On Schedule: Iran And Russia Strengthen Ties

Iran's New Supreme Leader Backs Stronger Ties With Russia

Sputnik

Iran is ready to remove obstacles to the implementation of joint projects with Russia, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's office said on Monday.

"During a meeting with Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev, the president emphasized the need to intensify the implementation of strategic agreements between Tehran and Moscow, declaring Iran's readiness to remove obstacles to the implementation of joint projects," the office said in a statement. 

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei advocates for stronger ties with Russia, the statement said.

Russia and Iran discussed prospects for developing the two countries' energy infrastructure during Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev's visit to the Islamic Republic, the Russian Energy Ministry said.

"Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev, co-chair of the Russian-Iranian Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, made a working visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran ... During the talks, the parties discussed prospects for the further development of Russia and Iran's energy infrastructure," the statement said.

Russia and Iran are steadily developing cooperation, including in the energy sector, Tsivilev said during the meeting, as quoted by the Russian Energy Ministry.

The parties discussed implementation of joint gas projects and preparation of bilateral cooperation agreements, the ministry added.

Iran and Russia are close to finalizing an agreement on the gas trade, Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said.

Paknejad said he had discussed with his Russian counterpart the implementation of agreements reached during the 19th session of the Russia-Iran Intergovernmental Commission in February 2026, as well as issues related to Russian investments in Iranian oil and gas fields. Possible solutions to existing problems in bilateral cooperation were also prepared.

US to Begin Iran's Naval Blockade on July 14 at 20:00 GMT

US to Begin Iran's Naval Blockade on July 14 at 20:00 GMT

Sputnik

The United States will begin enforcing a naval blockade of Iran on July 14 at 20:00 GMT, the US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said on Monday. 

"As of 2000Z [20:00 GMT] on 14 July 2026, U.S. Central Command will begin enforcement of a naval blockade of all Iranian ports and Iranian coastal areas," the JMIC said in a statement. 

The blockade will encompass Iran's entire coastline, including its ports and oil terminals, the JMIC added. 

"The blockade will not impede neutral transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations," the JMIC wrote. 

Humanitarian shipments will be permitted but will be subject to inspection, the JMIC said.

Iran's Foreign Minister Says Tehran Always Been, Will Remain 'Guardian' of Hormuz Strait

 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that Tehran had always been the "guardian" of the Strait of Hormuz and would remain so.

"[US President Donald Trump] is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service. Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER," Araghchi said.

Trump proclaimed that the United States is now “the guardian of the Hormuz Strait” and should thus be “reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped" on July 13.

He also declared the reinstatement of the US blockade on all Iranian traffic through the strait, adding that all other countries “will have fair and open use” of the waterway.

UAE says crew member killed, 8 others hurt in Iran missile attacks on tankers in Hormuz

UAE says crew member killed, 8 others hurt in Iran missile attacks on tankers in Hormuz

REUTERS

The UAE defense ministry says that two national tankers have been targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles in the southern lane of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters, killing one Indian crew member and wounding eight others, including four seriously.

The ministry says fires broke out on both tankers but have been brought under control. It condemns the attack as a serious breach of international law and says the UAE retains its full right to respond and take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security.

Trump vows to hit Iran hard today and tomorrow, praises relationship with Netanyahu

Trump vows to hit Iran hard today and tomorrow, praises relationship with Netanyahu

Jacob Magid

US President Donald Trump declares that the US will strike Iran hard tonight and tomorrow, as the conflict over control of the Strait of Hormuz appears to spiral out of control.

“We’re going to hit them very hard tonight and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow — and there’s not a damn thing they can do about it,” he says in an interview with conservative talk show host Hugh Hewitt. “They have nothing. They have nothing going other than they have big mouths.”

Trump downplays the importance of the memorandum of understanding that he signed last month with Iran to permanently end the war between the two countries, saying it was just a “test” which did not mean very much because the US is dealing with dishonorable “sleaze bags” who did not adhere to its terms. Tehran lodges the same accusation at the US, arguing that the MOU did acknowledge its control over the Strait of Hormuz, legitimizing its demand that ships crossing through the channel follow its rules.

Asked about his pledges to help Iranian anti-regime protesters and whether they should return to the streets, Trump cautions against the idea, given that the unarmed demonstrators are no match for the regime gunmen cracking down against them.

He claims that he never thought a popular uprising against the regime was possible, even though he declared in a speech on the first day of the war that Iran’s people should take over their government once the bombing subsides.

Asked to respond to claims by Israeli journalists that he has thrown Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under the bus through the MOU, the terms of which have sparked profound concern in Israel, Trump insists that is not the case, claiming that he gets along with the Israeli premier very well.

“Sometimes I disagree with him, and I let it be known, and I’ve been right,” Trump says, before reiterating that Netanyahu has done a good job as a “wartime prime minister” and that Israel would not exist today if the two of them were not in power.

Asked, with Israeli elections approaching, whether someone in Israel could do a better job than Netanyahu, Trump says he does not know most of the alternatives, but that he has a good relationship with Netanyahu.

Pressed on whether he should greenlight resumed Israeli conflicts Hamas and Hezbollah, Trump claims the US has made a “lot of progress” toward getting Hamas to disarm and again touts the terror group for helping recover the bodies of slain Israeli hostages.

A Growing Hostility Toward Jesus’ Return… From The Church?

A Growing Hostility Toward Jesus’ Return… From The Church?

Jan Markell

I recently received an email from a woman who detailed how her church has become hostile to those of us anticipating Jesus’ return. Mockers were predicted to emerge in the last days, but it is still hurtful.

Scoffers increase every year as we get closer to Christ’s return—despite the signs of the times exploding, which should serve as a wake-up call for how late the hour is.

The email I received also described denigrating names that were being given to people like her who were looking up, awaiting Jesus’ return—names like “End Times Eddie,” “Apocalyptic Anita,” or “Doom and Gloom June.” I wish I were making this up! This is just one more church saying, “Come Lord Jesus… but not too soon.”

Her church went on to teach that we can experience “heaven on earth” right now—and if that’s the case, why be in such a hurry to be raptured out? Are you kidding? With rampant crime and lawlessness, 20 active hot wars, birth pangs causing death and destruction, broken marriages, and teens out of control, thisis apparently “heaven on earth”?

The Bible is clear: until all things are made new, all things will remain broken. There can simply be no heaven on earth until Jesus reigns; the idea that it can is driven by “Kingdom Now” theology known as “dominionism.”

Let’s be honest, Earth is a sinking Titanic. It is ripe for judgment. No amount of wishful thinking can make it a Garden of Eden. Slumbering preachers and sleepy saints need to wake up and realize that Earth has an expiration date, and we are racing towards it. They also need to get excited about the fact that the King is coming to deliver His saints out of it.

Our assignment on this earth is not to continually improve it, making renovations to usher in Christ’s kingdom. While the Holy Spirit operates through the church to restrain the evil of our day, we know where this world is headed. That is why many are looking for the true rescue known as the “Blessed Hope,” the Rapture of believers, out of this Titanic.

We aren’t relying on the United Nations to rescue us or a false theology like “Kingdom Now.” We are waiting for a trumpet and a shout (1 Thessalonians 4). I’m proud to be among this crowd, no matter what name they want to call me—and I think you should flee from any church that seems to be teaching: “Come Lord Jesus… but not too soon.”