TWO SHIPS HIT IN HORMUZ ON THE EVE OF IRANS BIG MEETING

Iranian state media says a commercial vessel was struck near Qeshm at about 5am, killing one and injuring four, with the local governor blaming the "American-Zionist enemy" 2CNN Iran reports commercial vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz7TSN One Killed As Projectile Hits Ship in Southern Iran. Hours later the UK Maritime Trade Operations centre reported a second ship hit by a projectile, with a fire aboard and the crew evacuating 2CNN Iran reports commercial vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz11GDN Houthis claim attack on Saudi base as fighting flares with Yemeni forces. The US has not commented. Traffic through the strait is running about 90 percent below pre-war levels 2CNN Iran reports commercial vessel struck in Strait of Hormuz.

Araghchi says the Iran-Oman agreement being presented in Oman on Monday "by no means" means the strait reopens 3AAM Iran says Monday’s meeting in Oman to focus on new maritime route in Strait of Hormuz. It defines entry and exit routes that would be used if conditions allow, and Iran's condition is unchanged: Washington returns to the Islamabad memorandum and lifts the blockade 3AAM Iran says Monday’s meeting in Oman to focus on new maritime route in Strait of Hormuz. A senior Iranian official told Reuters not to expect anything signed 15AJE Bahrain says it will not participate in Iran’s proposed Hormuz meeting. What Tehran actually gets is regional states in a room accepting a briefing on a corridor it manages with Oman, then registration at the International Maritime Organization. That is a claim of legitimacy dressed as a shipping arrangement.

Manama says it will not attend, that regional security "cannot be preserved through a policy of appeasement," and that Hormuz should be open without "discrimination, fees or permits" 15AJE Bahrain says it will not participate in Iran’s proposed Hormuz meeting. It added that it will not join any collective meeting involving Iran until diplomatic relations resume, which have been cut since 2016 15AJE Bahrain says it will not participate in Iran’s proposed Hormuz meeting. The reference to fees is the giveaway: Gulf states suspect the corridor comes with a toll booth, and paying it would mean conceding who owns the water.

Yemeni battalions in Mocha were padded with "ghost names" drawing salaries, leaving the real force at about 20 percent of its official strength, a Western source told CNN 6JPO Yemeni army rosters filled with 'ghost names,' leaving Mocha vulnerable to Houthi takeover - report. A regional source called the collapse "a Saudi-American f*** up of epic proportions" and said not one Saudi airstrike came during the day of the assault despite minute-by-minute updates: "The Saudis threw the Yemenis under the bus" 6JPO Yemeni army rosters filled with 'ghost names,' leaving Mocha vulnerable to Houthi takeover - report. Analysts now expect a large-scale Saudi retaliation, with more than 45,000 civilians already displaced 1CNN The Saudis have few options against the surging Houthis and none are good ones14YNT ‘We took only the clothes we wore’: Tens of thousands flee Houthi-held areas in Yemen.

"The Houthis called us, and they don't want to fight with us," Trump said in Ireland, adding that they are letting most Red Sea shipping through and "it's just one country that they're not too happy with" 13RTN Houthis asked US to stay out of Saudi fight, Trump (VIDEOS). Their spokesman says they target only "the Saudi enemy" but could fight "up to three fronts" if outsiders join Riyadh 13RTN Houthis asked US to stay out of Saudi fight, Trump (VIDEOS). Offering America safe passage while squeezing one specific country is a neat trick, and Saudi Arabia is the country. Meanwhile Iranian MPs have signed an urgent motion to quit the Non-Proliferation Treaty 9MHR Iran can easily withdraw from NPT, revise nuclear doctrine, which is where the referral to the Security Council leads next.