Editor's Choice
April 28: Iran bolsters regional position
with Strait of Hormuz control
as US strategy falters
April 28th, 10:01pm
by Press TV Website Staff
Iran on Tuesday reinforced its position as the decisive power in
West Asia, asserting full authority over the Strait of Hormuz,
while the US position continued to falter.
Senior Iranian defense officials declared that Tehran will
determine the security protocols, of this vital strategic
waterway once the US-Israeli war of aggression ends.
New disclosures from the Army confirmed that the Iranian
Air Force had struck hostile bases in Iraq’s Erbil, as well
as targets in Kuwait and Qatar, at the outset of the 40-
day imposed war, demonstrating operational reach
that caught US planners off balance.
Diplomatically, Iran showcased its expanding strategic depth.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi praised the strengthening
Tehran-Moscow partnership, Russia’s defense minister
vowed mutual support, and a Japanese supertanker
secured rare safe passage ....only after receiving
direct Iranian approval.
Global economic warnings underscored the consequences
of Washington’s failed aggression, with the World Bank
projecting a major surge in energy prices in 2026.
Key developments on day 60 of the war,
the twenty-first day of the ceasefire:
Brigadier General Reza Talaei Nik, Iranian Deputy Defense
Minister, said the country would allow passage through
the Strait of Hormuz after the end of the US-Israeli war
of aggression .....under protocols that protect
Iran’s security.
General Talaei-Nik said the United States is no longer in a
position to dictate its policies to independent nations,
adding that this reality has been demonstrated to
the world through the resilience of the Iranian
people and armed forces.
Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia, the Army spokesman,
said the Iranian Army’s Air Force carried out multiple sorties
against enemy bases in regional countries, including an
anti-Iran group’s base in Erbil, Iraq, as well as targets
in Kuwait and Qatar, at the outset of the
US-Israeli war against Iran.
Iran categorically stated - that any disruption or obstruction in
maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding
waters is the direct responsibility of the US and its allies,
whose reckless and illegal actions have turned a vital
international waterway into a zone of heightened
tension and danger.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi praised the unbreakable
strategic partnership between Iran & Russia, stressing
that recent regional developments have only served
to highlight the depth and resilience of their ties.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said
the EU’s insistence on inhumane sanctions against Iran
demonstrates Europe’s double standards - & hastens
its “embarrassing descent.. into irrelevance.” On
Monday, EU Commission President Ursula
Vonder Leyen said that “it is too early to
talk about lifting sanctions on Iran.”
Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN,
Amir Saeed Iravani, said Iran, not being a party to the 1982
UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, maintains its legal
right to take “necessary and proportionate measures”
in the Strait of Hormuz, and holds the United States
responsible for any disruption to maritime traffic
in the strategic waterway.
Andrey Belousov, Russia's Minister of Defense, expressed
confidence that Moscow and Tehran would stand in
support of each other amid the situation arising
from the US's unlawful aggression targeting
the Islamic Republic.
The World Bank said energy prices are projected to surge
by 24% in 2026 due to severe disruptions caused by the
illegal US-Israeli aggression on Iran.
Iran's national football team is pressing forward with its
2026 World Cup preparations, with officials naming the
team's convoy "Minab 168" as a tribute to the school-
children killed in the US-Israeli strikes in Minab,
southern Iran.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced a decision
to exit the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC) and the extended OPEC+
alliance, effective May 1.
Israel’s military issued new displacement orders for the
residents of more than a dozen villages and towns in
southern Lebanon amid widespread violations of a
ceasefire agreement by the occupying regime.
Passenger flights between Iran and China, as well as
between Iran and Russia, resumed after a 2-month
suspension caused by the US-Israeli war of
aggression against Iran.
Bahrain sentenced five individuals to life imprisonment
on fabricated charges of plotting “terrorist acts” in
collaboration with Iran.
_____________________________
Japanese tanker transits Strait of Hormuz
after obtaining Iran’s permission
April 28th, 2:39pm
(PressTV)
Iranian officials say passage through the Strait of Hormuz
will be regulated along designated routes and require
authorization from Iran.
A Japanese-owned supertanker carrying two million barrels of
crude oil has successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz after
securing permission from Iranian authorities, marking a rare
passage through the strategic waterway since the launch
of the US-Israeli war on Iran.
The vessel, identified as the Idemitsu Maru, a Panama-flagged
VLCC, managed by a subsidiary of Japanese refiner Idemitsu
Kosan, began its journey late Monday after having remained
stationary off Abu Dhabi, for over a week.
It transported crude loaded from Saudi Arabia’s
Juaymah terminal in early March.
According to ship-tracking data, the tanker briefly altered
course near Iran’s Qeshm and Larak Islands before
continuing eastward past Larak.
The passage required coordination with Tehran.
This is believed to be the first time a Japanese-linked
oil vessel has moved through the waterway, since
the war began on February 28.
Japan typically sources about 95% of its oil imports
from West Asia, much of which passes through
the Strait of Hormuz.
Since the war, however, traffic - has fallen sharply - as
Iran has implemented tight restrictions and requires
all ships to obtain approval.
Iran - has effectively blockaded the vital conduit for
oil and gas shipments --- since the start of the US-
Israeli aggression, sending energy prices soaring.
Iranian officials say passage will be regulated
along designated routes ---- and require
authorization from Iran.
On April 13, one month after the war began, the
US Central Command..... began implementing
“a blockade of all maritime traffic entering
and exiting Iranian ports.”
Iran says the blockade is “an illegal
act” that “amounts to piracy.”
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the standoff have stalled.
Pakistan, which brokered the April 8 ceasefire,
continues to mediate between Washington
and Tehran.
_____________________________________
Israeli attacks ''unchecked''
against southern Lebanon
despite 'ceasefire'
April 28th, 12:43pm
(Al Mayadeen English)
Israeli occupation forces continue the aggression across
southern Lebanon, targeting multiple towns including
Majdal Zoun, Tibnine, and Shaqra on Tuesday.
Since April 17, the ceasefire in Lebanon has remained under
sustained strain, with the Israeli occupation continuing a
pattern of repeated strikes across southern Lebanon
and the Bekaa.
On Tuesday, a drone strike hit a motorcycle in Majdal Zoun. In
parallel, air raids struck the towns of Baraachit, Tibnine, and
Shaqra, while artillery fire, including banned phosphorus
shells, was reported in the area between Baraachit
and Shaqra.
According to Al Mayadeen's correspondent, the wave of attacks
extended further into Eastern Zawtar, Toulin and Kherbet Selm,
with Bayyout al-Sayyad also coming under artillery shelling.
Elsewhere, Jabal al-Batm was hit in a separate airstrike, while a
drone attack targeted agricultural land between Burj al-Shamali
and al-Housh in the Tyre district.
IOF issue displacement threat
Earlier today, the Israeli occupation forces' spokesperson issued
a so-called "evacuation" threat ----- against residents in multiple
south Lebanon towns, including Ghandourieh, Burj Qalaouiyah,
Qalaouiyah, Al-Souwaneh, Jmeijmeh, Safad al-Battikh,
Baraachit, Shaqra, Aita al-Jabal, Tebnine, Sultaniyeh,
Bir al-Sanasil, Kfar Dounine, Khirbet Selm, Selaa,
and Deir Kifa, ordering them to immediately
leave their homes and move toward the
Sidon district.
The threat effectively enforces a new wave of forced
displacement from the south, despite the ceasefire
agreement brokered earlier in April.
Greenlit by US ------- Israeli aggression expands
Israeli forces also intensified their aggression against
Lebanon on Monday, launching a wave of airstrikes
and artillery bombardments ------ across southern
Lebanon and the Bekaa region ------ killing and
wounding civilians .....and further deepening
the humanitarian toll of the ongoing assault.
In a development likely to intensify scrutiny of international
involvement, Israeli media outlet Maariv reported that the
latest wave of attacks, particularly those targeting
southern Lebanon and the Bekaa region, was
carried out with a “green light” from the US,
which is officially positioned as a mediator
in ceasefire negotiations.
The Emergency Operations Centre of the Public Health
Ministry announced that Israeli airstrikes on southern
Lebanon on April 27 killed four people, including a
woman, and injured 51 others, among them
3 children and 6 women.
Source: Al Mayadeen English
______________________________________
Hezbollah drones -- catch Israel off
guard -- IOF unprepared for threat
April 28th, 12:34pm
(Al Mayadeen English)
A senior Israeli security official..... admits “Israel” was
unprepared - for Hezbollah’s explosive drone attacks
on the Lebanon front, as new battlefield technology
reshapes the war.
Hezbollah’s use of explosive drones along the Lebanon front
came as "a major, genuine surprise" to the Israeli military, a
senior Israeli security official told i24News, adding that the
occupation soldiers --- were not "sufficiently prepared for
this threat."
According to the official, dozens of attack drones.... are being
deployed every week, across multiple fronts. These systems
include drones designed to drop munitions as well as others
intended to directly detonate upon impact, on Israeli forces.
Israeli failure scrutinized as drone warfare expands
The official noted that “Israel’s” Ministry of War, alongside
its domestic security industries, is now engaged in an
accelerated effort to develop effective counter-
measures and interception capabilities
against this emerging threat.
He further underscored the necessity of a comprehensive
internal military reassessment, questioning why the
danger was only accorded serious attention
after it had already resulted in the loss
of soldiers’ lives.
The development reflects the growing intensity of drone warfare
on the Lebanon front, where low-cost but highly effective aerial
systems are increasingly shaping battlefield dynamics.
Fatal Taybeh operation referenced
Moreover, according to i24News, Hezbollah’s explosive drones
have reportedly been launched from considerable distances,
targeting sites occupied by Israeli forces and carrying out
precise “kamikaze”-style strikes.
The report stated that 4 drones penetrated the al-Taybeh area
in southern Lebanon, where the 36th Division is deployed.
Two of the drones reached their intended targets with accuracy.
One struck a tank crew from the 77th Battalion, resulting in
the death of Sergeant Idan Fox and leaving six other
soldiers ...wounded.
Undetectable, fast, and effective
The report characterized Hezbollah’s explosive drones as
a more advanced iteration compared to earlier low-cost
systems employed in previous rounds of aggression,
including the 2024 war.
These kamikaze-style drones are reportedly capable of
operating with minimal reliance on signal reception,
significantly complicating efforts to detect or
neutralize them through conventional
electronic warfare measures.
In addition, some of the booby-trapped platforms, are said to
utilize long-range fibre-optic guidance systems, rendering
hem largely impervious to electronic jamming..... or
attempts at remote redirection.
Source: Israeli media