A UK Socialist's blog

US military prepares to board Iran-linked ships in coming days: Report

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine speaks during the press conference held by the United States President Donald Trump in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on April 6, 2026, in Washington DC, United States. [Celal Güneş – Anadolu Agency]

The US military is preparing “to board Iran-linked oil tankers and seize commercial ships in international waters” in the coming days, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing US officials.

According to the Journal, the US military will pursue vessels around the world that are helping Iran should the two sides fail to conclude a deal.

Washington’s decision to step up economic pressure is intended to force Iran to reopen the strait and make concessions on its nuclear program, which has been the focus of negotiations between the US and Iran, the report said.

On Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had declared that the strait is “completely open” for all commercial vessels.

READ: Trump says ‘very good conversations going on’ with Iran

However, an IRGC joint command statement on Saturday said that the strait had returned to its “previous state” under the control of Iran’s armed forces, citing the ongoing US blockade on Iranian ports.

On Feb. 28, the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran, and Tehran retaliated with strikes on Israel and other regional countries hosting US assets.

The war has been on hold since April 8, when Pakistan mediated a two-week ceasefire.

Washington and Tehran held talks in Pakistan last weekend, and efforts for another session in Islamabad are underway.

READ: Iran’s Qalibaf says US, Israel could not win through ‘lies’; Tehran to control Hormuz transit

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Orcas discuss rotting brain. Front Orca says "Wish someone would lock him up".
Orcas discuss rotting brain. Front Orca says “Wish someone would lock him up”.

Continue ReadingUS military prepares to board Iran-linked ships in coming days: Report

Hezbollah denies role in attack that killed French UN soldier in southern Lebanon

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

The United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Nabatieh, Lebanon on November 15, 2025. [Ramiz Dallah – Anadolu Agency]

Lebanon’s Hezbollah group on Saturday denied any involvement in an incident that killed a French soldier and injured three others serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon, Anadolu reports.

In a statement, Hezbollah said it “denies any involvement in the incident that occurred with UNIFIL forces in the Ghandouriyeh​​​​​​​ area in the Bint Jbeil district.”

The group urged caution, stressing the need “to avoid rushing to conclusions and accusations” before the circumstances of the incident are fully clarified.

Hezbollah also emphasized the importance of continued coordination between local residents, UNIFIL and the Lebanese army, particularly under what it described as sensitive conditions.

READ: French soldier killed in attack on UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon: Macron

It further expressed surprise at what it called premature accusations, saying some parties were quick to assign blame “while remaining silent during Israeli attacks on UNIFIL forces.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said one French soldier was killed and three others wounded in the attack targeting UNIFIL troops.

“Sergeant Major Florian Montorio of the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment in Montauban was killed this morning in southern Lebanon during an attack against UNIFIL,” Macron said in a post on the US social media platform X.

“Everything suggests that Hezbollah is responsible for this attack,” he added.

UNIFIL said it has launched an investigation after one of its positions “came under small-arms fire from non-state actors” in the southern village of Ghanduriyah.

READ: Trump says Israel, Lebanon agree to 10-day ceasefire starting Thursday evening

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Straight of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Straight of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Orcas discuss rotting brain. Front Orca says "Wish someone would lock him up".
Orcas discuss rotting brain. Front Orca says “Wish someone would lock him up”.
Continue ReadingHezbollah denies role in attack that killed French UN soldier in southern Lebanon

Pressure mounts on PM to resign over Mandelson appointment

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/pressure-mounts-pm-resign-over-mandelson-appointment

 Prime Minister Keir Starmer (right) and Peter Mandelson, February 27, 2025

PRESSURE mounted on Sir Keir Starmer to resign today as backbenchers joined opposition parties saying the PM must have been aware Lord Peter Mandelson had failed vetting before appointing him US ambassador.

The Labour leader said it was “unforgivable” that he was not told that the Foreign Office had overruled the UK Security Vetting team’s recommendation not to clear the so-called “Prince of Darkness” for the post.

“That I wasn’t told that Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting when he was appointed is staggering,” the PM said.

“That I wasn’t told that he had failed security vetting when I was telling Parliament that due process had been followed is unforgivable.

…

Sir Keir was already under fire over the decision to give the twice-resigned cabinet minister the job, despite it being known that his dealings with Epstein continued after the financier’s conviction for child sex offences.

Questions over his judgement intensified after the first batch of documents related to the decision, published last month, showed that he was warned before announcing Lord Mandelson’s ambassadorship of a “general reputational risk” over his association with Epstein.

That warning stemmed from the first part of the checks, carried out by the Cabinet Office, which was based on information in the public domain at the time.

…

See the original article at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/pressure-mounts-pm-resign-over-mandelson-appointment

Continue ReadingPressure mounts on PM to resign over Mandelson appointment

“No more buck passing” – Greens call on Keir Starmer to resign over latest Mandelson revelation

Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion Siân Berry. Image by Kelly Hill, Wikimedia CC BY-SA 4.0.
Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion Siân Berry. Image by Kelly Hill, Wikimedia CC BY-SA 4.0.

Reacting to a report in the Guardian that Peter Mandelson was appointed as ambassador to the US despite failing the Government vetting process, Green Party MP Siân Berry said:

“Keir Starmer has lied and lied again over his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson and he must resign. Starmer told Parliament ‘due process’ had been followed. This report makes clear that was untrue.

“He has tried to blame the vetting process, when in fact it is reported that a decision was taken to ignore a failed vetting. We need answers on what and when Starmer and David Lammy knew about this decision to overrule the vetting report.

“The precise reasons for Mandelson’s failure to pass this vetting must be made public, even though it was known to everyone that Mandelson was friends with the world’s most notorious paedophile prior to the appointment. It is outrageous that it is being reported that senior government officials are now considering whether to withhold from parliament documents that show Mandelson wasn’t given security clearance.

“No more buck passing, no more mysteriously vanishing mobile phones, the public need the truth.”

Continue Reading“No more buck passing” – Greens call on Keir Starmer to resign over latest Mandelson revelation

How Peter Mandelson destroyed the Labour Party : Jeremy Corbyn

Keir Starmer discusses Peter Mandelson, Jeffrey Epstein and the UK Labour Party's tradition of excusing and protecting child rapists.
Keir Starmer discusses Peter Mandelson, Jeffrey Epstein and the UK Labour Party’s tradition of excusing and protecting child rapists.
Keir Starmer says that the Labour Party under his leadership is intensely relaxed about assaulting those least able to defend themselves - the very poorest and most vulnerable.
Keir Starmer says that the Labour Party under his leadership is intensely relaxed about assaulting those least able to defend themselves – the very poorest and most vulnerable.
Continue ReadingHow Peter Mandelson destroyed the Labour Party : Jeremy Corbyn