Middle East Crisis Iran War

Sources: US sending thousands of troops to pressure Iran

US President Donald Trump continues to hammer home the message that the war in Iran is almost over.

– I think it's almost over, yes, Trump answers a straightforward question in an interview with Fox Business.

Sources in several media outlets suggest that new negotiations are underway between the US and Iran, but nothing has been confirmed.

At the same time, the US is significantly stepping up its military presence in the Middle East, writes the Washington Post, citing sources. The Pentagon is reportedly sending an additional 10,000 troops to the region, including via an aircraft carrier and a Marine Corps force, as part of a strategy to pressure Iran into negotiations. 

Iran used Chinese satellite to target US targets

Iran has used a Chinese spy satellite to better target attacks on US targets in the Middle East, according to a review by the Financial Times. The TEE-01B satellite, which was built and launched by China's Earth Eye, was taken over by the Revolutionary Guard's space force after its launch from China.

According to the newspaper, leaked Iranian military documents show that the satellite monitored US bases in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain and Iraq, among others, in connection with drone and missile attacks in March. Images were taken both before and after the attacks, according to the information.

China's embassy in Washington dismisses the information as "speculative and insinuating disinformation," writes the FT.

Iran threatens to expand blockade – unless US backs down

Iran will expand its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to include the Red Sea and the Gulf of Oman unless the US stops “creating insecurity” for Iranian ships in the area. This is stated by the Iranian military in a statement, according to Reuters.

– The powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic will not allow any exports or imports, says spokesman Ali Abdollahi.

Iran began a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after being attacked by Israel and the US on February 28. The US responded the other day by imposing its own blockade of the strait, the aim of which is said to be to prevent transport to and from Iranian ports.