War: latest news. UK: oil tanker struck in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran has intercepted two American drones. This was reported by CBS News, which quoted US officials as telling the broadcaster that the interception took place “in recent days”.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards have announced that they have intercepted a Togolese-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, accusing it of attempting an “illegal passage”.

“The oil tanker Trend, flying the Togolese flag, was struck and intercepted after a fire broke out on board,” the Revolutionary Guards said in a statement carried by the state news agency IRNA. According to Tehran, the vessel had attempted to cross the strait illegally.

President Donald Trump’s administration has granted visas to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to attend next week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, despite the conflict between the United States and Iran, which has been ongoing for over six months.

The State Department has reported that visas have been granted to the Iranian “main delegation” and to the essential staff required to attend the UN meetings. The delegation from Tehran will, however, be smaller than last year’s.

The Pentagon is considering a plan to withdraw aircraft, ships, weapons and tens of thousands of troops from Europe. This is according to NBC, which cites sources suggesting that the reduction could affect a third of the entire US contingent in Europe, or around 25,000 personnel. Other sources have told NBC that an even larger cut – up to half the contingent, or a maximum of 40,000 personnel – cannot be ruled out. If the plan were implemented, it would be the most significant reduction in Europe since the Cold War.

The Speaker of the Iranian Parliament and chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has praised China and Russia for vetoing a US draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council, aimed at reintroducing international sanctions against Tehran, stating that this move “rejected the political abuse of the Security Council and reaffirmed the rule of law”. This was reported by Al Jazeera. “The unipolar order in which one party extorted concessions through force and coercion is over,” Ghalibaf said.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung emphasised the need for the country to protect its citizens and national interests in the Strait of Hormuz, but during a televised press conference he clarified: “Let me be clear: there will be no deployment of troops that would lead to involvement in a conflict. There will be no participation or involvement in a war.” This was reported by the South Korean news agency Yonhap. Lee also stated that there is a clear need to carry out “minimal activities” to protect citizens or crude oil transport routes in the area, in line with what other countries are doing