2012 TRUMP: WHY ISN'T OBAMA PROTECTING US FROM RIDICULOUS GAS PRICES

Iran dropped additional mines in the strategic waterway on April 23, according to a chart shown by Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine during a Tuesday briefing: WSJ

(- So this means iran also attacked U.S. warships? (If we go with the chart)

Two Israeli officials told Jerusalem Post they assess that the Iranian strikes toward the UAE were “warning shots,” intended to demonstrate capabilities to the US.

They estimate that, for now, Iran will not escalate and will continue to act within the “rules of the game".

IRAN'S JOINT MILITARY COMMAND SAYS IT HAS NOT CARRIED OUT ANY ATTACK AGAINST THE UAE IN RECENT DAYS

OPERATION EPIC FURY 'IS OVER,' NOW 'PROJECT FREEDOM': RUBIO

UKMTO: THERE IS A VERIFIED SOURCE REPORTING THAT A CARGO VESSEL HAS BEEN STRUCK BY AN UNKNOWN PROJECTILE IN SOH

(something from non-expert admin here:

In theory, if the adminstration officially declares that Operation Epic Fury over, and then initiates a different new operation ('Project Freedom') in Hormuz, it would trigger a new (should?) 60-day clock if attacks in response though it's a defensive operation for now)

Israeli Media also reporting like this "Trump informed Congress about the end of the operation, thereby preventing a vote on continuing the fighting beyond 60 days within the operation) but idk

Trump: we have mutually agreed that, while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, Project Freedom (The Movement of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz) will be paused for a short period of time to see whether or not the Agreement can be finalized and signed.

(translation: Project Freedom failed and we obv cannot escort ships so back to war of attrition)

and NACHO

Some of the reasons why operation failed:

Reason1: A cargo ship in the Gulf region was hit by a possible land-attack cruise missile, causing several injuries among the ship's Filipino crew, two U.S. officials told CBS News (one of many attacks happened in the last 48hrs)

Reason2: most shipping companies do not trust the administration's assurances that a lane is now open https://t.me/MonitoringSituation/4850

Reason3: IRGC launched missiles at U.S. Warships https://t.me/MonitoringSituation/4861

Global oil stocks are now approaching their lowest level in eight years, according to Goldman Sachs. The bank added that there is only 45 days’ supply of refined products, such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel left worldwide, noting particularly large declines across Asia and Africa.

In total, the oil market has lost 1bn barrels of crude due to the Iran war so far and while demand is falling fast, it is being “outstripped by the loss of supply”....

In northern Europe, stocks of jet fuel fell to a six-year low in April, according to pricing agency Argus, while in the US stocks of gasoline are on course to hit their lowest-ever level in summer, during the key driving season.

according to Morgan Stanley. The bank estimates that one in every 11 barrels of oil is used by American motorists and forecasts that US inventories could fall below 200mn barrels by the end of August, the equivalent of roughly one week of demand: FT

The announcement of the Project Freedom’ pause only exacerbates Trump’s dilemma.

“If he settles for a narrow deal on the strait and postpone[s] the nuclear talks, the US gives up the leverage generated by blockading Iranian ports. If he holds out for a more comprehensive deal, the global economic damage continues. If he returns to bombardment, he has to bet that [it] will bring Iran back to the negotiating table in a more concessionary way,” said Richard Fontaine, president of the Center for a New American Security think-tank. “That’s the dilemma.”

One former US Navy official said “the use of ships, aircraft and other capabilities did not deter Iran from attacks” and “adding more US or coalition forces to protect commercial shipping would not seem to decrease the risk to transiting the straits”: FT

"America Will Pay for Its Energy Arrogance": NYT

"But in the medium to long term, this crisis will create greater uncertainty over the stability of these energy sources. More countries will pursue alternatives, including clean energy technologies where China has a decisive edge. The United States could see its export market diminish as demand for oil and gas slows, threatening a trillion-dollar domestic industry and the thousands of jobs it provides. American consumers could also be stuck with polluting fuels prone to price spikes while the rest of the world moves on"

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/02/opinion/trump-us-oil-crisis-strait-of-hormuz.html

Global Flights

US GASOLINE TOPS $4.50/GALLON FOR FIRST TIME SINCE JULY 2022

ON A SEASONAL BASIS, PRICES ARE ALREADY AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR

WTI DROPS BELOW 100

IRAN EMBASSY DENIES LINK TO KOREAN VESSEL DAMAGE IN HORMUZ - YTN

(who is attacking everyone on the behalf of Iran 😂)

Netanyahu bro dis u?

U.S. and Iran closing in on one-page memo to end war, officials say: Axios

The U.S. expects Iranian responses on several key points in the next 48 hours. Nothing has been agreed yet, but the sources said this was the closest the parties had been to an agreement since the war began.

The one-page, 14-point memorandum of understanding (MOU) is being negotiated between Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and several Iranian officials, both directly and through mediators.

In its current form, the MOU would declare an end to the war in the region and the start of a 30-day period of negotiations on a detailed agreement to open the strait, limit Iran's nuclear program and lift U.S. sanctions.

Those negotiations could happen in Islamabad or Geneva, two sources said.

Iran's restrictions on shipping through the strait and the U.S. naval blockade would be gradually lifted during that 30-day period, according to a U.S. official.

If the negotiations collapse, U.S. forces would be able to restore the blockade or resume military action, the U.S. official said.