US military accelerates deployment of troops to Middle East due to operation against Iran, NBC reports.
“The US is accelerating the deployment of thousands of additional sailors and marines to the Middle East“, the report says.
According to the channel, 2,200 marines will leave for the region from San Diego in the coming days, ahead of schedule.
The servicemen will reportedly board the USS Boxer landing ship, with two more needed to accommodate several thousand sailors.
The US has updated its license for commercial operations in Russian oil, prohibiting deals with certain countries, according to a Treasury Department document.
The changes apply to the license, authorizing the sale of Russian oil and oil products loaded on vessels, effective March 12.
The new version prohibits transactions with individuals and organizations associated with Iran, North Korea, Cuba, as well as Crimea and the so-called new Russian regions.
Other parameters remain unchanged: the measure is in effect until 08:01 on April 11. The lifting of sanctions will affect one hundred million barrels.
The conflict between Israel and the US with Iran has effectively stopped shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for energy supplies from the Persian Gulf to the world market.
Meanwhile, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called on the international community not to allow the US administration to believe that it has the right to control other continents and countries.
“We cannot allow anyone to think that they own the world and talk about taking over Greenland, the Panama Canal, Cuba or Venezuela. This is impossible. Our planet needs peace, not war,“ the Brazilian leader said during a public speech broadcast on the government's YouTube channel. According to the head of state, the world's leading countries must "learn to respect the right of peoples to self-determination."