US warships would be targeted, Iran’s military adviser to Supreme Leader says

The US military said on Wednesday an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel was turned back after attempting to evade a US-imposed blockade on Iran’s ports, according to US Central Command.

CENTCOM said the ship on Tuesday left Bandar Abbas, exited the Strait of Hormuz, and was intercepted by the USS Spruance before being redirected back toward Iran.

"Yesterday, an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel tried to evade the U.S. blockade after leaving Bandar Abbas, exiting the Strait of Hormuz, and transiting along the Iranian coastline. The guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) successfully redirected the vessel, which is heading back to Iran," CENTCOM posted on X.

"Ten vessels have now been turned around and ZERO ships have broken through since the start of the US blockade on Monday," the post added.

Saudi Arabia is pressing the United States to reduce its military pressure on Iran and return to negotiations, fearing possible retaliation that could disrupt shipping through the Red Sea, according to Gulf diplomats cited by the Daily Telegraph on Wednesday.

The report said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged Washington to lift its naval restrictions on Iranian ports amid concerns over regional escalation.

"The Saudi lobbying reflects concerns in Riyadh that Tehran would retaliate against the US blockade by instructing its Houthi allies in Yemen to seal the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a Red Sea chokepoint through which much of the kingdom’s oil supplies pass," the report added.

US House Democratic Representative from Arizona Yassamin Ansari on Wednesday introduced articles of impeachment against Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, accusing him of violating his oath of office, endangering US servicemembers, and authorizing unlawful military actions during the conflict with Iran.

"I’ve introduced Articles of Impeachment against Pete Hegseth for violating his oath, endangering U.S. servicemembers, and committing war crimes, including attacks on civilians and a girls’ school in Minab, Iran. Only Congress can declare war; his actions demand immediate removal," Ansari posted on X.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Wednesday Iran and what he called the “resistance” are “one entity” in both war and ceasefire, adding that the United States must step back from what he described as Israel’s “first mistake.”

"The completion and consolidation of a comprehensive ceasefire in Lebanon will be the result of the steadfastness and struggle of the esteemed Hezbollah and its heroism, as well as the unity of the Axis of Resistance," Ghalibaf posted on X.

"The United States must commit to the agreement. The resistance and Iran are one and the same entity, whether in war or in a ceasefire. America must back away from Israel's first mistake," he added.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he was “delighted” to welcome Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to Tehran and thanked Islamabad for hosting talks aimed at easing regional tensions.

In a post on X, Araghchi said the discussions reflected the two countries' shared commitment to diplomacy.

“Expressed gratitude for Pakistan's gracious hosting of dialogue, emphasizing that it reflects our deep and great bilateral relationship,” he wrote.