security, REUTERS, Black Sea Initiative, UN, US State, US Naval Institute Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Wall, Silicon, Kremlin, Odesa, Ukrainian, Kyiv, Crimea, Azov, Samsun, Istanbul, Turkey, Iran, Persian, Iraq, Hormuz, Kuwait, Soviet, Iraqi, American

☆ The US military's most advanced fighter jets and a warship are going to work in the Middle East to stop Iran from seizing commercial ships
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The US military is deploying fighter jets and a warship to the Middle East to deter Iran's forces. Iranian boats have repeatedly harassed and tried to seize commercial ships transiting the region. AP Photo/Petros KaradjiasCENTCOM's area of responsibility encompasses several million square miles of land across or 21 countries in the Middle East and Central and South Asia. Tehran's naval ships tried to capture two oil tankers on July 5 as they were transiting through international waters and even opened fire on one of them. The US and Iran have maintained a contentious relationship throughout the Biden administration, and Washington has repeatedly accused Tehran of threatening regional security in the Middle East and even harming American service members.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Thomas Hudner, Sabrina Singh, Singh, Elizabeth, Petros Karadjias, Biden Organizations: Pentagon, Service, Defense, US, AP, US Navy, US Air Force Locations: Wall, Silicon, Strait, Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Petros Karadjias CENTCOM's, East, Central, South Asia, Iran, Iranian, US, Washington, Tehran, Syria, State, Yemen

☆ US orders deployment of fighter jets and Navy destroyer to Middle East in response to Iranian activities
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered F-35 and F-16 fighter jets deployed to the Middle East, as well as the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, in response to Iranian activities in the Strait of Hormuz. The deployments come after two incidents earlier this month in which Iranian Navy ships attempted to seize merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. The US also bolstered its forces in the Middle East in May after destabilizing actions from Iran in the Persian Gulf. “[The] United States will not allow foreign or regional powers to jeopardize freedom of navigation through the Middle East waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz,” National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said at the time. He added that there is “simply no justification” for Iranian actions to interfere, harass or attack merchant ships.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Thomas Hudner, Sabrina Singh, ” Singh, “, Strategic Communications John Kirby Organizations: CNN, US, Defense, US Central Command Area, Pentagon, Iranian, US Navy, Richmond, ” National Security, Strategic Communications Locations: Strait, Hormuz, “, Gulf of Oman, Iranian, Iran, The, Persian, States

☆ US to send additional jets, warship to Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Idrees Ali | Thomson Reuters | National Security Correspondent Focusing On The Pentagon In Washington D.C. Reports On U.S. Military Activity | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, July 17 (Reuters) - The United States will send additional F-35 and F-16 fighter jets, along with a warship to the Middle East, the Pentagon said on Monday, in a bid to monitor key waterways in the region following Iran's seizure and harassment of commercial shipping vessels in recent months. "The (Pentagon) is increasing our presence and ability to monitor the (Strait of Hormuz) and surrounding waters," Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters. It was not clear where exactly the additional jets would be placed and how long they would stay in the region. Since 2019, there have been a series of attacks on shipping in strategic Gulf waters at times of tension between the United States and Iran. Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons, which the West sees as a threat to Israel and Gulf Arab oil exporters.

Persons: Biden, Sabrina Singh, Donald Trump's, Joe Biden, Idrees Ali, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Pentagon, White, U.S . Navy, Thomson Locations: United States, Hormuz, Iran, Gulf of Oman, Oman, Washington, Israel, Gulf

CNN —A Russian surveillance aircraft flew above a US base in Syria for an “extended period of time” on Friday morning in what officials deemed an intelligence collecting mission, a senior defense official said. The official said there was a “lot of protest over the deconfliction line” established with Russia in Syria, which Russia brushed off. Despite the increased aggression from Russian aircraft, the official said there is no apparent willingness to get into an escalation with American forces, nor is there an American desire to engage Russian forces. There has, though, been a “qualitative difference” in Russian military flights in Syria and how they interact with US aircraft, the official said. The growing stability of the Syrian regime may also contribute to the willingness to interact with American aircraft.

Persons: Antonov, would’ve, ”, “ We’re, they’re, “ Organizations: CNN, Al, Force, US, Kremlin, American, US Navy Locations: Russian, Syria, Tanf, Iraq, Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Gulf of Oman, Iran, Hormuz, Iranian

☆ Oil eases ahead of China, U.S. data, but OPEC+ cuts support market
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil prices dipped in early Asian trade on Monday as investors tread cautiously ahead of fresh economic data from top consumers the United States and China this week, while expected crude supply cuts from Saudi Arabia and Russia supported the market. Brent crude futures fell 22 cents, or 0.3%, to $78.25 a barrel by 0107 GMT, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $73.57 a barrel, down 29 cents, or 0.4%. "Oil traders may be cautious ahead of the U.S. CPI and China's slew of economic data later this week," CMC Markets analyst Tina Teng said. However, crude prices could rebound after OPEC+ announced plans to further reduce supply, she said. Money managers raised their net long U.S. crude futures and options positions in the week to July 3, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission said on Friday.

Persons: Tina Teng, Morgan, Tony Sycamore, Baker Hughes Organizations: Brent, U.S . West Texas, U.S . CPI, CMC, U.S, Chevron, Federal Reserve, U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission Locations: Stanton , Texas, United States, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S, Saudi, Ain Sukhna, OPEC, Strait, Hormuz

☆ Iran's Revolutionary Guards seize commercial ship in Gulf - U.S. Navy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, July 6 (Reuters) - Iran's Revolutionary Guards "forcibly seized" a commercial ship in international waters in the Gulf on Thursday and the vessel was possibly involved in smuggling, a U.S. Navy spokesperson said. The U.S. Navy had monitored the situation and decided not to make any further response, U.S. 5th Fleet spokesperson Commander Tim Hawkins said. Iran said on Thursday it had a court order to seize one of the tankers sailing in Gulf waters on Wednesday after it collided with an Iranian vessel. read moreTehran seized two other tankers in May including the Marshall Islands flagged Advantage Sweet, which had been chartered by Chevron. read moreSince 2021, "Iran has harassed, attacked or seized nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels", the U.S. Navy said this week.

Persons: Tim Hawkins, Ambrey, Hawkins, Jonathan Saul, Hugh Lawson, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Guards, U.S . Navy, . 5th Fleet, Richmond, Marshall, Chevron, Thomson Locations: Gulf, U.S, British, Saudi, Dammam, Iran, Hormuz, Oman, Gulf of Oman, Iranian, Bahamas, Chevron, Tehran

☆ Iran says it had court order to seize Chevron tanker
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DUBAI, July 6 (Reuters) - Iran said on Thursday it had a court order to seize a tanker in Gulf waters a day earlier after it collided with an Iranian vessel, one of two tankers the U.S. Navy said it prevented Iran from commandeering. The Richmond Voyager, a Bahamas-flagged oil tanker, had collided with an Iranian vessel and the Iranian navy had a court order to seize it, the Maritime Search and Rescue Center of Iran's Hormozgan Province told the official IRINN news agency. It said Iranian authorities had asked the tanker to stop and had fired shots but the Iranian navy vessel departed when McFaul arrived. U.S. oil company Chevron (CVX.N), which manages the Richmond Voyager, said its crew were safe and the vessel was operating normally. The U.S. Navy had earlier responded to an incident involving the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker TRF Moss in the same region.

Persons: McFaul, IRINN, TRF Moss, Lisa Barrington, Tom Hogue, Jason Neely Organizations: U.S . Navy, Richmond, Iranian, Rescue Center, Iran's, Richmond Voyager, Chevron, Marshall, Dubai Newsroom, Thomson Locations: DUBAI, Iran, Iranian, commandeering, Bahamas, Iran's Hormozgan Province, Oman, Richmond, U.S, United States, Hormuz

☆ Iran Tried to Seize Two Oil Tankers Near Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Navy Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Benoit Faucon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

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Persons: Dow Jones Locations: iran, hormuz

☆ U.S. Navy says Iran tried to seize two oil tankers, fired on one
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Courtney Kube | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Courtesy: U.S. Department of DefenceThe U.S. Navy prevented Iranian warships from seizing two oil tankers in international waters near Oman on Wednesday, according to an American military official. At about 1 a.m. local time, an Iranian navy vessel approached a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, the TRF Moss, that had just transited the Strait of Hormuz. Three hours later, another Iranian navy vessel approached the tanker, the Richmond Voyager, that had sailed from the United Arab Emirates through the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker issued a distress call after the Iranian ship allegedly tried to get it to stop. When the USS McFaul arrived, the Iranian ship left, according to the official.

Persons: Moss, McFaul, Brad Cooper, Ken Paxton Organizations: Merchant, U.S . Department of Defence, U.S . Navy, American, Marshall, Navy, Richmond Voyager, United, United Arab Emirates, U.S . Naval Forces Central Command, . 5th Fleet, Combined Maritime Forces, NBC, U.S Locations: Iran, Gulf of Oman, Oman, Iranian, Hormuz, United Arab, U.S, Ohio

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