Iran still tends to regard Pakistan as an intermediary in Iran-US negotiations
¬ Media: If the US intensifies its blockade, Iran will attempt to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait
¬ Since the US imposed maritime sanctions on Iran, 31 vessels have changed course
¬ Trump seeks to replace Iran with Italy in the World Cup to improve US-Italy relations
¬ US Treasury: The US continues seeking new methods to pressure Russia through sanctions
¬ Pentagon requests more than double the budget for the US Space Force in fiscal year 2027
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An Iranian diplomatic source told Sputnik News Agency that Iran still prefers Pakistan as an intermediary in Iran-US talks.
The source said: "Iran still views Islamabad as a reliable intermediary in negotiations between Iran and the United States."
According to the source, there is no trust crisis between Pakistan and Iran, and high-level communication channels remain open and uninterrupted.
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Fars News Agency reported that if the US intensifies its maritime blockade, Iran will attempt to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The agency stated that the Iranian government has prepared a list of target objectives in response to possible renewed military actions by the US and Israel against Iran, and will take proportional measures or deterrent strikes depending on the opponent’s actions. One option under consideration is blocking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and serves as a vital trade route.
The report said: "If the maritime blockade against Iran continues or worsens, Iran will block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait; under necessary circumstances, it will fully block the Strait of Hormuz and extensively deploy sea mines, while cutting off all oil pipeline transportation routes."
The news agency also reported that if power stations and oil and gas facilities within Iran are attacked, Iran will retaliate by targeting similar facilities of Israel and the US in Middle Eastern allies. If military personnel or civilians in Iran are killed, Iran will destroy information technology centers across the Middle East.
The agency wrote that if the US launches a ground operation against Iran, the Iranian government will collaborate with regional allies and local populations near US military bases to conduct operations aimed at capturing American personnel.
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The US Central Command announced that since the imposition of maritime sanctions on Iran, 31 ships en route to Iranian ports or attempting to leave Iranian waters have altered their course.
The US Central Command stated on the social media platform X: "As part of Iran's blockade actions, the US military has ordered 31 vessels to turn around or return to port."
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According to a report by the UK's Financial Times, Paul Zambelli, President Trump's "Global Relations Envoy," proposed that Italy’s national football team could replace Iran’s in the upcoming World Cup tournament, amid ongoing tensions between US and Italian leadership.
The report cited Zambelli saying: "I confirm I have proposed to both Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino that Italy replace Iran in the World Cup. I was born in Italy, and seeing Italy play in a World Cup hosted by the United States is my dream. They have four World Cup titles and are fully qualified to participate."
The report emphasized that following conflicts over military base issues and Trump’s remarks perceived as offensive to the Pope, Trump is attempting to repair relations with this key NATO ally through "football diplomacy."
On April 21, Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyaamali stated that no decision had yet been made regarding whether Iran’s national team would participate in the World Cup.
Previously, Trump publicly criticized Pope Leo, stating he didn’t need a pope opposing his policies, and claimed that Pope Leo wouldn’t be in Vatican City unless Trump had taken office. Italian Prime Minister Meloni responded that such remarks were unacceptable. Trump subsequently replied that due to Italy’s refusal to support the US in actions against Iran, the US would not provide assistance to Italy.
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Jonathan Burk, Assistant Secretary of the US Treasury, said the US will continue maintaining existing sanctions pressure on Russia and developing new sanction measures.
Burk stated during a hearing before the US House Committee on Financial Institutions: "We will continue enforcing (sanctions against Russia – editor’s note). We will also continue exploring new ways to implement them."
He added that the US remains closely collaborating with international partners to promptly exchange information about loopholes in sanction mechanisms to ensure measures restricting Russian financial activities remain effective.
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The US Department of Defense has requested more than a doubling of the budget for the US Space Force in fiscal year 2027, citing the need to maintain space combat capabilities.
In its budget proposal, the department stated: "The intensifying strategic competition in outer space poses a serious threat to US national security interests, requiring a budget allocation of $71.2 billion—an increase of $39.4 billion compared to fiscal year 2026."
The document revealed that the US Space Force is currently undergoing large-scale expansion to address emerging threats, increasing the number of personnel responsible for urgent missions and enhancing relevant combat capabilities.
Source: sputniknews
Original: toutiao.com/article/1863277911009355/
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