Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Washington will apply measures “never been seen” to isolate Iran economically.
• US carrier concerns: The US is sending another carrier group to the Middle East to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, a US official told CNN, adding that the swap was planned. There have been reports of families of sailors aboard the Lincoln raising concerns about mental health and living conditions. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the reports were “completely misrepresented.”
• Economic pressure: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US will apply measures “never been seen” on Iran. President Donald Trump recently made clear inflicting economic pain was part of his Iran strategy. “Watch this space for more announcements coming next week,” Bessent told Newsmax.
• Strait of Hormuz: Bessent also signaled the US blockade on Iranian ports will continue, as traffic through the waterway remains low. In a separate update, a UAE state-owned company said two of its vessels were attacked while transiting the critical waterway on Thursday.
Help is available if you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters. In the US, call or text 988 for help. The International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide have contact information for crisis centers around the world.
