A UK Socialist's blog

Iran to charge ships for services in Strait of Hormuz, parliament speaker says

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

Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Tehran, Iran on April 16, 2026. [Iranian Parliament Speaker Office – Anadolu Agency

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran has sovereign rights over the Strait of Hormuz as a coastal state overlooking the strategic waterway.

Ghalibaf said the Strait of Hormuz “will not return to what it was before”, but stressed that Iran does not intend to act in violation of international law.

He added that Iran has sovereign rights in the strait and that it is natural for the country to charge fees for services provided to vessels passing through it, clarifying that these are service fees rather than tolls.

Ghalibaf also said that Article 13 of the memorandum of understanding stipulates that commitments will be implemented on a “step-for-step” basis.

READ: Trump says US will have to give Iran’s money back

He stated that the memorandum includes provisions related to reconstruction and development, adding that the United States does not acknowledge itself as the aggressor in order to avoid paying compensation.

According to Ghalibaf, the memorandum also provides for the establishment of a $300 billion investment fund.

He further said there are no legal barriers under Iranian law preventing American companies from operating or investing in Iran.

Ghalibaf added that the memorandum formally recognises Iran’s right to receive payments for services provided to ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

READ: US envoy says ‘without Israel, there would be no America’

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

Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up
Orcas discuss rotting brain, front Orca says Sundown Syndrome is a dead givaway and he wishes someone would Lock Him Up

Continue ReadingIran to charge ships for services in Strait of Hormuz, parliament speaker says

Palestine Action ban will be overturned, group’s co-founder vows

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/16/palestine-action-ban-will-be-overturned-groups-co-founder-vows

Huda Ammori: ‘I‘m certain that legally we are correct that this ban is disproportionate to free speech and the right to protest.’ Photograph: Abdullah Bailey/Alamy

Speaking after appeal court ruled ban lawful, Huda Ammori says fight will be won in the courts or ‘on the streets’

The co-founder of Palestine Action has said the battle to overturn the terrorism ban on the direct action group will be won – in the courts or “on the streets”.

On Monday, five court of appeal judges ruled that a ban on the organisation was lawful, reversing the high court’s February judgment, which they said had wrongly limited the home secretary’s discretion on national security.

Huda Ammori, who as a founder of Palestine Action – the first direct action protest group to be banned under the Terrorism Act – brought the legal challenge, said she was disappointed but remained confident of victory.

“I‘m certain that legally we are correct that this ban is disproportionate to free speech and the right to protest. I think that’s really clear,” she said. “We just need to get to the right court that’s going to recognise that and we’ll take it all the way up to the European court of human rights, if needs be.”

…

As an illustration of what she termed the politicisation of the case, Ammori highlighted the court of appeal judges’ assertion that “Palestine Action has little or nothing in common with the suffragettes”.

The suffragettes carried out a nationwide bombing campaign while Emily Davison, who is commemorated by two statues, attacked a clergyman with a horse whip after mistaking him for the then chancellor, David Lloyd George. Ammori said of the judges’ comparison: “It just is completely inaccurate and quite crazy that they even felt like they needed to make that comparison.”

Monday’s judgment was the second blow for Palestine Action after Friday’s sentencing of four activists involved in a 2024 raid on an Israeli manufacturer’s arms factory near Bristol.

…

Article continues at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jun/16/palestine-action-ban-will-be-overturned-groups-co-founder-vows

Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza's hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Keir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.
Palestine Action dismantle Elbit equipment, 6 August 2024. (Photo: Handout)
Palestine Action dismantle Elbit equipment, 6 August 2024. (Photo: Handout)
Palestine Action joke that appeared in the UK satirical magazine 'Private Eye'.
Palestine Action joke that appeared in the UK satirical magazine ‘Private Eye’.
Continue ReadingPalestine Action ban will be overturned, group’s co-founder vows

Corbyn warns of new Labour threat to freedoms

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/corbyn-warns-new-labour-threat-freedoms

 Police detain protesters outside Woolwich Crown Court, London, during a hearing where Palestine Action activists were due to be sentenced over over a break-in at the UK base of an Israel-based defence firm, Elbit Systems site near Bristol on August 6 2024

YOUR PARTY parliamentary leader Jeremy Corbyn pledged to oppose the government’s National Security (State Threats) Bill today as ministers started to rush the measure through Parliament.

He warned that the Bill “is an alarming expansion of state power, and an escalation of the government’s chilling assault on the right to protest.

“This week more than 100 people were arrested for holding placards in support of a group that has taken direct action against British complicity in genocide. Meanwhile, Britain continues to sell arms to a state whose leader is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“This Bill represents  a further, grave risk to our civil liberties. Under the new legislation, people can be criminalised for ‘expressing an opinion or belief that is supportive of’ bodies that the Home Secretary deems prejudicial to ‘the safety or interests’ of the UK.”

Mr Corbyn added: “Deliberately vague and open-ended, this legislation gives the Home Secretary sweeping powers to criminalise political campaigns of their choosing.

“We are going down a very dangerous path, and the fact that this legislation is being rushed through Parliament in one day should alarm us all.

…

Article continues at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/corbyn-warns-new-labour-threat-freedoms

Image of the original Fascists Mussolini and Hitler.
The original Fascists Mussolini and Hitler salute UK’s Labour Party.

Continue ReadingCorbyn warns of new Labour threat to freedoms

Police admit destroying files in Spycops inquiry

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/police-admit-destroying-files-spycops-inquiry

POLICE destroyed files relating to anti-war campaigners, unions and several individuals ahead of the undercover policing inquiry, it was heard today. 

The Metropolitan Police Special Demonstration Squad (SDS) spied on campaigners for decades.

A public inquiry was set up when it was revealed that the SDS spied on the family of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence.

It has already heard testimony from victims of the SpyCops, including women activists with whom undercover police officers had relationships with and fathered children without revealing their true identity.

The interim report found the SDS should have been wound up almost as soon as it was established in the 1970s.

The new revelation, released by the inquiry today, shows that the Metropolitan Police deliberately destroyed secret files before they could be seen by the inquiry.

These included reports on the Stop the War Coalition, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, the Fire Brigades Union, the National Union of Mineworkers, the building union Ucatt, the Jean Charles de Menezes campaign, as well as former MP Dave Nellist and top KC Mike Mansfield.

…

Article continues at https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/police-admit-destroying-files-spycops-inquiry

Continue ReadingPolice admit destroying files in Spycops inquiry

Starmer ‘Proudest’ of Axing Two-Child Cap – After Punishing MPs for Voting to Scrap It

https://novaramedia.com/2026/06/17/starmer-proudest-of-axing-two-child-cap-after-punishing-mps-for-voting-to-scrap-it/

Leon Neal/Pool via Reuters

He suspended MPs including John McDonnell and Zarah Sultana.

Keir Starmer has described scrapping the two-child benefit cap as his proudest moment as prime minister – despite previously suspending Labour MPs for voting for its removal. 

Starmer was asked “What have you been most proud of as prime minister?” in an interview with Beth Rigby on Sky News on Wednesday. 

“Lifting half a million children out of poverty by removing the two-child benefit cap,” he replied.  

“That is something I’m proud of because that will be felt not just this year, next year, not just during the duration of this government, but for those children it will be felt for the rest of their lives.”

However, Starmer’s boast has drawn accusations of hypocrisy from social media users, who have pointed to his previous decision to punish his own MPs for voting for the policy.   

In July 2024 Starmer withdrew the whip from seven backbench Labour MPs for backing a Scottish National Party amendment calling for the cap to be axed.  

The amendment was defeated by 363 votes to 103, with rebel MPs John McDonnell, Richard Burgon, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Apsana Begum, Imran Hussain, Ian Byrne and Zarah Sultana all suspended from the Labour party. An additional 42 Labour MPs abstained. 

…

Article by Tom Midlane continues at https://novaramedia.com/2026/06/17/starmer-proudest-of-axing-two-child-cap-after-punishing-mps-for-voting-to-scrap-it/

Keir Starmer says pensioners can freeze to death and poor children can starve and be condemned to failure and misery all their lives.
Keir Starmer says pensioners can freeze to death and poor children can starve and be condemned to failure and misery all their lives.
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.
Keir Starmer refuses to be outcnuted by Nigel Farage's chasing the racist bigot vote.
Keir Starmer refuses to be outcnuted by Nigel Farage’s chasing the racist bigot vote.
Continue ReadingStarmer ‘Proudest’ of Axing Two-Child Cap – After Punishing MPs for Voting to Scrap It