US military hits targets across Iran in hours leading up to resumption of naval blockade

Key Points:

• President Trump stated that Iran has been "very much destabilized" and its military capability significantly reduced in recent months, describing Iran as previously being a "big burden" and "bully" in Iraq.
• Trump announced the U.S. is backing away from imposing a 20% fee on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz, instead securing "Trade and Investment Deals" with Gulf states involving billions of dollars invested in the United States.
• The U.S. Central Command resumed a naval blockade on Iranian ports to prevent shipments linked to Iran, following recent missile attacks on commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz attributed to Iran.
• Bahrain jailed 10 individuals for up to five years for involvement in violent acts linked to Iranian attacks in March, while Bahrain’s military intercepted and destroyed Iranian aerial aggressions targeting civilians.
• The United Arab Emirates condemned Iranian missile attacks on two UAE oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz that killed one crew member and injured eight others, calling the attacks a serious violation of international law and a threat to regional stability.