Journalist
Hwang Jin-hyun
jinhyun97@ajunews.com
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Iran Proposes Hormuz Strait Controls, Fees; Would Bar Israeli Ships and Demand Reparations Iran is moving to place the Strait of Hormuz effectively under its control and impose transit fees. Iran International, a U.K.-based opposition outlet, reported that Ali Nikzad, the first deputy speaker of Iran’s parliament, said during a visit to Bandar Abbas that a 12-point plan on Hormuz controls and transit rules would ban Israeli vessels from passing through the strait under any circumstances. Nikzad added that ships belonging to “hostile” countries would not be allowed to transit unless they first pay compensation for war-related damage. He did not name specific countries. Iran International said the measure is being interpreted as aimed at the United States and some Middle Eastern Arab allies, which Iran has previously described as “hostile countries.” The plan would also restrict passage for ships from nonhostile countries. Under the proposal, all vessels would need prior Iranian permission before transiting the strait, and could be required to pay a fee. Mohammadreza Rezaei, chair of parliament’s construction committee, said Iran plans to use 30% of the fee revenue to expand military infrastructure and the remaining 70% for economic development and welfare. “Managing the Strait of Hormuz is more important than obtaining nuclear weapons,” he said. Since a Middle East war began after the United States and Israel struck Iran on Feb. 28, the strait has remained effectively blocked, according to the report. The waterway is a key maritime route through which about 20% of global oil and gas supplies pass. Iran is seeking to use the fee system to offset some of its war-related economic losses, but the United States has strongly objected. Washington has warned that companies or countries that pay Iran’s transit fees could face sanctions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 17:42:05 -
Japan Imports Russian Crude for First Time Since Hormuz Strait Closure Japan will import Russian crude oil for the first time since the Strait of Hormuz was closed. Kyodo News reported May 2, citing a Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry official, that refiner Taiyo Oil procured crude produced by the Sakhalin-2 oil and gas development project in Russia’s Far East through a spot deal. The crude was reported to have left Sakhalin aboard a tanker in late April. The tanker carrying the Russian crude is expected to arrive as early as the night of May 3 at Ehime Prefecture, where Taiyo Oil has refining facilities. It is Japan’s first import of Russian crude since the Hormuz closure. Kyodo said the purchase is not believed to fall under Western sanctions imposed over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Sakhalin-2 is led by Russia’s state energy company Gazprom, with Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp. and Mitsui & Co. participating. It produces liquefied natural gas and crude from offshore gas fields northeast of Russia’s Sakhalin region. The project began year-round crude production in 2008 and has exported LNG since 2009. Japan also holds a stake in the Sakhalin-1 development. The import is seen as part of Japan’s effort to diversify procurement as disruptions to Middle East crude shipments persist. Kyodo reported that a large tanker managed by a unit of Idemitsu Kosan was confirmed to have passed through the Strait of Hormuz in late April, but it remains unclear whether Middle East crude transport will return to normal.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 17:04:08 -
Nvidia’s Physical AI Push Lifts Shares of Asian Partners Including LG Electronics Nvidia’s expansion into robotics and autonomous systems — often described as “physical AI” — has helped lift shares of several Asian partners, Bloomberg News reported May 2. Bloomberg said shares of South Korea’s LG Electronics, Taiwan’s Nanya Technology, and China’s Huizhou Desay SV Automotive and Pateo Connect Technology rose on expectations of broader cooperation with Nvidia. LG Electronics closed at 140,900 won as of April 30, up 33% over the past month. On April 28, the stock jumped as much as 15% intraday after reports it was discussing linking its home robot to Nvidia’s platform. Nanya rose 10% on news of cooperation with Nvidia, Bloomberg said. Desay’s shares also advanced after it unveiled an intelligent driving solution with Nvidia, while Pateo gained on expectations of expanded collaboration. Bloomberg reported that about 90% of Nvidia’s production costs now go to Asian suppliers, up sharply from about 65% last year, as surging demand for AI chips increases reliance on Asian firms strong in manufacturing, assembly and key components. “Global tech companies like Nvidia inevitably will keep increasing their dependence on Asian supply chains,” said Vey-Sern Ling, managing director at Union Bancaire Privee. “Physical AI will be an additional growth driver on top of the already rapidly rising AI chip demand in Asia’s supply chain.” Cooperation expands into physical AI The recent cooperation trend is widening beyond semiconductors into physical AI. Nvidia has worked with SK hynix and Samsung Electronics to boost AI computing capacity, but it has recently broadened cooperation into robotics and autonomous driving. Madison Huang, a senior director and the eldest daughter of CEO Jensen Huang, visited LG Electronics’ headquarters in Seoul on April 28 and discussed cooperation in robotics, AI data centers and mobility with LG Electronics President Ryu Jae-cheol, according to the report. Bloomberg said Nvidia’s physical AI strategy is expanding applications across real-world industries, including robotics, autonomous systems and AI-driven manufacturing, while highlighting Asia as a core partner. Huang has previously described physical AI as the next growth phase after generative AI. Some analysts said the shift could support broader gains in Asian tech shares. “As AI demand expands and its applications broaden at the same time, more companies are getting opportunities to participate in the supply chain,” said Marvin Chen, a strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence. He said North Asian markets with a high weighting in technology could show relative strength. Large capital spending plans by U.S. big tech companies are also supporting the trend. Amazon, Microsoft and Alphabet each plan about $190 billion to $200 billion in capital expenditures this year, while Meta has raised investment to as much as $145 billion, Bloomberg said. Nvidia has become a key supplier, accounting for about half of Microsoft’s investment and about a quarter of Amazon’s, the report said. As a result, Asian companies including Foxconn and SK hynix have continued to benefit indirectly. “AI is creating new demand across semiconductors, components, servers and hardware infrastructure, bringing Asia’s structural strengths into sharper focus,” said Rajiv De Mello, a global macro portfolio manager at Gama Asset Management. “Asia already has the experience and supply chains to build advanced semiconductors and robots, giving it a favorable foundation for implementing physical AI.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 16:40:52 -
Trump Threatens Higher Auto Tariffs, Deeper U.S. Troop Cuts in Germany, Raising Alliance Concerns President Donald Trump is escalating pressure on the European Union, pairing a threat to raise auto tariffs with a push to cut U.S. forces stationed in Germany. The moves come after Europe was seen as uncooperative with U.S. military operations against Iran, sharpening strains within the trans-Atlantic alliance. CNN reported that Trump told reporters in Florida on Friday, before boarding Air Force One, that the United States would “reduce troops significantly,” adding that the cut would be “far more” than 5,000. His remarks came less than a day after the Pentagon said it would withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany over the next six to 12 months. Trump had also signaled possible reductions earlier in the week, after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the United States was being “humiliated” in ceasefire talks with Iran. A senior U.S. Defense Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that Merz’s comment was “inappropriate and unhelpful,” and said Trump was responding “legitimately” to remarks that backfired. German officials have reacted calmly. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told dpa that a U.S. troop drawdown in Europe, including Germany, was foreseeable and that Europeans must take more responsibility for their own security. The Wall Street Journal reported that while the German government has played down the withdrawal as largely symbolic, experts warned a wider rupture could threaten both Europe’s economy and its security. Thorsten Benner, director of the Berlin-based Global Public Policy Institute, said the issues at stake were “far more important” than a symbolic 5,000-troop cut. He also pointed to concerns that U.S. weapons stocks are being depleted quickly after heavy use of military assets in the Iran war. More than 36,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Germany. Ramstein Air Base hosts the headquarters of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and supports airlift, airdrop and aeromedical evacuation units. Germany also hosts NATO-related facilities. Concerns have also surfaced in the United States. U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Gordon Davis, a former senior NATO official, said congressional reaction suggests the announcement was made without sufficient coordination and could affect NATO deterrence. He said it could also weaken the U.S. ability to respond quickly to conflicts in Europe or nearby regions. Whether the reductions will be carried out remains unclear. Congress has previously moved to constrain troop cuts in Europe. In 2020, during Trump’s first administration, he sought to reduce forces in Germany by about 12,000, but the plan was effectively blocked after Congress imposed conditions through the National Defense Authorization Act. Trump is also wielding tariffs. On May 1, he said the EU had failed to implement the “Turnberry agreement,” a trade deal reached at a golf resort in Turnberry, Scotland, and said he would raise tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the EU to 25% next week. That would restore tariffs to levels that existed before a trade agreement reached on July 27 last year. Under that deal, the EU agreed to buy $750 billion in U.S. energy and military equipment and to make an additional $600 billion in investment. In return, the United States lowered its reciprocal tariff rate to 15% and set product-specific tariffs, including on autos, at 15%. Moritz Schularick, president of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, told Reuters that raising the auto tariff to 25% could cost Germany about 15 billion euros, and could rise to 30 billion euros over the longer term. The institute did not disclose its calculation method. Volkswagen Group, which accounts for about 40% of German auto production, has said that even at a 15% tariff it faces about 4 billion euros a year in added costs. Mercedes-Benz and BMW, with higher shares of U.S.-based production, are expected to be less affected.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 15:44:06 -
Israel Strikes About 100 Hezbollah Sites in Southern Lebanon Despite Ceasefire Israel carried out large-scale airstrikes in Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreement, hitting about 100 Hezbollah sites in the country’s south. AFP reported that the Israeli military said in a statement on May 2 (local time) it struck about 70 Hezbollah military facilities and about 50 infrastructure sites across several areas of southern Lebanon, saying it removed threats. The military was reported to have issued evacuation orders to residents of nine villages in southern Lebanon ahead of the strikes. Lebanese media also reported casualties, saying at least three people were killed in the south. Hezbollah, in turn, continued attacks targeting Israeli forces, calling them a legitimate response to what it described as Israel’s ceasefire violations. Hezbollah is widely seen as Iran’s key proxy in the Middle East. Israel has long regarded the group, based in southern Lebanon along its northern border, as its biggest security threat. The clashes escalated on Feb. 28, early in the Iran war, when Hezbollah launched rocket attacks in retaliation for Israel’s killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the report said. The two sides agreed to a ceasefire on April 17, but have continued to trade accusations of violations as fighting persists. As the situation worsened, Lebanese army commander Rodolphe Haykal met on May 2 (local time) with U.S. Gen. Joseph Clearfield, chair of the ceasefire monitoring committee, during Clearfield’s visit to Lebanon. They discussed Lebanon’s security situation and regional developments and explored ways to improve the effectiveness of the ceasefire monitoring system, reports said. AFP said more than 2,600 people have been killed in Lebanon and more than 1 million displaced over about two months of Israeli airstrikes. Separately, controversy has erupted after reports said a Catholic facility in southern Lebanon was damaged during the strikes. The Israeli military said a house inside a religious compound was damaged during an attack on Hezbollah sites, adding that there were no markings indicating the building was a religious facility. A French Catholic charity group strongly objected, saying the Israeli military destroyed a convent of the Greek Catholic "Sisters of the Savior," which it said works with the organization.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 14:40:01 -
LPG Carrier Bound for India Transits Strait of Hormuz for First Time Since U.S. Blockade About 20 days after the United States began enforcing a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, an LPG carrier bound for India has transited the waterway for the first time. Bloomberg News and Indian media outlet The Indian Express reported on the 3rd (local time) that MarineTraffic vessel-tracking data showed the Marshall Islands-flagged very large gas carrier Sarv Shakti exited the Strait of Hormuz the previous day and entered the Gulf of Oman. The ship was carrying about 45,000 tons of LPG. Its automatic identification system (AIS) listed it as India-bound with Indian crew members aboard, and the cargo owner was reported to be state-run Indian Oil Corp. (IOC). It was the first India-related energy carrier to pass through the strait since the United States moved to impose a maritime blockade on April 13 after talks with Iran collapsed. The Sarv Shakti was reported to have departed the UAE’s Gantoot port on March 3 and transited the strait along the Iran-side route. It was not confirmed whether the vessel paid Iran a “toll” during the passage. On May 1, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control warned the global shipping industry that paying Iran for safe passage or asking it to refrain from attacks could expose parties to sanctions. The LPG shipment is equivalent to about half a day of India’s consumption under prewar benchmarks. The Indian Express said expectations are growing that the transit could slightly ease energy supply strains in India. India typically depends on the Strait of Hormuz for about 40% of its crude oil imports, more than 50% of its liquefied natural gas (LNG), and about 90% of its LPG. The war and blockade have severely disrupted supplies. In response, India has moved to address shortages, including raising domestic LPG output to about 54,000 tons a day. Separately, after the war began and before the U.S. blockade took effect, eight Indian-flagged LPG carriers and one oil tanker transited the strait, a process reported to have been arranged through talks between India and Iran. Fourteen Indian vessels remain stuck in the Persian Gulf, and foreign ships bound for India are also facing operational disruptions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 14:09:53 -
Trump Suggests Cuba Could Be Seized Quickly, Cites Carrier as Pressure U.S. President Donald Trump suggested the possibility of military action against Cuba and announced additional sanctions targeting the island nation. According to AFP, Trump said at an event in Florida on May 1 that “our military can occupy Cuba almost immediately.” He added that on the way back from Iran, he would send “one of our big assets,” possibly the USS Abraham Lincoln, which he described as among the world’s largest aircraft carriers. “If we deploy it and stop about 100 yards off the coast, they’ll say, ‘Thank you very much. We surrender,’” he said. Trump also announced new sanctions on May 2. The measures designate as targets individuals involved in key sectors including energy, defense and finance, and allow penalties for foreign financial institutions that do business with them. The administration also said it would bar entry to the United States for Cuban government officials deemed involved in human rights abuses or corruption. Since the ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January, Trump has increased pressure on Cuba, which the report described as maintaining close ties with China and Russia, by raising the prospect of military operations. Cuba is already facing broader anxiety and a sense of crisis as the Trump administration’s energy-supply blockade takes effect, the report said. Cuba strongly rejected Trump’s remarks. President Miguel Diaz-Canel wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on May 2 that Trump’s threat amounted to a “serious criminal act” and urged an international response. “The president of the United States is raising the threat of a military attack against Cuba to a dangerous and unprecedented level,” Diaz-Canel said. “No matter how powerful the aggressor, it will not obtain surrender in Cuba.” Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez criticized the sanctions, calling the U.S. actions “collective punishment” of the Cuban people and a violation of the U.N. Charter. 2026-05-03 11:33:15 -
Trump Signals Deeper Cuts to U.S. Troops Stationed in Germany Beyond 5,000 The U.S. military has announced plans to cut about 5,000 troops stationed in Germany, and President Donald Trump suggested the reduction could be even larger. CNN reported that Trump told reporters in Florida on Friday, before boarding Air Force One, that the United States would “reduce troops significantly” and cut “much more” than 5,000. His comments came less than a day after the Pentagon said it would withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany over the next six to 12 months. Trump had also signaled possible cuts earlier this week, after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the United States was being “humiliated” in talks over a ceasefire with Iran. Tensions between European leaders and the Trump administration have also intensified after the United States entered a war with Iran without giving most NATO allies advance notice, according to the report. Germany’s government has appeared to take the decision in stride. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius called the U.S. troop reduction “expected” and said it underscored the need for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security. More than about 36,000 U.S. troops are currently stationed in Germany. Ramstein Air Base is a key hub that hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and units that carry out airlift, airdrop and aeromedical evacuation missions. Germany also hosts NATO-related facilities.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 10:51:15 -
US Targets Iran’s ‘Shadow Banking’ Network With Sanctions on 35 People, Firms The United States is stepping up economic pressure on Iran by expanding sanctions aimed at what it calls a “shadow banking” network that Washington says serves as a funding lifeline for Iran’s military, as talks on ending the war remain stalled. Reuters reported that the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said Monday it had designated 35 individuals and companies for their alleged involvement in sanctions evasion and terrorism financing. OFAC said the targets helped Iran’s military — including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — gain access to the international financial system to collect proceeds from illicit oil sales, procure sensitive components needed for missiles and other weapons systems, and transfer funds to regional proxy forces. Those designated include private companies known as “Ravar” that worked with banks including Sina Bank, which the report said is controlled by Iran’s supreme leader; the military-linked Sepah Bank; and Shahr Bank, which was involved in oil sales. Iran’s banks, cut off from Western financial networks, have used such private networks to run thousands of shell companies abroad to process payments, the report said. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement that Iran’s shadow financial system is “a critical financial lifeline” for the military and enables activities that disrupt global trade and fuel violence across the Middle East. He said illicit funds moving through the network support Iran’s “ongoing terrorist operations” and pose a direct threat to the United States, regional allies and the global economy. The Treasury Department also warned that financial institutions dealing with China’s small independent “teapot” refineries could face sanctions, citing concerns that the refineries pay Iran transit fees to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Bessent wrote on social media platform X earlier Monday that the Treasury Department, through an “Economic Fury” operation, targeted Iran’s international shadow financial infrastructure and access routes to cryptocurrency, the so-called “shadow fleet,” weapons procurement networks, funding channels for regional proxy forces, and China’s independent “teapot” refineries that support Iran’s oil trade. He said the measures blocked “tens of billions of dollars” in revenue that could be used for terrorism, and added that under the president’s “maximum pressure” policy, prices in Tehran have doubled and the currency has sharply weakened. Bessent also said Iran’s main crude export terminal on Kharg Island is expected to near its storage capacity limit, forcing Iran to cut oil production. He said that could lead to additional revenue losses of about $170 million a day and cause permanent damage to Iran’s oil infrastructure. He said the Treasury Department would continue maximum pressure and warned that individuals, ships and institutions that help illicit funds flow to Tehran risk U.S. sanctions. Bessent had also warned the previous day that sanctions could be imposed on individuals or companies that do business with an Iranian airline already under U.S. sanctions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 17:22:33 -
Iran War Nears 60-Day War Powers Deadline as Congress Weighs Role The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran is nearing a 60-day deadline, raising uncertainty over whether Congress will step in and how President Donald Trump may proceed. CNN and Al Jazeera reported that the conflict will reach its 60th day on May 1, counted from when Trump formally notified the start of the war. Under the 1973 War Powers Act, a president must obtain congressional approval to continue military operations beyond 60 days. How Congress responds is expected to be pivotal. Analysts have also pointed to past cases — including the Clinton administration’s Kosovo air campaign and the Obama administration’s Libya strikes — in which administrations continued operations without approval by narrowly interpreting what qualifies as “hostilities.” So far, Congress has shown little momentum. Republicans, who hold narrow control of both chambers, have repeatedly blocked resolutions aimed at limiting Trump’s military authority, and open opposition to the war has remained limited. Political risks are growing ahead of November’s midterm elections, with concerns that the war and its economic costs could hurt Republicans. U.S. public opinion has also soured. In a Reuters-Ipsos poll, 26% said the operation was worth its cost, and 25% said it made the United States safer. Some observers say a Republican-led Congress may avoid forcing the issue and allow the war to drag on. Henry Olsen, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, told Al Jazeera, “They (Republican lawmakers) will want to avoid this vote by any means possible.” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly rejected that criticism, telling Military.com that Trump had briefed Congress transparently even before “Operation Epic Fury” began and that administration officials have provided more than 30 bipartisan briefings for lawmakers. Trump’s next steps remain unclear. Reuters, citing U.S. government officials, reported that intelligence agencies are analyzing how Iran might respond if Trump unilaterally declares victory after about two months of war. The report said the work is meant to gauge the fallout if Trump pulls back, as some officials and advisers worry the conflict could lead to a major Republican defeat in the midterms. No specific decision has been announced, but Trump could still resume or expand military operations if he deems it necessary. A rapid easing of tensions could reduce political pressure, while critics warn it could allow Iran to rebuild nuclear and missile capabilities and expand regional influence. Maintaining a maritime blockade is also being discussed as a pressure tool. The Wall Street Journal, citing sources, reported that Trump has instructed aides to prepare to extend the blockade, describing it as a lower-risk option than restarting airstrikes or declaring an early end to the war. The prolonged conflict is also battering Iran’s economy. The U.N. Development Programme projected that up to 4.1 million more people could fall into poverty. Hadi Kahalzadeh of the Quincy Institute said “50% of all jobs in Iran are at risk,” and that an additional 5% of the population could fall into poverty. Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social that Iran had just told the United States it was in a “State of Collapse,” adding that Iran wanted the Strait of Hormuz opened “as soon as possible” as it tried to resolve leadership issues. As U.S.-Iran talks on ending the war struggle to gain traction, CNN reported that Pakistani mediators expect to receive Iran’s revised negotiating proposal within days. 2026-04-29 16:28:29