Iran Hormuz control
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps says two oil tankers have caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after attempting to cross unauthorized routes and striking sea mines. In a statement, the IRGC said a tugboat approaching one of the tankers to put out the fire also caught fire. The IRGC accused the United States of pressuring ships to use unauthorized, mine-laden routes in the Strait of Hormuz. It said this policy is imposing huge insurance costs on American taxpayers and Washington’s regional allies. The IRGC added that Washington could have avoided these costs by unfreezing Iran’s blocked assets, which are worth less than half the expenses incurred so far. It also said the move could have spared the US president a humiliating electoral defeat. The IRGC warned that attempts to violate regulations in the Strait of Hormuz would only bring further financial losses and political setbacks for Washington. Separately, it said its Navy’s electronic warfare unit had taken control of two US-made drones, safely landed them and seized the aircraft.
Hegseth faces impeachment
US Republican Congressman Thomas Massie has filed eight articles of impeachment against War Secretary Pete Hegseth. Massie says he plans to force a House vote on the impeachment proceedings in the coming days. The move comes as Republicans seek to blame Hegseth for their midterm election losses. Some party members say he played a key role in convincing President Donald Trump to attack Iran without a clear exit strategy or plans to deal with the political fallout. Trump has repeatedly defended Hegseth, rejecting calls to replace him on Wednesday and saying the war secretary is doing a good job. Trump has also acknowledged Hegseth's role in backing the war, describing him as the first member of his administration to support the aggression. Democrats, for their part, have vowed to investigate Hegseth's leadership at the Pentagon. The inquiry could cover his handling of the war on Iran, as well as his removal of senior military officials, including the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
France anti-gov. protests
France faces a nationwide wave of strikes and protests as trade unions mobilize workers against rising living costs and government austerity measures. The demonstrations brought together workers, high school and university students, who have been protesting deteriorating school conditions, overcrowded classrooms and inadequate facilities. Ahead of the strikes, France's four main rail unions condemned the government’s proposed budget cuts, warning they would deepen poverty, weaken social security and freeze public-sector salaries. The latest mobilization comes as President Emmanuel Macron's government struggles to push an austerity budget through a divided parliament, with public debt approaching 120 percent of the country's economic output.
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website