US-Iran brinkmanship: Strait of Hormuz blockade, Bulgarian base, and Trump's 'gates of hell'

CENTCOM redirects nine ships as Iran threatens retaliation and Bulgaria approves US aircraft deployment.

US-Iran brinkmanship: Strait of Hormuz blockade, Bulgarian base, and Trump's 'gates of hell' — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared on X this evening an old report claiming President Trump ordered CENTCOM to 'open the gates of hell' against Iran. [^1] Hours earlier, CENTCOM announced it had redirected nine commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz as part of a naval blockade of Iranian ports, and neutralized one vessel 'to ensure full compliance with the embargo.' [^2] Bulgaria's parliament approved on Wednesday the temporary deployment of eight US KC-135 refueling aircraft and about 250 personnel at the Bezmer military base, from July 24 to October 1. The vote was 136 in favor, 13 against. [^3] Iran had previously warned that countries providing territory to US forces would be considered aggressors. [^4] The decision comes as the US and Saudi Arabia are expected to sign a civilian nuclear agreement tonight at 8:30 PM Israel time. [^5] Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, nearly five months after the elimination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Operation 'Lion's Roar,' described the attack and said Iran had a pre-formulated plan to close the Strait of Hormuz called 'Code 110.' [^6] Meanwhile, retired Israel Navy commander Eliezer Marom told 103FM that only regime change can prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, noting Iran's stockpile includes 440 kg of enriched uranium at 60%. The Americans face a choice between full-scale escalation against Iran's infrastructure or accepting compromise proposals from Pakistan, Oman, and Qatar. Israel maintains heightened combat readiness due to complete ignorance of Trump's plans. Likud primaries vote set for Monday as Netanyahu blocks Begin's grandson — President Isaac Herzog visited the Maccabim training base on Wednesday evening, the eve of Tisha B'Av, reading the Book of Lamentations with soldiers of the haredi Hasmonean Brigade.[^1] The same evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blocked Avindav Begin, grandson of the late Menachem Begin, on his X account.[^2] The timing drew attention: Tisha B'Av commemorates the destruction of the Temples, a day traditionally associated with interna