Iran’s Araghchi meets Pakistan army chief Munir in Islamabad

Iran’s Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said the United States does not have the ability to enforce a naval blockade on Iran.

“Americans should know they do not have the ability to impose a maritime blockade on Iran,” he said, adding that past failed operations could be repeated in the Persian Gulf.

His comments come as US officials have said the naval blockade of Iran’s southern ports remains in place.

Jafar Tafakori, 57, was arrested in Colombia at the request of US authorities and is accused of arranging the movement of mainly Iranian nationals through South and Central America and Mexico to the US border.

According to the indictment, the alleged scheme ran from late 2022 to mid-2024 and involved providing transport, shelter and, in some cases, airline tickets for migrants, charging fees of up to $30,000 per person.

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Prosecutors said migrants were directed to enter the United States illegally once they reached the border. Tafakori faces one count of conspiracy and five counts of bringing migrants into the United States for financial gain.

If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison per count, with a potential mandatory minimum sentence if found guilty on multiple counts.

US officials said the arrest reflects efforts to target transnational smuggling networks operating across multiple countries.

Iran produces more than 1,000 types of weapons domestically, including missiles, drones and military systems, defence ministry spokesperson Reza Talaei-Nik said.

“Today, more than 1,000 types of weapons… are produced entirely domestically,” he said, adding the capability is the result of over 25 years of investment in the defence sector.

He said production is spread across the country so it can continue even if some facilities are damaged, and added that around 9,000 companies are involved in supporting the defence industry.

US President Donald Trump on Friday extended a waiver of the Jones Act for another 90 days to ease fuel supply pressures amid high oil prices linked to the Iran war, the White House said.

The waiver suspends requirements that goods shipped between US ports be carried on US-built and flagged vessels, allowing foreign-flagged ships to transport oil, fuel and other commodities domestically.

White House assistant press secretary Taylor Rogers said the extension followed data showing increased supply reaching US ports more quickly under the initial waiver.

Former Israeli military spokesperson Jonathan Conricus said on Friday the Strait of Hormuz remains closed because no order has been given by President Donald Trump to reopen it.

"The only reason the Strait of Hormuz is closed is that President Trump hasn’t yet given CENTCOM the order to open it. Once the order is given, CENTCOM will get the job done," he posted on X.