The relevant episode yesterday, as far as the conflict in the Middle East is concerned, is that US forces fired a missile at a ship attempting to reach an Iranian port violating the American naval blockade, rendering it unusable. The U.S. military stated in a statement. The M/T Lexie, an empty oil tanker flying the flag of Botswana, "ignored repeated warnings" for 24 hours, and an American warplane "finally rendered the vessel unusable by firing a Hellfire missile into the engine room."
Shortly before the Italian company MSC confirmed in a statement that on Monday one of its ships, the MSC Sariska V, was hit by two shells in the port of Um-Qasr, in Iraq.The first struck while the pilot was on board, during the ship's departure from port, and a second struck the crew area shortly thereafter. "All crew members are safe and sound and acted with exceptional professionalism during the incident to secure the ship and its cargo," the company added. "According to local media reports, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the attack in response to US actions against the Lion Star," MSC's statement continued. "This retaliatory action is completely unjustified, considering the accusations made by the IRGC, as MSC is a neutral commercial shipping company, with no ties to the United States or Israel.".
In the evening, however, signs of optimism had arrived from Washington, first and foremost from President Donald Trump, who denied that talks with Iran had broken down. "Reports that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States stopped talking a few days ago are false and incorrect," he wrote in Truth. "Conversations between us have been ongoing continuously, even four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today," he insisted. As for the outcome, Trump is tight-lipped. "You never know where these talks will lead. But as I told Iran, 'It's time, one way or another, for you to make a deal. You've been doing this for 47 years, and we can't let it continue any longer!'" he warned. Trump, on the other hand, was harsh in his outburst at Netanyahu for the attack on Lebanon: "You're a fucking lunatic."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also took stock of the situation: "Operation Epic Fury was successful in achieving its military objectives. Iran still has many drones because they are easy to produce. We are in negotiations: there is a prospect before us of an agreement that could be today, tomorrow or next week. We are confident,” Rubio said during a Senate hearing.
