Tehran: Iran's Armed Forces have reiterated their control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz, issuing a warning to the United States and its allies against passing through the vital waterway. The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, responsible for military operations oversight, emphasized that the strait is under the control of Iran's Revolutionary Guards. The announcement follows Iran's prior decision to close the strait to vessels from countries linked to US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

According to Anadolu Agency, Iran's assertion comes amid rising tensions in the region, with Iran strategically deploying fewer than ten naval mines in the waterway, as reported by a US-based research institute. The Strait of Hormuz remains a pivotal passage for global oil shipments, making Iran's control a significant geopolitical concern.

In another development, illegal Israeli settlers have set fire to a mosque in the West Bank village of Duma, south of Nablus. Palestinian sources reported that settlers infiltrated the village before dawn, torching the mosque's entrance and spray-painting Hebrew slogans on its walls. Residents, aided by crews from the Palestinian Civil Defense, managed to extinguish the flames, which, although contained, caused damage to the mosque's entrance and interior facades.

Meanwhile, in the United States, a gunman identified as Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, previously convicted of supporting ISIS, opened fire at Old Dominion University in Virginia. The incident resulted in one death and two injuries before the shooter was neutralized. This development underscores ongoing concerns about domestic security and the influence of extremist groups.

These incidents highlight the complex and volatile dynamics in the Middle East and beyond, with significant implications for regional and international security.