Independent Alabama

The UKMTO and Ambrey reported a vessel being struck in the Red Sea near Yemen’s Aden and a fire breaking out aboard. The incident occurred about 60 nautical miles southeast of Aden. The vessel is requiring assistance, and authorities have been informed and are responding. Ambrey also reported an incident 55 miles southeast of Aden…

Chinese officials are reportedly concerned that Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea could harm their business relations with Iran, and have conveyed this message to Iranian counterparts in a series of meetings in Beijing and Tehran, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The trade route between Asia and Europe, utilized by Chinese…

Iran’s Guardian Council’s Disqualification of Pragmatists Ensures Conflict with Israel: What’s Next? Iran’s Guardian Council’s decision has disqualified virtually all “pragmatists,” including former president Hassan Rouhani, from public office. This decision makes the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran’s proxies a virtual certainty, and war more likely than ever. On March 1, parliamentary elections and…

Britain and the United States have imposed sanctions on four senior Houthi officials for their involvement in supporting or directing attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. These attacks by the Houthi have disrupted global shipping and raised concerns about global inflation while also deepening fears that the Israel-Hamas war fallout could destabilize the…

The new shawarma and pizza shop “October 7” has opened in Jordan, seemingly glorifying Hamas’s attack on Israel. A video tour of the store was uploaded to the Jordanian news website Khaberni, showing cooks in “7 October” uniforms. The restaurant drew comparisons to other businesses in the Palestinian territories and diaspora that celebrate the murder…

Maersk Ships Halt Red Sea Transits After US Supply Ships Hit Explosions forced two ships operated by Maersk’s US subsidiary to turn around as they were transiting off Yemen, the company said. The ships were carrying US military supplies and were accompanied by the US Navy. “While en route, both ships reported seeing explosions close…

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi recently visited Turkey to discuss economic and commercial issues. The two countries also share a common position in supporting Palestine and oppose Israel’s war in Gaza. Their support for Hamas differs, with Iran engaging in missile attacks and pushing its proxies to attack Israel and the US, while Turkey has been…

Saudi Arabia is preparing to open its first alcohol store in Riyadh for non-Muslim diplomats, as part of the Saudi Crown Prince’s efforts to open the country for tourism and business. The store will be located in the Diplomatic Quarter and will serve only non-Muslims. Customers will have to register through a mobile app and…

The Iranian-backed Houthi militants are calling for the eviction of US and UK nationals employed in Yemen. This demand was communicated through a letter sent to the United Nations in Yemen. The Houthis have also urged aid organizations not to hire individuals with US and UK citizenship for the next 30 days. Furthermore, the Houthis…

Iran’s Guardian Council has banned former President Hassan Rouhani from standing for the Assembly of Experts electon in March, state media said on Wednesday. The Assembly supervises the most powerful authority and will play a significant role in choosing the successor of 84-year-old Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Rouhani was previously elected in 2013 and 2017…