US, Iran Tensions Rise; Trump Targets "Fake News"

The United States issued new guidelines for U.S.-flagged ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, urging them to stay away from Iranian territorial waters, according to Al Jazeera. The advisory, released by the U.S. Maritime Administration on Monday, also cautioned captains against allowing Iranian forces to board U.S. vessels. These developments come amidst heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Simultaneously, the U.S. military announced the seizure of a Venezuela-linked oil tanker in the Indian Ocean, as reported by Al Jazeera. The Pentagon stated the capture was part of a campaign to halt Venezuela's oil exports, a policy implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump. This action underscores the U.S.'s determination to enforce its oil blockade on the South American country, even in distant locations.

Adding to the complexities, Iranian security and judicial authorities arrested several reformist politicians, as detailed by Al Jazeera. The arrests were made on charges of attempting to disrupt the country's political and social order and allegedly working for the benefit of Israel and the U.S. during recent protests.

In other international news, Ukraine announced plans to open ten arms export centers in Europe, a significant shift in wartime policy, as reported by Euronews. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated these centers would allow Kyiv's partners access to weapons tested on the battlefield. Germany is set to be among the first countries to host a center, with Ukrainian drone production scheduled to begin there soon.

Domestically, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is reportedly investigating ABC's "The View," according to Ars Technica. FCC Democrat Anna Gomez criticized the investigation as an attempt to intimidate critics of the Trump administration, calling it "government intimidation, not a legitimate investigation." She further stated that the FCC's actions are intended to weaponize regulatory authority to chill protected speech.