Report: Tehran Resists Blockade for 4 Months - Assessment: US Influence on Tehran Remains Limited
Efforts to end the war between the US and Iran appeared to stall as the two sides exchanged fire in the Persian Gulf on Friday, while a US intelligence analysis concluded that Tehran could withstand a naval blockade for months.
A CIA assessment showed that Iran would not suffer severe economic pressure from a US blockade of Iranian ports for about four more months, suggesting that US influence over Tehran remains limited. The assessment was reported by the Washington Post.
Recent days have seen the biggest escalation in fighting in and around the Strait of Hormuz since a ceasefire began a month ago, and the United Arab Emirates was attacked for the second time on Friday. Washington is waiting for Tehran's response to a US proposal that would formally end the war before talks begin on more contentious issues, including Iran's nuclear program. "We need to know something today," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in Rome earlier in the day. "We expect a response from them."
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said Tehran was still considering its response and that nothing had been reported as of mid-afternoon in Washington, just before midnight in Tehran.
Meanwhile, more sporadic clashes between Iranian forces and US ships occurred in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported. The Tasnim news agency later quoted an Iranian military source as saying the situation had calmed down but warned that further clashes were possible.
Oil prices rose immediately, with Brent crude futures above $101 a barrel. Trump said on Thursday that the ceasefire was being implemented despite escalations in the strait, which before the war covered a fifth of the world's oil supply.
FIFA, separate ceremonies for the World Cup - Mexico, Canada and the USA prepare for the start of the tournament
FIFA announced on Friday that it will hold separate opening ceremonies before the first match in each of the three host countries for this year's World Cup,......
Ryanair announces reduction of flights to Greece - Fraport Greece: Company strategy, not airport fees
Fraport Greece reacted on Friday to Ryanair's announcement of its decision to scale back operations in Greece, and that it will close its Thessaloniki branch......
Support for the euro at its highest point - Eurobarometer: More than half of Bulgarians support the euro
More than half of Bulgarians now support the euro, according to the latest spring publication of the Eurobarometer survey on public attitudes across the......
How did the idea for the EU come about? May 9th Europe Day - Today the EU includes 27 countries with about one billion citizens
On May 9, the EU honors former French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, who formulated the idea of the EU on May 9, 1950. Since 1985, heads of state and......
The program that rebuilt schools after the earthquake ends - From Kavaja to Shijak, 63 educational facilities were transformed with EU support
The largest European Union program for education in Albania, “EU4Schools”, which was implemented for 6 consecutive years by UNDP, the United Nations......
China's exports grew strongly in April - Foreign orders hit their highest level in two years
China's export growth accelerated in April as factories rushed to fill a wave of orders from foreign buyers looking to stockpile goods amid fears that the......
How will the curricula in universities be changed? - Hasalla: An accurate analysis of the labor market is needed
The new action plan for higher education policies 2030 also includes the review of university curricula. It is envisaged to review existing programs and......
Europe Day, Prime Minister Edi Rama: Albania is closer than ever to the European family
Prime Minister Edi Rama started today with a greeting for Europe Day. In a post shared on social media, the head of government stated that currently "Albania......
