Reactions and statements from the international community
A U.S. Air Force F-35A stealth fighter jet is patrolling over regional waters near the Strait of Hormuz, capable of carrying up to 18,000 pounds of ordnance while flying at supersonic speeds.
On May 12, the IRGC announced the expansion of its operational range in the Strait of Hormuz from approximately 20-30 miles to 200-300 miles, extending from Jask to Siri Island, according to Reuters. This move has raised concerns over global energy security and shipping in the region.
Masih Alinejad honored Farideh and Kosar, two Iranian activists blinded by the Islamic Republic, by inviting them to speak at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit to European leaders. Farideh lost both eyes to a gunshot, while Kosar was blinded in one eye and recently attacked by Western activists in Berlin for criticizing the Islamic Republic and its proxies.
Reuters reported that Iraq and Pakistan have reached agreements with the Islamic Republic of Iran to facilitate the transfer of oil and gas through the Strait of Hormuz, indicating increased Iranian control over the strategic waterway. Iraq coordinated the passage of two large oil tankers, while Pakistan is handling the transfer of Qatar's liquefied natural gas shipments in accordance with Tehran's directives.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has ordered residents of the southern Lebanese villages of Kfarhata, Arabsalim, and Deir Al-Zahrani to evacuate immediately, warning of imminent military action due to Hezbollah ceasefire breaches. Residents are instructed to move at least 1,000 meters into open ground.
Alireza Raisi, Deputy Minister of Health for Health Affairs in Iran, warned about the country's declining population trend, stating it is more critical than current military challenges. He emphasized that the nation's resilience during wartime is due to its young population.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it will destroy captured American and Israeli munitions in Qom province within hours, according to the Mehr News Agency.
A group of Republican and Democratic representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to the British government, urging them to expedite the process of designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization in the UK.
Ship tracking data shows that a Chinese oil tanker, the "Yuan Hua Hu," carrying two million barrels of Iraqi crude oil, attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, May 13. This is the third known instance of a Chinese oil tanker navigating the strait since the start of the US and Israel war with Iran on March 29, 2025.
Hassan Hassanzadeh, commander of the IRGC's "Mohammad Rasul-Allah" Corps, stated that the unit is prepared to execute operations swiftly following a five-day military exercise in Greater Tehran aimed at enhancing combat capabilities against potential attacks by the United States and Israel.
NBC News reports that the U.S. military is considering renaming its operations against Iran to "Operation Hammer," according to U.S. officials, potentially paving the way for resuming large-scale attacks amid an uncertain ceasefire.
U.S. Congress members sent a bipartisan letter to the British government, calling for the expedited recognition of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. The news was reported in an interview with Amir Giti, a member of Iran International's editorial board.
