Iran Official Warns of Changed 'Rules of the Game' Amid Regional Tensions

An Iranian official has warned that the "rules of the game" concerning oil and maritime passages have changed, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated that contradictory messages from the U.S. President should not distract from the situation, emphasizing that no negotiations will occur until Iran's conditions are met. He suggested that "damage control" would not prevent what is coming.

These remarks coincide with a reported further reduction in ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz this week, attributed to increased attacks in the region. Shipping data obtained by Reuters indicates this trend.

Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, air raid sirens were activated in the city of Jeddah due to fears of missile fire from the Houthis. The Saudi-led coalition reported that 13 civilians were injured in Houthi attacks targeting the Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Taif.

In Gaza, sources reported the elimination of a commander in Hamas's military wing, Ahmed al-Batsh, also known as Abu Osama, in a vehicle strike in Gaza City. Reports of a vehicle being attacked in the northern part of Gaza City had surfaced earlier.