Iran says more strikes coming after hitting regional energy sites

The United States could deploy a Marine unit to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, including by seizing Iranian-controlled islands, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing current and former officials.

The Pentagon has sent the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East, where it is expected to arrive in just over a week, providing options to counter Iranian threats to shipping in the waterway, the report said.

The strait, which carries about a fifth of global oil flows, has been disrupted by attacks on commercial vessels since the start of the conflict.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Thursday that there is a need to find an exit from the war involving Iran and avoid further escalation.

“We need an exit from the Iran war, not an escalation,” Kallas told reporters ahead of a European Council summit in Brussels.

She added that ending the conflict was as important as finding a solution to the war in Ukraine.

Iran is considering charging transit fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a lawmaker said on Thursday, as officials in Tehran stepped up rhetoric over the strategic waterway after this week’s attacks on energy sites in the Persian Gulf.

Somayeh Rafiei said lawmakers are pursuing a bill under which countries using the strait for shipping, energy transit and food supplies would be required to pay tolls and taxes to Iran, framing it as compensation for providing security along the route.

“In the event that the Strait of Hormuz is used as a secure route for ship traffic, energy transit and food supply, countries will be required to pay tolls and taxes to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Rafiei said.

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Lebanon’s foreign minister said the government is moving to end Iranian influence in the country, during an emergency meeting in Riyadh, according to Lebanese media on Thursday.

Youssef Raggi said Iran’s actions pose a threat to states that have pursued de-escalation, warning of the risks of continued escalation.

“The government is proceeding with efforts to free Lebanon from Iranian influence,” he said, adding that authorities would continue taking decisions to protect sovereignty.

An adviser to Iran’s leadership said the country should use the war to reshape its position in the Strait of Hormuz, according to state media on Thursday.

Mohammad Mokhber said the situation offers “one of the most important opportunities” to redefine Iran’s role in the strategic waterway.

“After the imposed war, by defining a new regime for the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will move from being under sanctions to a powerful position in the region and the world,” he said.

He added that Western powers had previously “restricted” Iran but said the outcome of the war could shift that balance.