Morning update
Good morning Middle East Eye readers,
Tensions remain high between Iran and the US, with Axios reporting that President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s peace proposal. He signalled the US will maintain its naval blockade of Iranian ports until Tehran agrees to a nuclear deal
Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said the US naval blockade of Iranian ports has not affected the country’s fuel supply or distribution.
Overnight, the Israeli navy reportedly launched a "violent raid" against various boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla, leaving hundreds of participants stranded onboard "powerless, broken" vessels.
Here are the latest developments:
The Global Sumud Flotilla warned that an approaching storm further threatens the lives of participants stranded at sea following Israel's raids.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that Russian President Vladimir Putin offered to help on the issue of Iran’s enriched uranium.
The Israeli army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said that "there is no ceasefire" with Lebanon, as the military continues to launch demolitions and attacks in the country.
US President Donald Trump is expected to receive a briefing on new plans slated for potential military action in Iran on Thursday from Centcom leader Brad Cooper, according to a report by Axios. Some of the plans that could be discussed include a wave of strikes against Iran, the possibility of a ground invasion and a special forces operation to secure Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews have staged protests across Israel against military conscription, with police using stun grenades to disperse demonstrations in Jerusalem.