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Iranian Oil Tankers Break Through Strait of Hormuz Blockade as US-Iran Peace Deal Nears Signing

Iranian oil shipments have passed through a US naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz for the first time in two months, according to maritime intelligence reports, as Washington and Tehran move toward finalising a peace agreement aimed at ending their ongoing conflict.

Tanker tracking firm TankerTrackers reported that at least two supertankers operated by Iran’s National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC), identified as Diona and Hero2, successfully crossed the blockade line on Wednesday. The vessels were carrying a combined total of approximately 3.8 million barrels of crude oil.

A third vessel, the NITC ship Stream, was also reported to be approaching the blockade zone from Pakistan’s exclusive economic zone, where it had been waiting for several weeks to enter Iranian waters.

The blockade was first imposed on 13 April, when tensions escalated sharply between the United States and Iran. It restricted movement of vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports along the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, effectively disrupting a major global energy shipping corridor.

The developments come after a tentative peace agreement was announced over the weekend by Pakistani officials acting as intermediaries, alongside US President Donald Trump. The proposed deal reportedly includes an immediate halt to military operations across multiple fronts, including Lebanon, where fighting linked to the wider regional conflict has continued.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said an official signing ceremony is scheduled to take place on 19 June in Switzerland. He described the agreement as a step toward ending hostilities, although the situation on the ground remains uncertain. Lebanese authorities reported renewed Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, raising questions about the durability of the ceasefire framework.

President Trump later confirmed the agreement in a post on social media, stating that the deal with Iran was “now complete.” He also announced the lifting of the US naval blockade and said the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, describing it as a measure to allow global oil shipments to resume freely.

While full details of the agreement have not yet been published, Trump has repeatedly said that the deal includes two central conditions: the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a commitment from Iran not to pursue nuclear weapons.

The announcement has prompted calls for greater transparency from US lawmakers. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer urged the administration to provide Congress with a full briefing and release the terms of the agreement publicly, warning that the American public must be informed about the scope and consequences of the deal.

As diplomatic preparations continue, shipping analysts say the partial resumption of tanker movements could signal the first steps toward restoring stability in one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, though broader political uncertainties remain unresolved.

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Fraudsters are increasingly using AI-generated images and videos to trick people into handing over sensitive personal and financial information, according to FraudSMART, the financial crime awareness initiative operated by the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI). The organisation has reported a rise in online adverts promoting fake, State-backed investment schemes. These scams often use fabricated images of well-known politicians and business figures to make the offers appear legitimate and encourage users to click on registration links. Niamh Davenport, head of financial crime at BPFI, said scammers are deliberately exploiting recent media coverage of a planned State-backed savings and investment scheme to give their frauds a sense of credibility. “They often claim the scheme is open to everyone, but that places are limited and being ‘snapped up’ fast, in order to pressure people to act quickly,” she said. “They typically promise guaranteed returns or a guaranteed monthly income.” FraudSMART said that while anyone can be targeted, people in their early 50s are particularly vulnerable to investment scams. This age group is often focused on retirement planning, making them more receptive to financial offers that appear secure or high-yield. According to the organisation, most scams follow a similar pattern. Victims are first directed to click a registration link and complete a short online form providing their contact details. They are then contacted by someone posing as a financial adviser, who urges them to make an immediate “security deposit” to secure participation in the scheme. Once a payment is made, the money is quickly moved through multiple accounts, often overseas, making recovery extremely difficult. Davenport warned that scammers are becoming more sophisticated in their use of technology, particularly AI tools that allow them to create realistic but entirely fake promotional content. These materials are designed to mimic legitimate financial advertisements and build trust with potential victims. Recent figures from An Garda Síochána show investment fraud rose by 20% last year, with losses exceeding €20 million. The scale of individual scams varies widely, ranging from smaller crypto-related frauds involving a few hundred euro to large-scale investment schemes where victims lose tens of thousands. FraudSMART is urging the public to remain cautious when encountering online investment advertisements, especially those promising guaranteed returns or requiring urgent action. It also advises consumers to avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources and to be wary of pressure tactics designed to rush financial decisions. Authorities continue to warn that fraudsters are adapting quickly, using advanced digital tools to target victims across multiple platforms.

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Fraudsters are increasingly using AI-generated images and videos to trick people into handing over sensitive personal and financial information, according to FraudSMART, the financial crime awareness initiative operated by the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI). The organisation has reported a rise in online adverts promoting fake, State-backed investment schemes. These scams often use fabricated images of well-known politicians and business figures to make the offers appear legitimate and encourage users to click on registration links. Niamh Davenport, head of financial crime at BPFI, said scammers are deliberately exploiting recent media coverage of a planned State-backed savings and investment scheme to give their frauds a sense of credibility. “They often claim the scheme is open to everyone, but that places are limited and being ‘snapped up’ fast, in order to pressure people to act quickly,” she said. “They typically promise guaranteed returns or a guaranteed monthly income.” FraudSMART said that while anyone can be targeted, people in their early 50s are particularly vulnerable to investment scams. This age group is often focused on retirement planning, making them more receptive to financial offers that appear secure or high-yield. According to the organisation, most scams follow a similar pattern. Victims are first directed to click a registration link and complete a short online form providing their contact details. They are then contacted by someone posing as a financial adviser, who urges them to make an immediate “security deposit” to secure participation in the scheme. Once a payment is made, the money is quickly moved through multiple accounts, often overseas, making recovery extremely difficult. Davenport warned that scammers are becoming more sophisticated in their use of technology, particularly AI tools that allow them to create realistic but entirely fake promotional content. These materials are designed to mimic legitimate financial advertisements and build trust with potential victims. Recent figures from An Garda Síochána show investment fraud rose by 20% last year, with losses exceeding €20 million. The scale of individual scams varies widely, ranging from smaller crypto-related frauds involving a few hundred euro to large-scale investment schemes where victims lose tens of thousands. FraudSMART is urging the public to remain cautious when encountering online investment advertisements, especially those promising guaranteed returns or requiring urgent action. It also advises consumers to avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources and to be wary of pressure tactics designed to rush financial decisions. Authorities continue to warn that fraudsters are adapting quickly, using advanced digital tools to target victims across multiple platforms.

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