Israel Foreign Minister warns Iran and proxies threaten regional security

President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post on Wednesday that Iran allowed an American citizen who was “wrongfully detained” in December 2024 to leave the country. He said the woman is now safely outside Iran and in good condition, thanking Tehran for what he called a “gesture of goodwill.”

“Iran has allowed an American Citizen, who was wrongfully detained in December of 2024 under the “presidency” of Sleepy Joe Biden, to leave the Country. She is now safely outside of Iran, and in good condition. The United States of America appreciates this gesture of Goodwill by Iran!” Trump said.

IRGC spokesman Hussein Mohebbi said on Wednesday Iran’s operations are currently focused on destroying US offensive infrastructure in the region, warning that further steps will follow.

“The enemy should not imagine that it can continue the current equation of the battle and turn the war into one of attrition. Iran's operations are currently focused on destroying America's offensive infrastructure in the region. The next steps will then begin,” he posted on X.

Vice President JD Vance criticized what he called Iran “hawks” in the US and other countries, accusing them of undermining the Trump administration’s negotiations with Tehran.

In an interview with Joe Rogan, Vance added that diplomacy was necessary to address attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while defending the administration’s approach to talks.

“There's been this interesting dynamic here, where as we've been trying to negotiate, there have been these extraordinarily well-funded efforts to tank the negotiation, to prevent us from reaching a deal, to change American public opinion,” Vance said.

US Senator Tom Cotton said on Wednesday Iran and its regional allies cannot be trusted to negotiate in good faith, adding that President Donald Trump is using force because it is the only language Tehran understands.

“Iran’s proxies—Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis—don’t negotiate in good faith. They will lie, cheat, and break deals. When the regime chants “Death to America,” we should all believe they mean it. President Trump is speaking the only language Tehran understands: force,” he posted on X.

US forces disabled an empty Curacao-flagged oil tanker on Wednesday after it ignored repeated warnings while sailing toward Iran’s Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, US Central Command said in a post on X.

CENTCOM said a US aircraft fired Hellfire missiles into the M/T Belma’s smokestack, stopping the vessel from continuing toward Iran.

The US military said it had resumed its naval blockade of vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday and, during the first 24 hours, redirected two compliant commercial ships and disabled one that failed to comply.