CHINA ORDERED COMPANIES NOT TO COMPLY WITH US SANCTIONS ON FIVE DOMESTIC REFINERS LINKED TO IRANIAN OIL TRADE

China invoked the blocking statute for the first time, ordering all firms not to recognise, enforce, or comply with US sanctions imposed under EO 13902 & 13846 targeting 5 Chinese teapot refineries for their involvement in Iranian oil transactions.

More info as context: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/business/china-rules-trump-biden-sanctions.html

TANKERTRACKERS: KUWAIT EXPORTED ZERO BARRELS OF CRUDE OIL IN APRIL 2026, THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE END OF THE GULF WAR

Trump: I will soon be reviewing the plan that Iran has just sent to us, but can’t imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

The world’s largest container carrier plans a new service linking Europe with isolated Middle East ports, using trucking across Saudi Arabia and smaller vessels in the Persian Gulf instead of transiting the blocked Strait of Hormuz.

IRGC INTERCEPTS AND STOPS A NUMBER OF SHIPS NEAR RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE: IRANIAN MEDIA

IRGC FORCES ALSO ATTACKED A CARGO VESSEL NEAR SIRIK, IRAN AS IT TRANSITED THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ

IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON: US RESPONDED TO IRAN'S 14-POINT PLAN VIA PAKISTAN, WE ARE REVIEWING IT - IRANIAN STATE MEDIA

PRESIDENT TRUMP TELLS TO KAN NEWS: IRANIAN PROPOSAL IS UNACCEPTABLE

TRUMP ON IRAN PROPOSAL: IT’S NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME. I’VE STUDIED IT, I’VE STUDIED EVERYTHING – IT’S NOT ACCEPTABLE

Trump: Countries from all over the World, almost all of which are not involved in the Middle Eastern dispute going on so visibly, and violently, for all to see, have asked the United States if we could help free up their Ships, which are locked up in the Strait of Hormuz, on something which they have absolutely nothing to do with — They are merely neutral and innocent bystanders! For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business. Again, these are Ships from areas of the World that are not in any way involved with that which is currently taking place in the Middle East. I have told my Representatives to inform them that we will use best efforts to get their Ships and Crews safely out of the Strait. In all cases, they said they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation, and everything else. This process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning, Middle East time. I am fully aware that my Representatives are having very positive discussions with the Country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all. The Ship movement is merely meant to free up people, companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong — They are victims of circumstance. This is a Humanitarian gesture on behalf of the United States, Middle Eastern Countries but, in particular, the Country of Iran. Many of these Ships are running low on food, and everything else necessary for largescale crews to stay on board in a healthy and sanitary manner. I think it would go a long way in showing Goodwill on behalf of all of those who have been fighting so strenuously over the last number of months. If, in any way, this Humanitarian process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

(60day deadline ended on may1 and trump legally cannot continue war so now this new twist, and If Iran attacks, Iran starts the new conflict not trump and then U.S. can respond with full force and it will trigger a new 60day deadline (?) and he also added Humanitarian factor.

So now either iran end blockade or trump starts again

12-dimensional chess move by Mr president)

(Just a thought guys)

(so U.S. will NOT escort ships!)

The new effort, which Trump dubbed “Project Freedom,” is a process through which countries, insurance companies and shipping organizations can coordinate moving traffic through the Strait, according to a senior U.S. official. It doesn’t currently involve U.S. Navy warships escorting vessels through the strait, the official said: WSJ

This Project Freedom will tell US-flagged ships and others the safe lanes to navigate the Strait of Hormuz (aka no mines, etc.) according to WSJ

(But they already know about safe lanes so?, finding safe lanes is not the issue here imo lol, but IRGC)

(So Not a 12d move then, sorry guys) Mr President is just hoping for the best here)

IRGC: WE WARN THAT ANY FOREIGN FORCE, ESPECIALLY THE US MILITARY, WILL BE ATTACKED IF IT APPROACHES HORMUZ

Pakistan says some confidence building happening

A SOURCE FAMILIAR WITH THE DETAILS TOLD I24NEWS ABOUT THE OPERATION IN HORMUZ:

THE US OPERATION WILL BEGIN IN A FEW HOURS, THERE WILL BE NO CLOSE ESCORT BY THE US NAVY FOR SHIPS WISHING TO LEAVE THE AREA, BUT THERE WILL BE AN AMERICAN PRESENCE TO PROTECT THE SHIPS

(No escort but presence? Lol)

The Strait of Hormuz remained almost empty Monday, Shipping data sites showed one sanctioned tanker – the Botswana-flagged Nooh Gas – transiting the Strait on Monday. No other tankers or cargo ships were shown moving through the Strait at 5 a.m. ET: CNN

TWO MISSILES HIT AN AMERICAN PATROL BOAT FOLLOWING DISREGARD OF IRAN'S WARNING - LOCAL REPORTS - IRAN STATE MEDIA

A U.S. warship intending to pass through the Strait of Hormuz was turned back after ignoring Iran's warning, Fars news agency reported on Monday citing local sources, adding that two missiles hit it when it was sailing near Jask island.

SENIOR U.S. OFFICIAL DENIES A U.S. SHIP WAS HIT BY IRANIAN MISSILES: AXIOS, FOX NEWS AND BUSINESS INSIDER REPORTER

SENIOR IRANIAN OFFICIAL: IRAN FIRED A WARNING SHOT AGAINST U.S. WARSHIP TO PREVENT ITS ENTRY INTO STRAIT OF HORMUZ, UNCLEAR WHETHER THERE WAS ANY DAMAGE