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Iran says coastal attack will lead to full Gulf closure and mine-laying

An attack on Iran's southern coast and islands will lead to Gulf routes being cut with the laying of sea mines, the country's Defence Council said on Monday, according to state media. The US is considering plans to occupy or blockade Iran's Kharg Island, the country's main oil export hub, to pressure Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all shipping, according to Axios. "Any attempt to attack Iran's coasts or islands will cause all access routes in the Gulf (...) to be mined with various types of sea mines, including floating mines that can be released from the coast," the statement read. "In this case, the entire Gulf will practically be in a situation similar to the Strait of Hormuz for a long time (...) One should not forget the failure of more than 100 minesweepers in the 1980s in removing a few sea mines." The Defence Council recalled that non-belligerent states can only pass through the Strait of Hormuz by coordinating passage with Iran...

Trump urges Netanyahu to be 'reasonable' with Turkiye, praises Erdogan

US President Donald Trump on Monday openly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to adopt a “reasonable” approach in dealing with Türkiye, while lauding his own relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Speaking during an Oval Office meeting with Netanyahu, Trump emphasised his confidence in being able to resolve any disputes between the two nations. “Bibi, if you have a problem with Turkey, I really think you’re going to be able to work it out,” Trump said, using the Israeli leader’s nickname. “I have a very, very good relationship with Turkey and with their leader, and I think we’ll be able to work it out.”         View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Republicans against Trump (@republicansagainsttrump) He added, “As long as you’re reasonable, you have to be reasonable. We have to be reasonable.” Trump’s remarks appeared to catch Netanyahu off-guard during a meeting meant to reinforce US-Israel ties. The exchange came as Israel grows increasingly concerned over Turkish involvement in Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime. Trump went further, praising Erdoğan as “a tough guy” and “very smart”, crediting him with achieving what others could not — the ousting of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia in December 2024. “You’ve done what nobody’s been able to do in 2,000 years,” Trump said he told Erdoğan, “You’ve taken over Syria — with different names, but same thing — through surrogates.” Following Assad’s departure, opposition leader Ahmed al-Sharaa was sworn in as president of a transitional government on January 29. While Trump framed the Turkish role in Syria as effective, Israeli officials have accused Ankara of playing a “negative role” in the region, especially after Turkish-backed forces gained influence in northern Syria. The US president’s comments drew criticism from human rights groups and political opponents, who highlighted Erdoğan’s crackdown on dissent — including the recent arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and over 100 other opposition officials. Despite international concerns over Turkey’s democratic backsliding, Trump maintained his positive stance. “I happen to like him, and he likes me,” he said of Erdoğan. “And we’ve never had a problem.”

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