The White House said Tuesday evening that the United States will not tolerate any disruption to maritime traffic in the Middle East, warning that attempts to block the movement of oil or goods through key waterways will draw a severe military response.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued the statement amid rising tensions in the region, stressing that Washington is determined to safeguard the free passage of shipping lanes that are critical to global energy supplies.
Leavitt said the United States is taking action to ensure that energy resources continue to reach the country and its allies without interference.
“The United States and all our allies can receive their energy needs. President Trump will not allow rogue Iranian terrorists to strop the freedom of navigation and the free flow of energy,” Leavitt said.
She also warned Tehran against attempting to obstruct shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important maritime routes for global oil shipments.
“If they (Iran) do anything to stop the flow of oil or goods within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the world’s most powerful military 20 times harder than they have been hit thus far,” she threatened.
Leavitt also addressed concerns about rising fuel costs, acknowledging that the conflict has led to higher prices but saying the situation is expected to stabilize once military objectives are met.
She added that “the increase in gas prices is temporary and in the long term prices will fall. Once the military goals are achieved, we will live in a world where Iran can no longer threaten.”
{Matzav.com}
Israel’s Transportation Ministry has launched an investigation after approximately 90 yeshiva bochurim departed on a flight to Poland, reportedly in violation of Home Front Command restrictions. The probe follows media reports that the group traveled to attend the yahrtzeit of Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk.
Ben Gurion Airport turned into a scene of turmoil on Monday after hundreds of passengers found themselves stranded at check-in counters following sudden changes to passenger limits. While El Al had received special approval the previous day to board up to 200 passengers on some flights, the permitted number was reduced again Tuesday morning to just 50 passengers. The abrupt reversal sparked widespread frustration among travelers who arrived at the airport only to discover they could not board their flights. Ground staff reported scenes of passengers losing their composure, and in some cases confrontations occurred between police and frustrated travelers.
Amid the chaos, reports circulated online that about 90 talmidim from Yeshivas Oryasa in Yerushalayim had managed to depart for Poland ahead of the yahrtzeit of Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk, which is the night of the 21st of Adar.
Following the report, Transportation Ministry Director General Moshe Ben Zaken instructed the head of the Airports Authority to conduct an urgent investigation and submit findings within 24 hours.
The development raised questions in several media outlets, particularly on the political left, about how such a large group was allowed to board a flight under the strict wartime limitations.
In response to the growing controversy, the Transportation Ministry issued a sharply worded statement emphasizing that airlines are not permitted to board more than 100 passengers on departing flights, in accordance with directives from the Home Front Command and the security establishment.
“We demand that airlines comply with the regulations and ensure passenger safety,” the ministry said.
While government authorities and airline officials debate the rules, hundreds of travelers remained stranded at closed check-in counters at Ben Gurion Airport in what many described as a day that turned from a rescue operation into a transportation fiasco.
{Matzav.com}
