Trump’s Operation Epic Fury defied expert predictions on Iran war

Iran’s national football team is preparing to participate in the upcoming World Cup, but the final decision will be made by the country’s leadership, the head of the Iranian Football Federation said.

Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, said the team is currently in training camp and continuing preparations for the tournament, according to remarks published by the official media.

“The reality is that we are preparing for the World Cup. We are making preparations. Even today we were in training camp and our players are currently in camp,” Taj said.

“But ultimately, you know we are part of the establishment. Whatever decision the leadership makes, we will comply with that,” he added.

US stocks closed at record highs on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reaching new peaks after President Donald Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran, according to Reuters.

Markets were also supported by strong corporate earnings, boosting investor sentiment amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

Trump said the indefinite extension of the ceasefire followed a request from Pakistani mediators. However, the US Navy blockade of Iranian ports remained in effect.

Former White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said US pressure on Iran through what he described as a “Hormuz blockade” is Washington’s most powerful financial weapon and could force Tehran into submission.

“President Trump’s economic squeeze on Iran through the Hormuz blockade is the biggest and most powerful financial weapon,” Kudlow said on Wednesday on Fox. “We’ve never tried this before, and it might just bring Iran to their unconditional knees.”

The US naval blockade against Iran, launched April 13 is working and disrupting the regime’s oil exports to China, according to United Against Nuclear Iran.

"At least 29 vessels have been turned around, with selective enforcement targeting high-value crude tankers proving effective through deterrence and higher evasion costs," the report said.

The US Senate voted 46–51 on Wednesday against a motion to discharge S.J.Res.114, a War Powers resolution introduced by Senator Tammy Baldwin regarding US military operations involving Iran.

The vote, known as a motion to discharge from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, would have advanced the measure to the Senate floor for debate and a final vote. Its failure keeps the resolution stalled in committee.