US moves against relatives of Iran’s Qasem Soleimani

Washington: US Senator Marco Rubio has announced the arrest of the niece and granddaughter of Iran’s late General Qasem Soleimani. Both women, who also hold US green cards, have had their residency privileges suspended and are expected to be deported soon.

In a strong statement, the US Secretary of State emphasized that there will be no compromise when it comes to national security, signaling a firm stance on the issue.

Authorities say this move underscores the US commitment to strict security measures, even when it involves foreign nationals with ties to prominent figures.

Another 48-hour ultimatum to Iran 

US President Donald Trump warned on Saturday that Iran had 48 hours to “make a deal or open up the Hormuz Strait” before “all Hell will reign down on them,” in a post on social media platform Truth Social as the conflict between Washington and Tehran enters its sixth week.

In the post, Trump said Iran had previously been given a ten-day window to negotiate or restore access to the strategic waterway, a vital artery for global oil shipments, and that time was now running out.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil flows, has been effectively shut down amid escalating hostilities, raising concerns among energy markets and governments worldwide.

Trump’s ultimatum comes as US military operations and Iranian counter-strikes have intensified across the region. Iran has claimed to have downed multiple US aircraft and drones, and Tehran’s forces are searching for the crew of an American F-15 fighter jet that went down over Iranian territory and the Gulf, heightening tensions further.

Where is US F-15E pilot?

A US F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down over Iran during escalating regional hostilities, prompting an urgent and high-risk search-and-rescue operation for its two crew members. Iranian citizens concern have been searching on Google “Iranian fighter jets” to confirm if the Iran has shared a footage of the captured pilot. According to the latest confirmed reports, the aircraft carried both a pilot and a weapons systems officer. Following the incident, one crew member was successfully rescued by US forces.