Reports related to demonstrations and public protests
JD Vance stated that ceasefires are often imperfect, citing examples from Gaza and regions near Iran.
CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper stated that reports claiming Iran has already reconstructed many of the bombed missile sites are inaccurate.
![@Open Source Intel: Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei:
Among the most valuable achievements of the Third Sacred Defense [against the American and Zionist invasion] is the emergence of Iran at the level of a major,](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpub-4357b54df55146feb8261be683c32511.r2.dev%2Fthumbnails%2F1779207360464-007aac8a6c825282-HIscCL-WUAA_WYt.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei stated that the Third Sacred Defense against the American and Zionist invasion has elevated Iran to the status of a major, influential power.
CENTCOM announced that Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis are now isolated from Iran's weapons supply and support.
Former US President Donald Trump tweeted that the Strait of Hormuz is international waters, not belonging to Iran.
German Chancellor Merz stated that Berlin is prepared to deploy military assets to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, provided Iran agrees to negotiate.
On May 18, a U.S. Sailor was on watch aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) as it transited the Arabian Sea; U.S. Central Command forces redirected 88 commercial vessels and disabled 4 to ensure compliance.
Over the past 24 hours, the Israeli Air Force targeted 25 positions affiliated with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, conducting multiple airstrikes on various locations in the region.
Between May 11 and May 17, 2025, at least 54 ships transited through the Strait of Hormuz, a significant increase from the 25 ships the previous week, according to Lloyd's List Intelligence. This surge coincides with the issuance of a passage permit for Chinese ships by the Iranian regime during President Trump's visit.
Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson stated that only two LNG tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz, indicating that normal maritime traffic has not yet resumed through the strategic waterway.
Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), will testify before the House Armed Services Committee this morning on CENTCOM's operational posture.🔴 Live stream available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2aZmuhCpmF4
In an interview with the New York Post, President Trump declined to comment on claims that the Islamic Republic of Iran is stalling in nuclear negotiations and discussions about reopening the Strait of Hormuz, saying, "I don't hear anything and can't talk to you about it. It's a negotiation, and I don't want to be a fool."
